Michel'le Toussaint, known mononymously as Michel'le, is a seminal figure in the R&B and hip-hop world. Her journey, marked by incredible musical talent and personal adversity, is a testament to her resilience and determination.
Michel'le's career began at the tender age of 16 when she met Dr. Dre, whose real name is Andre Romelle Young. She was called in to record vocals for the World Class Wreckin' Cru's track "Turn Off the Lights" in 1987, which later peaked at No. 54 on the Billboard Charts. This encounter with Dr. Dre marked the beginning of a tumultuous relationship. They began dating a few months after meeting, and by the time Michel'le turned 17 in December, Dre, then 22, had a baby on the way from a previous relationship. The couple later got engaged and had a son, Marcel, in February 1991. Despite their engagement and the birth of their son, their relationship was marred by Dre's infidelity, volatile behavior, and substance abuse. Michel'le has recounted numerous instances of physical abuse during their relationship, including severe injuries like a broken nose, cracked ribs, and multiple black eyes. She even recalled an incident where Dre shot at her during an argument, narrowly missing her.
The abuse eventually drove Michel'le to self-medicate with prescription pills and alcohol. The breaking point came when she discovered Dre was engaged to another woman, prompting her to leave him. At her lowest, Death Row Records CEO and co-founder Suge Knight stepped in, helping her get clean by sending her to rehab. In 1999, while Knight was in prison, Michel'le married him, only to later find out through divorce proceedings that their marriage was invalid as he was still married to his ex-wife. The couple had a daughter, Bailei, born in 2002. Their relationship, too, was marred by abuse, with Michel'le suffering a dislocated jaw from an incident with Knight.
Michel'le's music career started with her signing to Eazy-E's Ruthless Records. Her self-titled debut album, released in 1989 and produced by Dr. Dre, was a major success, featuring the hit single "No More Lies," which peaked at No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Other singles from the album, like "Nicety" and "Something in My Heart," also performed well. The album was certified Gold in 1990 for selling over 500,000 copies in the US. Michel'le's role in the West Coast All-Stars' Grammy-nominated single "We're All in the Same Gang" further cemented her status in the music industry.
However, her second album, "Hung Jury," released in 1998 on Death Row Records, did not achieve the same success. Despite this, Michel'le continued to contribute to the music scene, providing vocals on tracks for artists like 2Pac and Tha Dogg Pound.
In 2015, after the release of the film "Straight Outta Compton," which omitted Michel'le's story, Dr. Dre issued a public apology for his abusive past. Michel'le, however, felt the apology was insincere, stating that a genuine apology would have been made privately.
Michel'le's story was finally brought to the forefront with the Lifetime biopic "Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel'le," which aired in 2016. The film, starring Rhyon Nicole Brown as Michel'le, depicted her abusive relationships with Dr. Dre and Suge Knight, her experiences with Ruthless Records, and her journey towards self-discovery. Through this biopic, Michel'le aimed to encourage other victims of domestic violence to find their strength and voice.
Beyond her biopic, Michel'le has remained active in the entertainment industry. She joined the cast of TV One's "R&B Divas LA" in 2013 and was cast as herself in the stage play "Love Jones: The Musical." Despite the challenges she has faced, Michel'le's contributions to music and her resilience continue to inspire many.
Her story is a powerful reminder of the strength and perseverance required to overcome adversity and emerge victorious, both in life and in the music industry.
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