| Name | Gerald Levert |
|---|---|
| Background | solo_singer |
| Birth name | Gerald Edward Levert |
| Born | July 13, 1966 |
| Died | November 10, 2006 |
| Origin | Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Instrument | Voice |
| Genre | R&B;, soul |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, producer, actor |
| Years active | 1984–2006 |
| Label | Atlantic, EastWest, Elektra |
| Associated acts | LeVert, LSG, Rude Boys, The O'Jays, Teddy Pendergrass |
Gerald Levert (July 13, 1966 – November 10, 2006) was an American R&B; singer. Gerald Levert sang with his brother, Sean Levert, and friend Marc Gordon in the R&B; trio LeVert. He was also a part of LSG, an R&B; supergroup comprising Keith Sweat, Johnny Gill, and Levert. His father, Eddie Levert, is the lead singer of the 1970s soul group The O'Jays.
Levert also sung lead vocals in two songs on the 2002 film documentary "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" - the story of The Funk Brothers. Levert performed "Shotgun" and "Reach Out I'll Be There".
Levert released his tenth album,Voices, in 2005.
Levert wrote and produced songs for other artists such as, Barry White, Stephanie Mills, Teddy Pendergrass, James Ingram, The Winans and The O'Jays. In the mid 1990s, he also helped launch the careers of three Cleveland-area R&B; ensembles: The Rude Boys, Men at Large and 1 of the Girls. In the fall of 1994, LeVert appeared in the group Black Men United for the hit single "U Will Know" for the film Jason's Lyric, the movie's soundtrack. who was participated in the group and joining with Keith Sweat as well. In 1997, Levert teamed up with fellow R&B; singers Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill, to form the supergroup, LSG. The trio released the album Levert-Sweat-Gill, the same year, followed by LSG2 in 2003. In 1999, Levert sang the chorus on the Chris Rock spoken-word comedy piece, "No Sex (In the Champagne Room)". Levert performed a duet with Teena Marie on the latter's 2004 album La Doña. Levert's last collaborations included Jim Brickman on the song "My Angel", for Brickman's 2006 album entitled Escape and on the song "Real S***" from rapper Styles P's album, Time Is Money.
Shortly before his death, Levert completed work on what would be his final album, In My Songs. The album was released on February 13, 2007. In June 2007, a book Gerald was working to complete entitled, I Got Your Back: A Father and Son Keep it Real About Love, Fatherhood, Family, and Friendship, was released. The book was initially planned as a tie-in for a Levert album of the same name. I Got Your Back explores Gerald and Eddie’s father/son relationship, the necessity of male bonding, and importance of repairing fractured families. Levert was also working on a reality show in which he was losing weight along with 12 of his female fans, who were training with him at his palatial home.
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| Name | Teena Marie |
|---|---|
| Background | solo_singer |
| Alias | Lady T, Vanilla Child |
| Birth name | Mary Christine Brockert |
| Born | March 05, 1956Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Died | December 26, 2010Pasadena, California, U.S. |
| Instrument | Vocals, keyboard instruments, electric guitar, congas |
| Genre | R&B;, soul, funk, jazz |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger |
| Years active | 1964–2010 |
| Label | Motown Records (1976–1982)Epic/CBS Records (1983–1990) Ca$h Money Classics/Universal Records (2004–2007) Stax/Concord Records (2009–2010) |
| Associated acts | Rick James, Ozone, Q.T hush, Bernadette Cooper, Eve |
| Url |
In 1980, her second album, Lady T, would have her portrait on the cover upon its release. It's also noted for having production from Richard Rudolph (husband of R&B; singer Minnie Riperton, who died a year earlier). Marie had asked Berry Gordy to contact Rudolph and secure his input as Rick James was unavailable and she felt unprepared to be sole producer of her own material. Rudolph intended for the song he penned, "Now That I Have You", to be sung by his wife, but it was later given to Marie. The song would also be included on the soundtrack of on the Fever 105 soundtrack. The single "I Need Your Lovin'" (#37 Pop, #9 Black Singles) brought Marie her first top 40 hit. This single also peaked at #28 in the UK chart. That same year, Teena Marie appeared on James' hugely successful album, Street Songs, with the duet "Fire and Desire". In an interview, Marie says she had a fever at the time yet managed to record her vocals in one take. After the session, she was driven to a hospital. The two would perform the single at the 2004 BET Awards, which would be their last TV appearance with one another as Rick James died later that year. As of December 30, 2010, an autopsy was performed by the Los Angeles County coroner, who found no signs of apparent trauma or discernible cause of death.
Marie's body was cremated, according to her wishes, and her ashes interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery on January 10, 2011. Among the luminaries at her memorial were Smokey Robinson, LisaRaye, Sinbad, Tichina Arnold and Stevie Wonder.
Category:1956 births Category:2010 deaths Category:American dance musicians Category:American record producers Category:American female singers Category:American rhythm and blues singers Category:Cash Money Records artists Category:Songwriters from California Category:Musicians from California Category:Blue-eyed soul singers Category:Motown artists Category:Epic Records artists Category:People from Santa Monica, California Category:American rhythm and blues keyboardists Category:Freestyle musicians Category: People from Pasadena, California
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| Name | Kelly Price |
|---|---|
| Background | solo_singer |
| Born | April 04, 1973 |
| Origin | Queens, New York, U.S. |
| Genre | R&B;, soul, gospel |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
| Voice type | Mezzo Soprano |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Label | Island Black Music (1994–1996)Def Soul (1996–2005)EcclectiSounds/Gospo Centric (2006–present) |
| Url | Official Site |
She issued her debut album, Soul of a Woman, in 1998 on Island Records, which contained the hit single "Friend of Mine". A remix of the song, also included on the album, features R. Kelly and Ronald Isley. In the remix, Isley takes on the fictional role of the singer-protoganist's Godfather ("Mr. Biggs"), taking her husband (R. Kelly) to task for cheating on her with her best friend. The "Friend of Mine" remix was a #1 hit on the U.S. R&B; chart.
She issued her second album, Mirror Mirror, in 2000 on the Def Soul imprint of Def Jam Records; Island and Def Jam had merged in 1999, with Price and labelmates Dru Hill being reassigned to Def Soul. Mirror Mirror featured the singles "You Should've Told Me" and the Grammy Award nominated "As We Lay", a cover of Shirley Murdock's 1986 hit. A remix of "Love Sets You Free" was issued a single in 2000, produced by Teddy Riley and starring a number of fellow R&B; performers, including Babyface, Tamar Braxton, Aaron Hall, Blackstreet, and Def Soul labelmates Dru Hill, Case, Montell Jordan, LovHer and Kandice Love.
Price was featured in the 2003 film, Bringing Down the House, performing a cover of the 1983 Rufus & Chaka Khan hit "Ain't Nobody."
A Christmas album, One Family, was issued in 2001. Two years later, Price returned with her third regular studio album, Priceless. In October 2005, Price recorded her first live gospel project. The This Is Who I Am album has been released on October 24, 2006 on her own label, EcclecticSounds Records. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard Gospel Charts and peaked at #9 on the R&B; album chart.
Price was inducted as an honorary member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. in July 2006.
In early 2007, Price kicked off a tour with the 'Sisters in the Spirit 2007'.
In 2006, she recorded the song "Why?" for the soundtrack Why Did I Get Married?, a film version of the stage play of the same name she once acted in, playing the role to Sheila.
In early 2009, Price was featured on Coko's gospel album entitled The Winner In Me on the track "Oh Mary".
In June 2010, Price promoted her single "Tired" on The Jazz Joy and Roy syndicated radio show as "some of the best work of my career to date."
Referring to her company's collaboration with the legendary producers at My Block Records, Price said, "(There was) no pressure from outside forces--you know, the suits behind the desk," adding, "It's great to be able to work with musical people who understand the heart of music and my heart...."
Price expressed gratitude for the legions of fans who have a positive connotation in mind when they label her "DIVA," and was more than happy to break down the word for listeners.
"'DIVA' can sometimes take on a negative connotation particularly when it's applied to women. But I believe that the true DIVAS are those who have come up, have spent a little time in this business...And they find a way to round out their world, not just musically or (through) style, but as human beings. They give back."
The acclaimed vocalist leaned closer to the mic and continued to educate, saying, "(A DIVA) does family, they do friends. They are not defined just by the music they make, but by every area of their life. They know what they want and are not afraid to go for it. So, if that's what you are saying when you call me a DIVA, then I accept that label and I'll wear it proudly."
Onlookers burst into laughter and applause when Price added, "I'll get a big 'D' stamped on my forehead!"
Price's grandfather is the Bishop Jerome Norman, the pastor of the Full Gospel Mission Church of God in Christ in Queens, New York and Jurisdictional Prelate of the First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiciton of Barbados West Indies since 1990 by the late Presiding Bishop J.O. Patterson. Her mother, Claudia Price, is the former musical director of the church. Price began singing in the church as a six year old; with her big voice, she gained the nickname 'Little Mahalia Jackson'.
In April 1999, Price volunteered to showcase her fashion designs during a special charity gala and fashion show to help the National Breast Cancer Awareness Initiative raise money for breast cancer education for minority women. The previous year, Price learned that her mother-in-law had breast cancer. Later in 1998, Price's own mother also was diagnosed with the disease. Her mother-in-law died from the disease.
Claudia Price, the mother of Kelly, is a survivor of inflammatory breast cancer which is the deadliest and most deceptive type of breast cancer. Claudia, who is a New York City resident, has become a breast cancer activist to educate the public about the disease. She was the chairwoman of the seventh annual Sister to Sister Fitness Festival held in Dallas, Texas which was sponsored by the Celebrating Life Foundation.
Claudia experienced pain in her breast in 1997, but said fear and a lack of insurance kept her from seeking immediate medical attention. Instead, she waited two years before seeing a doctor. While at work one day in 1999, her doctor called and said she had inflammatory breast cancer. Doctors gave her two months to live. She underwent chemotherapy, and the disease is in remission as of October 2006.
Category:1973 births Category:Living people Category:African American singers
Category:American dance musicians Category:American gospel singers Category:American rhythm and blues singers Category:American soul singers Category:Def Jam Recordings artists Category:American Christians Category:American Pentecostals Category:Members of the Church of God in Christ Category:People from New York City Category:People from Far Rockaway, Queens Category:People from New York Category:People from Atlanta, Georgia Category:DeKalb County, Georgia
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| Name | Keith Sweat |
|---|---|
| Background | solo_singer |
| Birth name | Keith Sweat |
| Born | July 22, 1961 |
| Origin | Harlem, New York City, U.S. |
| Genre | Urban R&B; New Jack Swing |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter Record producer |
| Years active | 1975–1984 (Group)1984–present (Solo) |
| Label | KEIA (1992–present)Stadium (1984-1985)Vintertainment/Elektra (1987-1990)Elektra (1990–2004)Atco / Rhino (2007–2009)Kedar (2010-Present) |
| Associated acts | LSG, Kut Klose, Silk, Medina Lewis, Dru Hill |
| Url | http://thesweathotel.com |
Keith Sweat, (born July 22, 1961) is an American R&B;/soul, singer-songwriter, record producer, radio personality and a major contributor to the New jack swing era.
He has two daughters Keyshia (b. 1990) and Keia (b. 1992) and with former wife, Lisa Wu-Hartwell, two sons: Jordan (b. 1995) and Justin (b. 1998). He named his record label, Keia Entertainment, after his daughter Keia. He has full custody of all four of his children.
After leaving the group in 1984 to aspire for a solo career, he sang at nightclubs throughout New York City and landed a chance to record for the independent label, Stadium Records. Sweat recorded only one tune for Stadium called "My Mind Is Made Up", which was their third ever release, but on Stadium's first release, he is credited as co-writer and co-producer of "You Are The One For Me", the last recording ever made by the group GQ. Considering that Keith Sweat's birth name is Keith Crier, and one of GQ's original members is also named Keith "Sabu" Crier, it can be disputed as to whether Sweat had any involvement in that song or if it was a mistake on the label's part having two "Keith Criers" in their company.
Later on in 1987, Keith Sweat was discovered by Vincent Davis and offered a recording contract with his label, Vintertainment Records, which was founded in 1983 on the foundations of early Hip-Hop and otherwise best known for releasing Joeski Love's "Pee Wee Dance" in 1985. Vintertainment was distributed by Elektra Records from 1985 until it ceased operations in 1990, in which case Elektra opted to buy Keith's contract outright and have him record directly for the label. . On November 25, 1987, Sweat released his debut solo album Make It Last Forever, which sold three million copies. The biggest hit from this album was "I Want Her" (#1 R&B;/#5 Pop), which was nominated for the 1989 Soul Train Best R&B;/Urban Contemporary Song of the Year award, while the title track from the album hit #2 on the R&B; charts.
Sweat reached the charts again with his second album I'll Give All My Love to You (1990) which hit #6 on the Billboard 200 chart, and Keep It Comin'(1991) which debuted in the top 20 of the album chart. The latter album did not sell as well because Keith did not promote it. The singles released during this period included "(There You Go) Tellin' Me No Again" (from the film New Jack City), "Why Me Baby" (featuring LL Cool J) and "Keep It Comin'". Sweat then moved from New York to Atlanta, where he founded the Keia Records label that would feature Silk & Kut Klose.
Sweat released his fourth album Get Up on It in the summer of 1994, and his self-titled fifth album in 1996. Both albums reached the top ten on the Billboard 200. The single "Twisted" hit #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and "Nobody" hit #3, which made them Sweat's biggest hits to date. The song "Just A Touch", with Kut Klose providing background vocals, has earned a regular spot on radio playlists. "Just A Touch" was a cover of the 1979 song "Just a Touch of Love" by Slave. Sweat's sixth album, Still in the Game was released in 1998, hitting #6 on the Billboard 200, and #2 on the R&B;/Hip Hop albums chart. It featured the singles "Come and Get With Me" (which featured Snoop Dogg) (#12 Hot 100) and "I'm Not Ready" (#16 Hot 100).
Sweat's success on the charts started to diminish in 2000, when he released the album Didn't See Me Coming. None of the singles from the album reached the top forty. They were moderate hits on the Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. On August 13, 2002, Keith Sweat released his ninth album, Rebirth. The single "One on One" reached #75 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #44 on the Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. His 2008 album Just Me fared better with its first single, "Love U Better (featuring Keyshia Cole)" being played on Urban radio stations for about a year before the albums' release.
Since 2007, Sweat has been the host of a nationally syndicated radio program based upon the Quiet storm format. The Keith Sweat Hotel (known as The Quiet Storm with Keith Sweat on WBLS in New York City) is syndicated through Premiere Radio Networks.
Sweat also formed the R&B; supergroup LSG with Gerald Levert and Johnny Gill, and released their self-titled debut Levert.Sweat.Gill in 1997. That album featured "My Body", which became a hit single. The album was certified double platinum and reached #4 on the U.S. Billboard 200.
Category:1961 births Category:African American musicians Category:American male singers Category:American rhythm and blues singers Category:American record producers Category:Songwriters from New York Category:American soul musicians Category:Living people Category:People from Atlanta, Georgia Category:People from Manhattan
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