The next wave: these sexy singers are ready to take center stage as the next generation of soulful superstars

KELIS

TASTY is the title of her latest recording, but to many of her fans the ward also describes KELIS, the young woman behind the popular dance tune "Milkshake." Like the other young divas-in-the-making featured here, Kelis (pronounced "kuh-Leese") has been immersed in music practically all her life. She grew up in a middle-class household in Harlem with her Puerto Rican/Chinese mother and her late African-American father, who was a jazz musician and a minister. As a child, she sang in church as well as with the Girl's Choir of Harlem, and played violin, piano and saxophone in school. Kelis attended high school at the renowned LaGuardia School for the Arts (model for the television series Fame), and admits she was a problem far her parents, who (she says) eventually kicked her out of the house. She survived and matured and finished high school while connecting with music industry insiders. After she was introduced to the Neptunes, she immediately formed a bond with the dynamic producing duo. While her first CD, Kaleidoscope (Virgin), didn't catch on in the U.S., it became a big hit overseas. A second CD was released only in Europe and Asia. However, she hit it big time in the States with her latest CD, Tasty(Arista), with the popular, playful party jam "Milkshake." In addition to being a hit on the charts, Kelis and her fiance, rap artist Nas, seem to be making sweet music on their way to the altar.

VIVIAN GREEN

VIVIAN GREEN, 24, is among the talented young performers who can write songs and sing them convincingly as well. She can't remember when her life hasn't been influenced by music. When she was a child, her mother sang to her often. When she was 5, she first sang in church. At 8, she took up the piano, and at 11, she started writing songs. At 13, Vivian joined a girl group, and by 15 she was sending out demos and writing songs for other artists. To hone her talent and stage style, she performed at weddings and other professional gigs during high school. Her self-penned debut recording, A Love Story, was released on Columbia Records in 2002; it went gold and received critical praise for its grown-up autobiographical on relationships. Her infectious hit song "Emotional reflects a personal experience, she says. This portray Billie Holiday performing "Love for in the movie De-Lovely starring Kevin Kline and Ashley She also will he featured on the movie soundtrack. currently in the studio working on her much-anticipated second recording, which is due out this fall. By her side is her husband, drummer/band director Erik Tribbett, whom she met while singing backup for fellow Philadelphian Jill Scott.

SYLEENA JOHNSON

GROWING up the daughter of a blues singer (Svl Johnson) and a government official, SYLEENA was exposed to a variety of people and lifestyles. Yet, it wasn't surprising to those who knew her that she would choose a life that was as rich in her blood as in her voice. When she burst on the music scene with her soulful voice and bluesy lyrics, she filled a void and enriched the legacy of "tell it like it is" blues-singing Sisters who have been there and done that, yet can express joy and pain in song. Her Jive Records debut recording, Chapter I: Love, Pain & Forgiveness, was praised for its sensual ballads and mid-tempo dance grooves. Her second recording, Chapter2: The Voice," has spawned several hot singles. She's been called "mesmerizing," "captivating," "unique" and "passionate" in her delivery," and any person who's seen her perform knows that Syleena is a showstopping beauty. Syleena was married briefly to her college sweetheart, but is now single and living in the suburbs of Chicago.

AMERIE

WITH talent, beauty and intelligence, AMERIE, 23, is making a name for herself in the world of pop music. She showcased her assets on her gold debut All I Have from Columbia Records, and she's back in the studio putting the finishing touches on her second recording. In addition, she's appearing in a movie due out this spring. The sultry singer grew up in a multiracial, international military family (her father is African-American, her mother Korean) who lived on bases from Alaska to Germany. Amerie entered her first talent show in third grade, and continued to perform throughout high school. By that time, her family had settled in the Washington, D.C., area and she enrolled at Georgetown University, where she earned a degree in English and fine arts while learning the ins and outs of the music industry. She connected with producer/songwriter Rich Harrison and secured a record deal with Columbia. While recording her own album, she also worked with other artists, including Nas. Amerie's lilting vocal style excels on edgy tracks as well as jazzy love ballads.

LIZZ WRIGHT

LIZZ WRIGHT is an old soul in a slim, youthful body, a soul that expresses itself through piercing eyes, emotionally rich vocals and lyrics that touch the heart and soul in a unique way. When the 24-year-old debuted on the jazz label Verve, she was touted as a "fierce young chanteuse" who is hard to find, and Lizz did not disappoint. The Georgia native is a minister's daughter who naturally grew up singing gospel in church before polishing her distinctive style in Atlanta's vibrant neo-soul/jazz underground. Her debut, Salt, demonstrates that Lizz is endowed with a full-bodied contralto, heart-inspired phrasing and a natural ability to swing. And her lyrics are profound and thought-provoking, as evident on her self-penned "Salt." Just like the salt in the stew, It's all a part of you. One thing that life cannot do, is take your salt away from you. Lizz is now touring extensively and working on a new recording.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group