Cherrelle, born Cheryl Norton in 1958 in Los Angeles, California, emerged as one of the prominent artists under Clarence Avant’s Tabu label. Initially introduced through her collaboration with Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Michael Henderson, and Luther Vandross, Cherrelle’s musical journey began to flourish. She caught the attention of Tabu Records owner Clarence Avant with a demo recording, leading to her signing with the label. Cherrelle adopted her stage name, inspired by a boss at a bank she previously worked at. Teamed up with producers/songwriters Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Cherrelle released successful chart-topping singles and albums, including hits like “I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On” and “Saturday Love” with Alexander O’Neal.
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis’s collaboration with Cherrelle took a concept-like LP format, creating a narrative of a tumultuous romantic relationship. Their partnership resulted in chart-topping tracks like “Never Knew Love Like This” and “Everything I Miss at Home.” Cherrelle’s musical journey extended to collaborations with Pebbles and ongoing work with Alexander O’Neal. Despite the success she achieved with hits like “Tears of Joy,” Cherrelle’s last charting LP, The Woman I Am, marked a transition towards independent releases. Throughout the 2000s and early 2010s, Cherrelle remained active in the music scene, touring extensively and frequently performing with Alexander O’Neal. Her Tabu albums received reissue treatments in 2013, showcasing her enduring legacy in the music industry.