Taja Sevelle (Paisley Park’s Soulful Voice)

The Minneapolis-born singer and one of the earliest artists signed to Prince’s Paisley Park Records, best known for her 1987 self-titled debut album and the hit single “Love Is Contagious.”

Taja Sevelle (born Nancy Richardson, January 7, 1962) is an American singer, songwriter, and activist. She gained prominence in the late 1980s as a solo artist on Paisley Park Records, blending R&B, pop, and soul with a smooth, emotive vocal style.

EARLY LIFE & MUSICAL BEGINNINGS Born and raised in Minneapolis, Taja performed in several local bands before being discovered. She appeared as an extra in Prince’s film Purple Rain (1984) and contributed background vocals to Prince & The Revolution’s Around the World in a Day (1985) on the track “The Ladder.”

PRINCE CONNECTION Prince signed Taja to a long-term recording contract with Paisley Park Records. Her self-titled debut album was released on September 19, 1987. Prince wrote and produced two tracks for the album: “Wouldn’t You Love to Love Me?” and “If I Could Get Your Attention.” He also supported her career during the label’s early years. Taja has spoken warmly about her experiences with Prince, describing him as both a mentor and a friend.

KEY RELEASES Taja Sevelle (1987) – Paisley Park Records Notable Tracks:

• “Love Is Contagious” – Her biggest hit (Top 10 in the UK)

• “Wouldn’t You Love to Love Me?” (Prince-penned)

She later released albums on other labels, including Fountains Free (1991) and Toys of Vanity (1997), collaborating with Burt Bacharach, Nile Rodgers, and others.

STAGE WORK & LATER CAREER After her Paisley Park period, Taja continued her music career while shifting focus toward activism. In 2005, she founded the nonprofit organization Urban Farming, which promotes urban agriculture and food security worldwide. She remains active in music, writing, and humanitarian work.

WHY THEY MATTER TO THE PRINCE UNIVERSE Taja Sevelle was among the first wave of artists signed to Paisley Park Records and represented Prince’s vision of developing strong, independent female voices on his label. Her debut album stands as one of the stronger early Paisley Park releases, and “Love Is Contagious” remains a beloved deep-cut favorite among Prince fans.

SOURCES Prince Vault, Wikipedia, PRN Alumni Foundation, Taja Sevelle official site, Discogs.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE All images, photographs, and artwork referenced or displayed remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.