 Amerie: Blessed with keen intelligence and stunning good
looks, Amerie could have chosen any number of career paths. Yet from an early
age, the 22-year-old R&B chanteuse knew what her future held. "It sounds like a
cliche,'' she says, "but I always knew I was going to sing. I always knew that
music was what I was going to do." You can hear that desire in Amerie's voice.
It's a voice that's sweet, sassy, and sultry, with a hint of bad girl edge.
Amerie's brand of soul is both infectious and intoxicating, and it's evident
throughout "All I Have," her sizzling Columbia debut.
Asked to describe "All I Have," Amerie offers, "The music and the lyrics really
put you into a zone. When (producer/songwriter) Rich Harrison and I began
creating the record, we knew that fusing beautiful melodies with hard, hip-hop
beats would move people. I think we've accomplished that.''
The proof can be heard in Amerie's 12-inch single, "Why Don't We Fall In Love."
Leaked to radio in the spring of 2002, "Why Don't We Fall in Love" exploded,
creating a strong buzz and heavy anticipation for Amerie's album. It's no wonder
why the public and the programmers responded so enthusiastically. Laced with a
sultry undercurrent, fueled by an uplifting message about finding your soul mate
and being in love with your dreams, meanwhile propelled by Amerie's rock steady
vocals, "Why Don't We Fall In Love" is more than a hot track; it's the opening
salvo from a singer who has elevated the stakes for hip-hop soul.
What's remarkable about Amerie's rise is how fast it's occurred. She and Rich
(whose previous credits include Mary J. Blige) began laying down the foundation
for the album just two years ago, and now "All I Have" is showing the world just
how much Amerie has got to give. "It's been pretty amazing,'' she admits. "We
really worked hard on those songs and just let our creativity go. I guess this
is what happens when you're focused, have good people around you, and trust your
heart and your instincts."
Through her mother, who is a painter, singer, and classical pianist, Amerie was
exposed to the arts. Bolstered by those influences, Amerie began gravitating
towards pop and R&B, getting into Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton and
Whitney Houston. Along with a healthy dose of divas and classical composers,
Amerie dipped into her father's old soul collection. As she puts it, "My taste
was pretty well-rounded."
With the love of music and the desire to perform driving her, Amerie started
studying dance, and in the 3rd grade, began to enter talent shows, which she
continued to do throughout high school. After high school graduation, Amerie's
family moved from Alaska to the East Coast, and once she had settled into her
new hometown, Amerie decided to take her dreams to the next level; she began
looking for an opportunity to get into the music business. "Being in DC offered
me more opportunities for singing and meeting other musicians," Amerie explains.
Not only was she trying to break into the industry, but Amerie was also
attending prestigious Georgetown University, where she graduated with a degree
in English and Fine Arts.
It's clear that passion is something that Amerie knows well. You can hear the
passion and commitment to singing that has lead her to this point in her life
and the making of this album. Now, she's getting the chance to live her dreams
and bring her talent to the world. Ask Amerie what she wants fans to hear when
they check out "All I Have" and her response is considered and thoughtful: "I'd
like them to hear that this is real music. You can feel it. This music has
substance, and in "All I Have," you get a glimpse into Rich's life and mine as
well."
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