Cherrelle

• Genre: Contemporary R&B

About

It's a little-known fact that Cherrelle, one of the many R&B success stories to emerge from the Jimmy Jam/Terry Louis music factory, was the first person to record "I Didn't Mean to Turn You On," the coy love refusal that became such a big hit for Robert Palmer. The song was a career booster for Cherrelle as well, although her profile soared higher after a few duets with former Time member Alexander O'Neal. Since then, R&B and Cherrelle have both changed, so it makes sense that she's slid into something more comfortable: oozing ballads nurturing slow-rolling beats and hot-to-the-touch lyrics given extra heat by her kittenish delivery.

- Kali Holloway