Angela McKenzie brings more than her smooth and soulful voice to the ten tracks of her debut CD entitled 9. The stunning Canadian artist has created an album of impressive music that represents much more than just musical ambition; it conveys a deeper message in efforts to spread awareness of hunger and poverty. This issue hits very close to home for McKenzie.

After moving from Toronto to New York City in 1999 with a performing arts background and a mere three hundred dollars in her pocket, McKenzie was soon faced with hunger and poverty firsthand. As she overcame her struggles, she began to advocate the battle against hunger and poverty through not only her music but also with the creation of a not-for-profit organization, The AMcK Initiative (AMcK). With its tagline “Food for the Body, Music for the Soul,” AMcK provides just that by raising awareness and resources for organizations which aid the hungry and impoverished. AMcK’s food drives have even won praise from New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg.

McKenzie’s CD features songs written by Eve Nelson, Grammy winner Diane Scanlon and Indiegrrl coalition founder Holly Figueroa. It offers an intimate glimpse into McKenzie, who is as unconcerned with boundaries in music as she is in life. Elements of quiet soul, smoky jazz, poetry, and even country music crop up in her performance. McKenzie describes 9 as “a gathering of musicians who share our beliefs and were willing to put their music into the project.”

McKenzie comments, “I love making music and music is important in its own way, but nothing can be as important as something that makes a difference in people’s lives.” She adds, “Using my music as a vehicle to help those in need is extremely rewarding.”

9 may be purchased for $9.99 plus shipping and handling by visiting www.angelamckenzie.com . Proceeds from album sales will be donated to America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization.