Meshell Ndegeocello (/mɪˈʃɛlənˌdeɪɡeɪoʊˈtʃɛloʊ/mish-EL ən-DAY-gay-oh-CHEL-oh;[2] born Michelle Lynn Johnson on August 29, 1968) is an American singer-songwriter, poet, and bassist. She has gone by the name Meshell Suhaila Bashir-Shakur which is used as a writing credit on some of her mid-career work.[3] Her music incorporates a wide variety of influences, including funk, soul, jazz, hip hop, reggae and rock. She has received significant critical acclaim throughout her career,[4][5] being nominated for eleven Grammy Awards, and winning two.[6] She also has been credited for helping to "spark the neo-soul movement".[7]