Selah Sue - Reason (Limited Edition) (2015)

Genre-bending Belgian singer/songwriter Selah Sue was born Sanne Putseys on May 3, 1989 in the city of Leuven, and raised in nearby Leefdaal. She began playing acoustic guitar and composing her own songs at the age of 15, and by her late teens had skillfully refined her signature blend of soul, hip-hop, funk, and reggae into a powerful force. Part Adele and part Erykah Badu, Sue honed her craft at home, in studios, and in clubs before gaining momentum through appearances at major festivals and on Flemish television shows. By the age of 20 she had secured a record deal and found herself in the studio with the likes of Farhot and Patrice, Me'Shell Ndegéocello, and Cee-Lo Green (she was even asked by Prince to open up a show in Antwerp). Selah Sue released her eponymous debut album in March of 2011. ~ James Christopher Monger