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Ever since emerging songstress Megan Rochell first soloed in the choir loft of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church at age seven, the recently signed Def Jam artist knew she wanted to be a star. "Of course I was nervous in the beginning," Megan remembers, her hundred-watt smile brightening the room. "Yet, once I felt the music touch me and God leading me, I knew at that moment what I was meant to do with my life."
With the release of her dazzling debut disc You, Me & the Radio more than a decade after that memorable Sunday morning, Megan Rochell's youthful prophesies have come true. Dubbing her stellar collection of songs "a diary into a young woman's mind," the twenty year old Brooklyn native has no problems sharing her joy. "From the first moment I stepped into the studio to work on You, Me & the Radio, I felt as though I was living in a fantasy," Megan gushes.
With a dream team of producers and collaborators that includes Rodney Jerkins, Fabolous, Ne-Yo, the Cornerboys, the Underdogs and Stargate, sassy Megan has every right to be excited. "Artists like Mary J. Blige, The Notorious B.I.G. and Marvin Gaye are my favorites, and it was that kind of emotional honesty I wanted for my own album."
Coming on strong with her first single "The One U Need," produced by rhythmic veteran Rodney Jerkins and featuring Fabolous. "Rodney and I vibe so well in the studio," Megan says. "He is a very hands-on kind of producer who has no problems challenging me as a singer." Laced with an addictive beat and dance floor flavor, the track promises to be a breakout for the young performer. "I really feel that Rodney bought out the best in me."
Born in Brooklyn to a Black mother and a Puerto Rican father, Megan was raised by her loving grandmother, whom she also credits for her success. "My grandmother was there for me when no one else was," she says. Besides making sure little Megan was in church every Sunday, grand-ma also escorted Megan to her first audition at the legendary Apollo Theatre. "I was a five-time winner at the Apollo's Amateur Night when I was eleven, and also appeared on the televised version." Performing the Monica song "Before You Walked Out of My Life" for millions, Megan says, "Just being on that stage was heaven."
Moving to Philadelphia at eighteen, Megan Rochell's professional life behind the mic began with a series of chance encounters. Meeting the son of soul icon Leon Huff (of Gamble & Huff fame), Megan was soon in the studios of Philadelphia International Records, where she wrote songs and recorded demos. One afternoon, after leaving the studio, she met Boyz II Men member, Nathan Morris, while walking down South Street. "Believe it or not, I sang for him right on the sidewalk," Megan states. "His reaction was, 'Yo, you gotta let me work with you.'" After working with Nathan for several months Megan signed with his management company, "Adlib Entertainment."
"From the moment you see her there's something that draws you," states Nathan Morris. "At first sight, Megan is a very beautiful young lady and you feel a very warm loving spirit that surrounds her. Then after hearing her voice, you realize that God has allowed you to be a part of something extraordinarily special."
Two weeks later, Nathan set-up a meeting between Megan and Antonio "L.A." Reid, Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group, the young songbird knew she had made the right choice. "At first I thought they were joking," she laughs. Yet, after buying a new outfit and getting her hair done, Megan Rochell went to L.A.'s office one rainy afternoon in January 2005, and won him over with a rendition of Alicia Keys's "If I Ain't Got You." After that successful audition, her fate at Def Jam was sealed.
From the frenzied soul of the Cornerboys' "Outta My Mind" to chill-out cool of Stargate's smooth "Bet You Didn't Know," it's obvious that Megan Rochell is more than just another pretty face in a video. Indeed, You, Me & the Radio is just the beginning of a wonderful relationship between a talented singer and her adoring audience. |
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