Melanie Fiona

Biography

Melanie Fiona is a bright, young R&B artist and Kanye West protégé from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Born Melanie Hall, the singer grew up in inner-city Toronto to Guayanese parents. Fiona developed a passion for music at an early age, influenced by groups and artists such as the Ronettes and Whitney Houston. It's no surprise, then, that she offers a throwback retro sound to complement her immaculate voice. Though she has been active in the music industry since 2002, her first recorded release came with Reggae Gold 2008, in the form of the track "Somebody Come Get Me." The track was instantly acclaimed as a highlight, as well as a fan favorite on the album, and it helped her get signed to Universal Motown. Fiona released her debut single, "Give It to Me Right," which samples "Time of the Season" by the Zombies. Fiona's melismatic and dynamic vocal propelled the single to the Top 20 on the Canadian Hot 100, in addition to charting on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart. Her debut album, The Bridge, was released in the fall of 2009, and was a Top 25 album on the Canadian Album Chart. The album which was spearheaded by Andrea Martin, and its lead single also charted in the U.K. and Italy. She is also known for being the opening act on Kanye West's European tour in 2008, which is notable because she hadn't even released an album at the time of the tour. ~ Matthew Chisling, All Music Guide