Beige World

Happy Birthday, Amel Larrieux!

R&B singer-songwriter Amel Larrieux is 36 years old today (March 8th).

Her first claim to fame was as one half of the successful 90's duo Groove Theory, teaming up with producer Bryce Wilson.

After leaving Groove Theory in 1999, she went on to pursue her solo career, producing four albums (Infinite Possibilities, Bravebird, Morning, and Lovely Standards).

Larrieux's music is an eclectic mix of R&B, soul, funk, jazz, hip-hop, folk, and gospel, and is very much a reflection of her diverse cultural background (her mother is African-American, and her father is of French, English, and Scottish descent).

Currently, she has her own independent music label, Blisslife Records, and she recently released a new single, "Orange Glow," which hit stores on March 3rd.  She's also working on her fifth studio album.

Official Blisslife Records Web site:  http://www.blisslife.com 
Amel Larrieux's Wikipedia page:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amel_Larrieux   

COMMENTARY: Black or biracial?

Recently, The Huffington Post featured an interesting commentary on the subject of classifying a biracial person:

Black Or Biracial?  Who Gets To Decide?
by Abby L. Fender, The Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/abby-ferber/black-or-biracial-who-get_b_172012.html 

Journal of Social Issues (JSI): Multiracial Identity Study

Recently, the Journal of Social Issues (JSI) published a study that found that multiracial people who identify with multiple racial/ethnic groups tend to have a greater psychological well-being and social engagement than multiracial people who identify with one group:

Multiracial Identity Associated With Better Social And Personal Well-Being
ScienceDaily
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090210110045.htm

(NOTE:  At the bottom of the ScienceDaily article, under Journal reference, you'll find a link to the actual JSI study.)