Music
Press
Today I want to take the time out and turn on the spotlight to a woman who possess the vocal strength of ten. A woman who I had the introduction to several years ago during the TMOTT Message Board era. A woman who, although during that same time, talked about just how powerful her singing was (like many others did and still do), I had the personal pleasure of experiencing it first hand during a friendly telephone conversation with her. And right then and there, she made me a strong believer with her performance of a Joyce “Baby Jean” Kennedy (of Mother’s Finest) song entitled “Baby Love”. The woman I am talking about goes by the name of Michele Perry. However, to the Go-Go stage and music community she’s fondly referred to as Chel’e P.
As of lately, there have been two songs released online by Chel’e P that have not only been stirring up quite a buzz, but have been pumping in regular rotation on the TMOTTRadio.com airwaves ever since. The first one is entitled “Do It Like A Dude”, and the most recent one (which also showcases Chuck Brown’s
daughter KK) is called “Where Da Party At?”. When I first heard them both, I said to myself, “Yep, that’s her!”
As the songs continue to circulate and the buzz continues to rise, obviously the attention tends to grow and the questions being to want to know, “Who is this chick?” - Kato Hammond @ TMOTTGoGo
Discography
Where da Party At? feat. KK
Like a Dude (a Jessie J remix)
Photos
Bio
Michele Perry aka Chel'e P. (pronounced Shelly P.) was born and raised in the nations capital, Washington DC. According to Micheles mother she began to sing as soon as she could speak. When Michele was 7 years old her parents enrolled her at Calvin Coolidge Senior High School for violin classes. This is where she learned to read and write sheet music. However, what she really wanted to do was sing. She grew up listening to Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, Funk and Go Go Music. Her favorite Artists includes; Nancy Wilson, Jean Carne, Billie Holiday, Diana Ross, Natalie Cole, Angela Bofield, Jennifer Holiday, Joyce "Baby Jane" Kennedy, Patti LaBelle and Aretha Franklin, to name a few. She also studied Ballet and Modern Dance/Jazz for many years, starting at the age of 6 years old. Anything that dealt with "Performing Arts" she was all in.
While in Elementary school she joined the choir but was too shy to sing a solo song in front of others. That wouldn't last very long. One day while attending Jr. High School in Southeast DC Michele was singing in the hallway after school. She sparked the attention of her then math teacher Mr. George Parker a former member of the 1970's group called "Special Delivery". Mr. Parker took her under his wing and honed her talent. He taught Michele the elements of vocals arrangements and harmony. As a teenager she performed in local city wide talent shows and also was a member of several local girl groups. They toured the world and was the opening act for several major artist. As a teen Michele absolutely loved Go Go Music. She would sneak out of the house every weekend to see her favorite bands (Junk Yard, Rare Essence, EU and Trouble Funk) at the local skating rinks.
One day, Michele went to a night club in Pg County, Maryland; performing there was a group called "Myesha & the Hip Huggers". She was excited to see that women were making their mark in the Go Go Music Industry. She was very impressed. A few years later she decided to give Go Go Music a try; she was already apart of it's "Culture". Her very first band was called Total Package, after the group disbanded; she went on to a band called the All 4 U Band., that's when she became "Chel'e P." Next was a band called The Firm Project and then a band called Uncutt Band. While a member of the Uncutt Band in 2011, she was discovered by one of The Greatest in the Go Go Music Industry; The Legendary "Mr. Donnell Floyd Sr." The rest, is history in the making! You can find Michele Perry performing various nights of the week in the Washington D.C. area performing with bands like Familiar Faces and a band of her own called Chel'e P. & The Beat Freeks.
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