*The “Unsung” season finale puts the spotlight on R&B singer and songwriter Michel’le, who stormed the music scene in the late–1980s to early–1990s with powerhouse vocals that were a startling contrast to her child-like speaking voice; something she discovered at the age of 16 while working with DJ Alonzo Williams of the World Class Wreckin’ Cru.
Raised in the tough streets of South Central L.A., and mentored by rapper/producer, Dr. Dre from NWA, Michel’le and JJ Fad were the only female artists signed to Eazy-E’s Ruthless Records. Her debut album reached number five on the charts in 1989, thanks to hits like “No More Lies,” “Nicety,” and “Something In My Heart,” a track that reflected the pain from her volatile relationship with Dr. Dre.
But her business and personal drama proved costly and deeply personal. After years of silence, Michel’le opens up to “Unsung” about life as an accomplished singer, and as a survivor of domestic violence. She also dished with EUR/Electronic Urban Report ahead of the episode about where things with Dr. Dre stand today and the vital advice she would give her younger self.
Read our Q&A below.
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You revisit a lot of emotional moments from your past for “Unsung.” Which was toughest to discuss?
Michel’le: I think when I wrote “Something In My Heart” and I go about explaining what that was about. That was emotional to explain and make (viewers) understand without them saying, “Girl, you was a fool.”
And then, not having my father ever tell me he loves me, and letting people in ‘cause I don’t let people in. They don’t know my family. They’ve never met my father. They don’t know my brother. So I said I’ll let ‘Unsung’ in on a little bit of that.
Speaking of which, there’s the moment your father finally tells you “I Love You.” Describe how you felt hearing that for the first time when you watched the episode.
Michel’le: Issac (one of the producers) sent it to me on my phone and I watched it and I’m taking notes about what I like and didn’t like and when it got to that part, I literally dropped my phone. I screamed and started crying because I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I had to rewind it and watch it again. It was a moment when nothing moved ‘cause I never heard it in my life. But I didn’t call my father after and say anything to him. He said it and I don’t want to drill it. He said it and the way he said it… I think he wanted to say it at that time, just to say it and let it go. So I just left it there and I was appreciative and I took it as such.
When you reflect on your career, do you have any regrets? Is there anything you wished you would have done differently?
Michel’le: I don’t have any regrets. I call them disappointments. In life, you can’t regret anything because it’s called opportunities that you pass. You’re the only one that can take the opportunity but you disappoint yourself with the decision of doing or not doing. So for me, it’s just disappointment in how I handled things. But my motto is, you can’t miss what you’ve never had. I live by that. I live in the moment and the space that I am right now. I don’t think about tomorrow because I want to enjoy today and practice being the best me today. If I think about tomorrow I’m going to miss something today because I’m not focusing on the right now.
This episode takes us behind-the-scenes of your relationship with Dr. Dre, and it reminded me of his apology a few years ago to Dee Barnes for the physical assault. What’s your relationship with him like today? Has he ever offered you a private apology?
Michel’le: No. Me and Dre have the best relationship in the world; we don’t have one at all. I don’t look for an apology from him because I don’t think it would do anything. It wouldn’t be meaningful. He would be doing it because the public is saying so. I think if he really wanted to do that he would have called me many years ago and said ‘I’m sorry’ before it got this public. But I don’t look for that now. I’m at peace. I don’t think he’s even thinking about me so I think he’s at peace as well. We have different lives now and the only disappointment that I have with myself is why did I not ever ask him “Why?” Why did you leave me? Why did you hit me? Why? I would just want explanations. I wouldn’t want an apology because you would have to be sorry in the moment and too much time has passed. That part of my heart is healed.
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If you could travel back in time to the darkest days of your personal life, what advice would you give your younger self?
Michel’le: I would give my younger self the advice of when those little angels speak to you, whether you know them or not, listen. And even if you don’t take the advice, listen. Angels pass you every day. Some are strangers. Some are family members. Some are your partners — just listen. You don’t have to say anything. Just listen. I wish I would have been a listener. I wish I wouldn’t have cut people off and act like I didn’t need to hear what you were saying to me, which was one of my biggest faults when I was younger.
Having a household where we just had a grandmother (and) when the grandmother raises the kids, we run amuck for a while. And although she was that angle, I was still like, “You don’t know what you’re talking about! You’re old!” But everything she said to me, I put it on ice. I watched it melt and it came to pass. So I tell my daughter, listen to me. I just wished I would have listened. I was called what you call, unaffected. So if you said something to me, I would listen to you say it but I didn’t take it in. I didn’t digest it. Now, when people talk to me, I digest it. I listen. I’m involving myself with your energy and your spirit. That’s what I would tell my younger self. Listen.
What do you hope fans take away from your music? Is there a greater message in your songs?
Michel’le: Absolutely! ‘Cause men are still lying and women are still thinking that there’s something in their heart. This movement is still in the same place! It’s wonderful to have songs that you can still listen to 27 years later and you can still connect with. It means that these new kids are like me. I was ahead of my time! I feel great!
So, what’s next for Michel’le?
Her “long awaited EP” is “coming soon,” she says and she tours every other week, so follow her Instagram for upcoming dates.
“I’m working and I love what I do and being a part of the universe,” she said.
Don’t miss “Unsung” Sunday, July 15 at 9 p.m. ET/8C.
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