Amel Larrieux facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Amel Larrieux
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Larrieux in San Diego on October 30, 2008
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Amel Eliza Stowell |
| Born | March 8, 1973 New York City, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1991–present |
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Amel Eliza Larrieux (born Amel Eliza Stowell on March 8, 1973) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. She became well-known in the mid-1990s as a member of the music group Groove Theory. After leaving the group in 1999, she started her solo career. Her first solo album, Infinite Possibilities, was released in 2000.
In late 2003, Amel Larrieux and her husband, Laru Larrieux, started their own record label called Blisslife Records. She has released four albums through this independent label. Amel Larrieux has mentioned many famous musicians as her inspirations, including Ella Fitzgerald, Prince, Sade, and Stevie Wonder.
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Amel Larrieux's Music Journey
Early Life and Beginnings
Amel Eliza Stowell was born on March 8, 1973, in New York City. She grew up with a love for music.
Joining Groove Theory
In 1991, Amel Larrieux met Bryce Wilson, a musician and producer. Bryce Wilson was looking for a singer to work with. They started making music together and formed a duo called Groove Theory. Their first album, Groove Theory, had popular songs like "Tell Me" and "Baby Luv." Their music was also featured in movies like Sunset Park and Love Jones.
Amel Larrieux decided to leave Groove Theory in 1999 to start her own solo career. She explained that she wanted to explore different musical paths.
Starting a Solo Career
In 1996, before her first solo album, Amel Larrieux sang on a song called "You Will Rise" with the band Sweetback. This song became quite popular on the R&B charts.
Her first solo album, Infinite Possibilities, came out in February 2000. She wrote and produced this album with her husband, Laru Larrieux. The album did well on the music charts, and her song "Get Up" became her biggest solo hit.
After this album, Amel Larrieux decided to leave her major record label. She felt that they wanted her to change her music style too much. So, she and her husband started their own independent label, Blisslife Records. This allowed her to have more control over her music.
In 2001, she sang a cover of "Sophisticated Lady" for a special album that raised money for AIDS awareness.
Independent Music and New Albums
Amel Larrieux released her second album, Bravebird, in 2004 through Blisslife Records. This album was very popular on the independent music charts. One of its songs, "For Real," showed off her amazing high-pitched vocals, which reminded some people of the singer Minnie Riperton. A part of her song "Giving Something Up" was used in a commercial for BET's HIV/AIDS awareness campaign.
In 2004, Amel Larrieux was nominated for a Grammy Award for a song she sang with Stanley Clarke and Glenn Lewis. It was a cover of "Where Is the Love."
Her third album, Morning, was released in 2006. It became her highest-charting album so far. The song "No One Else" from this album was featured in the 2007 movie Why Did I Get Married?.
In 2007, Amel Larrieux released Lovely Standards, an album of classic jazz standard songs. This album was very successful on the jazz music charts. She also appeared on a song called "Resist the Temptation" on 2Pac's greatest hits album.
Recent Projects
Around 2010, there were talks about Amel Larrieux working with Bryce Wilson again on a second Groove Theory album. They even performed together in Japan. However, as of 2011, they had not recorded new music.
In 2009, Amel Larrieux released two songs, "Orange Glow" and "Don't Let Me Down," from her fifth studio album, Ice Cream Every Day. The song "Don't Let Me Down" was also used to help raise money for efforts to support women in Congo. Her album Ice Cream Every Day was finally released in October 2013. She explained that it took a while because she kept adding and changing songs to make it perfect. The song "Don't Let Me Down" was later featured in the 2014 movie Beyond the Lights.
Amel Larrieux's Albums
Studio Albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
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| US |
US R&B/HH |
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| Infinite Possibilities |
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79 | 21 |
| Bravebird |
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166 | 28 |
| Morning |
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74 | 8 |
| Lovely Standards |
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195 | 32 |
| Ice Cream Everyday |
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— | 43 |
Amel Larrieux's Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
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| US |
US R&B |
US Adult R&B |
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| "You Will Rise" (Sweetback featuring Amel Larrieux) |
1996 | — | 42 | 20 | Sweetback |
| "Get Up" | 1999 | 97 | 37 | 10 | Infinite Possibilities |
| "Sweet Misery" | 2000 | — | 81 | 30 | |
| "For Real" | 2004 | — | 45 | 22 | Bravebird |
| "Weary" | 2006 | — | — | 29 | Morning |
| "Afraid" | 2013 | — | — | 13 | Ice Cream Everyday |
Images for kids
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Amel Larrieux performing in San Diego.
