Shakura S’Aida - Brown Sugar

Blessed with a voice like Tina Turner’s—with legs to match—Toronto’s Shakura is a musical force of nature. A former backup singer for Patti Labelle, she appeared in the stage production of the musical Ain’t Misbehavin’ and sang lead vocals in the Juno-nominated 13-piece world music band Kaleefah. Shakura’s latest album, a collection of smoking blues and r&b numbers like “Gonna Tell My Baby” co-written with guitarist Donna Grantis, should bring the Brooklyn-born singer the wider attention she deserves.