When you hear that high-pitched, squeaky speaking voice, you might think it’s a gimmick. It isn't. Michel'le Toussant is one of the most distinctive figures in R&B history, and her 1989 breakout hit No More Lies remains a masterclass in New Jack Swing. But for a song that basically lived at the top of the Billboard charts, the story behind it is a lot darker than the funky bassline suggests.
Honestly, people remember the beat, but they forget the tension.
The track was the lead single from her self-titled debut album on Ruthless Records. If you were around in '89, you couldn't escape it. It peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. It hit number 2 on the R&B charts. It was everywhere. But while the public was dancing to that "Funky Drummer" James Brown sample, Michel’le was living through the very lies she was singing about.
The Ruthless Records Era and the Dr. Dre Connection
The song was produced by Dr. Dre, who was her boyfriend at the time. He didn't just produce it; he co-wrote it with Michel’le and Larry Goodman. You can even hear Dre’s voice on the track, playing the part of the man giving all the excuses.
"Hello? No, no more lies."
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That intro is iconic. It sets the stage for a confrontation. Michel’le has stated in interviews, including her 2016 biopic Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel'le, that the song was born from real-life frustration. She wasn't just playing a character in a booth. She was singing to the man behind the glass.
The irony is thick. Dre was crafting a "no more lies" anthem while, according to Michel’le, the relationship was defined by infidelity and physical abuse. She famously recalled how the song became a "women’s anthem" because it tapped into that universal feeling of being fed up.
Why the Sound Was Different
Most R&B singers in the late 80s were trying to be Whitney or Janet. Michel’le was different. Her singing voice was a deep, powerful contrast to her speaking voice.
- The Contrast: Her speaking voice is often compared to Betty Boop.
- The Power: When she sings "No More Lies," she hits with a soulful, gritty resonance.
- The Production: Dre used a bass-heavy, synthesized funk that felt like N.W.A. but for the dance floor.
It was a weird, perfect alchemy.
What Really Happened During the Recording?
Recorded in 1989, the session wasn't just another day at the office. Michel’le was the "First Lady of Ruthless." She was surrounded by Eazy-E, MC Ren, and the rest of the N.W.A. crew. This wasn't a polished pop environment. It was raw.
Jane Simpson directed the music video, which shows Michel’le at a dinner party, looking glamorous but clearly annoyed by the phone calls from her man. Dre makes a cameo. Eazy-E pops up too. It looks like a fun, late-80s party, but the subtext is heavy.
The "More Lies Version" of the song—often found on 12-inch singles—actually includes an extended skit where the male character gives even more ridiculous excuses. He claims the car "clonked out," he locked his keys in the house, and he couldn't find a phone. It’s funny until you realize the cycle of gaslighting it represents.
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The Chart Legacy and Sampling
No More Lies was certified Gold by the RIAA on April 25, 1990. That’s huge for a debut single from a new artist on an independent hip-hop label. It sold over 500,000 copies almost immediately.
But its life didn't end in the 90s.
The song became a weapon in the East Coast-West Coast rivalry. New York rapper Tim Dog sampled it for his diss track "Fuck Compton" in 1991. He used Michel’le’s own hit to mock the very label that created her. It’s one of those weird moments in music history where a song about relationship lies gets sucked into a literal street war.
Actionable Insights for R&B Fans and Historians
If you’re revisiting this era of music, you have to look past the "squeaky voice" labels.
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- Listen to the "No More Lies" (Extended Dance Mix): It’s over six minutes long and highlights Dre’s early production genius before the The Chronic era.
- Watch Surviving Compton: If you want the context behind the lyrics, this film is essential. It frames the song not as a pop hit, but as a survival mechanism.
- Check the Credits: Look for "Laylaw" (Larry Goodman) and "L.A. Dre." These guys were the architects of the West Coast R&B sound that often gets overshadowed by G-Funk.
Michel’le’s career eventually slowed down due to the collapse of Ruthless and her tumultuous time at Death Row Records, but "No More Lies" remains a bulletproof record. It’s a snapshot of a woman finding her voice in a room full of powerful, often dangerous men.
Next time you hear that "Hello?" on the intro, remember: she wasn't just acting. She was telling him to stop.
To understand the full scope of her influence, track down the original vinyl or a high-quality stream of her 1989 self-titled album. It’s a masterclass in how hip-hop and R&B first started to truly bleed into one another.