74: Meshell Ndegeocello – Powerful Women of 2013

Credited with jumpstarting the neo soul movement, Meshell Ndegeocello has been able to excel in every genre of music she's touched. Releasing 10 albums since she signed with Maverick Records, her single, 'If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night),' charted in 1994.

Aside from her own work, Ndegeocello has collaborated with various artists including John Mellancamp, Herbie Hancock and Basement Jaxx. Her music has also appeared on numerous film soundtracks like 'Love & Basketball,' 'How Stella Got Her Groove Back,' 'Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girl' and 'Jumping the Broom.

Being an independent artist herself, she served as a judge on the 2nd Annual Independent Music Awards. Ndegeocello recently paid tribute to Nina Simone's birthday on Feb. 21 with a cover of her song, 'Black is the Colour (Of My True Love's Black Hair).'