Rick Diamond, WireImage
Ambrosius' soulful pipes were the undisputed and perhaps most memorable standout feature in the duo, yet the road to becoming a solo artist was no easy feat. "I didn't pursue being a solo artist," she says. "I was kind of forced into it. Nat left the group to pursue her acting and solo career and I was kind of left at Geffen [Records] with the Floetry thing. It was like, 'Well, what do I do now? There's no more Floetry, so I guess I'll just write and produce."
Before putting together the music for her album Ambrosius kept herself busy on the back end, working with the likes of Justin Timberlake, singing background vocals on 'Cry Me a River,' and doing features for hip-hop artists like the Game. In 2006, the singer signed a deal with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Records, and was said to be working on a new project. With things remaining stagnant for a few years, she continued to tour and release mixtapes, but insists she never announced work on a solo project under the label. "There were rumors out there that I was making an album but I never publicly said anything," she clears up.
After amicably parting ways with the label, the 33-year-old signed a deal with J Records, a company that she feels "understands" her as a singer/songwriter and producer. Home to songbirds like Monica, Fantasia and Alicia Keys, Ambrosius has already proven she can hold her own against big names with her latest single 'Far Away.' Inspired by the true story of a friend, the video, shows how hate crimes against a homosexual couple, end in suicide. Upon its release, the video quickly became popular for tackling the subject as it relates to the African-American community.
"The beautiful thing about any remotely negative response to the video is that it's so small it pales in comparison," she explained. "If all you got from the 'Far Away' video is two dudes kissing, then you've missed the point completely. People are uncomfortable with reality. I wanted to show it in as pure and honest a light as I could, and I think we were very successful."
With unapologetic titles like, 'Hope She Cheats on You (With a Basketball Player),' and 'The Break-Up Song,' Ambrosius notes the album as her most fluid, candid work. 'Late Nights & Early Mornings' drops March 1.
Watch Marsha Ambrosius' 'Far Away'
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