Since emerging as a solo artist in the late 2000s, Canadian R&B singer and songwriter Melanie Fiona has topped the US R&B charts, won two Grammys, and collaborated with superstars like CeeLo Green and John Legend. • Toronto native Melanie Fiona Hallim has been writing songs since her teens. In 2002, she co-founded the girl-group X-Quisite, which signed to Warner Canada and released one album. • During the 2000s, Fiona was briefly in a group alongside Drake called The Renaissance. They regularly performed at the Toronto supper club Avocado. • In 2010, Melanie Fiona reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts with “It Kills Me.” Coming off her 2009 debut album, The Bridge, the single earned a Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. • Fiona and Common appear on 2010’s Wake Up!, a Grammy-winning joint album by The Roots and John Legend. They feature on a cover of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes’ “Wake Up Everybody.” • Her 2012 sophomore LP, The MF Life,” includes the gold-selling single “4AM,” inspired by heartbreak and insomnia. • In 2012, Melanie took home two Grammys for her appearance on CeeLo Green’s “Fool for You.” The collaboration won Best R&B Song and Best Traditional R&B Performance.