Who is Melanie Fiona?

We’re starting out the New Year by introducing you to a new artist to watch for in 2009. Steve Rifkind, the industry veteran who brought you the Wu-Tang Clan and Akon, brings us his newest protégé Melanie Fiona.

The R&B singer/songwriter, who is of Guyanese descent, counts Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole, and Gladys Knight among her inspirations, and already has a fan in Kanye West after opening for the European leg of his Glow in the Dark tour.

The Toronto native’s debut album The Bridge is due out this May on SRC Records/Universal Motown, while her first single “Give It To Me Right” samples The Zombies’ “Time of the Season.” Listen below.

Melanie Fiona – “Give It To Me Right”