Michel'le Denise Toussant, born December 5, 1970, is an American R&B singer who carved a distinct niche in the late 1980s and early 1990s music scene with her uniquely soft, childlike speaking voice juxtaposed against powerful, soulful vocals. Emerging from the influential West Coast hip-hop and R&B collective centered around N.W.A, Michel'le became a breakout star, most notably remembered for her top ten Billboard Hot 100 hit "No More Lies." Her debut single, "No More Lies," released in 1989, was a massive commercial success, peaking at number seven on the US Hot 100 and solidifying her place as a notable female voice within a predominantly male-dominated era of rap and new jack swing. The song's success was followed by her self-titled debut album, which also spawned the singles "Nicety" and "Something in My Heart," further establishing her as a formidable presence in contemporary R&B.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Michel'le's early life was steeped in the cultural and musical milieu of South Central LA. She was discovered by Dr. Dre and Eazy-E, who were then at the helm of Ruthless Records, and she soon became one of the label's few prominent female artists. Her collaborations with Dr. Dre, including her feature on the iconic track "We're All in the Same Gang" by the West Coast Rap All-Stars, helped bridge the gap between the hard-edged gangsta rap aesthetic and melodic R&B. However, her career was not without its tumultuous chapters. Her personal life, including her relationship with Dr. Dre and later with Suge Knight, the co-founder of Death Row Records, became a subject of public fascination and, eventually, a harrowing narrative of domestic abuse that she bravely detailed years later.

Following a period of relative quiet in the late 1990s and 2000s, Michel'le returned to the public eye in a significant way. From 2013 to 2015, she was a central figure on the TV One reality series R&B Divas: Los Angeles, where she joined fellow singers in navigating the complexities of life, music, and friendship, reintroducing her to a new generation of fans. Her most profound contribution to pop culture in recent years, however, came with the 2016 Lifetime biopic Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel'le. The film, which she executive produced, chronicled her rise to fame and the personal struggles she endured behind the scenes, offering an unflinching look at her relationships with the two music moguls. While the film generated significant controversy and debate, it cemented her legacy as a survivor and a vital, albeit complicated, figure in the history of West Coast music. Today, Michel'le continues to perform and engage with her fanbase, reflecting on a career that, despite its challenges, has left an indelible mark on the landscape of American R&B.