Meshell Ndegeocello Announces New Duets Album ‘Synonym’
Genre-defying artist Meshell Ndegeocello is set to release her new covers album, ‘Synonym,’ on October 2, featuring a star-studded lineup of collaborators.
Genre-defying singer Meshell Ndegeocello has revealed her new covers album Synonym will release Oct. 2 via Blue Note Records. For her third project under the label, the Washington, D.C., native recruited a multigenerational lineup of duet partners to reimagine classics. The lead single, available now, is a majestic rendition of Aretha Franklin and George Michael’s No. 1 hit “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” featuring singer and actress Cynthia Erivo.
The album features additional collaborations with Chaka Khan, Robert Glasper, Lianne La Havas, Destin Conrad, Moses Sumney, Emily King, Lizz Wright, Willow, Brandi Carlile and more.
A Celebration of Connection and Queer Liberation
Synonym is said to explore “expressions of desire, care, heartbreak, friendship, disappointment, and love in all forms,” with genre-spanning material selected from the last six decades. Ndegeocello co-produced the album alongside Abe Rounds and David Gamson. “On this album, I wanted to show off as a producer,” she noted. “I love being on Blue Note Records, because with that, I still get to be a musician.”
The 15-track collection includes renditions of timeless records, such as Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack’s “The Closer I Get To You” and “Be Real Black For Me,” Dennis Edwards and Siedah Garrett’s “Don’t Look Any Further” and Ja Rule and Ashanti’s “Always On Time.”
“This project is about classic songs that are known and loved,” said Ndegeocello. “The songs have diverse tones, representing various genres and intentional grooves. But the album is also about joy, selfhood, individual representation, and universal experience.”
Synonym is not only a celebration of music in all shades but also a nod to queer representation. “This project is an expression of queer liberation as a synonym for liberation of all kinds,” said Ndegeocello. “The queer community claimed me when others didn’t and for a long time that felt too far away from other communities to which I belong but now I recognize the ways in which it all overlaps.”
Album Tracklist
- “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” with Cynthia Erivo
- “Don’t You Want Me” with Cat Power
- “Don’t Stop The Music” with Nick Hakim, Robert Glasper
- “Islands In The Stream” with Chaka Khan
- “It Ain’t Me Babe” with Madison Cunningham
- “Always on Time” with Laura Lee
- “Be Real Black For Me” with Emily King, Lizz Wright
- “Don’t Look Any Further” with Lianne La Havas
- “The Closer I Get To You” with Destin Conrad, Moses Sumney
- “Golden Ring” with Brandi Carlile
- “I Got You Babe” with ANOHNI
- “Here We Come (Here He Comes)” with Evann McIntosh
- “Guilty” with Ink
- “Hunger Strike” with WILLOW
- “With God On Our Side” with Bill Callahan, Chris Thile