Algebra

Building herself a solid career as an R&B solo artist and songwriter has been all about the music, not about the image, for Atlanta native Algebra. After singing backup and writing for the likes of Erykah Badu, Bilal and Monica, Algebra struck out on her own, learning to play the guitar and performing at local open mic nights in the city. Says Algebra of that time performing, "Soon you learn not to care what others think, you learn to perform for you. I would come back week after week and I learned to perform for balance and for freedom. I was becoming alive."

During this time her unique style developed, a playful combination of pop, rock, rap, and funk elements and her self-written songs earned her the attention of Motown, who signed her, and Kedar Massenburg, who took her on as a protégé and eventually released her album on his revamped Kedar Entertainment Group.

The songs on her debut album Purpose, out early last summer, are full of personal experiences and relatable stories, which seems to be why her music has connected to audiences so well. She toured behind the album with Brian McKnight and Joe, and proved again and again, that she can hold her own both as a performer and a songwriter, a beauty and a mind. As Algebra told Singersroom.com last year, "I am going to be here for a little while, so I want to make the most of it, do everything I can."