Denise LaSalle was an American blues and R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer known for her strong, soulful voice. With a career spanning over four decades, LaSalle was influential in the southern soul and blues genres, and her work often touched on feminist themes. Her most successful hit, "Trapped by a Thing Called Love," reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart in 1971. Known for her storytelling songwriting style, LaSalle's distinctive sound left a significant mark on the landscape of blues music.