Grammy-winning singer Chrisette Michele has achieved her first RIAA award as a lead act.
Her 2009 single “Epiphany (I’m Leaving)” has been certified gold, with over 500,000 equivalent units sold.
“Epiphany,” co-written by Ne-Yo and Chuck Harmony, who also produced the song, was the lead single from Michele’s sophomore album of the same name.
The breakup anthem peaked at No. 9 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart and landed Michele her first solo entry on the Hot 100, peaking at No. 89.
Speaking on “Epiphany,” Ne-Yo explained to Billboard, “The song is basically about a person being in a relationship. You’re doing your part in the relationship. You’re giving your 50 percent, expecting the person you’re with to give their 50 percent. But it gets to the point where, for whatever reason, this person just kind of stops trying to where you’re overcompensating for the fact that they’re not trying.”
Ne-Yo continued, “It just becomes that straw that broke the camel’s back: The last time he don’t come home or the last time he don’t think to just call, a lightbulb goes off. ‘You know what? I don’t need this. And I need to get out of here.’”
In 2023, “Epiphany (I’m Leaving)” saw a viral resurgence on TikTok, with users sharing videos of them twerking along to the song.
Consequently, Michele teamed with her label to release an official Jersey Club remix to keep the rump-shaking challenge going. The remix has garnered nearly five million streams on Spotify alone.
“Gen Z has spoken! Cheers to @loogifer @prodbyabnormal!!! You were dedicated, diligent and professional! I’m so proud of you! Celebrate all week long! It was so fun cheering you and your movement on! Keep killing it!” Michele wrote on Instagram.
She continued, “Universal Music Group and I offered these young producers an opportunity to take their interpretation of a song I released 14 years ago and make it their own. They’ve even received a deal for a major release campaign.”
Michele released Epiphany on May 5, 2009, via Def Jam. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling 83,000 copies in the first week. It marked her first No. 1 on the coveted popular albums chart.
Epiphany included additional contributions from Darkchild, Claude Kelly, and Bei Maejor.
Regarding her album, Chrisette Michele told Jill Scott in an Essence interview, “Lately, though, I’ve been in love with myself, and I’ve become my own best friend. I decided that no one’s going to be able to love me until I really love myself. This album, Epiphany, is definitely me finding out, ‘Wait a second, he might not have done such a great job but it’s about time you started loving yourself.’ So I went and brought myself my own little promise ring and put it on my ring finger and just told myself, ‘Girl I love ya!’”
“Epiphany (I’m Leaving)” is Michele’s second RIAA award in total. She previously scored a gold certification for her iconic hook on Jay-Z’s “Lost One.” The Dr. Dre and Mark Batson-produced hit was the second single from the rapper’s 2010 album, Kingdom Come.
Michele’s new RIAA certification comes just a day after releasing her comeback single “Home,” her first new song in four years.
Regarding her soul-stirring song, Michele noted, “The new lyrics came straight from heaven to my heart. My hope is that people will feel the joy I feel in my heart and sing along. There’s been enough heartbreak. Pain is just a season; it’s not forever. I finally feel ‘At Home’ on the stage… I’ve waited for this feeling for a long time.”
Michele is currently on her Chrisette Michele Is Home Tour. See her upcoming tour dates at chrisettemichele.com.
Revisit Chrisette Michele’s 2009 hit “Epiphany (I’m Leaving)” below.