Lina (singer)
Encyclopedia
Shelina Wade commonly known as Lina, is an American R&B
and soul
singer and songwriter.
and raised in, Texas
. Lina’s introduction to music started at the age of four when she began singing at church. After cultivating her gospel and jazz roots by touring with the church choir, performing with her mother and singing at social gatherings, Lina was signed to Atlantic first as a songwriter and then as a singer. Influenced by singers from Josephine Baker to Sarah Vaughan to Sade, Lina began developing a signature vocal style that could be described as a mixture of swing, r&b, and jazz meets modern day soul.
's self-titled debut album. Lina proved herself to also be a solid songwriter, penning "Ain't Nothing Like a Jones" for Tyrese
.
. Following her record deal, was the release of her first album, Stranger on Earth, which was introduced on August 21, 2001. The album sold 45,000 copies worldwide. Stranger on Earth received a strong critical response for its blend of R&B with swing and vocal jazz. The title track was a cover version of a Dinah Washington track. The album featured the singles "Playa No Mo", "It's Alright", "I'm Not The Enemy", and "Don't Say Nothin'". The first single "Playa No Mo" became a minor hit, reaching #46 in UK, while the album reached #89 on the Billboard R&B and hip-hop album chart. "Stranger on Earth" was placed among the Top 10 R&B Albums of the Year by Billboard Magazine. It was named the #1 R&B Album of the Year by Tower Records' "Pulse" Magazine, and #1 album by 'cdnow.com'. Nevertheless, Lina asked to be released from her contract and Atlantic granted her release; 3 months later she was signed to Hiddenbeach recordings.
was released in June 2005 on the Hidden Beach Recordings record label. The lead single Smooth received airplay but made no debut on the Billboard charts. Following the release of her second album, the song Come to Mama was released as the second single.
Morning Star debuted on the market in February 2008. Lina released three singles from the album: "Feel The Love", "I'll Stick Around", and "Good Day".
Lina continued to give her fans new music by introducing a special single titled "My Man" which can be purchased on CdBaby!
Two tracks lifted from the "Morning Star" album feature on the Independent Soul Divas series on UK label, Lola Waxx: "Feel The Love" (Volume 1 2008) and "Get It Right" (Volume 2 2009).
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
and soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
singer and songwriter.
Early life
Lina was born in Denver, ColoradoDenver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
and raised in, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Lina’s introduction to music started at the age of four when she began singing at church. After cultivating her gospel and jazz roots by touring with the church choir, performing with her mother and singing at social gatherings, Lina was signed to Atlantic first as a songwriter and then as a singer. Influenced by singers from Josephine Baker to Sarah Vaughan to Sade, Lina began developing a signature vocal style that could be described as a mixture of swing, r&b, and jazz meets modern day soul.
1998: Beginnings
In 1998, Lina got her first big break as a songwriter by penning a tune for TyreseTyrese
Tyrese Darnell Gibson , also known simply as Tyrese, is an American R&B singer, rapper, actor, author, former fashion model and MTV VJ. After releasing several albums, he transitioned into films, with lead roles in several Hollywood releases.-Early life:Gibson was born in Los Angeles, California,...
's self-titled debut album. Lina proved herself to also be a solid songwriter, penning "Ain't Nothing Like a Jones" for Tyrese
Tyrese
Tyrese Darnell Gibson , also known simply as Tyrese, is an American R&B singer, rapper, actor, author, former fashion model and MTV VJ. After releasing several albums, he transitioned into films, with lead roles in several Hollywood releases.-Early life:Gibson was born in Los Angeles, California,...
.
2000–2002: Stranger on Earth
Lina began her career in 2000 when she signed to Atlantic RecordsAtlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
. Following her record deal, was the release of her first album, Stranger on Earth, which was introduced on August 21, 2001. The album sold 45,000 copies worldwide. Stranger on Earth received a strong critical response for its blend of R&B with swing and vocal jazz. The title track was a cover version of a Dinah Washington track. The album featured the singles "Playa No Mo", "It's Alright", "I'm Not The Enemy", and "Don't Say Nothin'". The first single "Playa No Mo" became a minor hit, reaching #46 in UK, while the album reached #89 on the Billboard R&B and hip-hop album chart. "Stranger on Earth" was placed among the Top 10 R&B Albums of the Year by Billboard Magazine. It was named the #1 R&B Album of the Year by Tower Records' "Pulse" Magazine, and #1 album by 'cdnow.com'. Nevertheless, Lina asked to be released from her contract and Atlantic granted her release; 3 months later she was signed to Hiddenbeach recordings.
2004–2006: The Inner Beauty Movement
In 2003, Lina signed to Hidden Beach Records and launched her own record label, Moodstar Recordings. In 2004, she began recording her second album. Her second album entitled The Inner Beauty MovementThe Inner Beauty Movement
The Inner Beauty Movement is the second studio album of American R&B singer, Lina. The album was released on June 28, 2005 in US.-Background:...
was released in June 2005 on the Hidden Beach Recordings record label. The lead single Smooth received airplay but made no debut on the Billboard charts. Following the release of her second album, the song Come to Mama was released as the second single.
2007–2008: Morning Star
By 2007, Lina had returned to the studio to begin working on her third album. Lina recorded a total of 17 tracks for the album. Lina released her third album-to-date, Morning Star, by her own label, Mood Star Recordings.Morning Star debuted on the market in February 2008. Lina released three singles from the album: "Feel The Love", "I'll Stick Around", and "Good Day".
Lina continued to give her fans new music by introducing a special single titled "My Man" which can be purchased on CdBaby!
Two tracks lifted from the "Morning Star" album feature on the Independent Soul Divas series on UK label, Lola Waxx: "Feel The Love" (Volume 1 2008) and "Get It Right" (Volume 2 2009).
2009: Starfel Music
Many of Lina's songs are featured on Truth Hall Motion Picture soundtrack released Nov 12, 2009 on Utopia Recordings. The songs performed by Lina include 'Breathe' 'Dough' 'Illuminating' 'On My Own' and several othersAlbums
- Stranger on Earth (2001) (#89 US R&B, #130 UK)
- Save Your Soul, Vol. 1 (2005)
- The Inner Beauty MovementThe Inner Beauty MovementThe Inner Beauty Movement is the second studio album of American R&B singer, Lina. The album was released on June 28, 2005 in US.-Background:...
(2005) - Morning Star (2008)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
U.S. R&B Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
Hot Adult Airplay Billboard charts The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine... |
US Jazz Billboard charts The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine... |
UK | |||
| 2001 | "Playa No Mo" | - | - | - | - | 46 | Stranger on Earth |
| "It's Alright" | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| "I'm Not the Enemy" | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2002 | "Don't Say Nothin'" | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 2005 | "Smooth" | - | 107 | 27 | - | - | The Inner Beauty Movement |
| "Come to Mama" | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| "Leaving You" | - | - | - | 28 | - | ||
| 2008 | "Feel The Love" | - | 115 | - | - | - | Morning Star |
| "I'll Stick Around" | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| "Good Day" | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2009 | "My Man" | - | - | - | - | - | |
External links
- Lina at Myspace
- Mood Star Records
- [ Lina at Allmusic]
- Renea Solomon Group