Lady formed in 2009, when vocalists Terri Walker and Nicole Wray met in New York City and decided their mutual love of late-'60s and early-'70s soul was strong enough that they should join forces. Both women had extensive backgrounds in the music business prior to their starting up Lady. Walker, who hails from London, recorded four solo albums, with 2003's Untitled nominated for the Mercury Prize; worked with Salaam Remi on a side project entitled Champagne Flutes, and did backup vocals for Fergie and Jennifer Hudson. Virginia native Wray made an auspicious debut providing vocals on Missy Elliot's Supa Dupa Fly album in 1997 (when she was just 17), then went on to release a solo album under the name Nicole (1998's Make It Hot) before turning primarily to work as a hired vocalist. She appeared on Cam'ron's Purple Haze, Kid Cudi's Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager, and the Black Keys' Brothers (she had also featured heavily as a member of the Keys' side project Blakroc in 2009). The two experienced singers teamed with two of Truth & Soul Records' founders Leon Michels and Jeff Silverman. Both had experience crafting authentic retro soul for artists on their label like Lee Fields and El Michaels Affair, but also worked with Raekwon and Ghostface Killah. Fittingly, Lady's sound combines the old-school sound of Motown, Stax, and Atlantic, with a modern, hip-hop-savvy approach. After the release of two singles ("Money" in late 2012 and "Get Ready" in early 2013), Lady's self-titled album came out on Truth & Soul in March of 2013. Later that year, Walker left the group amicably and Wray continued on with the addition of two background singers for live shows. ~ Tim Sendra, Rovi