Amel Larrieux
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| Amel Larrieux | ||
|---|---|---|
| Background information | ||
| Origin |  Greenwich Village, New York,United States |
|
| Genre(s) | R&B, soul | |
| Occupation(s) | singer, songwriter, keyboardist, record producer | |
| Instrument(s) | vocals, keyboards | |
| Years active | 1995-present | |
| Label(s) | Epic Records, Sony 550 Music, Blisslife Records |
|
| Associated acts |
Groove Theory | |
| Website | AmelLarrieux.com | |
Amel Larrieux is an American R&B and soul singer and songwriter.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Amel Larrieux grew up in New York City's Greenwich Village. Her African-American mother, Brenda Dixon Gottschild, was a dance critic and professor. Her father is European-American of French, English, and Scottish descent. Larrieux was raised in a very artistic environment and was surrounded by talented and inspirational artists. Many of her influences are drawn from R&B, soul, jazz, hip-hop, and gospel with flashes of Middle Eastern, West African, and Indian ethnic styles. She has often been documented for describing her music as "Amel's music". Larrieux currently resides in New York City with her husband, Laru, and two daughters, Sanji Rei and Sky. Her forename Amel means "hope" in Arabic.
[edit] Groove Theory
Amel started her music career in 1995 as half of the R&B duo Groove Theory along with Bryce Wilson. Their 1995 release Groove Theory spawned a few radio friendly hits such as "Tell Me", "Keep Trying", and "Baby Luv". The duo were also featured on successful motion picture soundtracks such as Sunset Park and Love Jones. Larrieux, pursuing a solo career, would not be involved in the duo's eventually-shelved second release The Answer. Makeda Davis would step in as lead singer until Groove Theory officially broke up in 2001.
[edit] Solo career
Amel co-wrote and co-produced her first solo album Infinite Possibilities (US #79) along with husband Laru Larrieux under Epic Records; the album produced the minor hit "Get Up". Some tracks from the album, such as closing track "Make Me Whole", could be described as acid jazz, which is a musical genre that combines elements of jazz with soul, or funk. Her 2004 sophomore album Bravebird (US 166#, released under the Blisslife Records label, spawned the midtempo radio single "For Real" which showcases her ablitity to utilize the whistle register,and inspired Ebony Magazine to rave about her "ethereal high-octave vocals that bring to mind Minnie Riperton."[1] Her third effort Morning (US#74) was released in April 2006 and features the single "Weary". It's her highest charting album to date.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Groove Theory (1995)
- Infinite Possibilities (2000) (US #79, R&B #21)
- Bravebird (2004) (US #166, #28 R&B, #5 Indie)
- Morning (2006) (US #74, US #8 R&B)
[edit] Singles
| Year | Song | US Hot 100 | US R&B | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | "Tell Me" (Groove Theory) | 5 | 3 | Groove Theory |
| 1996 | "Keep Tryin'" (Groove Theory) | 64 | 24 | Groove Theory |
| 1996 | "Baby Luv" (Groove Theory) | 65 | 23 | Groove Theory |
| 2000 | "Get Up" | 97 | 31 | Infinite Possibilities |
| 2000 | "Sweet Misery" | 81 | Infinite Possibilities | |
| 2000 | "I N I" | Infinite Possibilities | ||
| 2000 | "Make Me Whole" | Infinite Possibilities | ||
| 2001 | "Glitches (The Skin You're In)" (The Roots feat. Amel Larrieux) |
Down to Earth OST | ||
| 2004 | "For Real" | 45 | Bravebird | |
| 2004 | "We Can Be New" | Bravebird | ||
| 2006 | "Weary" | Morning |
[edit] Videos
- Groove Theory: "Tell Me" (Epic, 1995)
- Groove Theory: "Keep Tryin" (Epic, 1995)
- Sweetback feat. Amel Larrieux: "You Will Rise" (Epic, 1996)
- Amel Larrieux: "Get Up" (Sony 550/Epic, 2000)
- Amel Larrieux: "Sweet Misery" (Sony 550/Epic, 2000)
- The Roots feat. Amel Larrieux: "Glitches (The Skin You're In)" (2001)
- Amel Larrieux: "For Real" (Blisslife, 2004)
- Amel Larrieux: "Weary" (Blisslife, 2006)
[edit] Trivia
- In high school, Amel Larrieux went to her senior prom with Roots-drummer Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson.
- Amel Larrieux often performs live with her eyes closed. [2]
- Amel participated in BET's AIDS awareness campaign "Rap It Up". A portion of her song "Giving Something Up" was used in the commercial.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ Amel Larrieux's dynamic second recording, Bravebird, blends rhythm & blues, soul, hip-hop, jazz and folk music. Ebony Magazine (February 2004).
- ^ Brave Bird Amel Larrieux Soars with Another Eclectic Set. Barnes & Noble (January 30, 2004).
- ^ Blisslife News Archive.
