Is Kreesha Turner The Next R&B/Pop Diva?

Come this fall, all eyes will be set to the release of Capitol/EMI Canada recording artist Kreesha Turner’s debut album “Passion.”

Kicking off with the single “Bounce With Me,” Turner, born and raised in Edmonton, Ontario, Canada has been gaining momentum on the charts and on television where her music has been featured on hit shows including “Gossip Girl,” “Entourage,” and “The Hills.”

A priority for both of her labels, the singer has been positioned as the next big pop and R&B star in the wake of international sensations Rihanna and Leona Lewis, both of which have performed well on both sides of ‘the pond’ at a time when the music industry is cutting back on budgets and rosters.

On “Passion,” due for release in Canada in August and October in the United States, the singer taps into her sultry soprano showing off powerful ballads such as “Always (Lovin’ You),” a modern cut of Minnie Riperton’s “Lovin’ You” in addition to her eye catching dance/pop records like “Bounce with Me” and the recently issued single “Don’t Call Me Baby.”

According to a recent interview with NUVO, the singer says "When people just hear 'Bounce With Me', I don't think it gives them a full definition of me as an artist... a lot of people have said that when they heard the album, it wasn't what they expected."

Even though Turner is billed as an R&B singer, her influences range from jazz to hip hop, the latter of which she gained a following from in Edmonton where there was virtually no R&B scene. “I integrated myself into the underground hip-hop scene, which worked to my advantage because I was the only woman, only vocalist.”

Collaborating with award winning songwriter Harold Lilly (Alicia Keys), producer Devo Springsteen (Aretha Franklin) and songwriter/producer Jon Levine (Nelly Furtado), Turner co-wrote some of the thirteen songs featured on her debut where she says her jazz influence is undeniable.

With the upcoming release of the album, Turner is busy preparing for the promotional push including extensive touring and live performances.

Kreesha Turner’s debut album “Passion” hits stores stateside October 15th, “Don’t Call Me Baby,” the singer’s latest single is now available through online retailers including iTunes.

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