Algebra Blessett hasn't always been the sultry front woman and solo performer that she is today. Getting her start in Atlanta, Georgia, Algebra (her real name is also her stage name) made a splash on the open mic scene a couple years back, doing gigs as a backup singer for headlining R&B artists like Bilal and Monica. But her problem of being unable to memorize other artists' songs when it came to singing at open mic nights was actually a blessing in disguise. Instead of performing other singers' hits like her fellow compatriots, Algebra picked up a guitar and wrote her own songs. Thus began the neo-soul journey of Ms. Blessett.
The fruits of her labor and resulting debut album Purpose came out this past February after years of Algebra having to gradually emerge from the background and into the spotlight. "Run and Hide," the Kwame-produced current single off the album, has been making waves with its woozy string samples and infectiously hazy vocals, striking a chord with fans for its vulnerable lyrics about not being sure of whether you can trust a man's shifty intentions. Other tracks from Purpose are just as personal, like on "I Think I Love You" where she openly states her love for her man and "My Pride" on which she sings about her inability to apologize for her mistakes because her pride holds her back.
Keeping her emotions bottled up doesn't seem to be a problem for Algebra, who makes performing as a solo artist look like a piece of cake. In the sensual video for "Run and Hide," Algebra lounges around in a bathrobe while watching her own video on the TV (follow that?), a music clip that features her cradling the mic wedged between shots of her rocking the violin and churning out a mean rhythm section on the skins. Turns out, Algebra doesn't do it all herself - she claims she can't even play the instruments that she does in the video - but that doesn't mean that it isn't coming from the heart, the reason that she looks like she has such a great time while performing.
With a sunny attitude and her hair pulled back in long braids behind her head, Algebra was relaxed and cool as she talked with Kiwibox VJ Kylie about her path from the back of the stage to the front. Her style was impeccably eclectic, each nail painted a different color because she was faced with a bout of "boredom" and a long stretch of multi-colored bracelets snaking up her arm. As she discussed her debut album Purpose, Algebra told us why her mother is the one to thank for her personal style, the reason that she chose The Animals' "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" as a set staple and why the video for "U Do It For Me" was such a hassle to film in comparison to the one for "Run and Hide."
If you can't see the embedded video, click here to watch it on YouTube.