I had heard him described as "acoustic-driven R&B." As "Motown," as similar to John Legend, Tracy Chapman, and Marvin Gaye. That's not exactly my style, but I was intrigued enough by Corneille to give him a try. Because I had also heard something of his life story. His parents and family members were killed in the 1994 Rwanda genocide. He was the only one in his family to escape. The more I read about his history and what he had to say, the more interested I was to hear his music. Deep experiences often make for deep artistry.
Genre preferences aside, the first time I listened to The Birth of Corneille I couldn't help but perk up a bit. The second time through I was swaying and humming. By the third time I was singing along and now I've got the songs running through my head even when the CD isn't playing.
So...not what I thought was my style, but you learn something new everyday. If you'd like to learn more, head on over to his website.
