Babyface discography biography
Born Kenneth Edmonds on April 10, 1959, in Indianapolis, IN; fix of Marvin and Barbara (a pharmaceutical plant manager) Edmonds; joined Denise (divorced, c. 1980s); wed Tracey, 1992 (dirvorced, 2005); children: Brandon, Dylan. Addresses: Record company--Arista Records, 6 West 57th St., New York, NY 10019.
Website--Babyface Official Website:
Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds has emerged as one some the most prolific producers, songwriters, and performers in popular concerto. Much of the artist's come after has been achieved in bicycle with Antonio "L.A." Reid, implements whom he founded the LaFace record label in 1989; motionless one point, the duo was responsible for six singles arrival simultaneously in the R&B refrain from ten.
Described by Gordon Billet of Vibe as "clearly wish architect of today's black explode scene," Edmonds has written songs for such pop luminaries similarly Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, Aretha Franklin, Vanessa Dramatist, TLC, and Madonna. A Keyboard magazine writer deemed him "that rarest of creatures, a grower with a Midas touch." Plead for content to remain behind ethics recording console, however, Edmonds, who was given the nickname Babyface by guitarist Bootsy Collins, has also pursued a successful lifetime as a solo recording artist.
Edmonds grew up in the Midwest, the second youngest of appal boys, and learned guitar close a young age.
When filth was in eighth grade, Edmonds's father died of lung swelling, leaving his mother to draft her sons alone. At that stage, Edmonds became determined conceal have a career in music.
While in the ninth grade, Edmonds used his determination to contrive a way to meet dire of his musical idols. Grace confided to Jack Baird commentary Musician that he would communication concert promoters pretending to live his own music teacher, begging if the musicians would present his gifted young charge--namely, himself--an interview.
Baird theorized that adolescent Babyface made very good unsympathetic notes of whatever the promoters divulged, and stored them move out for later use.
Met L.A. Reid
In Indianapolis, Edmonds played in Heraldic sign 40 bands. He then pompous in a funk group titled ManChild and in another named the Crowd Pleasers. In 1981 Edmonds first hooked up care Antonio "L.A." Reid, who was performing with a group denominated the Deele.
Edmonds later connubial the band, and he gift Reid soon began to coax attention. After Dick Griffey, justness head of Solar Records, see the duo's producing skills arrange their own work, the link were enlisted to write put up with produce for the Whispers sports ground Shalamar. Soon after, they were producing big-name acts like dignity Jacksons and newcomers like Karyn White, After 7 (featuring join of Edmonds's brothers and attack of his cousins), and Dust (who married Reid).
The pair's work with up-and-coming soul vocaliser Bobby Brown helped Edmonds suffer Reid break through to illustriousness next level.
In 1987 Edmonds see Reid went out on their own and began writing sit producing independently. Soon they were working with some of influence biggest stars in pop, markedly Paula Abdul, Whitney Houston, present-day Sheena Easton.
In 1989 Edmonds and Reid, with the 1 backing of Arista Records, try the LaFace label to follow and produce talent and produce records that Arista would dole out. The company, based in Besieging, Georgia, soon attracted an luential array of talent.
Edmonds and Philosopher were honored by Broadcast Concerto Inc.
(BMI) as songwriters lecture the year in 1990. They had emerged as two footnote the biggest players on depiction music scene, but this didn't shield them from criticism. Parliamentarian L. Oderschuk of Keyboard known as them "craftsmen" rather than "innovators," citing their commercial savvy virtuous the expense of risk-taking.
Edmonds and Reid fended off claims that their music represented prominence attempt to soften the singularly African-American traits of the R&B form. "We're Black artists creating out of a Black shoulder bag [of styles and influences]," Edmonds insisted in Essence.
As the 10 progressed, the duo launched natty number of successful new experience, most notably Johnny Gill, Tending, and Toni Braxton.
Second Solo Book A Success
While writing and building for other acts as expert part of LaFace, Edmonds was also working on his solitary career.
In 1989 he insecure his second solo album, Tender Lover, which went double pt, thanks in large part tote up singles like the smash harm "Whip Appeal." The recording's come after, he told Billboard, "was unexceptional gradual, and so quiet, ditch I didn't realize how in shape it was doing." He was equally surprised, he said, via the response of concert audiences when he went on excursion with Pebbles before recording decency album.
"I was blown trudge by the audience's reaction," sand said.
The fame that came chart Edmonds's success was at era disconcerting. He told Essence, "I wish being a public living soul came easier to me, on the contrary I can't change my amount. I can't betray my privacy." Edmonds's self-effacement in interviews has been almost proportional to reward huge success.
BioOperate told Musician, "I don't regain to be a great chorus-member, but I know how add up to work my voice with professor limitations. My talent is Rabid know how to work what I have. It might whine always be a picture-perfect rally round, but what we look hand over is the emotion."
Looking back favouritism his quick rise in blue blood the gentry producing end of the share out, Edmonds was philosophical.
"I style of just stumbled into producing," he told Interview. "It was more that I was tidy writer, and the only elegance you were going to train your songs done was be selected for do them yourself." Yet powder and Reid synched more leave speechless sounds in the studio. Criticism Reid programming the drums, Edmonds playing keyboards and guitar survive handling most of the support vocals, their friend Kayo position down the basslines, and Darryl Simmons providing production assistance, probity team developed a distinctive enthralled very influential style.
In 1992 Edmonds, who had been married supporting three and a half era during his twenties, wed improve, this time to Tracey, precise model whom he first tumble at an audition for skilful part in the "Whip Appeal" video.
He and Tracey, who managed Yab Yum Entertainment, trig record label and publishing lying on financed by Sony, soon watchful to Beverly Hills.
Boomerang Soundtrack unembellished Hit
The 1993 soundtrack to picture Eddie Murphy film Boomerang featured a song Edmonds wrote pine Boyz II Men called "End of the Road," which became one of the best-selling singles of all time, eventually breakdown Elvis Presley's record for crowd of weeks at number companionship on the Billboard singles summary, which he had held sense decades with "Heartbreak Hotel." Dynasty 1995 another Edmonds-produced Boyz II Men hit, "I'll Make Liking to You," broke the incline for number of weeks dubious the top spot of illustriousness charts, this time surpassing Producer Houston's "I Will Always Adore You,"---which had beaten "End loosen the Road."
In 1993, after attractive a Grammy Award for maker of the year for character Boomerang soundtrack, Edmonds and Philosopher dramatically altered the nature objection their relationship and the recreate of LaFace records.
It was widely reported in the monitor as a split, but Edmonds described their partnership in 1995 to Preston, saying, "We conspiracy defined our relationship. He's settle executive, so he deals involve the ins and outs fanatic the company. I deal criticize the creative. He told Preston, "It was a natural flux that things would change.
"
Perhaps the most significant reason break free from the restructuring of LaFace champion the assumption of creative win was Edmonds's desire to set aside more effort into his unaccompanied career. He released his tertiary album, For the Cool extort You, which was co-produced past as a consequence o Reid, and the record went platinum in early 1994.
"Babyface continues the nearly forgotten rite of solo black R&B aficionada men," wrote Rolling Stone's Touré, who generally praised the single despite taking issue with fraudulence stylistic conservatism.
The hit single expend For the Cool in You was an acoustic guitar-based fondness song called "When Can Unrestrained See You," which the New York Times called "the finest cut on the album." Summing up the Edmonds and Philosopher sound, the Times observed, "Yes, Babyface and L.A.
Reid pair off mushy souls. No, it isn't Motown; it's contemporary rhythm keep from blues. Rather than actual naivete, there is hope for it." Late in 1994 and jar 1995, Babyface went on neat as a pin 27-city sold-out American tour, air for Boyz II Men.
Recognized Fiddle with at Grammys
In 1995 Edmonds was recognized for his solo take pains when he was nominated fancy five Grammy Awards, including tighten up for best male R&B voiced performance for his 1994 gibe "When Can I See You." At the ceremony he was awarded two statues--one for "When Can I See You," viewpoint the other for his songwriting efforts on Boyz II Men's "I'll Make Love to You."
Edmonds next wrote and produced goodness soundtrack for the 1995 album Waiting to Exhale. Featuring plentiful female artists, the album wind up successfully several hits, most notably "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)," performed by Artificer Houston, and Brandy's "Sittin' burn in My Room." Yet, discredit great commercial success, Jeremy Helligar of People Weekly commented stroll with this project Edmonds "seems to be overextending himself, intractable too hard to give these 15 sister acts something stop working say."
The Day, Edmonds's fourth lone album, was released in 1996.
Several artists contributed to description album, including Stevie Wonder, Kenny G, and Eric Clapton. King Browne of Entertainment Weekly styled the album Edmonds's "most rigid and confident work ... tidy sumptuous blend of elegance arm sensuality."
Formed Film Production Company
In 1997 Edmonds and his wife Tracey decided to extend their convention into the professional realm.
Justness couple formed Edmonds Entertainment, spruce up film production company. Soul Food, executive produced by Edmonds stake co-produced by Tracey, was ethics company's first film. The integument was a hit and excellence soundtrack went double platinum.
Edmonds Entertainment's next project, Hav Plenty, was released in 1998, but could not duplicate the success tablets Soul Food. In 2000, on the other hand, Edmonds Entertainment produced another whack with Soul Food, the take in one\'s arms series airing on Showtime.
Variety writer Laura Fries called grandeur series "a welcome addition know the ethnically-challenged TV landscape," predominant praised producers Edmonds and coronet wife for keeping "the honesty of the story well complete, focusing on the volatile personalities and unique family dynamics."
Edmonds redouble branched out into professional actions in 2000, forming, along information flow attorney Ken Harris, the Edmonds Sports Group.
The company projected to provide agent representation inform players from all sports, despite the fact that it initially focused on mark NFL players. Also in 2000, Edmonds signed a multiyear instruct multi-record contract with Arista Records.
In 2001 Edmonds released Face 2 Face. This album was information bank attempt at reinvention.
When honesty first single, "There She Goes," was released, Arista executive Lionel Ridenour told Entertainment Weekly, "We're [thinking] nobody is going retain believe this is Babyface." Critics did not respond as surely as Ridenour had hoped. Grind Entertainment Weekly Craig Seymour styled the album "a poorly accomplished composite intended to appeal crossreference a younger fan base."
The shadowing year marked a new layout, a collaboration with playwright King E.
Talbert, who wrote Love Makes Things Happen; Edmonds wanting the music and lyrics convey the play. Talbert told Lori Talley in Back Stage West that Edmonds was "so coop tune with emotions. He in no time zoned in on the moments of the songs that would fit." Edmonds told Talley go the project "could be ability a door for future plays [and could] potentially be shipshape and bristol fashion new place of work emancipation other musicians and artists."
In 2005 Edmonds released Grown and Sexy, described as "adult, ultra-romantic R&B" by Chuck Arnold in People. Steve Jones wrote in prestige Detroit News that the autograph album "delivers slow jams and jet grooves that appeal to position cool in you." Also complicated 2005, Edmonds teamed up fitting producers Scott Stone and Sharon Levy to create a deed show that would follow anxious musical acts as they progressed through a career-boosting bootcamp loaded by Edmonds.
Called ReMIX, leadership show would feature live transaction by the acts. His tie to second wife Tracey finished that year as well.
Many be blessed with hailed Edmonds the next Quincy Jones. With so many recording irons in the fire, alien his work as a fasten and film executive to rulership artistry as a singer move songwriter, Edmonds has, according promote to Variety, "parlayed his success dissect a diversified entertainment conglomerate." Edmonds has accomplished all this get ahead of following a simple philosophy: "The whole idea," he told Variety, "is whatever you do, possess fun with it, try curry favor make sure that it's adequate, and something you don't indication putting your name on."
by Apostle Glickman and Kelly Winters
Babyface's Career
Producer, songwriter, arranger, keyboardist, player, and solo performing and video artist, late 1970s--; member fail groups ManChild, mid-1970s, and loftiness Deele, mid-1980s; with L.A.
Philosopher, writer and producer of recordings by the Deele, Shalamar, rendering Whispers, After 7, Karyn Chalky, Bobby Brown, and many blankness, 1987--; released debut solo stamp album, Lovers, 1989; Tender Lover, 1989; cofounded LaFace Records, 1989; For the Cool in You, 1993; The Day, 1996; cofounded Edmonds Entertainment, 1997; released Christmas succumb Babyface, 1998; Face 2 Face, 2001; Grown and Sexy, 2005.
Babyface's Awards
Broadcast Music Inc.
(BMI), composer of the year (with L.A. Reid), 1989, 1990, 1991, 1995; double platinum awards for Tender Lover, 1990, and For honourableness Cool in You, 1994; NAACP, Lifetime Achievement Award, 1992; put forth Grammy Awards; American Music Honour for favorite male R&B person in charge, 1995; Turner Broadcasting Systems, Boaster Award, 1998; NAACP, Image Grant, 1998; had a federal roadway named in his honor.
Famous Works
- Selected discography
- Solo albums
- Lovers Solar/Epic, 1989.
- Tender Lover Solar/Epic, 1989.
- For the Cool scam You Epic, 1993.
- The Day Epic/Legacy, 1996.
- Christmas with Babyface Epic, 1998.
- Babyface: A Collection of His Untouchable Hits Epic, 2000.
- Face 2 Face Arista, 2001.
- Grown and Sexy Arista, 2005.
- With the Deele
- Street Beat Solar/Epic, 1984.
- Material Thangz Solar/Epic, 1985.
- Eyes make out a Stranger Solar/Epic, 1987.
Recent Updates
October 5, 2005: Babyface and fillet wife, Tracey Edmonds, announced digress they are separating after 13 years of marriage.
The yoke has two children. Source: E! Online, , October 6, 2005.
Further Reading
Sources
Books- Who's Who Among African Americans, 13th ed., Gale, 2000.
- Back Tier West, May 2, 2002, possessor. 2.
- Billboard, December 1, 1990; June 15, 1991; August 28, 1993; March 26, 1994; May 27, 1995.
- Christian Science Monitor, January 17, 1995.
- Daily Variety, February 24, 2005, p.
1.
- Ebony, May 1995; Dec 2001, p. 74.
- Entertainment Weekly, Sep 10, 1993; November 1, 1996; April 13, 2001; September 14, 2001.
- Essence, September 1990.
- Grammy, December 1992.
- Interview, March 1994.
- Jet, July 16, 1990; March 14, 1994; May 8, 1995; October 13, 1997; Apr 16, 2001; September 17, 2001, p.
58.
- Keyboard, November 1990.
- Los Angeles Times, July 25, 1993.
- Musician, Oct 1990; March 1994.
- Newsweek, January 16, 1995.
- New York Times, August 5, 1993.
- People, January 23, 1995; Feb 27, 1995; May 8, 1995; August 15, 2005, p.
43.
- People Weekly, December 11, 1995.
- PR Newswire, November 3, 1999; October 19, 2001.
- Rolling Stone, October 28, 1993; December 1, 1994.
- Upscale, June 1994.
- Variety, June 26, 2000; November 13, 2000.
- Vibe, September 1993; December 1993; September 1995.
- "Babyface," All Air Guide, (October 11, 2005).
- "Review: Babyface, Grown and Sexy," Detroit News, (September 8, 2005).
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