It’s been years since Meli’sa Morgan was in the Qcity, so the R&B diva says she’s excited about her Nov. 26 performance at the Charlotte Westin.

“I’m like Anita Baker,” she quipped. “I’m going to be giving them the best that I’ve got.”

Morgan, best known for her 1986 cover version of Prince’s “Do Me Baby,” will be joined that evening by singers Christopher Williams and Alyson Williams at a post-Thanksgiving event dubbed the “Black and White Affair.”

During a recent interview with Qcitymetro.com, Morgan said she can’t wait to take the stage and is already putting the finishing touches on her outfit. She also talked about meeting Stevie Wonder, working with her idol Chaka Khan, her friendship with the late Vesta Williams and why she wants to go into the studio with R. Kelly.

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Q. When did you decide that you wanted to sing?

My mother had me singing ever since I was six years old. She promised me that I was going to make it to the Apollo for amateur night. I’ve been singing since. I’ve always loved it. When I got older, she put me in the choir, and the choir traveled all over the tri-state area. After that I was bitten. I sang all through high school. By the time I graduated - I graduated early at 16 - I knew I wanted to sing.

Q. You toured with Chaka Khan, the woman who you refer to as your idol. What was it like to work with her so early in your career?

I just love her. We are friends to this day. I was so blessed to have her as an idol and then to have the privilege to sing behind your idol -- that’s like almost unheard of. I idolized her all throughout my teens. When I was singing at a club in New York on the weekends, Vesta Williams, God rest her soul, came and heard me sing. She was singing background with Chaka, but she was getting ready to leave Chaka to go on a world tour with The Commodores. Chaka told her, “If you leave, you’ve got to find me somebody else.” And God rest her soul, she said, “Get that girl that’s singing at The Cellar.” And it was me. I can’t even tell you… When I think about this, I get goose bumps… That really was a big break for me. I love Vesta for that. I miss her so much. I’ve thanked her for that over and over and over again.

Q. You’ve traveled a lot of places and worked with a lot of great people. What are some of your fondest memories?

My fondest memory just happened last week. I sang with Stevie Wonder. It was a DJ here in New York, Hal Jackson; it was his 97th birthday. I think he was responsible for launching a lot of Stevie Wonder’s records back in the day… I was at the party and Stevie Wonder walked in. I went over and said, “Hello, I’m Meli’sa Morgan.” He said (he knew who I was). He held my hand and he sang “Do Me Baby” and he gave me a kiss. I thought I would faint. It was the most magical moment… We hung out with him and sung with him on stage. It was an absolutely blessed moment in my career and in my life… It was simply amazing.

Q. It sounds like you’ve been busy.

It’s the funniest thing. A lot of people seem to think that maybe because I’m not doing the big festivals and all the big concerts that I’m (not working) constantly, but I do. I’m always getting booked on cruise ships. I’ve performed on the Tom Joyner Cruise. I’m constantly working around the world. I just came back from Korea performing for the Air Force. I constantly work, even though I’m not doing big venues like some of the other artists. I constantly work… I really lived a blessed life. That’s all I can say.

Q. Mary J. Blige has sampled some of your work on a few songs, including her collaboration with Jay-Z on “Can’t Knock the Hustle.” How did you feel about that?

That was cool. Mary, also on her “Breakthrough” album, sampled a song that I did called ‘Heart Breaking Decision.’ She used my voice and everything. I’m just hoping that one day she stops sampling and we get to work together. I told her, “Next time, don’t sample; just pick up the phone and call me.” She said she would, so we’ll see. She’s doll baby. I really love her.

Q. Are there other artists you hope to work with?

There is only like one other person that I would want to work with, and that’s R. Kelly. I love myself some R. Kelly. And I like Kirk Franklin, too. I love his music and what he does. I’m a female singer that likes male singers. I pattern myself after male singers because they sing harder. That’s why I liked Chaka Khan, because she was a hard singer. I don’t like soft singers.

What about R. Kelly appeals to you?

He’s raw. He’s real to the bone. Everything he sings about, you can relate to. Everything he writes, it’s like, I know exactly what you are talking about. I love that. And his deliverance… there is nobody better.

Q. You put in a lot of hard work into pursuing your dream. What advice do you have for others?

First, you have to believe. You really have to believe that you have what it takes. You really have to believe in your talent. I believe 1000 percent in who Meli’sa Morgan is and what I have to offer. I believe 1000 percent in my talent, and that’s what keeps me going. I don’t let anyone steal my joy. I don’t let anyone block me with negativity. If you have negativity, I go around you and I do what I have to do… My father said to me, “You are judged by the company you keep. Don’t hang around people that have the same problem. Hang around people who have the solution.” So that’s what I do. I always strive to be better… because I know that I have what it takes. History has proved that. I have several number-one songs.

IF YOU WANT TO GO
Date: Saturday, Nov. 26
Time: 9 p.m.
Place: Charlotte Westin (601 S. College Street)
Cost: $40 - $80
Buy Tickets: http://www.carolinatix.org/default.asp?tix=59&objId=2766

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