[1][2][3] In the same year, Michele announced plans to release new music independently through her own label, Rich Hipster.

She attended Five Towns College in Dix Hills, New York, and graduated with a vocal performance degree.

She also appeared on the bonus track "Slow Down" from Ghostface Killah's The Big Doe Rehab.

In 2008, "Love Is You" was released as the album's fourth and final single; it reached number 90 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

She also wrote a song for Tyler Perry's House of Payne, titled "I've Gotta Love Jones".

It didn't repeat the success of "Epiphany (I'm Leaving)"; however, it peaked at number 28 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

The mixtape contained some songs recorded for her fourth studio album, such as the single "Charades", among other tracks.

On November 24, 2014, Michele released her latest project, entitled The Lyricist's Opus, for digital download.

"Steady" is the lead single from her fifth studio album, Milestone tour,[12] which was released on June 10, 2016, via her label Rich Hipster.

[13] In January 2017, media outlets reported that Michele would perform at the inauguration of Donald Trump.

This was met with backlash on social media,[14] prompting Michele to respond via an open letter on Twitter, stating that she had intended her performance to serve as a bridge between Trump supporters and opponents.

[15][17] In response to her performing, Spike Lee removed Michele's song "Black Girl Magic" from his upcoming Netflix series She's Gotta Have It.

[18] Subsequent to the performance, Michele announced the release of her poetry album No Political Genius.

[19] Michele was inducted as an honorary member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority on September 19, 2023.