What's Poppin' with Nemesis Jaxson?

Photo: Getty Images

Among other awesome things, the '90s produced some ultra-quirky neo-R&B singers who put out one great album and then faded off the charts to have bizarrely named children by the handfuls. Of these, the one that reminds me most viscerally of toiling behind an espresso machine in college is Macy Gray. "I Try," so inextricable in my mind from the hiss of steaming milk, steamed its way into a little place in my heart.

But I must've been out Christmas shopping when she released a new single (called, um, "Slap a Bitch") in mid-December (after re-christening herself Nemesis Jackson in 2007). Now, armed with a self-produced album, she might even just make a fittingly quirky comeback...with the help of a few continuing ed students. The L.A. Times reports that she's collaborating with Doors manager Jeffrey Jampol to teach a UCLA extension school class on the music industry, in which the class will assist with the marketing plan for the album. Where do we sign up!?

--JESSANNE COLLINS

Previously > What's Poppin' with Pink Dolphins?