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Oakland-born singer Sunny Hawkins describes her sound as “urban inspirational”. She began performing at a young age with her godparents, gospel legends Walter and Tramaine Hawkins. She's penned songs for Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle, played the role of Joanne in the Broadway production of Rent, and provided background vocals for such legendary artists as Chaka Khan, Ray Charles and Luther Vandross. Her confident and melismatic soprano has a sweetness balanced with a luxuriant fullness and depth that keep her voice from becoming too sugary. She's got the bold, soaring power of a stage singer, but she can also sound tender, even whispery.

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