She Got Soul: Chrisette Michele

A look at why this songstress is a Soul Train diva.

Born That Way - A trendsetter, trailblazer and all around R&B, soul and hip hop game changer Chrisette Michele has journeyed a colorful road to musical success. Check out some of the reasons below why this Soul Train Music Award 13 performer has got soul. Born to a deacon father and a choir director Chrisette Michele Payne, a native of Central Islip New York, led high school gospel choirs. She received a vocal performance degree from from Five Towns College.  (Photo: Ray Filmano / WENN)

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Born That Way - A trendsetter, trailblazer and all around R&B, soul and hip hop game changer Chrisette Michele has journeyed a colorful road to musical success. Check out some of the reasons below why this Soul Train Music Award 13 performer has got soul. Born to a deacon father and a choir director Chrisette Michele Payne, a native of Central Islip New York, led high school gospel choirs. She received a vocal performance degree from from Five Towns College.  (Photo: Ray Filmano / WENN)

Chrisette Michele I AM Album art

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I Am Chrisette - Chrisette Michele was an instant R&B hitmaker, thanks to her debut album I Am. The release housed four hit singles including, "If I Have My Way," which charted number four on Billboard's Hot Adult Airplay R&B chart and "Best of Me," which hit the 21st spot on Billboard's Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks. (Photo: Def Jam)

Hip Hop Guest Star - She's not just an R&B diva, the rap world loves Chrisette too. The silky songstress appeared on the Game's single "Let Us Live" and Jay Z's track "Lost One." Michele appeared on three tracks on Nas' album, Hip Hop Is Dead, including the album's second single "Can't Forget About You." (Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

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Hip Hop Guest Star - She's not just an R&B diva, the rap world loves Chrisette too. The silky songstress appeared on the Game's single "Let Us Live" and Jay Z's track "Lost One." Michele appeared on three tracks on Nas' album, Hip Hop Is Dead, including the album's second single "Can't Forget About You." (Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Soaring Sophomore Release - Proving her first album was no flash in the pan, Michele released her second album, Epiphany on May 5, 2009. The title track was the lead single and the album debuted number one on Billboard 200 and sold 83,000 copies it's first week. (Photo: Def Jam)

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Soaring Sophomore Release - Proving her first album was no flash in the pan, Michele released her second album, Epiphany on May 5, 2009. The title track was the lead single and the album debuted number one on Billboard 200 and sold 83,000 copies it's first week. (Photo: Def Jam)

R&B Road Warrior - Chrisette Michele took her sweet soul music on the road from May to July in 2008. She and Raheem DeVaughn co headlined "The Art of Love Tour", with Solange Knowles as the opening act.(Photo: Johns PKI / Splash News)

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R&B Road Warrior - Chrisette Michele took her sweet soul music on the road from May to July in 2008. She and Raheem DeVaughn co headlined "The Art of Love Tour", with Solange Knowles as the opening act.(Photo: Johns PKI / Splash News)

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Chrisette Meets Rozay - Michele's love affair with hip hop continued in 2010. The vocalist collaborated with rappers Rick Ross and Drake on the single, "Aston Martin Music." It was the fourth release from Ross's album Teflon Don. (Photo: Def Jam)

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Chrisette Meets Rozay - Michele's love affair with hip hop continued in 2010. The vocalist collaborated with rappers Rick Ross and Drake on the single, "Aston Martin Music." It was the fourth release from Ross's album Teflon Don. (Photo: Def Jam)

R&B Diva's Reign - Let Freedom Reign, the third album by Michele was released in 2010. It debuted at number 25 on Billboard 200 charts and sold 42,000 its first week. The album was a cornucopia of hip hop, R&B and dance pop sounds which were featured on the singles, "I'm a Star," "Goodbye Game" and "So Cool." (Photo: Def Jam)

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R&B Diva's Reign - Let Freedom Reign, the third album by Michele was released in 2010. It debuted at number 25 on Billboard 200 charts and sold 42,000 its first week. The album was a cornucopia of hip hop, R&B and dance pop sounds which were featured on the singles, "I'm a Star," "Goodbye Game" and "So Cool." (Photo: Def Jam)

Making Mixtape Magic - As a surprise to fans, the crooner released a free mixtape project called, Audrey Hepburn: An Audiovisual Presentation. The 9-track collection featured soulful and hip collaborations with Wale, Bilal and 2Chainz.(Photo: Joey Foley/Getty Images)

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Making Mixtape Magic - As a surprise to fans, the crooner released a free mixtape project called, Audrey Hepburn: An Audiovisual Presentation. The 9-track collection featured soulful and hip collaborations with Wale, Bilal and 2Chainz.(Photo: Joey Foley/Getty Images)

Chrisette's Musical Charade - Co-written by Michele, the 2 Chainz collaboration track "Charades" was the first single from the singer's fourth studio album entitled, Better.  "Charades" was released on Janurary 29, 2013.(Photo: Def Jam)

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Chrisette's Musical Charade - Co-written by Michele, the 2 Chainz collaboration track "Charades" was the first single from the singer's fourth studio album entitled, Better.  "Charades" was released on Janurary 29, 2013.(Photo: Def Jam)

Making Music Better - Michele's fourth album, Better was released June 11, 2013. She said about the release in a statement, "I need every record to be dynamic and exactly what I'm going through and experiencing right now." The album charted at number 12 on the Billboard 200 and sold 27,000 copies its debut week. (Photo: Derrick Salters/WENN.com)

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Making Music Better - Michele's fourth album, Better was released June 11, 2013. She said about the release in a statement, "I need every record to be dynamic and exactly what I'm going through and experiencing right now." The album charted at number 12 on the Billboard 200 and sold 27,000 copies its debut week. (Photo: Derrick Salters/WENN.com)

Award-Winning Lady of Soul - Chrisette Michele is no stranger to singing, the stage or industry recognition. The Grammy award winning artist has been nominated for multiple BET Awards and an NAACP Image Award. And just as she was in 2009, the songstress is currently a Soul Train Awards 13 Best R&B/Soul Female Artist nominee. (Photo: Def Jam)

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Award-Winning Lady of Soul - Chrisette Michele is no stranger to singing, the stage or industry recognition. The Grammy award winning artist has been nominated for multiple BET Awards and an NAACP Image Award. And just as she was in 2009, the songstress is currently a Soul Train Awards 13 Best R&B/Soul Female Artist nominee. (Photo: Def Jam)