In the summer of '93, Angie Stone had a hit with the group Vertical Hold and as a solo artist she released acclaimed albums like Black Diamond, Mahogany Soul and Stone Love. Many respected stars often have their biggest successes far behind them, but not Angie Stone: she only hit the jackpot at the end of last year with the album The Art of Love & War. It was her first album to reach the no.1 position in the Billboard R&B/Hip-hop chart. Stone made this album in a dramatic location: Marvin's Room, the former studio of soul legend Marvin Gaye on Sunset Boulevard. The singer was also one of the chosen few who were asked to debut on Stax Records when it rose from its ashes. Ninety percent of the songs on Stone's new album are her own work. The soul diva composes her songs on the piano, an instrument she taught herself to play. In her 15-year-old career she also developed an exciting and charismatic stage presence.
