If you don't have a dream that's nourished by believing in yourself and hard work, forget about achieving it. But if you do, check out Angie Stone's story.

Preparation and Persistence Pays Off For Stone!
by Feona Sharhran Huff
November 2001

The CollegeBound Network NewsClick -- Several words come to mind when describing neo-soul/R&B singer Angie Stone: tenacious, talented, and thankful. As tongue twisting as these appropriate adjectives may be, they undoubtedly represent what music critics and listeners (like you!) have been saying since Stone's solo debut in the mid-90s.

Crafting her third album Mahagony Soul (J Records) hasn't come without a tremendous amount of self-belief, preparation, and sacrifice. Stone shares her tuneful testimony in hopes that you, too, will be inspired to achieve.

FAITH STARTS WITH ME
Back in high school, Stone was an athletic force to be reckoned with, especially on the basketball court. She was even offered sports scholarships to further her hoop skills, but turned them down because she knew that music was her calling. She was determined to score big as a singer.

She once told BET Weekend, "I used to sit in the living room and watch my daddy and his gospel quartet practice and be amazed. I knew back then that I wanted to sing."

Stone had such strong celebrity convictions that in the 11th grade, she snuck backstage at a Sugar Hill Gang show, went up to Sugar Hill Records owner Sylvia Robinson, and assured her she could sing. Months later, Stone's act of faith landed her a record deal and she became a third member of the all-female rap group, Sequence, which recorded the single, "Funk U Right on Up." Although her stint with the group and the label was short-lived, Stone was able to see first-hand that when you believe in yourself, anything is possible.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Stone put her passion to practice even as a young girl by joining First Nazareth Baptist Church's choir in Columbia, South Carolina, where she wooed and wowed the congregation, choir members, even herself! She continued along her career path by singing and writing songs for other artists. Not long after Sequence disbanded, Stone says she started writing songs for Prince protégé Jill Jones. This led to a flood of opportunities, including penning lyrics for Mary J. Blige and D'Angelo. She even got hands-on instrumental practice playing the saxophone for Lenny Kravitz!

In case you think academics has nothing to do with music, Stone has to check you at the door. If it weren't for excelling at academics and participating in school activities which fostered her music mission, perhaps Stone wouldn't be telling her story now. In other words, Stone says, school is extremely important, so don't slack off.

Stone told VIBE magazine, "I've been in the game for a minute. But the first thing you need to learn about this whole thing is change. If you stay the same then you're finished because music is [always] evolving."

Stone admits that her musical career has had its share of ups and downs, but affirms that she wouldn't trade the road traveled for anything.