LADY WRAY

In the organizer's words:

Nicole Wray's life is reflected in her music. At the age of fifteen, the then 15-year-old introduced herself to none other than rap star Missy Elliot at her mother's house. Captivated by her impressive voice, Missy immediately signed her to a contract. In 1998, just two years later, "Nicole" had a debut solo album. Her single "Make It Hot" went through the roof and reached gold status. Back then she was young, insecure and performed songs, lyrics and ideas from others. Her major label at the time dropped her.

Today she is a mother, wife and lives for herself and her family. Of course, this development has also been reflected in her music: she sings the way she wants to and skillfully writes her own lyrics. According to her account, it is these things - and above all an indomitable self-belief - that led a young and raw singer Nicole from Virginia to become Lady Wray.

Today, producer and label boss of Big Crown Records Leon Michels is finally letting her realize what she has always wanted to do: soul music. Her latest album "Piece of Me" is also a kind of homecoming for Lady Wray. The first album "Queen Alone" showed the sonic versatility of Lady Wray's voice and songwriting, turning to soul and R&B with hints of hip-hop. "Piece of Me" is still R&B with a heavy dose of soul, but the boom-bap drums and powerful bass lines are reminiscent of the first steps of her musical career.

In that sense, when it comes to this album, it's another step toward a greater purpose for Lady Wray. "My goal is always to help and heal people with singing," she explains. "Part of that is trying to bring back real music, real singing, so people can feel something again."