Ginuwine
Background information
Birth name	Elgin Baylor Lumpkin
Also known as	Mr. Elgin
Born	(1970-10-15) October 15, 1970 (age 41)
Origin	Washington, D.C., United States
Genres	R&B
Occupations	singer-songwriter, dancer, actor
Instruments	Vocals, guitar
Years active	1996–present
Labels	550 Music, Epic, Notifi/Asylum
Associated acts	Timbaland, Static Major, Missy Elliott, Aaliyah, Playa, H-Town
Website	ginuwine.com

Elgin Baylor Lumpkin (born October 15, 1970),^[1] better known by his stage name Ginuwine is an American singer-songwriter dancer and actor. Signed to Epic Records since the mid-1990s, Ginuwine had released a number of multi-platinum and platinum-selling albums and singles, becoming one of R&B's top artists during the late 1990s and early 2000s .^[2]

Biography[link]

Ginuwine was born on October 15, 1970 in Washington, D.C. He is named after NBA legend Elgin Baylor, who is also a Washington native.^[2] In 1989, he graduated from Forestville High School (now known as Forestville Military Academy) in Forestville, Maryland and later graduated from Prince George's Community College in Largo, Maryland with a paralegal associate's degree. Soon afterward he broke into the music industry.

Personal life[link]

Ginuwine lost both his parents in 2000; his father committed suicide and his mother died of cancer less than a year later. Ginuwine struggled with grief and depression; he also thought of committing suicide. He received counseling by his pastor, which turned him to a more positive path.^[3][4]

Ginuwine is married to the American rapper Tonya M. Lumpkin ^[5][6][7] better known by her stage name, Solé. Solé has daughters De'jan (9 March 1991) and Cypress (9 January 1995) from previous relationships. Ginuwine met Solé in June 1999^[8] and they began dating in October 1999.^[8] They were married on 8 September 2003 in the Caribbean. They live in Georgia and Maryland.^[9] They have two daughters together: Story (29 March 01)^[10] and Dream Sarae Lumpkin (1 November 02).^[11] He has son Elgin Jr (1992) from a previous relationship, as well as three other children by three different women.^[12] In February 2009 Ginuwine announced he has eight children.^[13][14]

Career[link]

Music[link]

Leon Youngblood, manager of one of the vocalists featured on the album, told George Varga in an interview with the Union Tribune Newspaper that the album "was supposed to be billed as a 'Ginuwine Presents' album" " Youngblood stated "the album did very well, it's the first time I worked with anyone who cracked #50 on the billboard charts, I'm very proud of that fact."

Ginuwine can be spotted in one of Jodeci's videos. He, later, sang the chorus on Danny Boy's "Slip N Slide". There, he met rapper Melissa "Missy" Elliott and producer Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley, who became his main collaborators through the 1990s. Ginuwine's first single, (written by Static Major) the 1996 "Pony" from Ginuwine...The Bachelor, showcased his smooth vocals and Timbaland's innovative production style, and the two became a hit-making duo. The song "Pony" was used in a "karaoke" scene from the film Wild Hogs in 2007 and again used in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV in 2008. Mike Patton and Rahzel together perform a cover of "Pony" during their concerts. Ginuwine covered Prince's "When Doves Cry" single from the movie soundtrack to Purple Rain.

After his second album, 100% Ginuwine, was released in 1999, Ginuwine and Timbaland grew apart. Producers such as R. Kelly have crafted hits for him since then. In 2001, Ginuwine had a number-four hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with the single "Differences", which also peaked at number-one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart.

Within a year, Ginuwine lost both of his parents. He later wrote a song which is featured on his album The Life entitled "Two Reasons I Cry". In 2002, Ginuwine was a feature artist on P. Diddy's number-one hit "I Need a Girl (Part II)". Later that year, Ginuwine started his own label, Bag Entertainment. The label would feature artists such as Jose Cenquentez (who appeared on The Senior) and Knight.

Ginuwine's fifth album, Back II Da Basics, was released on November 15, 2005. The album debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200, selling close to 100,000 copies. Ginuwine stated on BET's Top 100 countdown that the album went Gold with sales of 500,000 copies.^[15]

In May 2007, an album entitled I Apologize was released in stores. Although attributed to Ginuwine, the release was an unauthorized album and included only three Ginuwine songs - apparently from stolen masters - and ten songs by other artists. Ginuwine spoke against the unofficial release on both his MySpace page and through YouTube.^[16] In 2007, Ginuwine collaborated with Canadian hip-hop artist Belly in the latter's debut solo song "Pressure", which was featured in Belly's debut album the Revolution, released in June 2007.

Ginuwine's sixth album entitled A Man's Thoughts, was released on June 23, 2009. The album was produced by The Underdogs, B Cox, Timbaland, The Runners, Johnta Austin, Oak and Polow Da Don. The album includes guests appearances from Brandy, Missy Elliott, Bun B and Timbaland.^[17] Ginuwine formed a group with Tank and Tyrese named TGT. Their first single was a remix of Tank's "Please Don't Go". They were supposed to tour but plans fell apart due to conflicting schedules.^[18]

Ginuwine announced on his Myspace Blog on August 21, 2008 that due to label and legal issues, they will not be able to release an official TGT album.^[19] Ginuwine is the founder and CEO of LoveSong Incorporated, after completing his contract with 550 Music/Epic. Ginuwine announced on his Myspace blog on August 21, 2008 that he signed a major label deal with Notifi Records/Warner Brothers.^[19]

Ginuwine introduced producer MELROG and rapper Young Knight a.k.a. Knightron on the Back 2 Da Basics album. Currently Knightron is working on his own album under Ginuwine's label BAG ENT. Elgin will be released on Valentine's Day 2011.

Film[link]

Ginuwine was originally cast in the 2004 film You Got Served. Ultimately R&B artist Marques Houston was cast in his place. The writer of the movie kept Ginuwine's real name "Elgin" as the name for one of the lead characters. He also was cast as R&B singer "Romeo" in the film Juwanna Mann. He was also on an episode of Moesha called "All this and Turkey, too."

In February 2011, Ginuwine co-starred in the Gospel Music Channel's debut of John Ruffin's stage play The Ideal Hustband which also stars Darrin Dewitt Henson, Jackée Harry, Clifton Powell, Shirley Murdock, Shanti Lowry and Erica Hubbard.^[20]

Endorsements[link]

Ginuwine is a spokesman for the beverage Adult Chocolate Milk, a 40-proof vodka-based version of chocolate milk.^[21][22]

In popular culture[link]

In the NBC series Parks and Recreation, character Donna Meagle is said to be Ginuwine's cousin.

Discography[link]

• 1996: Ginuwine...the Bachelor
• 1999: 100% Ginuwine
• 2001: The Life
• 2003: The Senior
• 2005: Back II Da Basics
• 2009: A Man's Thoughts
• 2011: Elgin

Compilations[link]

• Greatest Hits (2006)
• I Apologize (2007)
• Playlist: The Very Best of Ginuwine (2008)

Filmography[link]

• Juwanna Mann (2002)
• Honey (2003)
• Never Ever Let You Go (TBA)

Awards and nominations[link]

• BET Awards
  • 2003: Best Male R&B Artist, Nominated
• American Music Awards
  • 2003: Favorite Male R&B Artist, Nominated
  • 2002: Favorite Male R&B Artist, Nominated
  • 2000: Favorite Male R&B Artist, Nominated
• Soul Train Music Awards
  • 2000: Best R&B/Soul Male Single ("So Anxious"), Nominated
  • 2000: Best R&B/Soul Male Album (100% Ginuwine), Winner

References[link]

This article uses bare URLs for citations. Please consider adding full citations so that the article remains verifiable. Several templates and the Reflinks tool are available to assist in formatting. (Reflinks documentation) (February 2012)

External links[link]

• Official website

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (August 2008)

Mario Winans is an American R&B singer, songwriter, music producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Born Mario Brown, he is the son of gospel recording artist Vickie Winans (née Bowman) and her first husband, Bishop Ronald Brown. He is also the stepson of his mother's second husband, gospel singer, Pastor Marvin Winans whom she married in 1978. Marvin and Vickie Winans had a son, Marvin Winans Jr. (Mario's half brother.) Vickie and Marvin Winans divorced in 1995 and she has since remarried.

Mario Winans began learning piano, keyboards, and drums while still in grade school in Detroit, Michigan and learned how to work in a recording studio at an early age. He began producing gospel music professionally after graduating high school, eventually working with gospel music artists Fred Hammond, The Clark Sisters and various members of the Winans gospel music family.

Musical career[link]

This biographical section of an article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (July 2008)

[edit] Story of My Heart: (1995–1997)

In the mid-1990s, Mario was signed to a production deal with Dallas Austin's Rowdy Records thru producers Tim & Bob. He lived with the duo at their house studio until his breakthrough came as a Christian songwriter, musician and co-producer on R. Kelly's "I Can't Sleep Baby" and "You Remind Me Of Something" (plus three more songs) from the R. Kelly album in 1995. He also worked with Pebbles and 98 Degrees.

Winans eventually released his debut album Story of my Heart on Motown in 1997. While the song "Don't Know" reached the US R&B top 50, the album failed to chart.

Soon after, Winans teamed up with P. Diddy and his Bad Boy roster, playing drums on "Come With Me" by Diddy and Jimmy Page, based on the classic Led Zeppelin song "Kashmir" from their 1975 album Physical Graffiti.

Over the next several years Winans amassed a sizeable list of production credits for Bad Boy artists including Diddy, The Notorious B.I.G., Lil' Kim, Faith Evans, Loon, Black Rob, and 112. He has also worked with notable artists outside Bad Boy including Destiny's Child, Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, Tamia, and Brian McKnight.

Winans co-wrote the 2-part song "I Need a Girl" with P. Diddy and appeared on the "Pt. 2" version with Loon, Ginuwine, and Diddy, which became a hit recording in 2002. He also produced the Bad Boy remix compilation We Invented The Remix in 2002.

[edit] Hurt No More: (2001–2005)

Winans recorded his second album Hurt No More in 2001, 2002, and 2003 in between his busy schedule working with other artists. The album is based on stories of love and betrayal.

The first single "I Don't Wanna Know" was based on a sample of the Fugees' 1996 hit single "Ready Or Not", which itself was based on a slowed-down sample of the instrumental track "Boadicea" by Enya from her 1987 self-titled album. Enya and her representatives became angry since Winans did not seek her approval for the sample, as he was unaware that the Fugees sample he had used had itself been a sample. So, a compromise was reached to credit the single as "Mario Winans featuring P. Diddy and Enya". ^[1] The song features a rap by P. Diddy and radio programmers and club DJs started playing the track when it started appearing on mixtapes. The song was released as the single in early 2004 and became a worldwide hit going to #1 in Germany and on the rhythmic top 40 radio chart in the United States; to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, on the US R&B/Hip-Hop singles chart, and on the world internet download charts; and to #3 on a composite world R&B chart (based on the R&B charts in the US, UK, Germany, France, and Australia) and on both the Australian and Norwegian singles charts. It also reached the top ten on a composite European singles chart.

Hurt No More was released on April 20, 2004 in the US and, by early June 2004, had reached #1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, #2 on the Billboard 200, and #3 on the UK's album chart.

The album's second single, "Never Really Was", used a sample of the orchestrated beginning of Madonna's 1986 hit, "Papa Don't Preach", as its background music. However, the song failed to chart in America. A remix version was released as a single featuring rapper Lil Flip.

The song "This is the Thanks I Get" began to chart on billboard and was stated to be the album's third and final single but no official release was set. The song went on to peak on Billboards R&B Chart at #112.

[edit] My Purpose: (2006–Present)

Winans appeared on Diddy's album, Press Play producing, writing and singing on "Through The Pain (She Told Me)" and the hit single "Last Night" with Keyshia Cole. "Last Night" was originally intended for his own album, which he had apparently been recording for release in 2007, this never occurred.

Winans also recently executive produced Diddy's new Dirty Money album "Last Train To Paris" which was released in late 2010 and Trey Songz' 2010 single "Can't Be Friends" which has topped the American R'n'B charts for over 10 weeks.

In May 2011, Winans stated that his third studio album titled "My Purpose" would drop in Summer 2011.

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

Singles[link]

As featured performer[link]

Non-singles[link]

• "Put Ya Arm Around Me" (#16 US, #7 UK)
• "Thanks I Get"
• "Mr Cool" (Tamia ft. Mario Winans)
• "Get Away" (Rick Ross ft. Mario Winans)
• "Ridin" (Belly ft. Mario Winans)
• "Rock the Party" (Benzino ft. Mario Winans)
• "Save Your Love" (Mams Taylor ft. Mario Winans & Stephen Michael)
• "Ever Wonder" (Faith Evans ft. Mario Winans)
• "This One That One" (DJ King SamS ft. Mario Winans & Brisco )

Videos[link]

• "Don't Know"
• "Don't Know (Remix)" (Featuring: Mase)
• "I Don't Wanna Know" (Featuring: P.Diddy)
• "Never Really Was" (Featuring: Lil' Flip)
• "I Need a Girl Part.II" (Featuring: Ginuwine)
• "You're the One" (guest appearance)
• "Down 4 Me" (guest appearance)
• "Best Friend" (guest appearance)
• "Rock the Party" (guest appearance)
• "Through the Pain (She Told Me)" (guest appearance)
• "Tell Me" (guest appearance with Piero Esteriore)
• "Ridin" (guest appearance)
• "Forever" (guest appearance feat. Timati)
• "Dream" (guest appearance feat. Massiv)
• "Mine" (feat. Sahara)

Awards and nominations[link]

• Grammy Awards
  • 2005, Best Contemporary R&B Album: Hurt No More (Nominated)
• Image Awards
  • 2005, Outstanding New Artist: Hurt No More (Nominated)
• MOBO Awards
  • 2004, Best Song: "I Don't Wanna Know" (Nominated)
  • 2004, Best Ringtone: "I Don't Wanna Know" (Winner)
• Vibe Awards
  • 2004, R&B Song of the Year: "I Don't Wanna Know" (Nominated)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Mario Winans at Billboard.com
• Allmusic Mario Winans article^{[dead link]}
• VH1 Mario Winans page
• Mario Winans on Myspace
• Bad Boy Online