NEWS 17 Jan 2008

Angie Stone’s Anthem “My People” Celebrates Black History Month

Crucial Message of powerful song is critical and timely

LOS ANGELES CA, January 17, 2008- Amid all the recent controversy regarding race in America, the song "My People" from Angie Stone's Stax Records debut CD, The Art of Love & War, will be celebrated at radio during February, Black History Month.

The lyrics of this fiercely inspirational song (with guest vocalist James Ingram), is a musical history lesson that singles out the contributions of essential figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali, Quincy Jones, Bishop Desmond Tutu, the Williams Sisters, and Collin Powell among others, and highlights the importance of their African and American heritage.

Angie thoughtfully explains. "The longer I live, the more I know that we are all one people. This song is a tribute to those who have helped, and continue to help pave the way for us to finally achieve that unity."

Last year, "My People" became an anthem for the survivors of New Orleans' 9th Ward and was personally selected by Essence Magazine Publisher, Susan Taylor, as the theme song for the Essence Festival.

The first single, "Baby," from The Art of Love & War, hit #1 on Urban AC charts across the board garnering Stone a Grammy nomination. The song was also the #2 most downloaded R&B track at iTunes in 2007.

Of the Stax CD Newsweek says, "...(Stone is) one of the strongest soul singers to come along in decades...Her leagues-above voice and commercialism-be-damned attitude, coupled with Stone's powerful delivery and raw, emotive songs definitely command some major R-E-S-P-E-C-T."

Stone's previous work earned her the reputation of a modern-day Aretha, rejuvenating classic R&B with her incomparable soul-baring intensity. She has found that and more with, The Art of Love & War, and Stax, with its legacy of gritty Southern-steeped soul, is her ideal home.