Meshell Ndegeocello, born Michelle Lynn Johnson on August 29, 1968, in Berlin, Germany, and raised in Washington, D.C., developed her bass skills in the late 1980s D.C. go-go scene with bands including Prophecy, Little Benny and the Masters, and Rare Essence. She signed with Maverick Records as one of its first artists, releasing her debut album Plantation Lullabies in 1993, which blended neo-soul, funk, and hip-hop elements. Her career features hits like the 1994 duet 'Wild Night' with John Mellencamp, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the No. 1 dance single 'Who Is He (And What Is He to You?)' in 1996. A three-time Grammy winner, she earned the 2024 Grammy for Best Alternative Jazz Album for The Omnichord Real Book (2023) on Blue Note Records. Ndegeocello has collaborated with artists such as Madonna and Robert Glasper. Known live for leading her band on bass while delivering genre-spanning performances across soul, jazz, R&B, and rock, she emphasizes instrumental prowess and collaborative fellowship.