Conya Doss

Conya Doss

    Born in the underrated Soul Music town of Cleveland, Ohio, Conya Doss was admittedly "raised on Stevie Wonder, Angela Winbush, Donnie Hathaway and Minnie Ripperton."  She attended the prestigious Cleveland School of the Performing Arts and sang with childhood friend Stacy Richardson (now a backup singer for Anthony Hamilton) in the duo Lyrik.  As an adult she wrote for 3LW and worked with Gerald Levert and PAJAM before venturing into a career as a solo singer.

    Conya released her first album, A Poem For Ms. Doss, in 2002 on Orpheus Records. The album received critical acclaim and some regional success.  After two more years of touring and refining her craft, Conya returned with significantly more commercial success on her sophomore album, Just Because, in late 2004 (independently in the US and on Dome Records in the UK).  The album was an indie smash and moved Doss to the forefront of the indie soul movement.  She continued touring regularly after the release of Just Because and followed it two years later with Love Rain Down.  Her development as a songwriter and live performer fueled her ascent through the decade.

    In late 2007, Conya returned to the studio to work on her 4th solo album, Still, which was released in 2008 and earned for her her first SoulTracks Readers' Choice Award as Female Vocalist of the Year. She followed it two years later with Blu Transition. 

    After taking a break to begin a family, in 2011 Conya went back to the studio to work on her album Pocketful of Purpose. The first single, "Don't Change," was released to radio in January, 2012. The album became one of her biggest charters.

    By Chris Rizik

    Read Howard Dukes' interview with Conya Doss