Working with The Roots certainly has its perks. Five years ago, local singer/MC Maimouna Youssef sang the hook to the Philly crew’s “Don’t Feel Right” and earned a Grammy nomination for her work on the song.

And if you look fast enough, you’ll see a teenage Youssef on Dave Chappelle’s Block Party, jumping abundantly with rappers Dead Prez as they perform “Hip-Hop” in front of a raucous Brooklyn crowd.

Since her turn with The Roots in 2006, Youssef has proven her worth as a double-threat performer, with formidable singing and rapping talents that draw comparisons to Lauryn Hill. Here, Youssef slows it down with “I Got A Man,” the affectionate first single from her debut album, The Blooming, which comes out next month. The song, co-produced by DJ Jazzy Jeff and Demeien DeSandies, is offset by a quiet, touching backdrop, allowing Youssef’s voice to shine.

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