Few singers can
say that basketball is responsible for their quick
rise to
pop stardom, but if it weren't for the
NBA, the sultry
Natalie would probably have a desk
job. The sounds of
Jadakiss,
Usher,
Gwen Stefani, and
Beyonce filled the headphones of the
Clear Lake, TX, resident as
she was commuting back and
forth to school.
She dreamed of becoming a singer, but without knowing anyone
connected to the
music industry, she chose to study criminal
justice.
One of
Natalie's rare whims told her she should
answer an ad for
Houston Rockets cheerleader auditions. She got the job and was soon getting calls to
dance for various
Houston rap and R&B artists. She was also working on her lyrical skills during this
time and decided to add a couple raps to her performances. Second
time out, she
drew the attention of
Charles Chavez, the
man behind Latium
Entertainment and the successful
careers of
Frankie J.,
Baby Bash, and
Chamillionaire. Chavez hooked Natalie up with producers
Happy Perez and
Play N Skillz. The sessions yielded many possible hits, but it was the ballad "
Goin' Crazy" that Chavez and Natalie chose to put on a single. The heartfelt number was lighting up
request lines on R&B and
pop radio in
March of 2005.
Universal quickly signed the artist and released her debut album in
May.
--David Jeffries, All music Guide
