Algebra 101

When I wrapped up my interview with Atlanta’s own Algebra Blessett I knew one thing, I wouldn’t be able to format this piece into the typical Q&A layout. The spirit and energy of this amazing songstress couldn’t be transcribed so simplistically, and I didn’t want my fellow Schemers to miss what was between the lines. For that reason, I’ve decided to take it upon myself to break a few rules and be totally subjective.

My conversation with Algebra fell in line with that of an old friend. We laughed and spoke candidly about the industry and politics. She even got on me when I admitted to not yet owning her debut album, Purpose.

I remember the first time I had the opportunity to introduce Algebra. I was in the car with my younger brother and sister listening to Eric Roberson’s album, Left. The track that she’s featured on is titled “ILUVU2MUCH,” which happens to be my favorite piece on the album. So, we’re listening to the track and my musically challenged siblings are in the backseat arguing over the beautiful voice coming through the speakers. They were debating over whether or not the voice belonged to India.Arie. “It’s Algebra!” I yelled towards the bickering, and put the building confrontation to rest.

Eric Roberson explains in his liner notes, “Adding Algebra wasn’t planned. We were in the studio and I was like, ‘Yo, sing this.’ She’s truly my partner in this crazy music game, and it’s always a blessing to work with her. She has her own lane visually and musically. I can’t wait for the world to have a chance to completely enjoy it.”

Along with gracing Eric Roberson’s album, Algebra has written for popular crooners like India.Arie, and contributed her voice to projects by Monica, Bilal, and Joi. She has also toured and opened for artists like Kem and Keyshia Cole. Kem hails from Detroit— my hometown. He’s a balladeer whose sound appeals to lovers of Seal and Sade. Keyshia Cole stands opposite, with a voice that’s just as rich but whose subject matter attracts the band of teens to young 30-somethings who compose her committed fan base. Algebra bridges the gap, and by name, she was destined to do so.

As a child, Algebra kept to herself (according to her mother, she told me), but she never hesitated to say what was on her mind, a characteristic that allows her to shine as a singer/songwriter who describes herself as “an everyday people type of person.”

While she grew up in a musical household and went to a performing arts high school, Algebra really didn’t know where her place was in music and according to her, she just “fell into it.” During our chat, Algebra described her beginnings in the industry. “It was probably ’99 or ’98 when I got my first opportunity to do background for other people. I guess that’s when that whole idea started but my first placement was 2000/2001 with this Gospel artist. It just snowballed from there,” she shared. And it’s been a hell of a snowball, with notable “flakes” that include spot dates with Common, The Roots, Vivian Green and Lyfe Jennings.

Algebra’s music career has a lot of people on their toes as she rises as a soulful artist. Her debut album is a moving collection of her personal stories and experiences. As a naturally humble spirit, Algebra told me, “If you get one handclap in a room of 100, pay attention to that one handclap,” and added a bit of inspiration that we could all live by, “Whatever you do, you gotta do it for you first, because if you don’t, it’s a wrap. You’re not gonna last long.”

Of course being in interview mode, I had to challenge Ms. Algebra’s motto and asked if she’s ever been broken as an artist. “I’ve been booed walking onto a stage,” she admitted, “and being blessed enough to win a crowd over. I was in New York City’s Nokia Theater. They have some of the most endearing love. They’re just true about their own. With the Southern hospitality, we’re true about ours as well. But it’s different fruits from different places.

I was walking on stage of the Nokia Theater and I was opening up for Keyshia Cole. The crazy thing is [that] it was my birthday. You gotta imagine an impatient crowd that’s ready for Keyshia Cole and here comes this artist on stage… they have no idea who I am. All they know is that my name is Algebra. First question is, ‘Who in the world is Algebra?’ I’m walking out on stage and I think I had my guitar, and yeah I do Rhythm and Blues, but it’s another facet of Rhythm and Blues. So I start to sing the first verse and it was like the first three rows, the mugs on their faces… amazing. A couple of cats were like ‘Boo, we want Keyshia!’ So I started singing. We started jammin’. The rest is history. The whole theater was happy by the time I left and didn’t want me to leave.”

After admitting that I would have run off of the stage quicker than the impatient crowd’s “boos” had the chance to echo throughout the theater, Algebra and I played a game of word association, a wrap-up that I generally find to be quite unveiling. The one answer that stuck out was when I said “Music,” and Algebra quickly responded, “Love.”

I’m glad to say that my second opportunity to introduce Ms. Algebra Blessett was prefaced by speaking to such a beautiful soul, and I’m personally looking forward to following her career.