Combining the R&B beat with a jazz influence (she was toted around as a youngster by her jazz performing mother), Blu Cantrell has created a soulful sound that smoothes the soul. One of five siblings, she was born Tiffany Cobb in the Rhode Island town of Providence. Cantrell found that her mother's vocal talents had been passed onto her, as she began performing at local talent shows and auditioning for vocal gigs from an early age.It was not until a visit to Atlanta, Georgia in 2000 that Cantrell got her lucky break. Playing her demo tape for A&R executive Tab and producer C. Stewart (also known as Tricky) of RedZone Entertainment, she impressed the record executives enough to immediately provide her with some studio work. She began singing backgrounds for the likes of some other RedZone artists, like Gerald Levert, Faith Evans, and Puff Daddy, while recording her own studio tracks.Her single "Till I'm Gone," impressed CEO and president of Arista Records L.A. Reid, eventually leading her to sign with the record label and create her first full length album. Her first single, released before the debut album was out, called "Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops!)" made the number two position on the Hot 100 list when it was released in 2001. So Blu, the debut album, was released that same year and reached the Top Ten charts. Interest rose quickly in this R&B artist, and she was asked to perform for television programs and more. Her next album, 2003's Bittersweet didn't make as much of a splash as her debut did, but she did earn a Grammy nomination for best R&B album that year.Rumors have circled the R&B artist regarding her sexuality, linked in 2004 to Hollywood actress Michele Rodriguez, known for her rebellious attitude and the work in The Fast and the Furious. Cantrell has also participated in the Celebrity Circus television program.
