Rahsaan Patterson
Encyclopedia
Rahsaan Patterson is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 singer and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...

, best known for portraying "The Kid" on the popular 1980s television show Kids Incorporated
Kids Incorporated
Kids Incorporated, is an American children's television program that was produced from 1984 to 1993. It was largely a youth-oriented program with musical performances as an integral part of each and every storyline....

.
He is a native of The Bronx, New York. He was named after '60s jazz saxophonist Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Rahsaan Roland Kirk was an American jazz multi-instrumentalist who played tenor saxophone, flute and many other instruments...

. His singing and songwriting style are reminiscent 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...

, while his voice has also drawn comparisons to Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...

.

1984: Kids Incorporated

After appearing in a school talent show in 1984, Patterson auditioned for the television show Kids Incorporated
Kids Incorporated
Kids Incorporated, is an American children's television program that was produced from 1984 to 1993. It was largely a youth-oriented program with musical performances as an integral part of each and every storyline....

. He was cast as "The Kid", and remained on the show for the next few years, appearing alongside such future stars as Fergie, Mario Lopez
Mario López
Mario Michael Lopez, Jr. is an American actor who has appeared on several television series, in films, and on Broadway. He is best known for his portrayal of the character A.C. Slater on Saved By The Bell, which he also portrayed as a regular on Saved by the Bell: The College Years...

 and Shanice
Shanice
Shanice Lorraine Wilson-Knox , better known as Shanice, is a Grammy-nominated American R&B/soul singer-songwriter. She scored two Top 5 Billboard hit single's "I Love Your Smile" in 1991, and "Saving Forever for You" in 1993. In 1999, Shanice scored another top hit song, "When I Close My Eyes"...

.

Music career

After Kids Incorporated, Patterson gained experience as a backup vocalist for several artists (including Kids co-star Martika
Martika
Martika is an American pop singer-songwriter and actress. As a singer she released two internationally successful albums in the late 1980s and early 1990s, selling over four million copies worldwide.-Early life and career:Martika entered mainstream show business in an uncredited role as one of the...

). Following his vocal contributions on Colour Club
Colour Club
Colour Club is an American jazz ensemble, which emerged in the mid 1990s, led by the duo of Skipper Wise and Les Pierce. A veteran producer of repute, Pierce had worked with Take 6, Herb Alpert, Patti LaBelle, and many others...

's self-titled album, as well as writing for other artists (his credits include Brandy
Brandy (entertainer)
Brandy Rayana Norwood , known professionally as Brandy, is an American singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and dancer. In 2009, she introduced her rap alter-ego Bran'Nu....

's platinum Top 5 smash "Baby", and Tevin Campbell
Tevin Campbell
Tevin Jermod Campbell is an American R&B singer-songwriter and actor. He scored a string of R&B chart hits as a teenager in the early to mid-1990s.-Music career:...

's hit "Back to the World
Back to the World (song)
"Back to the World" is the first single from R&B singer Tevin Campbell's third album Back to the World. Written by Jamey Jaz, Rahsaan Patterson and Mikelyn Roderick, it was the only single off his third album to garner decent success on the charts, peaking at #16 on the R&B Charts. It was also the...

").

1997-98: Rahsaan Patterson

Patterson signed with MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...

. Collaborating with Keith Crouch
Keith Crouch
Keith Crouch is an American songwriter and music producer. Crouch began his career as a songwriter at the age of fifteen and landed his first gig at seventeen. In 1994, Crouch produced six songs for Brandy's self titled debut album, three of which became top ten hits. He has produced for artists...

 and Jamey Jaz, among others, released his self-titled debut album on January 28, 1997. The album peaked at No. 48 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.

There were two singles released, "Stop By" and "Where You Are
Where You Are (Rahsaan Patterson song)
"Where You Are" was a single released in 1997 by American Neo soul singer Rahsaan Patterson. The song was released in support of his debut studio album, Rahsaan Patterson. Where You Are peaked to number 53 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song was also released as a single in the UK...

" peaked No. 53 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
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.

Receiving positive reviews from critics, the album failed to find a large audience (the single "Where You Are" did receive attention on R&B radio). Patterson did, however, develop a loyal following both in the U.S. and abroad.

1999-2002: Love in Stereo, SoundTracks

Patterson went to work on his followup, Love In Stereo
Love in Stereo (Rahsaan Patterson album)
Love In Stereo is the second studio album by American R&B/soul singer Rahsaan Patterson, released in 1999, under MCA. The album peaked at #51 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The lead single "Treat You Like A Queen" was a modest hit and reached #61 on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop...

, with Jamey Jaz and new collaborators such as Van Hunt
Van Hunt
Van Hunt is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He released his debut album, Van Hunt, in 2004, and a follow-up, On the Jungle Floor, in 2006, both on Capitol Records...

. When Love in Stereo was released in late 1999 it received better reviews than its predecessor, although the mainstream overlooked it. The album peaked at #51 on Billboards 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 and two singles, "The Moment" and "Treat You Like A Queen
Treat You Like a Queen
"Treat You Like A Queen" was a song released in 1999 by American R&B singer Rahsaan Patterson. The song is the lead single in support of his second studio album, Love In Stereo. The song peaked at #61 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart....

" which peaked at no. 61 on Billboards Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
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,...

. Rahsaan toured in support of Stereo playing dates through-out U.S. and Europe.

Although Patterson and MCA parted ways, he remained busy, continuing to perform live, working as a session singer, and contributing to both soundtracks (Brown Sugar) and compilation albums (Steve Harvey
Steve Harvey
Broderick Steven "Steve" Harvey is an American actor, comedian, entertainer, television and radio personality and best-selling author. He is best known as the star of the WB sitcom The Steve Harvey Show, and as one of the four comedians featured in the Spike Lee film The Original Kings of Comedy...

's Sign of Things to Come), while working on his next album.

2004-08 After Hours, Wines & Spirits

Patterson's third album, After Hours was released internationally in April 2004, garnering positive reviews. With the forming of his own label, After Hours
After Hours (Rahsaan Patterson album)
After Hours is the third studio album by American neo-soul artist Rahsaan Patterson, released on October 26, 2004, under Artistry Music. The album is his first independent release on the record label. The album debuted at #65 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart...

was released in the U.S. in late October. The album debuted at No. 65 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. The singles, "So Hot", "April's Kiss" and "Forever Yours" were issued but failed to chart on Billboard. Further collaborative efforts followed.

Patterson's most recent album, Wines & Spirits
Wines & Spirits
Wines & Spirits is the forth studio album by American R&B/soul artist Rahsaan Patterson, released in September 2007, under Artistry Music. The album debuted at No. 42on Billboards Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart...

(again featuring collaborations with Crouch and Jaz) was released September 24, 2007, and debuted at #42 on Billboards 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...

, his highest charted to date and No. 45 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. The singles released, "Stop Breaking My Heart
Stop Breaking My Heart
"Stop Breaking My Heart" was a song released in 2007 by American R&B/soul singer Rahsaan Patterson. The song is the lead single in support of his album, Wines & Spirits.The song peaked at No.59 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart....

" and "Feels Good" charted on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
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,...

 both at no. 59 and the later no. 76. A close friend, R&B singer Ledisi
Ledisi
Ledisi Anibade Young is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Her first name means "to bring forth" or "to come here" in Yoruba. Ledisi is known for her jazz influenced vocals. In 1995, Ledisi formed the group known as Anibade. After unsuccessfully trying to get the group signed to a major...

, in which he's also featured on her album Lost and Found
Lost and Found
Lost and Found is the third full-length album by Mudvayne. The album was released on April 12, 2005 through Epic Records. The album had major success in the U.S., debuting at number #2 and being certified Gold by the RIAA shortly afterward. It has sold about 800,000 copies as of August 2006...

, explains the genius of Patterson as, “Rahsaan’s greatest artistic strength is his ability to be overly honest in his recordings and in his live performances. If I had to sum him up in one word, I would call him ‘uninhibited.

In August 2008 Patterson released a Christmas album, The Ultimate Gift, by November Patterson won a BET J
BET J
Centric is a spin-off cable television channel of BET , created originally to showcase jazz music-related programming, especially that of black jazz musicians. It is now a general interest channel geared towards African-American adults...

 award for Underground Artist of the year.

In 2008 Patterson joined with Australian-born producer/multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Jarrad 'Jaz' Rogers
Jarrad Rogers
Jarrad Rogers is an Australian songwriter and record producer. He is currently based in London.-Singles:*2009: 'Pattern of My Life' - Annie Lennox - *2008: 'They Said I Said' - SugaRush Beat Company - *2008: 'L-O-V-E' - SugaRush Beat Company -...

 and Copenhagen-based electro-soul songstress Ida Corr
Ida Corr
Ida Corr is a Danish singer, songwriter and music producer.-Career:At the age of 11 Corr won the first Danish Children Songcontest...

 to form the London-based alternative soul/pop/funk trio SugaRush Beat Company
SugaRush Beat Company
SugaRush Beat Company is a musical group consisting of singers Rahsaan Patterson and Ida Corr, and producer Jarrad 'Jaz' Rogers.The band formed in 2005, when Patterson was touring in Australia to promote his third album After Hours...

, who released their self-titled album through RCA (UK) in the summer of 2008.

2009-11: Bleuphoria, Touring

After the release of Wines and Spirits, Rahsaan resumed touring throughout the U.S. and overseas, and working with several recording artists'. On December 14, 2010 a new song was available on i-Tunes, "Easier Said Than Done
Easier Said Than Done
"Easier Said Than Done" is a popular song sung by The Essex that was a number-one song in the United States during the year 1963. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart on July 6, 1963 and remained there for two weeks...

" a slow funk groove aimed as the lead single from his new album. On February 12, 2011, he performed at B.B. King's Blues Club to a sold out crowd, the show received rave reviews. Patterson continues to tour across the U.S. and also completing recording for his new soon to be released sixth studio album, scheduled for release this year. March 2011, after a concert in Ram's Head Tavern in Anapolis, MD, Patterson spoke about the his album, Bleuphoria
Bleuphoria
Bleuphoria is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Rahsaan Patterson, released July 19, 2011 on Artistry Music. It is his latest release on the label. Production for Bleuphoria was handled primarily by Patterson and long-time collaborators Jamey Jaz and Keith Crouch...

during a brief interview for thesoulcialista.

Personal Life

Patterson is openly gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....

. In a 2008 discussion about being a gay artist with gay station Logo
Logo (TV channel)
Logo is an American digital cable television channel owned by Viacom's MTV Networks division. Launched in June 2005, the channel's programs are geared towards the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community...

, for example, he said that "For me, it's not about being 'the gay artist'; I'm an artist." In an interview with BET's Daily Voice, Patterson further clarified that "I've never been in the closet or hiding anything."

Albums

Album U.S. R&B
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...

[ Rahsaan Patterson]
  • 1st studio album
    Studio album
    A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...

  • Released: 1997
48
[ Love In Stereo]
  • 2nd studio album
    Studio album
    A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...

  • Released: 1999
  • 51
    [ After Hours]
  • 3rd studio album
    Studio album
    A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...

  • Released: 2004
  • 65
    [ Wines & Spirits]
  • 4th studio album
    Studio album
    A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...

  • Released: 2007
  • 42
    [ The Ultimate Gift]
  • Holiday album
  • Released: 2009
  • 50
    Bleuphoria
    Bleuphoria
    Bleuphoria is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Rahsaan Patterson, released July 19, 2011 on Artistry Music. It is his latest release on the label. Production for Bleuphoria was handled primarily by Patterson and long-time collaborators Jamey Jaz and Keith Crouch...

  • 5th studio album
    Studio album
    A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...

  • Released: 2011
  • 36

    Singles

    • 1996: Stop By
      Stop By
      "Stop By" was a single released in 1997 by American Neo soul singer Rahsaan Patterson. The song is the lead single in support of his debut studio album, Rahsaan Patterson. "Stop By" failed to chart on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, the song peaked at no.39 on Hot R&B Airplay. The song was also...

    • 1997: Where You Are
      Where You Are (Rahsaan Patterson song)
      "Where You Are" was a single released in 1997 by American Neo soul singer Rahsaan Patterson. The song was released in support of his debut studio album, Rahsaan Patterson. Where You Are peaked to number 53 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song was also released as a single in the UK...

       (#53 US R&B)
    • 1998: On My Way
    • 1999: Treat You Like A Queen
      Treat You Like a Queen
      "Treat You Like A Queen" was a song released in 1999 by American R&B singer Rahsaan Patterson. The song is the lead single in support of his second studio album, Love In Stereo. The song peaked at #61 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart....

       (#61 US R&B)
    • 1999: The Moment
    • 2000: I'll Go
      I'll Go (Rahsaan Patterson song)
      "I'll Go" is a song by American neo soul/R&B singer Rahsaan Patterson.The song was co-written, co-produced by Patterson and Steve Hurley, never officially released on any Patterson albums...

    • 2000: So Hot
    • 2004: April's Kiss
    • 2005: Forever Yours
    • 2007: Stop Breaking My Heart
      Stop Breaking My Heart
      "Stop Breaking My Heart" was a song released in 2007 by American R&B/soul singer Rahsaan Patterson. The song is the lead single in support of his album, Wines & Spirits.The song peaked at No.59 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart....

       (#59 US R&B)
    • 2008: Feels Good
      Feels Good (song)
      "Feels Good" is a song by American R&B/soul singer Rahsaan Patterson, released in 2008. The song is from his forth studio album, Wines & Spirits. The song peaked at No.76 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, his lowest charting single at that time....

       (#76 US R&B)
    • 2010: Easier Said Than Done
      Easier Said Than Done (song)
      "Easier Said Than Done" is a song by American R&B/soul singer Rahsaan Patterson, released in 2010. It is the official lead single from his latest album, Bleuphoria. The song was released on December 14, 2010, on itunes and Amazon retail music website....

    • 2011: 6 AM (#95 US R&B)

    Collaborations

    Year Song Artist Album
    2003 Fly High Brian Culbertson
    Brian Culbertson
    Brian Culbertson is a musician and instrumentalist from Decatur, Illinois, United States. Son of jazz band director and trumpeter Jim Culbertson, Brian's instruments include the keyboard and trombone....

    Come On Up
    Take Me Home (Ciro Mix) Sara Devine Take Me Home (12")
    2004 No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) Paulini
    Paulini Curuenavuli
    Paulini Curuenavuli , commonly known as Paulini, is an Australian R&B/pop singer-songwriter and actress who rose to fame as a contestant of the first season of the television series, Australian Idol in 2003....

    One Determined Heart
    One Determined Heart
    One Determined Heart is the debut studio album by Australian singer Paulini, released in Australia on 23 July 2004. The album was produced by Audius Mtawarira and has a genre of R&B & pop songs. The album mainly cover songs including some by Jeff Healey, TLC, The Four Tops, Barbra Streisand, Jeff...

    Watching You Avani The Real Thing
    Beautiful Life Guy Sebastian
    Guy Sebastian
    Guy Theodore Sebastian is an Australian pop, R&B, and soul singer-songwriter who was the first winner of Australian Idol in 2003. He is currently a judge on the Australian version of The X Factor. Sebastian has released six top ten platinum/multi platinum albums, including a number-one and...

    Beautiful Life
    2005 Say It Ain't So Jimmy Barnes
    Jimmy Barnes
    James Dixon Swan , better known as Jimmy Barnes, is a Scottish-born Australian rock singer-songwriter. His father Jim Swan was a prizefighter and his older brother John Swan is also a rock singer. It was actually John who had encouraged and taught Jim how to sing as he wasn't really interested at...

    Double Happiness
    Double Happiness (album)
    Double Happiness is an album by Australian singer Jimmy Barnes. It was released on 18 July 2005 on CD and vinyl. The album contains duets Barnes performed with various solo artists and bands.-Track listing :...

    What Am I Gonna Do Jimmy Sommers Lovelife
    We Livin' Now FOKIS More Than One Way
    Love's Taken Over U-Nam The Past Builds The Future
    2006 Rock Ya Baby (feat. Rahsaan Patterson & MC Surreal) DJ Peril King Of The Beats
    That's The Way Steve 'The Scotsman' Harvey The Everyday People Project
    2007 If You Really Love Mikelyn Roderick Copasetic Is
    We Are One Ledisi
    Ledisi
    Ledisi Anibade Young is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Her first name means "to bring forth" or "to come here" in Yoruba. Ledisi is known for her jazz influenced vocals. In 1995, Ledisi formed the group known as Anibade. After unsuccessfully trying to get the group signed to a major...

    Lost & Found
    2008 Dream Flight Angela Johnson A Woman's Touch

    Also appears on

    Year Song Album
    1996 Where You Are Bulletproof
    Bulletproof (1996 film)
    Bulletproof is a 1996 American action-comedy film directed by Ernest Dickerson, and starring Damon Wayans, James Caan and Jeep Swenson.-Plot:...

     OST
    1997 Street Life Hoodlum OST
    1999 Christmas at My House My Christmas Album
    2001 So Hot Two Can Play That Game
    Two Can Play That Game
    Two Can Play That Game is a 2001 romantic comedy film written and directed by Mark Brown. The film stars Vivica A. Fox, Morris Chestnut, and Anthony Anderson.-Plot:...

     OST
    2002 You Make Life So Good Brown Sugar OST
    The One For Me Sign Of Things To Come
    2005 Soul Show Tune Ferry Maat's Soul Show: Saturday Night Grooves
    If Soul Lounge
    What Am I Gonna Do? (DJ Spinna
    DJ Spinna
    DJ Spinna is an American hip hop music artist and producer, who, according to Allmusic.com, has "remained strictly an underground artist despite his astonishing talent."-Biography:...

     Mix) (with Jimmy Sommers)
    Soul Lounge
    2006 Right Away Soul Lounge 2
    Lifetime Soul Lounge 3
    4Ever (with Mr. Timothy)
    2007 Straighten It Out Soul Lounge 4
    2008 Oh Lord (Take Me Back) Soul Lounge 5
    The Best

    External links

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