(June 25, 2024) Chanté Moore’s recent performance on the Chinese TV show Singer 2024 of Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You” is one on which no fan of either artist—or soul music, in general—should miss out. The seasoned chanteuse wooed listeners in the 1990s with sultry delicacy on gems such as “Love’s Taken Over” and “Chanté’s Got a Man” before expanding impressively on her style via two duet albums with Kenny Lattimore. Although she’s continued to record and take part in a number of stage shows over the past decade, she seems to have hit a new stride of eclecticism with her participation in this talent and variety program built upon musical versatility.
Listeners unfamiliar with Moore’s recent albums The Rise of the Phoenix and Moore Is More may be in for quite a surprise if they’re expecting an understated or simply seductive reading of “If I Ain’t Got You.” Three decades into her broad-ranging performing career, Moore most assuredly embodies the life experiences and finely honed vocal mastery to bring Keys’ classic to life with an emotive quality that is at once uniquely her own and universally resonant. With strong resolve from the get-go, she imbues each line with conviction that cuts clear across cultural lines, as evidenced by the audience’s response. With smooth-as-silk whistle tones intact as ever (in a fashion that should make Mariah Carey take notice), she puts just enough of a little something extra in the mix to make the performance an unforgettable one.
Watch Chanté Moore sing “If I Ain’t Got You” live on Singer 2024 and prepare to witness the diva at the top of her game!
