After 7
Encyclopedia
After 7 is an R&B group founded in 1988 by brothers Melvin and Kevon Edmonds
, and Keith Mitchell. The Edmonds brothers are the siblings of popular pop
and R&B singer-songwriter
-producer
Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds" (Melvin is older, and Kevon - born Kevin - is younger). Mitchell was long thought to be the cousin of Babyface's then-partner, songwriter
-producer Antonio "L.A." Reid, however, this was actually set-up as a marketing tool for the group and was actually incorrect.
Virgin Records released their self-titled debut album in autumn 1989, which included the hits "Heat of the Moment", "Can't Stop
" and the quiet-storm staple "Ready or Not
". After promoting the album and seeing it go platinum, they scored a hit with the Motown-influenced "Nights Like This" on 1991's The Five Heartbeats
soundtrack. The trio returned with Takin' My Time
in 1992, which included the hit cover of The Originals
' "Baby I'm For Real
". The trio released their last album, Reflections
in 1995, which included the hit "'Til You Do Me Right".
The group members went their separate ways after leaving Virgin Records due to creative differences and silently broke up. Despite this, in 1997, the Edmonds brothers released a cover of Hall & Oates
' "Sara Smile" as a single (and sole new track) from the career retrospective The Very Best of After 7
before completely stopping releases under the group's name.
Following the group's split, Kevon released a solo album, 24/7, in October 1999 which included the hit single "24/7". Keith went on to manage white rapper Sarai
and is working today on a solo gospel album.
The Edmonds brothers occasionally reunite for the odd show here and there. Both Kevon and Melvin Edmonds appeared with Babyface in the film Soul Food
as members of the R&B group Milestone, performing the song "I Care About You". In 2006 the group minus Melvin Edmonds appeared on the New Jack Reunion Tour
with Kevon Edmonds
, Keith Mitchell, and Edmonds family member Jason Edmonds who happens to be the son of Melvin Edmonds and the nephew of Babyface and Kevon Edmonds
. In 2007 Keith Mitchell left the group again to pursue a solo career and was replaced by Keith Floyd . Throughout 2007–2008, Kevon Edmonds
, Jason Edmonds, & Keith Floyd toured the US as After 7. In 2009 original member Keith Mitchell returned to the group again and currently the group consists of Kevon Edmonds
, Keith Mitchell & Jason Edmonds. There is no word of why Melvin is no longer performing with the group.
Kevon Edmonds
Kevon Edmonds February 25, 1957, is a singer and actor and is the older brother of famous producer/songwriter/singer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. He's the 4th of 6 boys. Growing up, Kevon shied away from the church choir, preferring to sing for his own satisfaction...
, and Keith Mitchell. The Edmonds brothers are the siblings of popular pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and R&B singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
-producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds" (Melvin is older, and Kevon - born Kevin - is younger). Mitchell was long thought to be the cousin of Babyface's then-partner, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
-producer Antonio "L.A." Reid, however, this was actually set-up as a marketing tool for the group and was actually incorrect.
Virgin Records released their self-titled debut album in autumn 1989, which included the hits "Heat of the Moment", "Can't Stop
Can't Stop (After 7 song)
"Can't Stop" is the title of a number-one R&B single by After 7 and the third single from the group's self-titled debut album. The hit song reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent one week at number-one on the US R&B chart.. "Can't Stop" also peaked at number twenty-five on the...
" and the quiet-storm staple "Ready or Not
Ready or Not (After 7 song)
"Ready or Not" is 1990 song by After 7. As the second single from the group's self-titled debut album, it was the first of two number one hits on the Hot Black singles chart for the group where it stayed for two weeks . "Ready or Not" was also the group's second Top 40 single, peaking at number...
". After promoting the album and seeing it go platinum, they scored a hit with the Motown-influenced "Nights Like This" on 1991's The Five Heartbeats
The Five Heartbeats
The Five Heartbeats is a 1991 musical drama film directed by Robert Townsend, who co-wrote the script with Keenan Ivory Wayans. Distributed by 20th Century Fox, the film's main cast includes Townsend, Michael Wright, Leon Robinson, Harry J. Lennix, Tico Wells, Harold Nicholas of the Nicholas...
soundtrack. The trio returned with Takin' My Time
Takin' My Time (After 7 album)
Takin' My Time is the second studio album by R&B trio, After 7. It peaked at #76 on the Billboard 200.-Track listing:#All About Love#Kickin' It#Can He Love U Like This#Truly Something Special#Baby I'm For Real/Natural High...
in 1992, which included the hit cover of The Originals
The Originals
The Originals were a successful Motown R&B and soul group during the late 1960s and the 1970s, most notable for the hits "Baby I'm For Real", "The Bells" and the disco classic, "Down to Love Town"...
' "Baby I'm For Real
Baby I'm For Real
"Baby, I'm for Real" is a soul ballad written by Marvin Gaye and Anna Gordy Gaye, produced by Marvin and recorded and released by American Motown vocal group The Originals for the Soul label issued in 1969.-The Originals version:...
". The trio released their last album, Reflections
Reflections (After 7 album)
Reflections is the third and last studio album by After 7 before the group split in 1997. It peaked at #40 on the Billboard 200.-Track listing:#'Til You Do Me Right#Cryin' For It#Save It Up#Damn Thing Called Love#How Did He Love You#What U R 2 Me...
in 1995, which included the hit "'Til You Do Me Right".
The group members went their separate ways after leaving Virgin Records due to creative differences and silently broke up. Despite this, in 1997, the Edmonds brothers released a cover of Hall & Oates
Hall & Oates
Hall & Oates are an American musical duo composed of Daryl Hall and John Oates. They achieved their greatest fame in the late 1970s and early to mid-1980s. Both sing and play instruments. They specialized in a fusion of rock and roll and rhythm and blues styles, which they dubbed "rock and soul."...
' "Sara Smile" as a single (and sole new track) from the career retrospective The Very Best of After 7
The Very Best of After 7
- Track listing :#Sara Smile#Ready Or Not#Can't Stop#Heat Of The Moment#One Night#Baby I'm For Real #Not Enough Hours In The Night#Can He Love U Like This#Takin' My Time#Gonna Love You Right #Nights Like This...
before completely stopping releases under the group's name.
Following the group's split, Kevon released a solo album, 24/7, in October 1999 which included the hit single "24/7". Keith went on to manage white rapper Sarai
Sarai
-Places:*Saraj , an historic estate in Resen built by Ahmed Niyazi Bey*Bal-Sarai, a village in Amritsar District of Punjab, India*Sarai , the capital city of the Golden Horde*Saraj municipality, a municipality in Greater Skopje, Republic of Macedonia...
and is working today on a solo gospel album.
The Edmonds brothers occasionally reunite for the odd show here and there. Both Kevon and Melvin Edmonds appeared with Babyface in the film Soul Food
Soul Food (film)
Soul Food is a 1997 American comedy-drama film, produced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Tracey Edmonds, and Robert Teitel, and released by Fox 2000 Pictures. Featuring an ensemble cast, the film stars Vanessa L. Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long, Michael Beach, Mekhi Phifer, Jeffrey D. Sams, Irma...
as members of the R&B group Milestone, performing the song "I Care About You". In 2006 the group minus Melvin Edmonds appeared on the New Jack Reunion Tour
New Jack Reunion Tour
The New Jack Reunion Tour was a 2006 concert tour that featured members of the 1990s music genre new jack swing, which was created by Teddy Riley.The tour was organized by Riley and was intended as the springboard for a new jack swing revival...
with Kevon Edmonds
Kevon Edmonds
Kevon Edmonds February 25, 1957, is a singer and actor and is the older brother of famous producer/songwriter/singer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. He's the 4th of 6 boys. Growing up, Kevon shied away from the church choir, preferring to sing for his own satisfaction...
, Keith Mitchell, and Edmonds family member Jason Edmonds who happens to be the son of Melvin Edmonds and the nephew of Babyface and Kevon Edmonds
Kevon Edmonds
Kevon Edmonds February 25, 1957, is a singer and actor and is the older brother of famous producer/songwriter/singer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. He's the 4th of 6 boys. Growing up, Kevon shied away from the church choir, preferring to sing for his own satisfaction...
. In 2007 Keith Mitchell left the group again to pursue a solo career and was replaced by Keith Floyd . Throughout 2007–2008, Kevon Edmonds
Kevon Edmonds
Kevon Edmonds February 25, 1957, is a singer and actor and is the older brother of famous producer/songwriter/singer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. He's the 4th of 6 boys. Growing up, Kevon shied away from the church choir, preferring to sing for his own satisfaction...
, Jason Edmonds, & Keith Floyd toured the US as After 7. In 2009 original member Keith Mitchell returned to the group again and currently the group consists of Kevon Edmonds
Kevon Edmonds
Kevon Edmonds February 25, 1957, is a singer and actor and is the older brother of famous producer/songwriter/singer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. He's the 4th of 6 boys. Growing up, Kevon shied away from the church choir, preferring to sing for his own satisfaction...
, Keith Mitchell & Jason Edmonds. There is no word of why Melvin is no longer performing with the group.
Studio albums
| Year | Album | Chart positions | US certifications |
Record label | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
US R&B Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
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| 1989 | After 7 After 7 (album) After 7 is the self-titled debut album by After 7. The album spawned two #1 R&B hits, "Ready or Not" and "Can't Stop". They also reached #7 and #6, respectively, on the Billboard Hot 100.-Track listing:... |
35 | 3 | Platinum | Virgin Virgin Records Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny... |
|
| 1992 | Takin' My Time Takin' My Time (After 7 album) Takin' My Time is the second studio album by R&B trio, After 7. It peaked at #76 on the Billboard 200.-Track listing:#All About Love#Kickin' It#Can He Love U Like This#Truly Something Special#Baby I'm For Real/Natural High... |
76 | 8 | Gold | ||
| 1995 | Reflections Reflections (After 7 album) Reflections is the third and last studio album by After 7 before the group split in 1997. It peaked at #40 on the Billboard 200.-Track listing:#'Til You Do Me Right#Cryin' For It#Save It Up#Damn Thing Called Love#How Did He Love You#What U R 2 Me... |
40 | 7 | Gold | ||
| "—" denotes the album failed to chart or was not certified | ||||||
Compilation albums
| Year | Album | Chart positions | US certifications |
Record label | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
US R&B Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
|||||
| 1997 | The Very Best of After 7 The Very Best of After 7 - Track listing :#Sara Smile#Ready Or Not#Can't Stop#Heat Of The Moment#One Night#Baby I'm For Real #Not Enough Hours In The Night#Can He Love U Like This#Takin' My Time#Gonna Love You Right #Nights Like This... |
97 | 24 | — | Virgin Virgin Records Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny... |
|
| 2003 | The Best of After 7 | — | — | — | Virgin Records Virgin Records Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny... |
|
| "—" denotes the album failed to chart or was not certified | ||||||
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US R&B Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
US A/C |
US Dance |
UK UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
|||
| 1989 | "Heat of the Moment" | 74 | 5 | — | — | 87 | After 7 |
| "Don't Cha' Think" | — | 25 | — | — | — | ||
| 1990 | "Ready or Not Ready or Not (After 7 song) "Ready or Not" is 1990 song by After 7. As the second single from the group's self-titled debut album, it was the first of two number one hits on the Hot Black singles chart for the group where it stayed for two weeks . "Ready or Not" was also the group's second Top 40 single, peaking at number... " |
7 | 1 | 7 | — | — | |
| "Can't Stop Can't Stop (After 7 song) "Can't Stop" is the title of a number-one R&B single by After 7 and the third single from the group's self-titled debut album. The hit song reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent one week at number-one on the US R&B chart.. "Can't Stop" also peaked at number twenty-five on the... " |
6 | 1 | 23 | 25 | 54 | ||
| "My Only Woman" | — | 36 | — | — | — | ||
| "Heat of the Moment" (re-release) | 19 | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991 | "Nights Like This" | 24 | 7 | 36 | — | — | The Five Heartbeats |
| 1992 | "Kickin' It" | 45 | 6 | — | — | — | Takin' My Time |
| "Baby, I'm for Real"/"Natural High" (medley) | 55 | 5 | — | — | — | ||
| 1993 | "Can He Love U Like This" | 103 | 22 | — | — | — | |
| "Truly Something Special" | — | 49 | — | — | — | ||
| 1994 | "Gonna Love You Right" | 87 | 15 | — | — | — | Sugar Hill Sugar Hill (1994 film) Sugar Hill is a 1994 American crime film starring Wesley Snipes and Michael Wright as brothers Roemello and Raynathan Skuggs. The film focuses on the two brothers, who are major drug dealers in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City.-Plot:... |
| "Not Enough Hours in the Night" | — | 56 | — | — | — | Beverly Hills 90210: The College Years | |
| 1995 | "'Til You Do Me Right" | 31 | 5 | — | — | — | Reflections |
| "Damn Thing Called Love" | 109 | 33 | — | — | — | ||
| 1996 | "How Do You Tell the One" | — | 60 | — | — | — | |
| 1997 | "Sara Smile Sara Smile Country music singer Jimmy Wayne released a cover version in 2009, with backing vocals from Hall & Oates. This version debuted at #51 on the Hot Country Songs chart dated October 3, 2009 and serves as the title track for Wayne's third album, Sara Smile... " |
— | 31 | — | — | — | The Very Best of After 7 |
| "—" denotes the single failed to chart | |||||||