Editing Blu Cantrell (section)

===Early career===
In the late 1990s, Cantrell established herself as a professional backing vocalist for artists such as [[Sean "Puffy" Combs]]. In 1999, she became a member of the girl group 8th Avenue, a protégé of singer [[Teddy Riley]]. The band recorded several songs and appeared on [[Blackstreet]]'s 1999 album ''[[Finally (Blackstreet album)|Finally]]'', but their material was shelved after Riley left Blackstreet to reform his previous group [[Guy (band)|Guy]], and Blackstreet were dropped by [[Interscope Records]]. Shortly thereafter, 8th Avenue also disbanded.<ref name="yknigs">{{cite web|url=http://youknowigotsoul.com/interview-blu-cantrell-real-knowledge-real-emotion-real-talent-straight-to-your-ear-heart|title=Interview: Blu Cantrell – Real Knowledge, Real Emotion, Real Talent Straight To Your Ear & Heart|publisher=YouKnowIGotSoul.com|date=September 19, 2012|access-date=August 9, 2018}}</ref>

Before long, Cantrell was introduced by both a dancer friend and R&B singer [[Usher (musician)|Usher]] to music producer [[Tricky Stewart]], the head of Red Zone Entertainment.<ref name="yknigs"/> Stewart originally wanted Cantrell to become a member of his girl group 321, but after a fruitful recording session, he offered to help develop Cantrell's solo career instead.<ref name="yknigs"/> Cantrell subsequently moved in with Stewart and his girlfriend in their house in [[Atlanta]], and was promptly placed with [[Arista Records]] head [[L.A. Reid|Antonio "L.A." Reid]], who offered the singer a contract with the company after hearing one song she wrote and sang in front of him and his staff.<ref name="yknigs"/> After a bidding war with several different labels, Reid's bid was the highest, prompting Cantrell to sign with them.<ref name="yknigs"/>