This person is an American singer / songwriter known for eclectic and folk inspired music.  Two of this artist's songs, from a second album, reached the top 10 of various international charts.  One hit was originally produced a capella.  This person grew up in Spanish Harlem and the Upper West Side, attended the prestigious High School for the Performing Arts and also attended college in NYC.  Played small venues in Greenwich Village and became a regular to a songwriter's group at the Corneila Street Cafe.  By the mid-80's, a recording contract came about, and the artist became one of the first artists to break into a major label from Fast Folk (a cooperative that enabled singer / songwriters to release their first recordings).  The debut album of this artist received more acclaim in the UK than in the USA.  A video was released which went into MTV rotation.  The second album garnered commercial success, had a single hit, and was an international success.  The biggest hit this artist ever had was originally remixed and then bootlegged until the artist allowed it to be released through their contracted record company.   Along the way, this artist has done some songs for films, and has a song featured on the soundtrack of the film, "Dead Man Walking."  This artist has collaborated with Joe Jackson.  Going (way) forward, one of this artist's major hits was covered in a British film, under the title "Keep Moving", with revised lyrics.