Does the name Nelly ring a bell?
It certainly should, considering the new rap artist from St. Louis just recently became a rapidly rising star. Likewise, the promising new artist, Nelly Furtado, will surely soon be as widely known as the former.
Furtado adds to the list of multi-platinum Canadian music stars,such as Alanis Morrisette and Celine Dion. Growing up in Victoria, British Columbia, she combined both Canadian, English and French culture with that of her working class Portuguese family.
She trudged through her education known as one of the naughty girls in high school, while beginning her musical career leading to her hot new album, Whoa Nelly.
At the age of 16, she sang backup for her friend’s hip-hop group in Victoria. After, after high school, she joined a small band called Nelstar.
The bandtook some steps to become recognized, even recording a few videos. Eventually, the band fizzled and her ambitions cooled down.
Some time later, she again found desire to pursue the music business. Furtado, realizing that she could not just write songs, added sheet music to her rep?toire.
In addition to playing the ukulele and trombone in concert, marching and jazz band, she learned the guitar.
At age 18, she got up the guts to volunteer her still vulnerable talents to a crowd of black female performers at a Toronto talent show. One of the most important steps in her musical career, she was discovered by her current manager. She finally drug made some demo tapes. DreamWorks Records cut a deal with her.
She flew off into the world of music. Furtado loves the snappy, hypnotic sounds of Pourtuguese and Brazillian music.
But, hitting closer to home, she prefers the American tastes of Beck and Radiohead. Along with these styles, her CD combines the styles of bossa nova, trip-hop, and pop. Her first track, “Hey Man,” is one of those sing-in-the-shower songs you can pour your heart into, feeling rebellious and free.
Cursing through some of the lyrics, she belts them out, Fion-like. This one will surely soon appear on a top-40 chart soon.
The second track, “On the Radio” begins with a soothing beat, then turns into an accusatory, whiney ballad. It will certainly put some sway in your shoulders. The third track, “Baby Girl,” metal, changes to energetic techno beat and adds swift, speedy lyrics. There was even some scat singing-“Ba da ba bitta ba ching ching”-to round it off.
All three songs have such an energetic, almost-techno, background beat, that they make you wiggle and bounce in your seat. “Turn off the Light” is one of the most interesting and innovative songs in the collaboration.
The last track, “Scared of You,” brings the CD to an end with an unforgettably relaxing love song. It has an intense instrumental solo which paints a romantic image and displays the beauty of the Portuguese language.
Clearly, this talented young woman will hit the top. She has appeared in Vanity Fair, Glamour, Elle, Seventeen, Rolling Stone, Time, Spin, and Entertainment Weekly.
Her writing, genius and musical talents, combined with her multicultural background, makes her a gem among the monotony of brunette-turned-blond teen idols and bopping-boy bands. A+
