Michelle Antoinette Nelson is a storyteller. She is a recording artist and author. She is a spoken word poet and event producer who curated an open mic showcase in Baltimore for 15 years. She is a health guru who has been featured in Forbes Magazine. In fact, she wears so many hats that she recently started a company where she designs new and upcycled hats. Her story contains such a multitude of experiences and this carefully crafted playlist reflects that journey.
Listen to the full Upbeat Grooves Playlist and check out what Michelle had to say about some of her favorite tracks below.
Jazmine Sullivan | “Bodies”
I started with a question: Who am I? I’m an artist. I am a woman. I am Black. I am gay. I’m now in my 40s. I am all of these things and I want to show what that looks like. The first song that came to mind is Jazmine Sullivan’s “Bodies” because I love the narrative. It says get yourself together but also this is who I am and you can’t kill my vibe.
Fatoumata Diawara & Ms. Lauryn Hill | “Black Woman”
I’m just being very blatant about who I am. It also features Ms. Lauryn Hill. It speaks. It’s so promising to me. I was a teenager when ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ came out and Erykah Badu’s “Badusim” came out and, lyrically-speaking, those two raised me.
Erykah Badu | “Appletree”
“Appletree” set the stage for all who I am. It helped me realize that my role cannot be at the whim of someone’s ego.
Words by Steven Rutherford
