Marsha Ambrosius

Marsha Ambrosius

Ambrosius performing in London, December 2010
Background information
Birth name Marsha Ambrosius
Also known as The Songstress
Born 8 August 1977
Origin Liverpool, England
Genres R&B, soul
Years active 1997–present
Labels J, RCA

Marsha Ambrosius (born 8 August 1977) is an English singer-songwriter. A former member of Floetry, she released her first solo album Late Nights & Early Mornings on 1 March 2011. She currently lives in Los Angeles, CA.

Early career with Floetry

Original Floetry members Marsha Ambrosius and Natalie Stewart met through their love of basketball.[1][2] Both Stewart and Ambrosius attended the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology where Ambrosius studied Business and Finance and Stewart Performing Arts, Media and Art. For college Ambrosius planned to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, but could not due to an injury. Stewart attended Middlesex University in London and later transferred to North London University. During these years, the women kept in touch. Stewart was a founding member of the performance poetry group 3 Plus 1 which was rising to critical acclaim in London, Birmingham and Manchester. In 1999, Ambrosius wrote and submitted a song to her publishers Perfect Songs called "Fantasize", inviting Stewart to lend some of her poetry to the song. This collaboration led to the creation of Floetry.[3]

Group success

In 2000, the duo travelled to the United States to perform on the poetry circuit. After frequenting spoken word/poetry spots in Atlanta such as Yin Yang Poets' Cafe (to positive reviews), they moved on to Philadelphia.[4] There they met Darren "Limitless" Henson and Keith "Keshon" Pelzer of DJ Jazzy Jeff's Touch Of Jazz studio and began recording. In 2002, they signed with DreamWorks Records and released their debut album Floetic, which featured the singles "Floetic", "Say Yes" and "Getting Late".[5] The album was also released in the UK with additional tracks, one of which features British singer/songwriter and producer Sebastian Rogers.[6]

Solo career

Ambrosius has been featured on many songs including Styles P's "I'm Black"; The Game's "Start from Scratch" and "Why You Hate The Game." (also featuring Nas); Busta Rhymes' "Get You Some" and "Cocaina"; Nas' "Hustlers" (also featuring The Game); and Hi-Tek's "Music for Life" and Jamie Foxx's "Freak'in Me". The group has also collaborated with Earth, Wind & Fire on their album, Illumination, on the track "Elevated". She collaborated once again with Slum Village called "Cloud 9". In 2009, she guested on Wale's "Diary".

Aftermath Entertainment

Ambrosius was approached to sign to Dr. Dre's record label, Aftermath Entertainment, as a solo musician/song-writer/producer.[7][8] Parting ways with the offer in early 2009, Ambrosius pursued her song-writing/production career landing her placements with R&B and hip hop artists ranging from Alicia Keys, Raven-Symoné, Jamie Foxx and Mario to Fabolous, Slum Village and Wale.[9][10]

Late Nights & Early Mornings

In summer 2009, Ambrosius was approached by numerous record labels offering her a solo deal after a long awaited performance at NYC's SOB's where a sold out crowd gathered to a show accompanied by The Roots and DJ Aktive. In December 2009, Ambrosius signed to J Records and her solo debut Late Nights & Early Mornings was released on 1 March 2011.[11] "Hope She Cheats On You (With A Basketball Player)" was released as the album's first single on 13 August 2010.[12] The song charted on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and peaked at no. 22. "Far Away" was released as the album's second single on 7 December 2010. The album would debut at no. 1 on the US "Billboard" Hot R&B Charts and no. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 200 behind Adele and ahead of Mumford & Sons the first time in over 20 years that British Acts had topped the US charts.[12][13][14]

Ambrosius won the Centric Award[15] at the BET Awards of 2011. She was also nominated for Best Female R&B Artist [16] at the BET Awards 2012.

Ambrosius won the Record of The Year (Ashford & Simpson Songwriters Award) at the 2011 Soul Train Awards for the song "Far Away".

Two Grammy nominations for "Far Away" were announced the night before she performed at the White House with the President and First Family at the National Christmas Tree lighting, December 2011.

Friends & Lovers

In August 2011, RCA Music Group announced it was disbanding J Records along with Arista Records and Jive Records. With the shutdown, Ambrosius (and all other artists previously signed to these three labels) will release her future material on the RCA Records brand.[17][18]

Ambrosius released her second studio album, titled Friends & Lovers, in July 2014. [19] Ambrosius received two MOBO Award nominations for the album.[20]

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions Sales
US
[21]		 US R&B
[21]
2011 Late Nights & Early Mornings 2 1
2014 Friends & Lovers 12 2

Singles

Year Title Peak
chart
positions		 Album
US
[24][25][26]		 US
R&B
[26][27][28]		 US
Adult R&B
[29]
2010 "Hope She Cheats on You (With a Basketball Player)" 88 22 15 Late Nights & Early Mornings
"Far Away" 74 3 1
2011 "Late Nights & Early Mornings" — 30 12
2012 "Cold War" — 45[A] 18 Non-album single
2013 "Without You"
(with Ne-Yo)		 — — —
2014 "Run" — 44[A] 13 Friends & Lovers
"Stronger"
(featuring Dr. Dre)		 — — —
A Charted on US R&B Airplay[30]

Guest appearances

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Start from Scratch"[31] 2005 The Game The Documentary
"Get You Some"[32] 2006 Busta Rhymes, Q-Tip The Big Bang
"Cocaina"[32] Busta Rhymes
"Music for Life"[33] Hi-Tek, Nas, J Dilla, Busta Rhymes, Common Hi-Teknology²: The Chip
"Why You Hate the Game"[34] The Game, Nas Doctor's Advocate
"Hustlers"[35] Nas, The Game Hip Hop Is Dead
"I'm Black" Styles P Time Is Money
"This Can't Be Real"[36] 2007 Freeway Free at Last
"Reunion"[37] Ya Boy Optimus Rime
"Wanna Go Back"[38] 2008 Solange, Q-Tip Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams
"The Light '08 (It's Love)" Common N/A
"Freak'in Me"[39] Jamie Foxx Intuition
"If I Ruled the World '09" 2009 Nas N/A
"Yacht Music"[40] DJ Drama, Nas, Willie the Kid, Scarface Gangsta Grillz: The Album (Vol. 2)
"Stay"[41] Fabolous Loso's Way
"Take Me Away (With You)"[42] Queen Latifah Persona
"Diary"[43] Wale Attention Deficit
"A's & E's" Masta Ace, Ed O.G. Arts & Entertainment
"Still Hurts"[44] 2010 Macy Gray The Sellout
"Welcome Back"[45] Stat Quo Statlanta
"All I Got to Give"[46] John Regan Sorry I'm Late
"It's Alright"[47] 2011 Saigon The Greatest Story Never Told
"Streets Gone Love Me" 2012 Saint Nick N/A
"Light Dreams"[48] Tyga Careless World: Rise of the Last King
"Take You There"[49] Currensy The Stoned Immaculate
"The One"[50] Kanye West, Big Sean, 2 Chainz Cruel Summer
"The Game Changer"[51] Saigon The Greatest Story Never Told Chapter 2: Bread and Circuses
"Right Back"[52] Freeway Diamond In the Ruff
"It Only Gets Better"[53] 2013 Talib Kweli Prisoner of Conscious
"Material Things" Lee Mazin In My Own Lane
"Trust" Robert Glasper Experiment Black Radio 2
"Alone Together"[54] 2014 Daley Days & Nights
"War" 2015 King Los God, Money, War

Writing credits

References

  1. ↑ "Floetry in motion no more (From Croydon Guardian)". Croydonguardian.co.uk. 2007-07-30. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
  2. ↑ "Floetry To Feat. Rap Artist Common on SupaStar". Thug Life Army. 2005-08-23. Retrieved 2 April 2011. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  3. ↑ "Floetry lives up to smooth, soulful name". Chicago Tribune. 14 Apr 2006.
  4. ↑ "Floetry in motion". Newsday. 5 Mar 2004.
  5. ↑ Baraka, Rhonda (25 June 2002). "Floetry Bring London Vibe To Philly Soul Movement". MTV. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  6. ↑ "Music: Go with the flow". Las Vegas Mercury. 2004-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
  7. ↑ Date: 01/30/06. "Floetry member Marsha Ambrosius signs solo deal with Dr. Dre?s Aftermath". Singersroom.com. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
  8. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (2006-01-26). "Floetry Singer Might Have 50 On Her Dre-Produced Solo LP - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
  9. ↑ "Wale - Attention Deficit (Vinyl, LP) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
  10. ↑ "Fabolous - Loso's Way (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
  11. ↑ "Weekly US music releases: Lucinda Williams, Marsha Ambrosius and Lykke Li". The Independent. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Hope She Cheats On You (With a Basketball Player)- Single by Marsha Ambrosius itune.apple.com. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 11-10-2010.
  13. ↑ "Connecting to the iTunes Store". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
  14. ↑ Gail Mitchell (2009-09-14). "Ex-Floetry Member Marsha Ambrosius Readies Solo Set". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
  15. ↑ "Centric Award | BET Awards". BET. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
  16. ↑ "Best Female R&B Artist | BET Awards". BET. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
  17. ↑ "RCA's New Executive Team Named Under CEO Peter Edge Amid Layoffs (Update) | Billboard". Billboard.biz. 2011-08-23. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
  18. ↑ "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
  19. ↑ "Marsha Ambrosius Debuts on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard Magazine. 2014-07-24. Retrieved 2014-08-28.
  20. ↑ "Mobo Awards 2014 nominations: Sam Smith and Krept and Konan lead pack". The Independent. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 2014-09-28.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Marsha Ambrosius". AllMusic. 1977-08-08. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
  22. ↑ Langhorne, Cyrus (15 June 2011). "Tech N9ne Sticks Up Top 5, Rick Ross' MMG Detours Into Top 40, Marsha Ambrosius Gets Her Spot Back". SOHH.com. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  23. ↑ Tardio, Andres (2014-07-23). "Hip Hop Album Sales: Weird Al Yankovic, Trey Songz, Iggy Azalea, Marsha Ambrosius". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  24. ↑ "US Singles Top 100 (October 16, 2010) - Music Charts". Acharts.us. 2010-10-16. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
  25. ↑ "Marsha Ambrosius". AllMusic. 1977-08-08. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "Marsha Ambrosius Album & Song Chart History". Billboard, Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  27. ↑ "Marsha Ambrosius Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-02-19.
  28. ↑ Mitchell, Gail. "Ex-Floetry Member Marsha Ambrosius Readies Solo Set". Billboard. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  29. ↑ "Marsha Ambrosius Chart History-Adult R&B". Billboard. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  30. ↑ "Marsha Ambrosius Chart History-Hot R&B Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  31. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "The Documentary – Game > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Kellman, Andy. "The Big Bang – Busta Rhymes > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  33. ↑ Brown, Marisa. "Hi-Teknology 2 – DJ Hi-Tek > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  34. ↑ Jeffries, David. "Doctor's Advocate – Game > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  35. ↑ Brown, Marisa. "Hip Hop Is Dead – Nas > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  36. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "Free at Last – Freeway > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  37. ↑ "Ya Boy – Optimus Rime". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. 5 January 2008. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  38. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams – Solange > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  39. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "Intuition – Jamie Foxx > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  40. ↑ Jeffries, David. "Gangsta Grillz: The Album, Vol. 2 – Drama > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  41. ↑ Jeffries, David. "Loso's Way – Fabolous > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  42. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "Persona – Queen Latifah > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  43. ↑ Jeffries, David. "Attention Deficit – Wale > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  44. ↑ Bush, John. "The Sellout – Macy Gray > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  45. ↑ "Statlanta – Stat Quo > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  46. ↑ "Sorry I'm Late – John Regan > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  47. ↑ Brown, Marisa. "The Greatest Story Never Told – Saigon > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  48. ↑ Jeffries, David. "Careless World: Rise of the Last King – Tyga > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  49. ↑ Jeffries, David. "The Stoned Immaculate – Curren$y > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  50. ↑ Jeffries, David. "G.O.O.D. Music: Cruel Summer – Various Artists > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  51. ↑ Jeffries, David. "The Greatest Story Never Told, Chapter 2: Bread and Circuses – Saigon > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  52. ↑ Lymangrover, Jason. "Diamond in the Ruff – Freeway > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  53. ↑ Jeffries, David. "Prisoner of Conscious – Talib Kweli > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  54. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "Days & Nights – Daley > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
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  56. ↑ "Glenn Lewis - World Outside My Window (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
  57. ↑ "Angie Stone - Stone Love (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 2004-07-05. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
  58. ↑ "Alicia Keys - As I Am (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 2007-11-13. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
  59. ↑ "Raven-Symoné* - Raven-Symoné (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 2008-07-28. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
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External links