Marsha Ambrosius risks it all in the name of love in the cinematic video for “Cold War,” the first single off her sophomore album Friends & Lovers.
The British singer’s character is used to living a comfortable lifestyle, but when her fiancé (“The Wire’s” Michael Kenneth Williams) loses his job, she takes matters into her own hands to save their livelihood and relationship. To make some quick money, she gets involved with a drug dealer (“The Wire’s” Felicia “Snoop” Pearson), but soon the cops come calling.
“This video really depicts how far you will go for someone you care about,” explained Marsha. “I went to extreme measures to save my love and I clearly did some very illegal things.”
Original Floetry members Marsha Ambrosius andNatalie Stewartmet through their love ofbasketball.[1][2]Both Natalie and Marsha attended theBrit Schoolfor Performing Arts & Technology where Marsha studiedbusinessandfinanceand Natalie majored in Performing Arts, Media and Art. For college Ambrosius planned to attend theGeorgia Institute of TechnologyinAtlanta,Georgiabut could not due to an injury. Stewart attendedMiddlesex UniversityinLondonand later transferred toNorth London University. During these years, both women continued to keep in touch. Stewart was a founding member of the performance poetry group 3 Plus 1 which was rising to critical acclaim throughout London, Birmingham, and Manchester. In 1999, Ambrosius wrote and submitted a song to her publishersPerfect Songscalled "Fantasize", inviting Stewart to lend some of her poetry to the song. They debuted the piece at an open mic night in London. Combining spoken word and singing, it all seemed to make sense andFloetrywas born.
In 2000, the duo travelled to theUnited Statesto perform on the poetry circuit. After frequenting spoken word/poetry spots in Atlanta, GA such as Yin Yang Poets' Cafe (to rave reviews), they moved on toPhiladelphia.[4]There they met Darren 'Limitless' Henson and Keith 'Keshon' Pelzer ofDJ Jazzy Jeff's Touch Of Jazz studio and began recording. In 2002, they signed withDreamWorks Recordsand released their debut albumFloetic, which featured the singles "Floetic", "Say Yes", and "Getting Late".[5]The album was also released in the UK with additional tracks, one of which features British singer/songwriter and producerSebastian Rogers.
Ambrosius has been featured on many songs including Styles P's "I'm Black"; The Game's "Start from Scratch" and "Why You Hate The Game" (also featuring Nas); Busta Rhymes' "Get You Some" and "Cocaina"; Nas' "Hustlers" (also featuring The Game); and Hi-Tek's "Music for Life" and Jamie Foxx's "Freak'in Me". The group has also collaborated with Earth, Wind & Fire on their most recent album, Illumination, on the track "Elevated". She collaborated once again with Nas on his song "If I Ruled The World '09" & has also done a track with Slum Village called "Cloud 9". In 2009, she guested on Wale's "Diary".
Ambrosius was approached to sign to Dr. Dre's record label, Aftermath Entertainment, as a solo musician/song-writer/producer.[7][8] Parting ways with the offer in early 2009, Ambrosius pursued her song-writing/production career landing her placements with R&B and hip hop artists ranging from Alicia Keys, Raven-Symoné, Jamie Foxx and Mario to Fabolous, Slum Village and Wale.[9][10] In summer 2009, Ambrosius was approached by numerous record labels offering her a solo deal after a long awaited performance at NYC's SOB's where a sold out crowd gathered to a show accompanied by The Roots and DJ Aktive. In December 2009, Ambrosius signed to J Records and her solo debutLate Nights & Early Mornings was released on March 1, 2011.[11] "Hope She Cheats On You (With A Basketball Player)" was released as the album's first single on August 13, 2010.[12] The song charted on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and peaked at number twenty-two. "Far Away" was released as the album's second single on December 7, 2010. The album would debut at #1 on the US "Billboard" Hot R&B Charts and #2 on the US "Billboard" Hot 200 behind Adele and ahead of Mumford & Sons the first time in over 20 years that British Acts had topped the US charts.[12][13][14]
She won the Record of The Year (Ashford & Simpson Songwriters Award) at the 2011 Soul Train Awards for the song "Far Away".
Two Grammy nominations for "Far Away" were announced the night before she performed at The White House with The President and First Family at The National Christmas Tree Lighting December 2011.
