CHRISETTE MICHELE: Look Out Now

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

Beyonce and Rihanna better make way.

There's a new R&B chanteuse on the block.

And she has the power of Jay-Z behind her.

Chrisette Michelle is Def Jam's newest signing and will release her soulful, jazz-influenced debut album, 'I Am,' on June 19. According to a label rep, the set features collaborations with 10-time Grammy Award winner Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, as well as hit-makers, will. i. am, John Legend and Salaam Remi.

The 24-year-old Long Island native, who has recently appeared on albums by Nas and Jay-Z, knocked label brass off their feet during a personal audition. Even Antonio "L.A." Reid has taken notice. "When Chrisette Michele enters a room, the room becomes a better place," he said.

And the buzz is building. Four of her tracks are available on her MySpace page, with one, titled 'Your Joy' -- a touching ode to her father -- has been heralded as the "Single of the Week" on itunes on May 15.

Though she doesn't want to be stereotyped as a Neo-Soul artists, comparisons to some of the biggest names in the genre still occur. She's not fazed by it.

"I'm excited about finding my place amongst young composers like Alicia Keys and Jill Scott," she said. "My goal from the moment I was signed, was to create a seamless album that mixes soul and pop in a way that will have people coming back again and again."

National audiences will get a chance to experience Michelle's flow when she heads out on a month-long tour with platinum-selling Neo-Soul crooner Musiq Soulchild, beginning July 6 in Baltimore. Tour dates below.

July
6 Baltimore, MD Afram
11 Chicago, IL House of Blues
12 Toronto, Ont. Phoenix Theatre
13 Detroit, MI Chene Park
15 Nashville, TN Ryman Theatre
19 Newark, NJ NJ PAC
20 Philadelphia, PA Penn's Landing
21 Atlantic City, NJ Tropicana
24-25 New Orleans, LA House Of Blues
27 Omaha, NE Holland PAC
29 Kansas City, MO Beaumont

Aug
3 San Diego, CA Humphrey's
4 Los Angeles, CA The Wilshire
6 San Francisco, CA Fillmore