Tamia

Before Tamia Washington, who was born on May 9, 1976, was discovered, she studied voice, acting, singing and performed on stage and at church in her native Windsor, Canada. She won several awards, including the 1993 YTV Youth Achievement Award in the Vocal category. In 1994, Tamia won the Steve Ross Music Scholarship as an Honor Youth Delegate at the American Academy of Achievement's thirty-third Annual Salute to Excellence. She also performed to an audience of 75,000 people at a gala honoring Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, and appeared on a benefit tour where she shared the stage with Peabo Bryson, Kenny Loggins, Kenny G., and Julio Iglesias.

Tamia's big break came after she moved to Los Angeles in 1994. She met Quincy Jones when he happened to be chosen to present an award to her in Las Vegas. (Quincy Jones is known for discovering many artists such as Patti Austin, James Ingram, and Tevin Campbell). Quincy asked Tamia if she would like to sing the lead-off single from his first new album in six years, Q's Jook Joint. The single was called You Put A Move On My Heart and it would be the single that introduced Tamia to the world.

After appearing on Quincy Jones' album on the songs You Put A Move On My Heart and Slow Jams (with Babyface), and signing with Quincy's Qwest label, Tamia immediately ventured into the music world, singing the hit song Missing You (from the movie Set It Off) with Brandy, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan. She also sings on LL Cool J's new Phenomenon album. Last summer, Tamia tried her hand at acting by landing a supporting role in the movie Speed 2: Cruise Control, acting opposite Jason Patric and Sandra Bullock. She has appeared as a guest and presenter at award shows such as the Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, and the Soul Train Awards. A magazine article also mentioned that she would be the new spokes-model for Tommy Hilfiger clothing, but nothing was seen of that. She recently wed NBA basketball star Grant Hill (whom she was introduced to by singer Anita Baker). They wed in late July 1999.

So what makes people like Tamia? Well, Quincy Jones describes her as the "perfect music diva". In a world where some singers only look good or only sing good, Tamia is a singer that is perfect, because she looks and sings amazingly. We've been patiently waiting for three years for her debut album and it was finally released in April 1998. Her single first two singles Imagination and So Into You have already been heating up the radio waves and her videos has been on rotation on BET, The Box & Much Music. Her most recent single, a duet with Eric Benet entitled Spend My Life With You, made it to #1 on the R&B Singles/Tracks charts. After much speculation, it was confirmed that Tamia did indeed leave Qwest/Warner Bros. in Spring 1999 for a new label, Elektra, where she is preparing a new album for a June 2000 release.

Rick James

James Ambrose Johnson, Jr. on February 1, 1948 in Buffalo, New York. The third of eight children, Rick James was raised in a strict Catholic household by his single mother. With music in his blood (his uncle was Melvin Franklin, bass vocalist of The Temptations), James pursued a music career from an early age, fleeing the U.S. Naval Reserve to Toronto, Ontario, in 1964.James’s first band was called The Mynah Birds, which included future Buffalo Springfield members Neil Young and Bruce Palmer. Though the group recorded in Motown, it never released an album in part because of James’s AWOL status. He returned in 1968 to write and produce under the name Terry Johnson. For the next several years, James played bass in Los Angeles for several short-lived bands, including Salt, Pepper 'N' Cocaine and Great White Cane.
In 1977, James left Los Angeles to return to Motown and start a solo career. His debut album Come and Get It!, including the singles “You and I” and “Mary Jane,” catapulted him to stardom. Famous for his wild brand of danceable funk music and his trademark braids, James was often referred to as The King of Punk-Funk. Two 1979 albums, Fire It Up and Bustin' Out of L Seven were also popular. His biggest hit, the Grammy-nominated “Super Freak,” was released in 1981 on the album Street Songs, which included other popular singles like "Give It to Me Baby," "Fire and Desire" and “Ghetto Life.” Subsequent hits included "Teardrops," "Cold Blooded" and "Glow."
By the early 1990s, James’s cocaine use was spinning out of control. After being convicted of assaulting two women, he spent two years in prison and paid $2 million in a civil suit. After his release in 1995, he attempted a comeback but suffered a mild stroke in 1997 that ended his career. Rick James died after suffering pulmonary and cardiac failure at his home in Burbank, California, in 2004.

Lionel Richie

Singer and songwriter Lionel Richie born on June 20, 1949 in Tuskegee, Alabama. His grandfather worked at the Tuskegee Institute with Booker T. Washington. Lionel Richie was the founder of the Commodores, his debut solo album Lionel Richie was a US number 3 hit, and ‘Truly’, a song from that album, reached US number 1 spot, winning him a Grammy award. He performed one of his most popular hits, ‘All Night Long’, at the closing ceremony of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Richie co-wrote the famine relief song ‘We Are The World’ with Michael Jackson in 1993. Later albums include Louder Than Words, Renaissance, and Coming Home.Lionel Richie was married to Brenda Harvey for 17 years. The couple adopted daughter Nicole Richie, but they divorced in 1993. He married Diane Alexander in December 1995 and together they have son, Miles Brockman and daughter, Sofia.
Richie wasn't bitten by the recording bug again until 1996, by which time he'd endured his share of personal loss: his father had passed away, and his marriage to wife Brenda -- the muse behind some of his most successful ballads -- had fallen apart. In approaching his comeback, Richie attempted to update his sound to reflect a decade's worth of developments in urban R&B. The result, Louder Than Words, was a moderate success, reaching the Top 30 and going gold. However, it didn't produce any major hit singles, and Richie's nods to new jack swing and hip-hop were criticized as awkward. 1998's Time found Richie in a more familiar element, relying on his signature sound with only slight musical updates. However, the album flopped, spending only a few weeks in the lower reaches of the charts. Richie's next album, Renaissance, was released to a favorable reception in Europe in late 2000; it was issued in the U.S. in early 2001. Three years later, on the heels of enduring a very public and bitter divorce with his second wife, Diane, Richie released Just for You. The 2006 album Coming Home found him working with an all-star cast of collaborators including Jermaine Dupri, Raphael Saadiq, Sean Garrett, and Dallas Austin.

H-Town

H-Town showed up on the urban scene in 1993. They were the perfect title of a new taste of style. Wearing nothing but an open shirt and loose pants, these boys had the females heads over heels with their hit "Knockin' the Boots".This was also the time when a lot of new slang was being developed so this was the new sexual phrase among the young age. It took H-Town six years before their first big break came. Dino and Shazam grew up surrounded by musicians and singers. All three band members went to pageants, talent shows and plays before they worked with a local producer. When they began to work with him, he sent their tape to Luther Campbell, who wasn’t overly impressed.The producer intentionally made Campbell miss a flight and dragged him back to the studio where he heard H-Town sing live. Campbell signed the group, joined up with producer Bishop “Stick” Burrell, and they went into the studio to start work on their debut album, Fever for Da Flavor. Sadly one of the fraternal twins in the group, by the name of Dino Conner <28> was in a tragic accident coming from the studio with his girlfriend that killed both of them.

Toni Braxton

Toni Braxton was born and raised in Severn, MD. She was the daughter of a minister and a cosmetolgy instructor.She also had five siblings <4>.Her family experienced a number of different religions looking for a spiritual uplift. By the time she entered high school she came to the thought that she wanted to be a singer. Her mother would teach them how to sing through having voice lessons. She talked her parents into letting her sing in a band. That ended after her late arrival one night after rehersal.Braxton attended a community college, business school, and Bowie State University. Her career in singing started in 1991 after Edmonds discovered her talent. Her self- titled album came out in 1993 and became an ultimate hit. That album alone sold over 9 million copies. "The things I sing about, women can identify with," Braxton explained in an interview with a magazine company. "Although they're sad love songs, I always try to portray it like everything's going to be OK I'm still strong." Her lush voice made her seem to be much older than how old she really was. It all gave a mature sound. She later married Keri Lewis who was also a musician. She also had two children whose names are Denim Kole and Diezal Ky. Braxton received three Grammy Awards for her 1993 debut Toni Braxton, including "Best New Artist" and "Best Female R&B Vocal Performance" with "Another Sad Love Song"; for her 1996 LP Secrets, Braxton won another "Best Female R&B Vocal Performance" (for "You're Makin Me High") as well as "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance" (for "Unbreak My Heart"); won "Best Female R&B Vocal Performance of 2000" (for "He Wasn't Man Enough), Braxton has also received platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America for both records; she has also been presented with NAACP Image Award, several Soul Train Music Awards, and American Music Awards.

Can We Talk... Tevin Campbell!

Tevin Campbell was born on November 12, 1976 in Waxahachie, Texas. He grew up singing in the church choir which helped him to develop his voice.This legendary artist was discovered after singing for Bobbi Humphrey over the phone.Tevin Campbell hit the music scene in 1991 with his sensual voice. He was something new and fresh that caught the attention of the young generation. Starting his first album, T.E.V.I.N., he was far more than just the average kid with a talent. He was being compared to Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and many more R&B sensations. Although we saw this amazing vocalist, he was missing a part of his life. During a n interview with Vibe magazine he had never met his father who lived "..somewhere in Arkansas" in his own words. He stated that he just wanted to meet him, not make a bond with him, becuse his mother raised him and two other family members on her own. Campbell made many hits including "Can we talk", "I'm Ready", and "Always in My Heart" just to name a few. He was arrested in 1999 for his drug addiction and suspected soliciting of a prostitute who was actually and undercover police officer.

This 80's Sensation Group formed in 1976. Duke Jones, Clifford Archer, Porter Carroll Jr., Joseph Phillips, David Lewis, Johnathon Lewis, and Wayne Lewis formed the group. Atlantic Starr consisted of 4 men and a woman. They made nothing but classics when they came out with the songs: "Secret Lovers", "Always", "Circles", "Love Me Down" and "My First Love" only to name a few. This contemporary group was influenced by the group Earth, Wind And Fire, New Birth, The Commodores, and L.T.D.

What's happening with Jodeci???

So, we all remember the dynamic- four, Jodeci, as the thugged out group of friends who went from rags to riches. From "The After Party" to"Freekin you" to "Cry for You", their sultry voices kept us all on the edge of out seats. Now we all sit back and think... where they now? And what are they doing?