Praised as much for her wide vocal range and passionate delivery as she was for her elegant style, Tamyra Gray was seen by many as the singer who, in a perfect world, should have won the first edition of American Idol. When Gray didn't get enough votes to stay on the show and less talented contestants like Nikki McKibbin did, Gray's dismissal sparked responses ranging from disappointment to outrage. However, Gray entered the contest primarily to earn more publicity for her talent, which she did even without winning it all on American Idol. Prior to the show, Gray had been singing professionally for a while, performing in musicals, at corporate Coca-Cola functions in her hometown of Atlanta, GA, and contributing backing vocals on DMX's 1998 song "Slippin'."