Blu Cantrell, a talented artist hailing from Providence, R.I., discovered her passion for music at a young age while accompanying her mother to jazz performances. Growing up with her five siblings, Cantrell’s journey to stardom began with auditions for vocal opportunities and mesmerizing audiences with her dynamic alto voice at talent shows. In 2000, during a visit to Atlanta, her career took a significant turn when she impressed A&R executive Tab and producer C. Stewart with her demo tape, leading to immediate studio work and background singing for renowned artists such as Gerald Levert, Faith Evans, Puff Daddy, and Aaron Hall.
Recognized for her exceptional talent, Blu Cantrell caught the attention of L.A. Reid, the CEO and president of Arista Records, who signed her after hearing her captivating track, ‘Till I’m Gone.’ The release of her debut album, ‘So Blu,’ in 2001 was met with great success, reaching the Top Ten on the album charts and receiving widespread acclaim. Following this triumph, Cantrell’s sophomore album, ‘Bittersweet,’ may not have mirrored the same commercial success but garnered her a prestigious Grammy nomination for the best R&B album. Her hit single, ‘Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops!),’ soared to the number two spot on the Hot 100 list, solidifying Cantrell’s position in the music industry and landing her performances on various national television programs.