Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds
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| Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Kenneth Brian Edmonds |
| Also known as | Kenneth Edmonds |
| Born | April 10, 1958 |
| Origin | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States |
| Genre(s) | R&B, quiet storm, urban, adult contemporary, dance, pop, Soft rock, New Jack Swing |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist, record producer, film producer, and entrepreneur |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, mandolin, keyboard |
| Label(s) | SOLAR Records (1983?-????), Epic (1989?-2000), Arista (2001-2005), Island (2007-present) |
| Associated acts | After 7, The Deele, Milestone |
| Website | www.babyfacemusic.com |
Kenneth Brian "Babyface" Edmonds (born April 10, 1958), is an American R&B and pop singer, songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist, record producer, film producer, and entrepreneur.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Early career and personal life
Edmonds, who is the fifth of six brothers (Kevon Edmonds also had a solo album), attended North Central High School of Indianapolis, Indiana and as a shy youth, wrote songs to express his emotions. Edmonds later played with funk megastar Bootsy Collins, who tagged him "Babyface" while he was still a teen, and the nickname has stuck with him throughout his life. He also played in the groups Manchild (which had a 1977 hit "Especially for You" with band member Daryl Simmons), then in the light-funk and R&B group The Deele (which also included Antonio "L.A." Reid, with whom he would later form a successful writing and producing partnership). One of his first major credits as a songwriter for outside artists came when he co-wrote the tune "Slow Jam" for the R&B band Midnight Star in 1983. The tune appeared on Midnight Star's double-platinum No Parking on the Dance Floor album, and while it never hit the charts, the song has since become a quiet storm staple and a semi-classic of the genre. Meanwhile, Babyface remained in The Deele until 1988, when both he and Reid left the group.
[edit] Commercial success
In the late 1980s, he was responsible for contributing to the creation of new jack swing and was responsible for writing music for the likes of Bobby Brown, Karyn White, Pebbles and Paula Abdul. In 1989, Edmonds co-founded LaFace Records with Reid. Two of the label's first artists Toni Braxton and TLC achieved massive success. Braxton's eponymous 1993 debut album went on to sell over eight-million copies, and earned her a Grammy Award as the year's best new artist in 1994. Meanwhile, TLC's two albums on LaFace — 1992's Ooooooohhh.... On the TLC Tip and 1994's CrazySexyCool — combined to sell more than 15 million copies, and CrazySexyCool won the 1996 Grammy Award for Best R&B album.
Babyface was also instrumental in forming the popular late-90s R&B group, Az Yet.
Edmonds is also behind some of the biggest successes in contemporary music. “I’m Your Baby Tonight”, produced for Whitney Houston, is his first #1 hit in the US. He also wrote and produced Boyz II Men's "End of the Road" and "I'll Make Love To You", both of which established records for the longest stay at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He co-wrote, co-produced, and provided backing vocals on Madonna's 1995 7 week-#1 hit "Take a Bow", he shared billing with Eric Clapton on the chart-topping Grammy winner "Change the World" from the Phenomenon soundtrack. He also wrote and produced the #1 hit "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" for Whitney Houston as well as the rest of the critically acclaimed 10 million selling Waiting to Exhale soundtrack in 1995, which spawned additional hits for Houston, Brandy and Mary J.Blige. Additionally, he has produced and written music for many artists including Diana Ross,Sheena Easton,Toni Braxton, Michael Jackson, Paula Abdul, Pebbles, Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston, Brandy, Mary J.Blige, Tamia, Janet Jackson, Shola Ama, 3T, Sisqo, Dru Hill, Fall Out Boy,Céline Dion, Katharine McPhee, Mariah Carey, Vanessa L. Williams, En Vogue, Eric Clapton, Madonna, Aretha Franklin, Japanese singer Ken Hirai, Pink, Marc Nelson and Phil Collins among others, and he has received an amazing three consecutive Grammy Awards for Producer of the Year, in 1995–1997.
In the mid-1990s, Edmonds and his then wife, Tracey Edmonds, expanded into the business of motion pictures, setting up "Edmonds Production Company" and producing films such as Soul Food (1997) and Josie and the Pussycats (2001). They are the current executive producers of the hit BET reality series College Hill. Edmonds also worked with David Foster to compose "The Power of the Dream", the official song of the 1996 Summer Olympics. Linda Thompson provided the lyrics.
In 1999, a 25-mile (40-km) stretch of Interstate 65 that runs through Indianapolis was renamed Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds Highway.
In October 2005, Edmonds and his wife, Tracey, announced that they were ending their marriage of thirteen years. They have two sons, Brandon and Dylan Michael.
Babyface also participated as a duet partner on the FOX reality show Celebrity Duets.
Babyface has been in the studio for about two years with Ashanti to produce her forthcoming album The Declaration.[1]
Babyface has recently signed a new deal with Island Records to release his new album. Playlist consists of eight cover songs including Bob Dylan’s "Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door," Dan Fogelberg’s "Longer," Dave Loggin's "Please Come To Boston", Bread's "Diary", Jim Croce's "Time In A Bottle," Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight" and James Taylor’s "Fire & Rain" and "Shower The People". The two original works in the album are entitled "Not Going Nowhere" and "The Soldier Song". It was released on September 18, 2007. It will be the first album on the newly re-launched Mercury Records Label.[2]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- 1986: Lovers #28 R&B
- 1989: Tender Lover #14 US, #1 R&B (US 2x platinum)
- 1991: A Closer Look
- 1993: For the Cool in You #16 US, #2 R&B(US 3x platinum)
- 1996: The Day #6 US, #4 R&B (US 2x platinum)
- 1998: Christmas with Babyface #101 US, #34 R&B
- 2001: Face2Face #25 US, #8 R&B
- 2005: Grown & Sexy #10 US, #3 R&B
- 2007: Playlist #48 US
[edit] Other releases
- 1997: Unplugged #106 US, #33 R&B (US Gold)
- 2000: A Collection of His Greatest Hits
- 2001: Love Songs
- 2003: The Essential Babyface
- 2004: A Love Story
- 2005: The Other Side of Cool
[edit] Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | UK Singles Chart | |||
| 1986 | "Lovers" | - | 42 | - | Lovers |
| 1987 | "I Love You Babe" | - | 8 | - | |
| "If We Try" | - | 65 | - | ||
| "Mary Mack" | - | 29 | - | ||
| 1989 | "Love Saw It" (duet with Karyn White) | - | 1 | - | Karyn White's Karyn White (original version) A Closer Look (remix version) |
| "It's No Crime" | 7 | 1 | - | Tender Lover | |
| "Tender Lover" | 14 | 1 | 86 | ||
| 1990 | "Whip Appeal" | 6 | 2 | - | |
| "My Kinda Girl" | 30 | 3 | - | ||
| "Love Makes Things Happen" (duet with Pebbles) | 13 | 1 | - | Pebbles' Always (original version) A Closer Look (remix version) |
|
| 1992 | "Give U My Heart" (duet with Toni Braxton) | 29 | 2 | - | Boomerang soundtrack |
| 1993 | "For the Cool in You" | 81 | 10 | - | For The Cool In You |
| "Never Keeping Secrets" | 15 | 3 | - | ||
| 1994 | "And Our Feelings" | 21 | 8 | - | |
| "Rock Bottom" | - | - | 50 | ||
| "When Can I See You" | 4 | 6 | 35 | ||
| "Dream Away" (with Lisa Stansfield) | - | - | - | The Pagemaster soundtrack | |
| 1995 | "Someone to Love" (with Jon B) | 10 | 7 | - | Jon B's Bonafide |
| 1996 | "This Is for the Lover in You" (featuring LL Cool J, Jody Watley, Howard Hewett, and Jeffrey Daniel) | 6 | 2 | 12 | The Day |
| 1997 | "Everytime I Close My Eyes" (featuring Mariah Carey and Kenny G) | 6 | 5 | 13 | |
| "How Come How Long" (featuring Stevie Wonder) | - | - | 10 | ||
| "Sunshine" (with Jay-Z and Foxy Brown) | - | - | 25 | - | |
| 1998 | "Fire" (duet with Des'ree) | - | - | - | Hav' Plenty soundtrack |
| 2000 | "Reason for Breathing" | - | 59 | - | A Collection of His Greatest Hits |
| 2001 | "There She Goes" | 31 | 10 | - | Face 2 Face |
| "What If" | 80 | 28 | - | ||
| 2004 | "The Loneliness" | - | 49 | - | Grown & Sexy |
| 2005 | "Sorry for the Stupid Things" | - | 65 | - | |
| "Grown & Sexy" | - | 51 | - | ||
| 2007 | "Fire & Rain" | 12 | - | - | Playlist |
[edit] Select songwriting and production credits
(List includes only top 10 hits)
- "A Song for Mama" - Boyz II Men (#1 R&B, #7 US)
- "Always In My Heart" – Tevin Campbell (#6 R&B)
- "Another Sad Love Song" – Toni Braxton (#2 R&B, #7 US)
- "As" – George Michael and Mary J. Blige (#4 UK) (Produced only) (written and originally performed by Stevie Wonder)
- "Baby-Baby-Baby" – TLC (#1 R&B, #2 US)
- "Backyard" - Pebbles (feat. Salt-N-Pepa) (#4 R&B)
- "Breathe Again" – Toni Braxton (#4 R&B, #3 US, #2 UK)
- "Can I Stay With You" - Karyn White (#10 R&B)
- "Can We Talk" – Tevin Campbell (#1 R&B, #9 US)
- "Can't Stop" - After 7 (#1 R&B, #7 US)
- "Change the World" – Eric Clapton (#5 US) (Produced only)
- "Comfortable" - Lil Wayne
- "Count on Me" – Whitney Houston and CeCe Winans (#7 R&B, #8 US)
- "Dial My Heart" - The Boys (#1 R&B)
- "Diggin' On You" – TLC (#7 R&B, #5 US)
- "Don't Be Cruel" – Bobby Brown (#3 R&B, #8 US)
- "End of the Road" – Boyz II Men (#1 R&B, #1 US, #1 UK)
- "Every Little Step" – Bobby Brown (#1 R&B, #3 US, #6 UK)
- "Exclusivity" - Damian Dame (#1 R&B)
- "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" – Whitney Houston (#1 R&B, #1 US)
- "Fairweather Friend" - Johnny Gill (#2 R&B)
- "Giving You the Benefit" - Pebbles (#1 R&B, #4 US)
- "Girlfriend" – Pebbles (#1 R&B, #5 US, #8 UK)
- "Good Enough" – Bobby Brown (#5 R&B, #7 US)
- "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" - Az Yet (#8 US, #7 UK) (Produced only) (originally performed by Chicago)
- "Heat Of The Moment" - After 7 (#5 R&B)
- "Humpin' Around" – Bobby Brown (#1 R&B, #3 US)
- "I Care 'Bout You" – Milestone (#10 R&B)
- "I'd Still Say Yes" - Klymaxx (#7 R&B) (Written only)
- "I'll Make Love to You" – Boyz II Men (#1 R&B, #1 US, #5 UK)
- "I'm Ready" – Tevin Campbell (#2 R&B, #9 US)
- "Knocked Out" - Paula Abdul (#8 R&B)
- "I'm Your Baby Tonight" – Whitney Houston (#1 R&B, #1 US, #5UK)
- "Last Night" - Az Yet (#1 R&B, #9 US)
- "Love Shoulda Brought You Home" - Toni Braxton (#4 R&B)
- "Lucky Charm" - The Boys (#1 R&B)
- "Miracle" - Whitney Houston (#2 R&B, #9 US)
- "Most Girls" – Pink (#4 US, #5 UK)
- "My, My, My" – Johnny Gill (#1 R&B, # 10 US)
- "My Name Is Not Susan" – Whitney Houston (#8 R&B) (Produced only)
- "Never Forget You" – Mariah Carey (#7 R&B)
- "Not Gon' Cry" - Mary J. Blige (#1 R&B, #2 US)
- "On Our Own" – Bobby Brown (#1 R&B, #2 US, #4 UK)
- "Ready Or Not" - After 7 (#1 R&B, #6 US)
- "Red Light Special" – TLC (#3 R&B, #2 US)
- "Right Down To It" Damian Dame (#3 R&B)
- "Rock Steady" – The Whispers (#1 R&B, #7 US)
- "Rock Wit'cha" - Bobby Brown (#3 R&B, #7 US)
- "Roni" – Bobby Brown (#2 R&B, #3 US)
- "Roses Are Red" - The Mac Band feat. the McCampbell Brothers (#1 R&B, #8 UK)
- "Secret Rendezvous" – Karyn White (#4 R&B, #6 US)
- "Shoot 'Em Up Movies" - The Deele (#10 R&B)
- "Sittin' Up In My Room - Brandy (#2 R&B, #2 US)
- "Something In Your Eyes" – Bell Biv Devoe (#6 R&B)
- "Superwoman" – Karyn White (#1 R&B, #8 US)
- "Sweet November" - Troop (#1 R&B) (Written only) (originally performed by The Deele)
- "Take a Bow" – Madonna (#1 US)
- "The Lover In Me" – Sheena Easton (#5 R&B, #2 US)
- "The Way You Love Me" - Karyn White (#1 R&B, #7 US)
- "'Til You Do Me Right" - After 7 (#5 R&B)
- "Two Occasions" - The Deele (#4 R&B, # 10 US)
- "Water Runs Dry" – Boyz II Men (#4 R&B, #2 US)
- "We're Not Making Love No More" – Dru Hill (#2 R&B)
- "Whatever" – En Vogue (#8 R&B)
- "When You Believe" – Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey (#4 UK) (Produced only)
- "Why" - 3T feat. Michael Jackson (#2 UK)
- "Willing To Forgive" - Aretha Franklin (#5 R&B)
- "You Mean The World To Me" - Toni Braxton (#3 R&B, #7 US)
- "You're Makin' Me High" – Toni Braxton (#1 R&B, #1 US, #7 UK)
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j46IoJUYZ6Y&eurl=http://www.ashantidaily.com/index.php?start_from=14&ucat=&archive=&subaction=&id=&
- ^ Babyface official website on Island Records. n/a. Island Records (January 20, 2007).
