N'Dea Davenport
Encyclopedia
N'Dea Davenport is an American
recording artist, dancer, performer and producer, best known for her work as a vocalist in the UK
funk
band, The Brand New Heavies, and her pioneering contributions to the genre of acid jazz
.
, Roger Sanchez
, Guru’s Jazzmatazz, Madonna
, Sly and Robbie
, Malcolm McLaren
, Dead Prez
and many more. Prior to her career in the music industry, Davenport was formally trained as dancer and the performing artist. Dance scholarships, acting and music studies were the core of her development as an artist and entertainer. Immediately after finishing, she left her home in Atlanta, with $300 to her name en route to Los Angeles. In California she began working as a dancer and quickly was embraced by artists in both the music and fashion industries. Her influence on pop culture and legacy an artist began with her involvement in the burgeoning underground club and rave scene in the late '80s and early '90's in Los Angeles, a merger of cultural movements ranging from dance, funk, hip-hop, punk, graffiti and pop art. As a performance artist and dancer, Davenport's was an instrumental figure in the movement that launched careers of artists including Keith Haring
, Jean Michel Basquiat, Fab Five Freddy
and Robert Mapplethorpe
.
Working simultaneously as a recording session and commercial singer, Davenport was soon connected with graffiti artist, Fab Five Freddy
who recommended her to his DJ friend starting a new record label, Delicious Vinyl
. Producer/label owner Dave Stewart
, known for his work with the Eurythmics
, had offered Davenport a recording contract
a year prior when they were introduced through a collaboration with Bootsy Collins
and Malcom McLaren, former manager for the Sex Pistols
where she was featured on McLaren's Waltz Darling LP. She declined Stewart’s offer due to his requirement for her to relocate to London, England. After inking a solo development deal with Delicious Vinyl, she eventually relocated to London where The Brand New Heavies were signed to the label for North America, but the band had no singer.
The band’s initial UK indie label Acid Jazz Records
, struck a deal with London Records
for distribution in Europe and the rest of the world. During this period, the band produced a string of international LP’s and singles, invigorating a global movement and popularizing the musical term known as Acid Jazz
. The Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol.1 was a successful collaboration of New York rappers and the initial members of the group, opting to forgo vocals for this project. Parallel to the completion of this project, Davenport completed work on the Jazzmatazz LP with good friend, late MC and rapper Guru
. The result of their work together was one of the earliest collaborations between a vocalist and a rapper and an infusion of jazz music, cultural rhetoric and hip hop beats.
At the height of The Brand New Heavies success in 1995, Davenport left the group citing irreconcilable differences, returning to the US and choosing New Orleans as a home base while she pursued other collaborations, and completed work on her long overdue solo recording with Delicious Vinyl. Encouragement received from her associate, producer Daniel Lanois
, resulted in the completion of the debut solo, less the remaining four songs, produced by Dallas Austin
. After her association with Delicious Vinyl dissolved, Davenport's project was picked up by newly formed label owned by Virgin Group
originator Sir Richard Branson. In 1997, Davenport released her and self-titled debut solo recording on V2 Records
. She toured extensively in support of the album, around Europe, North America and Australia and with the concert series Lilith Fair
. During which Davenport also played with renowned guitarist songwriter/producer/multi-instrumentalist Renard Poche'. When her relationship at V2 came to an end she continued her work output, primarily focusing on European dance music projects.
Upon returning the US in the late 1990s, Davenport held residency in New Orleans but lived primarily in New York City and cites the September 11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina disaster as the motivation to shift both professionally and personally. In late 2005 talks began about a reunion with The Brand New Heavies and by 2006 the group reemerged with the release of a new CD called “Get Used To It." Their reunion received a warm reception and the group continues to tour globally. Davenport's most recent projects include Celectrixx, a multi-media and live performance based electronic/acoustic duo, conceived in Japan.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
recording artist, dancer, performer and producer, best known for her work as a vocalist in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
band, The Brand New Heavies, and her pioneering contributions to the genre of acid jazz
Acid jazz
Acid jazz is a musical genre that combines elements of jazz, funk and hip-hop, particularly looped beats. It developed in the UK over the 1980s and 1990s and could be seen as tacking the sound of jazz-funk onto electronic dance: jazz-funk musicians such as Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd and Grant Green are...
.
Biography
Her diverse projects include collaborations with music producers and artists including Mark RonsonMark Ronson
Mark Daniel Ronson is an English DJ, guitarist, music producer, artist and co-founder of Allido Records. He currently works with his band under the music alias of Mark Ronson & The Business Intl....
, Roger Sanchez
Roger Sanchez
Roger Sanchez, also known as Roger S. and The S Man, is a Grammy award-winning American House music DJ who has scored many hits in the European and World Charts...
, Guru’s Jazzmatazz, Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
, Sly and Robbie
Sly and Robbie
Sly and Robbie is the prolific Jamaican rhythm section and production team of drummer Sly Dunbar and bassist Robbie Shakespeare who joined in the mid 1970s after having established themselves separately in Jamaica as professional musicians...
, Malcolm McLaren
Malcolm McLaren
Malcolm Robert Andrew McLaren was an English performer, impresario, self-publicist and manager of the Sex Pistols and the New York Dolls...
, Dead Prez
Dead Prez
Dead Prez stylized as dead prez is a hip hop duo from the United States, composed of stic.man and M-1, formed in 1996 in New York City, New York. They are known for their confrontational style, combined with socialist lyrics focused on both militant social justice and Pan-Africanism...
and many more. Prior to her career in the music industry, Davenport was formally trained as dancer and the performing artist. Dance scholarships, acting and music studies were the core of her development as an artist and entertainer. Immediately after finishing, she left her home in Atlanta, with $300 to her name en route to Los Angeles. In California she began working as a dancer and quickly was embraced by artists in both the music and fashion industries. Her influence on pop culture and legacy an artist began with her involvement in the burgeoning underground club and rave scene in the late '80s and early '90's in Los Angeles, a merger of cultural movements ranging from dance, funk, hip-hop, punk, graffiti and pop art. As a performance artist and dancer, Davenport's was an instrumental figure in the movement that launched careers of artists including Keith Haring
Keith Haring
Keith Haring was an artist and social activist whose work responded to the New York City street culture of the 1980s.-Early life:...
, Jean Michel Basquiat, Fab Five Freddy
Fab Five Freddy
Fred Brathwaite , more popularly known as Fab 5 Freddy, is an American Hip hop historian, Hip hop pioneer and former graffiti artist...
and Robert Mapplethorpe
Robert Mapplethorpe
Robert Mapplethorpe was an American photographer, known for his large-scale, highly stylized black and white portraits, photos of flowers and nude men...
.
Working simultaneously as a recording session and commercial singer, Davenport was soon connected with graffiti artist, Fab Five Freddy
Fab Five Freddy
Fred Brathwaite , more popularly known as Fab 5 Freddy, is an American Hip hop historian, Hip hop pioneer and former graffiti artist...
who recommended her to his DJ friend starting a new record label, Delicious Vinyl
Delicious Vinyl
Delicious Vinyl is an American independent record label founded by Matt Dike and Michael Ross in 1987 and based in Los Angeles. Throughout its history, the label has had distribution deals with [Island Records/[PolyGram]], Warner Music Group, EMI, Red Ant, Rhino and Universal Music Group.-Early...
. Producer/label owner Dave Stewart
David A. Stewart
David Allan Stewart , often known as Dave Stewart, is an English musician, songwriter and record producer, best known for his work with Eurythmics. He is usually credited as David A. Stewart, to avoid confusion with other musicians named "Dave Stewart".-Early life:Stewart was born in Sunderland,...
, known for his work with the Eurythmics
Eurythmics
Eurythmics were a British pop rock duo, formed in 1980, currently disbanded, but known to reunite from time to time. Consisting of members Annie Lennox and David A...
, had offered Davenport a recording contract
Recording contract
A recording contract is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist , where the artist makes a record for the label to sell and promote...
a year prior when they were introduced through a collaboration with Bootsy Collins
Bootsy Collins
William Earl "Bootsy" Collins is an American funk bassist, singer, and songwriter.Rising to prominence with James Brown in the late 1960s, and with Parliament-Funkadelic in the '70s, Collins's driving bass guitar and humorous vocals established him as one of the leading names in funk...
and Malcom McLaren, former manager for the Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
where she was featured on McLaren's Waltz Darling LP. She declined Stewart’s offer due to his requirement for her to relocate to London, England. After inking a solo development deal with Delicious Vinyl, she eventually relocated to London where The Brand New Heavies were signed to the label for North America, but the band had no singer.
The band’s initial UK indie label Acid Jazz Records
Acid Jazz Records
Acid Jazz is a record label based in east London. It takes its name from acid jazz, a genre of jazz music. Alternative version states that the genre itself was named after the record label...
, struck a deal with London Records
London Records
London Records, referred to as London Recordings in logo, is a record label headquartered in the United Kingdom, originally marketing records in the United States, Canada and Latin America from 1947 to 1979, then becoming a semi-independent label....
for distribution in Europe and the rest of the world. During this period, the band produced a string of international LP’s and singles, invigorating a global movement and popularizing the musical term known as Acid Jazz
Acid jazz
Acid jazz is a musical genre that combines elements of jazz, funk and hip-hop, particularly looped beats. It developed in the UK over the 1980s and 1990s and could be seen as tacking the sound of jazz-funk onto electronic dance: jazz-funk musicians such as Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd and Grant Green are...
. The Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol.1 was a successful collaboration of New York rappers and the initial members of the group, opting to forgo vocals for this project. Parallel to the completion of this project, Davenport completed work on the Jazzmatazz LP with good friend, late MC and rapper Guru
Guru
A guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom, and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . Other forms of manifestation of this principle can include parents, school teachers, non-human objects and even one's own intellectual discipline, if the...
. The result of their work together was one of the earliest collaborations between a vocalist and a rapper and an infusion of jazz music, cultural rhetoric and hip hop beats.
At the height of The Brand New Heavies success in 1995, Davenport left the group citing irreconcilable differences, returning to the US and choosing New Orleans as a home base while she pursued other collaborations, and completed work on her long overdue solo recording with Delicious Vinyl. Encouragement received from her associate, producer Daniel Lanois
Daniel Lanois
Daniel Lanois born September 19, 1951 in Hull, Quebec) is a Canadian record producer, guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. He has released a number of albums of his own work and has produced albums for a wide variety of artists, including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Peter Gabriel, Emmylou Harris, Willie...
, resulted in the completion of the debut solo, less the remaining four songs, produced by Dallas Austin
Dallas Austin
Dallas Austin is an American songwriter, record producer, and musician, based in Atlanta, Georgia. Some of his most notable clients include Michael Jackson, TLC, Boyz II Men, Pink, Monica, Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Stacie Orrico, Another Bad Creation, Fishbone, Sugababes, Anastacia, Namie Amuro, Kim...
. After her association with Delicious Vinyl dissolved, Davenport's project was picked up by newly formed label owned by Virgin Group
Virgin Group
Virgin Group Limited is a British branded venture capital conglomerate organisation founded by business tycoon Richard Branson. The core business areas are travel, entertainment and lifestyle. Virgin Group's date of incorporation is listed as 1989 by Companies House, who class it as a holding...
originator Sir Richard Branson. In 1997, Davenport released her and self-titled debut solo recording on V2 Records
V2 Records
V2 Records is a record label that is owned by Universal Music Group as of October 2007. The label was founded in 1996 by Richard Branson, five years after he sold Virgin Records to EMI....
. She toured extensively in support of the album, around Europe, North America and Australia and with the concert series Lilith Fair
Lilith Fair
Lilith Fair was a concert tour and travelling music festival, founded by Canadian musician Sarah McLachlan, Nettwerk Music Group's Dan Fraser and Terry McBride, and New York talent agent Marty Diamond. It took place during the summers of 1997 to 1999, and was revived in the summer of 2010. It...
. During which Davenport also played with renowned guitarist songwriter/producer/multi-instrumentalist Renard Poche'. When her relationship at V2 came to an end she continued her work output, primarily focusing on European dance music projects.
Upon returning the US in the late 1990s, Davenport held residency in New Orleans but lived primarily in New York City and cites the September 11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina disaster as the motivation to shift both professionally and personally. In late 2005 talks began about a reunion with The Brand New Heavies and by 2006 the group reemerged with the release of a new CD called “Get Used To It." Their reunion received a warm reception and the group continues to tour globally. Davenport's most recent projects include Celectrixx, a multi-media and live performance based electronic/acoustic duo, conceived in Japan.
Album
- N'Dea Davenport (V2, 1998)(Peaked at #56 on Billboard's R&B Album Charts)
- Whatever You Want - (4:31)
- Underneath A Red Moon - (4:16)
- Save Your Love For Me - (4:07)
- When The Night Falls - (4:50)
- Bring It On - (4:22)
- No Never Again - (5:14)
- In Wonder - (4:06)
- Bullshittin' - (3:34)
- Real Life - (3:06)
- Old Man - (4:00)
- Placement For The Baby - (6:25)
- Oh Mother Earth (Embrace) -(3:52)
- Getaway - (3:30)
Singles
- "Trust Me" (Guru featuring N'Dea Davenport) (Delicious Vinyl, 1993) (UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#34) - "Bring It On" (V2, 1998) (US R&B #75; UK #52)
- "Bullshittin" (V2, 1998)
- "Underneath A Red Moon" (V2, 1999)
- "Whatever You Want" (V2, 1999)
- "You Can't Change Me" (Roger Sanchez featuring Armand Van Helden and N'Dea Davenport) (Defected, 2001) (UK #25)
- "One Day My Love" (Peace Bisquit/Curvve, 2006)
Additional information
- The acid jazz label applied to The Brand New Heavies music was popularized by Eddie PillerEddie PillerEddie Piller is an English DJ and record label entrepreneur.Starting his career in the 1980s as a part of the English mod revival, Piller launched the underground fanzine Extraordinary Sensations and operated as a DJ and concert promoter. In 1985, he started the Countdown Records label, through...
and British record executive Gilles PetersonGilles PetersonGilles Peterson , is a DJ, record collector and record label owner from London, UK. Through his labels Acid Jazz, Talkin' Loud, and latterly Brownswood Recordings, he has been associated with the careers of well-known artists of the 1990s such as Erykah Badu, Roni Size and Jamiroquai...
, perhaps in hopes that he could keep interest in the music on a par with the then-ubiquitous acid houseAcid houseAcid house is a sub-genre of house music that emphasizes a repetitive, hypnotic and trance-like style, often with samples or spoken lines rather than sung lyrics. Acid house's core electronic squelch sounds were developed around the mid-1980s, particularly by DJs from Chicago who experimented with...
music. The musical style was patterned after an admiration for 1970s funk ranging from James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
to RufusRufus (band)Rufus was an American funk band from Chicago, Illinois best known for launching the career of lead singer Chaka Khan. They had several hits throughout their career, including "Tell Me Something Good," "Sweet Thing," and "Ain't Nobody."-Origins:...
and the Average White Band. Peterson named his fledgling label Acid Jazz RecordsAcid Jazz RecordsAcid Jazz is a record label based in east London. It takes its name from acid jazz, a genre of jazz music. Alternative version states that the genre itself was named after the record label...
as well, and the Heavies recorded for this label in the United Kingdom. - Davenport recut the vocal track on "Never Stop" "Stay This Way", and "Dream Come True" after Jaye Ella Ruth (the band's prior lead vocalist and co-writer) had ceased to be a member of the group, but preceding the major release of these recordings.
- Davenport's participation in sessions for both Malcolm McLarenMalcolm McLarenMalcolm Robert Andrew McLaren was an English performer, impresario, self-publicist and manager of the Sex Pistols and the New York Dolls...
's Waltz DarlingWaltz Darling-Personnel:* "Bootsy" Collins - Production * Mary Kessler - Production * Robbie Kilgore - Production * David LeBolt - Production * Malcolm McLaren - Production* Phil Ramone - Production...
and MadonnaMadonna (entertainer)Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
's I'm BreathlessI'm BreathlessI'm Breathless: Music from and Inspired by the film Dick Tracy is the second soundtrack album by American singer-songwriter Madonna, released on May 22, 1990, by Sire Records...
provide a curious link between "Deep in Vogue" and "Vogue" respectively. Madonna's originality has been contested vis-a-vis these two songs. - Davenport provides backing vocals on the November 2006 Robbie WilliamsRobbie WilliamsRobert Peter "Robbie" Williams is an English singer-songwriter, vocal coach and occasional actor. He is a member of the pop group Take That. Williams rose to fame in the band's first run in the early- to mid-1990s. After many disagreements with the management and certain group members, Williams...
single LovelightLovelight"Lovelight" is a pop song written and originally performed by Lewis Taylor for his 2003 album Stoned, Part I. In 2006, the song was covered by British singer Robbie Williams...
, a cover of a Lewis Taylor song. Fellow Brand New Heavies member Andrew Levy provided bass. - Davenport provides vocals on Natalie MerchantNatalie MerchantNatalie Anne Merchant is an American singer-songwriter and musician. She joined the alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs in 1981 and left it to begin her solo career in 1993.-Early life:...
's song "Break Your Heart" featured on Merchant's album OpheliaOphelia (album)Ophelia is the title of a 1998 album, film, and song by Natalie Merchant. As evidenced in the pictures in the booklet that comes with the album, Merchant seems to see Shakespeare's Ophelia as a figure encompassing many important feminine archetypes...
. - Davenport's "Save Your Love For Me" is a cover of a song originally performed by Nancy WilsonNancy Wilson (singer)Nancy Wilson is an American singer with more than 70 albums, and three Grammy Awards. She has been labeled a singer of blues, jazz, cabaret and pop; a "consummate actress"; and "the complete entertainer." The title she prefers, however, is song stylist...
. Wilson's original song appears on an album of the same name. - Davenport appeared in the music video for Breakfast Club's "Right On TrackRight on TrackRight on Track is a Disney Channel Original Movie. It was produced by Don Schain and directed by Duwayne Dunham; written by Sally Nemeth and Bruce Graham. The movie debuted on March 26, 2003 in the U.S.- Plot :...
" dressed as a giant singing hen in 1987. - Davenport is also a drummer.
- Davenport is a spinto sopranoSpinto sopranoA spinto soprano is a category of operatic soprano voice that has the limpidity and easy high notes of a lyric soprano, yet can be "pushed" on to achieve dramatic climaxes without strain. This type of voice may possess a somewhat darker timbre, too, than the average lyric soprano...
.