Featuring contributions from Stevie Wonder, Don Henley and the Rascal Flatts, the album became Simpson’s first to top the Billboard 200, and earned the singer three Grammy nominations. Simpson’s next full-length release arrived in 2006 with the album “Testimony: Vol. The single “Little Things” also won the Grammy for Best Urban/Alternative Performance, highlighting the singer’s songwriting growth and musical maturity. 6 on the Billboard 200, and went on to win the 2003 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. Aided by the single “Little Things”, the album debuted at No. Following a collaboration with guitarist John Mellencamp on his song “Peaceful World”, Simpson contributed vocals to Cassandra Wilson song “Just Another Parade” on her 2002 album “Belly of the Sun”.Īlso in 2002 Simpson released her sophomore album “Voyage to India”, which surpassed the success of its predecessor. 21 on the Canadian Albums Chart, and No. Led by the singles “Video” and “Brown Skin” the album peaked at No. Simpson released her debut album “Acoustic Soul” in March 2001, earning both critical acclaim and commercial success. The song and following performance on the 1998 Lilith Fair tour caught the attention of Motown Record’ Kedar Massenburg who signed the singer in 1999.

Simpson subsequently co-founded the music collective Groovement and the label EarthShare, and released her song on the collectives' debut compilation. Having learned to play a string of instruments during this time it wasn’t until Simpson picked up the guitar while attending the Savannah College of Art and Design that a passion for music and songwriting came to the fore. During her childhood Simpson was encouraged to explore her musical interests by her parents Joyce and Ralph Simpson, the latter a former NBA basketball player.

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