Bass players are sometimes said to prefer not to step into the limelight and would rather be behind the controls than on stage. Perhaps that explains why Meshell Ndegeocello, the boss on the bass, shares the spotlight with insatiable eagerness. Ndegeocello’s skills as an instrumentalist, singer, lyricist, and rapper in genres such as rock, hip-hop, funk, and jazz make her your favourite artist’s favourite artist. And that shows (and pays off) in countless features and no fewer than ten Grammy nominations. We've listed all her collaborations for you... or, if you don't like lists, in a playlist. We aim to please!

... featuring Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell was early to the game. In the late 1980s, she was already playing with bands like Prophecy, Rare Essence, and Little Benny and the Masters. The art of collaboration was embedded before her solo career began in the early 1990s, and then it really took off! Took off as in I-sing-with-Chaka-Khan-, I'm-on-the-tip-of-Mick-Jagger's-lips- and I-set-the-bass-loose-in-Basement-Jaxx. In between, she was asked to play with Alanis Morissette, Herbie Hancock, and Madonna and recorded Wild Night, her biggest hit, with John Cougar Mellencamp.

Meshell Ndegeocello featuring...

In addition to these features, she also managed to create several interesting collaborations herself. On Dance of the Infidel, for example, she assembled an all-star cast of jazz musicians including Kenny Garrett, Oliver Lake, Wallace Roney, and Don Byron. And last year, Meshell produced the new spoken word album of wordsmith Anthony Joseph.

Meshell has contributed immensely to music behind the scenes. But don’t get it twisted, in front of the curtain, you shouldn’t miss her either. Normally surrounded by the best artists, it's actually a wonder we're able to welcome her to Rotterdam. But since she is here, make the most of it: on Saturday, June 11, she will be live at BIRD!