Miki Howard
Encyclopedia
Alicia Michelle "Miki" Howard (born September 30, 1960) is an American
R&B/jazz singer and actress who had a string of Top 10 hit
songs in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Howard's string of hits also included Baby,Be Mine
", "Come Share My Love
" and "Love Under New Management
". And hits, "Ain't Nobody Like You
" and "Ain't Nuthin' in the World
" both peaked at number one on US Billboard's Top R&B Singles chart.
singer Josephine Howard of The Caravans
, and Clay Graham of The Pilgrim Jubilees
. Howard's mother being acquainted with various entertainers, she would take Miki to the homes of various stars such as Aretha Franklin and Mavis Staples. After staying in Chicago until the age of 9, Howard and her family moved to Los Angeles
to be close to Caravans arranger James Cleveland
. As a child, Howard would sing often in the family home. She was fortunate to be around music greats visiting the family home from Albertina Walker, Shirley Caesar
, Billy Preston
, and Fats Domino
. Howard being born from parents, who were singers' she inherited their singing talent. Miki was also influenced by jazz greats, Billie Holiday
, Dinah Washington
and Nancy Wilson
.
As a teenager, Miki often visit Club Maverick in Los Angeles, a spot music acts played from Rufus and Chaka Khan to Earth Wind & Fire, were influential in her pursuit for a professional singing career.
group Side Effect
, who happened to be in the audience and began working with Howard on music. Johnson charmed Miki and later chose her, After a period of time, Howard became a Side Effect member in 1979 -- replacing the departure of Sylvia St. James. Howard's tenure with the group lasted a few years. With Miki as new female vocalist, Side Effect's After The Rain was released in 1980. The album did not do well on the charts as well as the next two Elektra
albums "Portraits
and All Aboard
". As a member of Side Effect, the group's best remembered "I Can't Play" and a cover of Toto
's "Georgy Porgy
" were minor R&B hits. During this time, she also had one child by Johnson. In addition to singing with Side Effect, she did background vocals for Wayne Henderson, Roy Ayers, Stanley Turrentine, and several other artists. By 1985, Howard decided she was ready to begin a solo
career, and left the group. She put together a demo
that landed her a recording contract with Atlantic Records
.
released in 1986. The album was produced by LeMel Humes, would peak to number 19 on Billboard's Top R&B Albums. The first single, "Come Share My Love
" would become her first U.S. hit single. The song peaked to number 5 on Billboard's R&B Singles
chart. By the fall, the follow up single was a cover version
of Glenn Miller
's 1940's tune "Imagination
", peaked to #13 on the R&B Singles and would become Miki's first video. With two hit singles from the album, Miki embarked on her first concert tour in 1987, opening for funk band Cameo
. The final single, "Come Back to Me Lover
" was released charting to no. 33, on R&B singles chart.
. LeMel Humes produced several tracks, and became a close friend, working with Miki on future albums through-out her career. Her success continued with two more Top 10 R&B singles from the album, Nick Martinelli
produced, soul ballad "Baby, Be Mine
" climbed to number 5 on the R&B Singles chart. The second single "That's What Love Is
", a duet
with hit-making R&B crooner
Gerald Levert
(lead singer of R&B group Levert
), peaked to no. 5 on R&B Singles chart. Gerald produced the duet and final single "Crazy", which peaked at no. 38 on R&B singles. Howard and Gerald's group Levert
, embarked on a U.S. tour in support of their album's. The pair was also romantically involved, and that romance would spawn one of Howard's biggest hits from her third album. On March 30, 1988, Miki won a Soul Train Music Award for Best New Artist
.
In November 1989, Howard released her third album, self-titled Miki Howard, which would become her final album on Atlantic Records. Following the release, the album became a hit, charting at no. 4 on Billboard's Top R&B Albums chart. The album would become Howard's most successful to date. During recording, Miki and Gerald Levert's romantic relationship, spawned the song's "I'll Be Your Shoulder", "Mister" and "Just The Way You Want Me To"; written-produced by Levert. Howard secured her first chart-topper, the first single, "Ain't Nuthin' in the World
", peaked at number-one on the R&B Singles. Howard scored 2 more Top 5 R&B hits from the album. The songs "Love Under New Management
, written during her love affair with Levert, peaked no. 2 and a cover of "Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)
, at no. 3 on the R&B singles chart.
, she was now signed on as an artist with Giant Records. On September 15, Howard's forth studio
album, Femme Fatale
was released. The album peaked to no. 7 on Billboard's Top R&B Albums chart. Producer
/songwriter LeMel Humes produced majority of the album, including the first single, "Ain't Nobody Like You
". The song peaked at no. 1, on R&B Singles chart, Howards second R&B chart-topper and no. 64 on Billboard's Hot 100. A second single an music video for "Release Me
", was released, the song received modest radio airplay and peaked at 43 on R&B singles chart. More singles were released as 'promotional, radio-only', the David Foster
produced, "Shining Through" and "But I Love You", produced by LeMel Humes.
Miki, was offered a featured acting role by movie director Spike Lee
, Lee directed/produced the 1992 bio-pic film Malcolm X. Howard portrayed jazz singer Billie Holiday
, performing Holiday's "I Cover the Waterfront
". Howard had always been strongly influenced by Holiday's vocal technique and music. In the fall of 1992, Miki decided to pay tribute to Billie by recording covers of her favorite classic songs by Holiday. During recording, she also landed a role in John Singleton's 1993 film Poetic Justice starring pop singer Janet Jackson
and hip-hop artist/actor Tupac Shakur
. In December 1993, Miki's fifth studio album, Miki Sings Billie
was released under Giant Records, the album peaked at #74 on Billboard's Top R&B Albums, her lowest charting album. David Foster
and LeMel Humes produced the 'cover' tracks. Official singles were not released, only a radio promo of "Don't Explain
" was played on R&B and jazz stations in the U.S.
was released under a new label, Hush
in May. The album was her first, to not chart on Billboard 200
or Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
. The album includes duets, a cover of Stevie Wonder
's "I Love Every Little Thing About You" with singer Terence Trent D'Arby, "Can't Count Me Out" duet with father Clay Graham and a remake of Janis Ian's "At Seventeen
". LeMel Humes produced most of the album, including a cover of the jazz standard "You Don't Know What Love Is
" and "Sunshine" penned by singer Brenda Russell
.
under Peak
. Although no official singles were released, Nobody received radio airplay. The album peaked at No. 60 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
and No. 25 on Independent Albums
chart. All the tracks were produced by new producers, except "Bring Your Loving Home" produced by Howard's close friend LeMel Humes. The album received a nomination for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Album
at the 2002 Grammy Awards.
After five years had past since Three Wishes, in September 2006 Howard was now signed with Shanachie Records. Her eighth studio album, Pillow Talk
was released. The album peaked at #60 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Chart. All songs were cover tracks of her favorite R&B classic songs, of Ann Peebles
, George Benson
, Nancy Wilson
to Natalie Cole
, The Main Ingredient and Boz Scaggs
. Miki contributed as album producer, along with Kim Waters, Danny Weiss and Chris Davis.
and the Jazz Allstars. In June 2008, she released her ninth studio album, Private Collection under her legally owned new independent label, Branicka Records. The album contained ten tracks, with five new smooth jazz
and R&B
songs co-written and co-produced with Chuckii Booker
, and five jazz standard
s co-produced with Brandon McCune. Besides Booker, composers included on the album included Hoagy Carmichael
and Johnny Mercer
for "Skylark
", Sammy Fain
and Paul-Francis Webster for "Secret Love", Henry Mancini
and Johnny Mercer
for "Days of Wine and Roses
", Elisse Boyd and Murray Grand
for "Guess Who I Saw Today
", and Irving Berlin
for "Counting Your Blessings".
On November 1, 2010, "Unsung: Miki Howard" was televised on TV One
. In February 2011, TV One televised "Way Black When" which showcased African Americans' impact in entertainment through the 1970s, 80's and 90's. Howard was featured during the 80's segment, hosted by comedian Niecy Nash
. Howard performed her number-one R&B hit, "Ain't Nobody Like You
". In March she embarked on a U.S. tour "Throwback Unplugged Tour" with Dru Hill
, K-Ci & JoJo and Bell Biv DeVoe
.
Compilation albums
Live albums
American Music Awards
Grammy Awards
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
R&B/jazz singer and actress who had a string of Top 10 hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
songs in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Howard's string of hits also included Baby,Be Mine
Baby, Be Mine (Miki Howard song)
"Baby, Be Mine" is a song recorded by by American R&B singer Miki Howard. Released in 1987, it is the lead single from her second album Love Confessions. The song was an R&B hit, reaching number five on Billboard's R&B singles chart, her second top five song on the chart. The track was produced by...
", "Come Share My Love
Come Share My Love (song)
"Come Share My Love" is the debut single and title track from the album of the same name by American R&B singer Miki Howard. The hit song peaked at No. 5 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart in 1986. Howard become a known name in R&B music, by early 1987 another track from the album, "Love Will...
" and "Love Under New Management
Love Under New Management
"Love Under New Management" is the second single released from the 1989 self-titled album by American R&B singer Miki Howard. The song reached its peak of No. 2 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart on March 24, 1990. The song held that position for two weeks and propelled the album to No. 4 on Top...
". And hits, "Ain't Nobody Like You
Ain't Nobody Like You
"Ain't Nobody Like You" is a 1992 song by R&B singer/actress Miki Howard. The lead single from her album, Femme Fatale and her second number-one R&B song. The song spent one week at No. 1 on Billboards R&B Singles chart and Howard's only song to reach the Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 64.-Charts:...
" and "Ain't Nuthin' in the World
Ain't Nuthin' in the World
"Ain't Nuthin' in the World" is a 1989 single by Miki Howard. The single was one of her most successful of her career, becoming the first of two singles to reach number one on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, where it stayed for one week.-Charts:...
" both peaked at number one on US Billboard's Top R&B Singles chart.
Early life
Howard was born in Chicago, IL, she grew up in church, were both of her parents were gospel singers. She is the daughter of gospelGospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
singer Josephine Howard of The Caravans
The Caravans
The Caravans is a Jubilee Gospel group that was started by Albertina Walker . The group reached its peak popularity during the 1950s and 1960s, launching the careers of a number of artists, including: Delores Washington, Albertina Walker, Bessie Griffin, Cassietta George, Dorothy Norwood, Inez...
, and Clay Graham of The Pilgrim Jubilees
Peacock Records
Peacock Records was a record label started in 1949 by Don D. Robey in Houston, Texas."Hound Dog" by Big Mama Thornton was a bit hit for Peacock in 1953. Other significant rhythm & blues artists on Peacock were Marie Adams, James Booker, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Little Richard, Memphis Slim, and...
. Howard's mother being acquainted with various entertainers, she would take Miki to the homes of various stars such as Aretha Franklin and Mavis Staples. After staying in Chicago until the age of 9, Howard and her family moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
to be close to Caravans arranger James Cleveland
James Cleveland
The Reverend Dr. James Cleveland was a gospel singer, arranger, composer and, most significantly, the driving force behind the creation of the modern gospel sound, bringing the stylistic daring of hard gospel and jazz and pop music influences to arrangements for mass choirs...
. As a child, Howard would sing often in the family home. She was fortunate to be around music greats visiting the family home from Albertina Walker, Shirley Caesar
Shirley Caesar
Shirley Ann Caesar is an American Gospel music singer, songwriter and recording artist whose career has spanned six decades...
, Billy Preston
Billy Preston
William Everett "Billy" Preston was a musician who gained notoriety and fame, first as a session musician for the likes of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and The Beatles, and later finding fame as a solo artist with hits such as "Space Race", "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "Nothing from...
, and Fats Domino
Fats Domino
Antoine Dominique "Fats" Domino, Jr. is an American R&B and rock and roll pianist and singer-songwriter. He was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Creole was his first language....
. Howard being born from parents, who were singers' she inherited their singing talent. Miki was also influenced by jazz greats, Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing...
, Dinah Washington
Dinah Washington
Dinah Washington, born Ruth Lee Jones , was an American blues, R&B and jazz singer. She has been cited as "the most popular black female recording artist of the '50s", and called "The Queen of the Blues"...
and Nancy Wilson
Nancy Wilson
Nancy Wilson may refer to:* Nancy Wilson , American jazz singer and actress* Nancy Wilson , American singer and guitar player, member of the band Heart...
.
As a teenager, Miki often visit Club Maverick in Los Angeles, a spot music acts played from Rufus and Chaka Khan to Earth Wind & Fire, were influential in her pursuit for a professional singing career.
1980-85:Side Effect
At the age of 16, she performed in a teen pageant. After the show, she met singer Augie Johnson, leader and member of R&BRhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
group Side Effect
Side Effect
Side Effect were an American disco band, that recorded between 1972 and 1982. The group was formed by founder and leader Augie Johnson in Los Angeles, California in 1972.-Career:...
, who happened to be in the audience and began working with Howard on music. Johnson charmed Miki and later chose her, After a period of time, Howard became a Side Effect member in 1979 -- replacing the departure of Sylvia St. James. Howard's tenure with the group lasted a few years. With Miki as new female vocalist, Side Effect's After The Rain was released in 1980. The album did not do well on the charts as well as the next two Elektra
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
albums "Portraits
Portraits (Side Effect album)
Portraits is the seventh album by R&B group Side Effect. Released in 1981, This would be their second album for Elektra Records.-Track listing:#I Can't Play 3:33 #Do It 4:16 #Make You Mine 4:14 #I Need Your Lovin' 3:52...
and All Aboard
All Aboard (Side Effect album)
All Aboard is the eighth album by R&B group Side Effect. Released in 1982, This would be their third and final album for Elektra Records.-Track listing:#I'm Likin' What You Do To Me 4:17 #Scatman 4:23 #Music Is My Way Of Life 3:46...
". As a member of Side Effect, the group's best remembered "I Can't Play" and a cover of Toto
Toto (band)
Toto is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. The group currently consists of Joseph Williams , David Paich , Steve Porcaro , Steve Lukather , Mike Porcaro , and Simon Phillips . Toto is known for a musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, progressive rock, hard...
's "Georgy Porgy
Georgy Porgy (song)
For other uses, see Georgy Porgy"Georgy Porgy" is a song written by David Paich, released on Toto's self-titled debut album in 1978. It was released as a single and charted on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as on both the R&B and the Dance charts.The lead vocals are performed by guitarist Steve...
" were minor R&B hits. During this time, she also had one child by Johnson. In addition to singing with Side Effect, she did background vocals for Wayne Henderson, Roy Ayers, Stanley Turrentine, and several other artists. By 1985, Howard decided she was ready to begin a solo
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
career, and left the group. She put together a demo
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
that landed her a recording contract with Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
.
1986:Come Share My Love
Howard begin recording songs for her debut album, Come Share My LoveCome Share My Love
Come Share My Love is the debut album by American R&B singer, Miki Howard. Released in 1986 under Atlantic Records, the album peaked at #171 on the Billboard 200 and #19 on the Billboard R&B Albums Chart...
released in 1986. The album was produced by LeMel Humes, would peak to number 19 on Billboard's Top R&B Albums. The first single, "Come Share My Love
Come Share My Love (song)
"Come Share My Love" is the debut single and title track from the album of the same name by American R&B singer Miki Howard. The hit song peaked at No. 5 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart in 1986. Howard become a known name in R&B music, by early 1987 another track from the album, "Love Will...
" would become her first U.S. hit single. The song peaked to number 5 on Billboard's R&B Singles
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,...
chart. By the fall, the follow up single was a cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of Glenn Miller
Glenn Miller
Alton Glenn Miller was an American jazz musician , arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. He was one of the best-selling recording artists from 1939 to 1943, leading one of the best known "Big Bands"...
's 1940's tune "Imagination
Imagination (Miki Howard)
"Imagination" is a classic cover song re-recorded by American R&B singer Miki Howard. Released as the second single from Howard's debut album, Come Share My Love. The song was R&B hit, peaking to no. 13 on the Hot R&B Singles chart....
", peaked to #13 on the R&B Singles and would become Miki's first video. With two hit singles from the album, Miki embarked on her first concert tour in 1987, opening for funk band Cameo
Cameo (band)
Cameo is an American soul-influenced funk group that formed in the early 1970s. Cameo was initially a 13-member group known as the New York City Players; this name was later changed to Cameo to avoid a lawsuit from Ohio Players, another group from that era. Since then, Cameo has recorded several...
. The final single, "Come Back to Me Lover
Come Back to Me Lover
"Come Back to Me Lover" is a song by American R&B singer Miki Howard. Released as the third single from Howard's debut album, Come Share My Love, the single peaked at No. 33 on the Billboard's R&B Singles chart in 1987. "Come Back to Me Lover" was Howard's third top 40 hit on the U.S. R&B...
" was released charting to no. 33, on R&B singles chart.
1987-90:Love Confessions, Miki Howard
In November 1987, Howard released her second album, Love ConfessionsLove Confessions
*The final song on Love Confessions, "Edge of Love" is featured in the 1987 film andmotion picture soundtrack album Fatal Beauty starring Whoopi Goldberg.-Charts:...
. LeMel Humes produced several tracks, and became a close friend, working with Miki on future albums through-out her career. Her success continued with two more Top 10 R&B singles from the album, Nick Martinelli
Nick Martinelli
Nick Martinelli is an American R&B and pop record producer. He worked with many R&B and pop music artists during the 1980s, many of which were based in the UK. The acts he worked with include Loose Ends, Five Star, Stephanie Mills and Regina Belle....
produced, soul ballad "Baby, Be Mine
Baby, Be Mine (Miki Howard song)
"Baby, Be Mine" is a song recorded by by American R&B singer Miki Howard. Released in 1987, it is the lead single from her second album Love Confessions. The song was an R&B hit, reaching number five on Billboard's R&B singles chart, her second top five song on the chart. The track was produced by...
" climbed to number 5 on the R&B Singles chart. The second single "That's What Love Is
That's What Love Is
"That's What Love Is" is a duet by American R&B artists Miki Howard and Gerald Levert lead singer of R&B trio LeVert and son of The O'Jays lead singer, Eddie Levert. Released in 1988, the song was the follow-up single after "Baby, Be Mine" from Howard's album Love Confessions...
", a duet
Duet (music)
A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
with hit-making R&B crooner
Crooner
Crooner is an American epithet given to male singers of pop standards, mostly from the Great American Songbook, either backed by a full orchestra, a big band or by a piano. Originally it was an ironic term denoting an emphatically sentimental, often emotional singing style made possible by the use...
Gerald Levert
Gerald Levert
Gerald Levert 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...
(lead singer of R&B group Levert
LeVert
LeVert is a R&B/pop music singing group, formed in Ohio in 1984, comprising Sean and Gerald Levert, the sons of O'Jays founder Eddie Levert, as well as Marc Gordon.-Biography:The group released their first single, "I'm Still", for Harry Coombes' Tempre label...
), peaked to no. 5 on R&B Singles chart. Gerald produced the duet and final single "Crazy", which peaked at no. 38 on R&B singles. Howard and Gerald's group Levert
LeVert
LeVert is a R&B/pop music singing group, formed in Ohio in 1984, comprising Sean and Gerald Levert, the sons of O'Jays founder Eddie Levert, as well as Marc Gordon.-Biography:The group released their first single, "I'm Still", for Harry Coombes' Tempre label...
, embarked on a U.S. tour in support of their album's. The pair was also romantically involved, and that romance would spawn one of Howard's biggest hits from her third album. On March 30, 1988, Miki won a Soul Train Music Award for Best New Artist
Soul Train Music Awards of 1988
The 2nd Annual Soul Train Music Awards were held on March 30, 1988 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA. The show was broadcast live in select cities and aired later in other areas...
.
In November 1989, Howard released her third album, self-titled Miki Howard, which would become her final album on Atlantic Records. Following the release, the album became a hit, charting at no. 4 on Billboard's Top R&B Albums chart. The album would become Howard's most successful to date. During recording, Miki and Gerald Levert's romantic relationship, spawned the song's "I'll Be Your Shoulder", "Mister" and "Just The Way You Want Me To"; written-produced by Levert. Howard secured her first chart-topper, the first single, "Ain't Nuthin' in the World
Ain't Nuthin' in the World
"Ain't Nuthin' in the World" is a 1989 single by Miki Howard. The single was one of her most successful of her career, becoming the first of two singles to reach number one on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, where it stayed for one week.-Charts:...
", peaked at number-one on the R&B Singles. Howard scored 2 more Top 5 R&B hits from the album. The songs "Love Under New Management
Love Under New Management
"Love Under New Management" is the second single released from the 1989 self-titled album by American R&B singer Miki Howard. The song reached its peak of No. 2 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart on March 24, 1990. The song held that position for two weeks and propelled the album to No. 4 on Top...
, written during her love affair with Levert, peaked no. 2 and a cover of "Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)
Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)
"Until You Come Back to Me " is the name of a song written by Morris Broadnax, Clarence Paul, and Stevie Wonder. The song was originally recorded by Stevie Wonder in 1967, but his version did not appear on an album until 1977's Anthology...
, at no. 3 on the R&B singles chart.
1992-93:Femme Fatale, Miki Sings Billie
By 1992, Howard was no longer a recording artist with AtlanticAtlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
, she was now signed on as an artist with Giant Records. On September 15, Howard's forth studio
Studio
A studio is an artist's or worker's workroom, or the catchall term for an artist and his or her employees who work within that studio. This can be for the purpose of architecture, painting, pottery , sculpture, scrapbooking, photography, graphic design, filmmaking, animation, radio or television...
album, Femme Fatale
Femme Fatale (Miki Howard album)
Femme Fatale is the fourth studio album by American R&B/jazz artist Miki Howard. Released in 1992 under Giant Records, the album peaked at No. 110 on Billboard 200 and No. 7 on Billboard's Top R&B Albums chart. The first single, "Ain't Nobody Like You", reached No. 1 on the R&B Singles chart, her...
was released. The album peaked to no. 7 on Billboard's Top R&B Albums chart. 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...
/songwriter LeMel Humes produced majority of the album, including the first single, "Ain't Nobody Like You
Ain't Nobody Like You
"Ain't Nobody Like You" is a 1992 song by R&B singer/actress Miki Howard. The lead single from her album, Femme Fatale and her second number-one R&B song. The song spent one week at No. 1 on Billboards R&B Singles chart and Howard's only song to reach the Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 64.-Charts:...
". The song peaked at no. 1, on R&B Singles chart, Howards second R&B chart-topper and no. 64 on Billboard's Hot 100. A second single an music video for "Release Me
Release Me (M. Howard song)
"Release Me" is a song by American R&B/soul singer Miki Howard. Released in 1992, as a radio promo single, the song received minor radio-airplay and peaked at no. 53 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart.-Track listings and formats:U.S...
", was released, the song received modest radio airplay and peaked at 43 on R&B singles chart. More singles were released as 'promotional, radio-only', the David Foster
David Foster
David Walter Foster, OC, OBC , is a Canadian musician, record producer, composer, singer, songwriter, and arranger, noted for discovering singers such as Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, and Charice Pempengco; and for producing some of the most successful artists in the world, such as Céline Dion, Toni...
produced, "Shining Through" and "But I Love You", produced by LeMel Humes.
Miki, was offered a featured acting role by movie director Spike Lee
Spike Lee
Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983....
, Lee directed/produced the 1992 bio-pic film Malcolm X. Howard portrayed jazz singer Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing...
, performing Holiday's "I Cover the Waterfront
I Cover the Waterfront
I Cover the Waterfront is a 1933 film, based on the book of the same name by Max Miller. The film was directed by James Cruze and stars Ben Lyon, Claudette Colbert, Ernest Torrance, and Hobart Cavanaugh.-Synopsis:...
". Howard had always been strongly influenced by Holiday's vocal technique and music. In the fall of 1992, Miki decided to pay tribute to Billie by recording covers of her favorite classic songs by Holiday. During recording, she also landed a role in John Singleton's 1993 film Poetic Justice starring pop singer Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
and hip-hop artist/actor Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
. In December 1993, Miki's fifth studio album, Miki Sings Billie
Miki Sings Billie: A Tribute to Billie Holiday
Miki Sings Billie: A Tribute to Billie Holiday is the fifth studio album by American R&B singer, Miki Howard. Released in 1993 under Giant Records, the album peaked at No...
was released under Giant Records, the album peaked at #74 on Billboard's Top R&B Albums, her lowest charting album. David Foster
David Foster
David Walter Foster, OC, OBC , is a Canadian musician, record producer, composer, singer, songwriter, and arranger, noted for discovering singers such as Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, and Charice Pempengco; and for producing some of the most successful artists in the world, such as Céline Dion, Toni...
and LeMel Humes produced the 'cover' tracks. Official singles were not released, only a radio promo of "Don't Explain
Don't Explain (song)
"Don't Explain" is a song written by jazz singer Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog Jr.-Overview:It is said Billie wrote "Don't Explain" after her husband, Jimmy Monroe, came home one night with lipstick traces on his collar.-Recording Session:...
" was played on R&B and jazz stations in the U.S.
1997:Can't Count Me Out
By 1997, Miki was no longer signed to Giant Records. Her sixth studio album and her first in four years, Can't Count Me OutCan't Count Me Out
Can't Count Me Out is the sixth studio album by American R&B/jazz singer Miki Howard, released in 1997 under Hush Records. Howard's first studio recording in four years, the album contains a mixture of soulful ballads, some groovy R&B and a duet with father Clay Graham of gospel group, The Pilgrim...
was released under a new label, Hush
Hush Records
-Background:Crouch, frontman of the band Blanket Music, organized Hush Records in 1997, when he self-released a solo record called Portland, Or. The following year, Crouch bought a CD burner and began recording and distributing music by Mike Johnson , Jeff London, and Ben Barnett to record stores...
in May. The album was her first, to not chart on Billboard 200
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...
or Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
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...
. The album includes duets, a cover of Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
's "I Love Every Little Thing About You" with singer Terence Trent D'Arby, "Can't Count Me Out" duet with father Clay Graham and a remake of Janis Ian's "At Seventeen
At Seventeen
"At Seventeen" is a song by Janis Ian, released in 1975 on Between the Lines and as a single. Ian's most successful recording, the song is a commentary on adolescent cruelty, the illusion of popularity, and teenage angst, as reflected upon from the maturity of adulthood...
". LeMel Humes produced most of the album, including a cover of the jazz standard "You Don't Know What Love Is
You Don't Know What Love Is
"You Don't Know What Love Is," a popular song of the Great American Songbook, has one the craziest histories of any song. It was written by Don Raye and Gene de Paul for the Abbott and Costello 1941 Universal picture Keep 'Em Flying, in which it was sung by Carol Bruce...
" and "Sunshine" penned by singer Brenda Russell
Brenda Russell
Brenda Russell is an American-Canadian singer-songwriter and keyboardist. Known for her eclectic musical style, her recordings have encompassed several different genres, including pop, soul, dance, jazz and adult contemporary...
.
2001-06:Three Wishes, Pillow Talk
In March 2001, Miki released her seventh album, Three WishesThree Wishes (Miki Howard album)
Three Wishes is the seventh studio album by American R&B singer Miki Howard released under Peak Records. The album peaked at No. 60 on Billboards Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums but failed to chart on the US Billboard 200...
under Peak
Peak Records
Peak Records is a record label that was co-founded by The Rippingtons leader and guitarist Russ Freeman & Andi Howard in 1994.The early years, Peak founded as a production for Russ' group The Rippingtons in GRP Records...
. Although no official singles were released, Nobody received radio airplay. The album peaked at No. 60 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
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...
and No. 25 on Independent Albums
Independent Albums
The Billboard Independent Albums is a chart of the highest-selling independent music albums and extended plays in the United States, compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is used to list artists who are not signed to major labels...
chart. All the tracks were produced by new producers, except "Bring Your Loving Home" produced by Howard's close friend LeMel Humes. The album received a nomination for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Album
Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
The Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance is an accolade presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally named the Gramophone Awards, to performers of quality traditional R&B vocal performances. The award was first given in 1999; until 2003, only...
at the 2002 Grammy Awards.
After five years had past since Three Wishes, in September 2006 Howard was now signed with Shanachie Records. Her eighth studio album, Pillow Talk
Pillow Talk (album)
Pillow Talk – Miki Sings the R&B Classics is the eighth studio album by American R&B singer Miki Howard released in 2006 under Shanachie Records. On this album, Howard sings her interpretations of favorite R&B classic songs. The album peaked at No...
was released. The album peaked at #60 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
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...
Chart. All songs were cover tracks of her favorite R&B classic songs, of Ann Peebles
Ann Peebles
Ann Peebles is an African American singer-songwriter who gained celebrity for her Memphis soul albums of the 1970s on the Hi Records label...
, George Benson
George Benson
George Benson is a ten Grammy Award winning American musician, whose production career began at the age of twenty-one as a jazz guitarist....
, Nancy Wilson
Nancy Wilson
Nancy Wilson may refer to:* Nancy Wilson , American jazz singer and actress* Nancy Wilson , American singer and guitar player, member of the band Heart...
to Natalie Cole
Natalie Cole
Natalie Maria Cole , is an American singer, songwriter and performer. The daughter of jazz legend Nat King Cole, Cole rode to musical success in the mid-1970s as an R&B artist with the hits "This Will Be ", "Inseparable" and "Our Love"...
, The Main Ingredient and Boz Scaggs
Boz Scaggs
William Royce "Boz" Scaggs is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. He gained fame in the 1970s with several Top 20 hit singles in the United States, along with the #2 album, Silk Degrees. Scaggs continues to write, record music and tour.-Early life and career:Scaggs was born in Canton,...
. Miki contributed as album producer, along with Kim Waters, Danny Weiss and Chris Davis.
2008-Present:Private Collection
Howard is currently working on regenerating her career after taking some time out to raise her children. She undertook a world tour with Roy AyersRoy Ayers
Roy Ayers is an American funk, soul, and jazz composer and vibraphone player. Ayers began his career as a post-bop jazz artist, releasing several albums with Atlantic Records, before his tenure at Polydor Records beginning in the 1970s, during which he helped pioneer jazz-funk .- Biography :Ayers...
and the Jazz Allstars. In June 2008, she released her ninth studio album, Private Collection under her legally owned new independent label, Branicka Records. The album contained ten tracks, with five new smooth jazz
Smooth jazz
Smooth jazz is a genre of music that grew out of jazz fusion and is influenced by R&B, funk, rock, and pop music styles ....
and R&B
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
songs co-written and co-produced with Chuckii Booker
Chuckii Booker
Chuckii Booker is an African American award-winning producer, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and bandleader.-Biography:...
, and five jazz standard
Jazz standard
Jazz standards are musical compositions which are an important part of the musical repertoire of jazz musicians, in that they are widely known, performed, and recorded by jazz musicians, and widely known by listeners. There is no definitive list of jazz standards, and the list of songs deemed to be...
s co-produced with Brandon McCune. Besides Booker, composers included on the album included Hoagy Carmichael
Hoagy Carmichael
Howard Hoagland "Hoagy" Carmichael was an American composer, pianist, singer, actor, and bandleader. He is best known for writing "Stardust", "Georgia On My Mind", "The Nearness of You", and "Heart and Soul", four of the most-recorded American songs of all time.Alec Wilder, in his study of the...
and Johnny Mercer
Johnny Mercer
John Herndon "Johnny" Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter and singer. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others...
for "Skylark
Skylark
The Skylark is a small passerine bird species. This lark breeds across most of Europe and Asia and in the mountains of north Africa. It is mainly resident in the west of its range, but eastern populations are more migratory, moving further south in winter. Even in the milder west of its range,...
", Sammy Fain
Sammy Fain
Sammy Fain was an American composer of popular music.-Biography:Sammy Fain was born in New York City. In 1923, Fain appeared with Artie Dunn in a short film directed by Lee De Forest filmed in DeForest's Phonofilm sound-on-film process. In 1925, Fain left the Fain-Dunn act to devote himself to...
and Paul-Francis Webster for "Secret Love", Henry Mancini
Henry Mancini
Henry Mancini was an American composer, conductor and arranger, best remembered for his film and television scores. He won a record number of Grammy Awards , plus a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 1995...
and Johnny Mercer
Johnny Mercer
John Herndon "Johnny" Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter and singer. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others...
for "Days of Wine and Roses
Days of Wine and Roses (song)
"Days of Wine and Roses" is a popular song, from the 1962 movie of the same name.The music was written by Henry Mancini with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. They received the Academy Award for Best Original Song for their work...
", Elisse Boyd and Murray Grand
Murray Grand
Murray Grand was an American singer, songwriter, lyricist, and pianist best known for the song "Guess Who I Saw Today"....
for "Guess Who I Saw Today
Guess Who I Saw Today
Guess Who I Saw Today is a popular jazz song written by Murray Grand with lyrics by Elisse Boyd. The song was originally composed for Leonard Sillman's Broadway musical revue New Faces of 1952 in which it was sung by June Carroll.-Notable Recordings:...
", and Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin was an American composer and lyricist of Jewish heritage, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history.His first hit song, "Alexander's Ragtime Band", became world famous...
for "Counting Your Blessings".
On November 1, 2010, "Unsung: Miki Howard" was televised on TV One
TV One (Radio One)
TV One is an American television channel based in Silver Spring, Maryland and primarily owned by Radio One and Comcast Corporation. It targets African American adults with a broad range of programming...
. In February 2011, TV One televised "Way Black When" which showcased African Americans' impact in entertainment through the 1970s, 80's and 90's. Howard was featured during the 80's segment, hosted by comedian Niecy Nash
Niecy Nash
Carol Denise "Niecy" Nash is an American comedian and actress who has hosted Clean House on the Style Network and played Deputy Raineesha Williams on the Comedy Central television series Reno 911!.-Early life:Nash was born in Palmdale, California. In addition to her acting endeavors, she is the...
. Howard performed her number-one R&B hit, "Ain't Nobody Like You
Ain't Nobody Like You
"Ain't Nobody Like You" is a 1992 song by R&B singer/actress Miki Howard. The lead single from her album, Femme Fatale and her second number-one R&B song. The song spent one week at No. 1 on Billboards R&B Singles chart and Howard's only song to reach the Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 64.-Charts:...
". In March she embarked on a U.S. tour "Throwback Unplugged Tour" with Dru Hill
Dru Hill
Dru Hill is an American singing group, most popular during the late 1990s, whose repertoire included R&B, soul, and gospel music. Founded in Baltimore, Maryland, and active since 1992, Dru Hill recorded seven Top 40 hits, and is best known for the R&B #1 hits "In My Bed", "Never Make a Promise", ...
, K-Ci & JoJo and Bell Biv DeVoe
Bell Biv DeVoe
Bell Biv DeVoe is an American R&B musical group which branched off from New Edition. It consists of three of New Edition's previous members, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe...
.
Albums
Studio albums:- Come Share My LoveCome Share My LoveCome Share My Love is the debut album by American R&B singer, Miki Howard. Released in 1986 under Atlantic Records, the album peaked at #171 on the Billboard 200 and #19 on the Billboard R&B Albums Chart...
(1986) - Love ConfessionsLove Confessions*The final song on Love Confessions, "Edge of Love" is featured in the 1987 film andmotion picture soundtrack album Fatal Beauty starring Whoopi Goldberg.-Charts:...
(1987) - Miki Howard (1989)
- Femme Fatale (1992)
- Miki Sings Billie (1993)
- Can't Count Me OutCan't Count Me OutCan't Count Me Out is the sixth studio album by American R&B/jazz singer Miki Howard, released in 1997 under Hush Records. Howard's first studio recording in four years, the album contains a mixture of soulful ballads, some groovy R&B and a duet with father Clay Graham of gospel group, The Pilgrim...
(1997) - Three Wishes (2001)
- Pillow Talk (2006)
- Private Collection (2008)
Compilation albums
- The Very Best of Miki HowardThe Very Best of Miki HowardThe Very Best of Miki Howard is a greatest hits compilation album by American R&B/soul singer Miki Howard. It was released in 2001 in the United States by Atlantic Records. The album features five of Howard's top five R&B singles and the number-one R&B hits, "Ain't Nuthin' in the World" and "Ain't...
(2001)
Live albums
- Live Plus (1996)
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,... |
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 ... |
||||
| 1986 | "Come Share My Love Come Share My Love (song) "Come Share My Love" is the debut single and title track from the album of the same name by American R&B singer Miki Howard. The hit song peaked at No. 5 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart in 1986. Howard become a known name in R&B music, by early 1987 another track from the album, "Love Will... " |
— | 5 | — | Come Share My Love | |
| 1987 | "Imagination Imagination (1940 song) "Imagination" is a popular song with music written by Jimmy Van Heusen and the lyrics by Johnny Burke. The song was first published in 1940. The two best-selling versions were recorded by the orchestras of Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey in 1940.... " |
— | 13 | — | ||
| "Come Back to Me Lover Come Back to Me Lover "Come Back to Me Lover" is a song by American R&B singer Miki Howard. Released as the third single from Howard's debut album, Come Share My Love, the single peaked at No. 33 on the Billboard's R&B Singles chart in 1987. "Come Back to Me Lover" was Howard's third top 40 hit on the U.S. R&B... " |
— | 33 | — | |||
| "Baby, Be Mine Baby, Be Mine (Miki Howard song) "Baby, Be Mine" is a song recorded by by American R&B singer Miki Howard. Released in 1987, it is the lead single from her second album Love Confessions. The song was an R&B hit, reaching number five on Billboard's R&B singles chart, her second top five song on the chart. The track was produced by... " |
— | 5 | — | Love Confessions | ||
| 1988 | "That's What Love Is That's What Love Is "That's What Love Is" is a duet by American R&B artists Miki Howard and Gerald Levert lead singer of R&B trio LeVert and son of The O'Jays lead singer, Eddie Levert. Released in 1988, the song was the follow-up single after "Baby, Be Mine" from Howard's album Love Confessions... " (Duet with Gerald Levert Gerald Levert Gerald Levert 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... ) |
— | 4 | — | ||
| "Crazy" | — | 38 | — | |||
| 1989 | "Ain't Nuthin' in the World Ain't Nuthin' in the World "Ain't Nuthin' in the World" is a 1989 single by Miki Howard. The single was one of her most successful of her career, becoming the first of two singles to reach number one on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, where it stayed for one week.-Charts:... " |
— | 1 | — | Miki Howard | |
| "Love Under New Management Love Under New Management "Love Under New Management" is the second single released from the 1989 self-titled album by American R&B singer Miki Howard. The song reached its peak of No. 2 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart on March 24, 1990. The song held that position for two weeks and propelled the album to No. 4 on Top... " |
89 | 2 | — | |||
| 1990 | "Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do) Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do) "Until You Come Back to Me " is the name of a song written by Morris Broadnax, Clarence Paul, and Stevie Wonder. The song was originally recorded by Stevie Wonder in 1967, but his version did not appear on an album until 1977's Anthology... " |
— | 3 | 67 | ||
| "Come Home to Me Come Home to Me "Come Home to Me" is the fourth single released from the 1989 self-titled album by American R&B singer Miki Howard. The song received minor success on radio airplay, and peaked to no. 53 on Top R&B Singles chart. This song would become Howard's first single to miss the top 40 chart.-Charts:... " |
— | 53 | — | |||
| 1992 | "Ain't Nobody Like You Ain't Nobody Like You "Ain't Nobody Like You" is a 1992 song by R&B singer/actress Miki Howard. The lead single from her album, Femme Fatale and her second number-one R&B song. The song spent one week at No. 1 on Billboards R&B Singles chart and Howard's only song to reach the Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 64.-Charts:... " |
64 | 1 | — | Femme Fatale | |
| "Release Me Release Me (M. Howard song) "Release Me" is a song by American R&B/soul singer Miki Howard. Released in 1992, as a radio promo single, the song received minor radio-airplay and peaked at no. 53 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart.-Track listings and formats:U.S... " |
— | 43 | — | |||
| "—" denotes the single failed to chart or was not released | ||||||
Tours
- Cameo Tour (1987)
- Jazz AllStars Tour (2009)
- Throwback Unplugged Tour (2011)
Films
- Malcolm X (1992)
- Poetic Justice (1993)
Awards and nominations
Soul Train Awards| Year | Category | Album/Track | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Best New R&B/Soul Artist | Love Confessions Love Confessions *The final song on Love Confessions, "Edge of Love" is featured in the 1987 film andmotion picture soundtrack album Fatal Beauty starring Whoopi Goldberg.-Charts:... |
Winner |
American Music Awards
| Year | Category | Album/Track | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Favorite Female Soul/R&B Artist | Miki Howard Miki Howard (album) Miki Howard is the third studio album by American R&B artist, Miki Howard. Released in 1989 under Atlantic Records, the album peaked at No. 112 on Billboard 200 and No. 4 on the Top R&B Albums Chart. Howard scored her first number-one song with the first single released from the album, "Ain't... |
Nominated |
Grammy Awards
| Year | Category | Album/Track | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Best Traditional R&B Vocal Album | Three Wishes | Nominated |