Singer, composer and arranger Maurette Brown-Clark was born and raised on Long Island; after beginning to sing at age four, she took her first private lessons at age six, going on to perform extensively with her family gospel group as well as a series of high school and collegiate vocal ensembles. After turning professional, Brown-Clark backed CeCe Winans and Hezekiah Walker, among others; she was also the featured vocalist on the Richard Smallwood hit "Angels." Her solo debut, How I Feel, followed in 1998.