International award-winning songstress N'Kenge has been heralded by The New York Times as "a classically trained diva that can stretch from Broadway to Pop, Soul, and Opera". Trained at both The Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music, N'Kenge's vocal and musical range spans 5 octaves and 11 languages.
N'Kenge made her Broadway debut in "Sondheim on Sondheim", and slayed the game on Broadway originating the role of Mary Wells in "Motown: The Musical", which garnered a Grammy Award nomination for Best Musical Theater Album.
On January 24, 2018, as part of the "Broadway at The Pierre" cabaret series in association with Broadway Sings for Pride, a concert was held at Two E Bar/Lounge — the sophisticated saloon located inside the New York City luxury hotel, The Pierre. The concert featured a performance by N'Kenge, backed by pianist and musical director Chris Curcio.
N'Kenge performed the song "My Guy" during the concert, where Shefik served as Videographer. "My Guy" is a 1964 hit single by Mary Wells for Motown Records. Written and produced by Smokey Robinson of The Miracles, the song is a woman's rejection of a sexual advance and affirmation of her fidelity to her boyfriend, who is her ideal and with whom she is happy, despite his ordinary physique and looks.
"My Guy" became the biggest hit ever for Wells, Motown Records' first female star, and reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart on May 16, 1964. "My Guy" was also Wells' last hit single for Motown Records, except for duets she recorded with label mate Marvin Gaye. An option in her recording contract let Wells terminate the contract at her discretion after she reached her 21st birthday on May 13, 1964. Encouraged by her ex-husband, Wells broke her Motown Records contract and signed with 20th Century Fox Records in hopes of higher royalties and possible movie roles. However, Wells' career never again reached the heights it had at Motown Records, and she never again had a hit single as big as "My Guy".
In the United Kingdom, "My Guy" peaked at number five in June 1964.
Credits
- Videographer: Shefik
Last Updated: April 22, 2023
