Tracie Spencer
Encyclopedia
Tracie Monique Spencer (born in Waterloo, Iowa
) is an American
pop
and R&B
singer-songwriter
, actress, and model
.
the 1980s CBS
televised talent competition. She performed Whitney Houston's
1986 hit "How Will I Know
" and won the competition.
Shortly thereafter, she became the youngest female artist to sign a record deal with a major label, Capitol Records
, and to release a self-titled debut album
on January 16, 1988. She found success with the singles "Hide and Seek
", "Symptoms of True Love
" and her remake of John Lennon's
"Imagine". Her second album, Make the Difference
, was released on August 27, 1990.
The first single, "Save Your Love", showed an impressive standing at #7 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. Her following single, "This House", became her biggest hit to date reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100
. "Tender Kisses
", one of her best known ballads, hit #1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks and made her the youngest female artist to receive the ASCAP songwriter of the year award. The other singles, "This Time Make It Funky
" and "Love Me
", charted relatively well on The Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.
Spencer served on the board of the Children's Defense Fund
as a teen and was given the Martin Luther King
Christian Leadership Award for being a positive role model to youth and traveling across the US and abroad as part of a "Stay In School" program.
She made a guest appearance on the hit ABC
sitcom, Family Matters
as well as commercials, in 1993 and recorded the song "I'll Be There for You" for the 1997 film, Good Burger
, "The Rain" for "A Smile Like Yours" starring Lauren Holly
and Greg Kinnear, "Down In The Delta", and "Girlfight" starring Michelle Rodriquez. She also modeled for Tommy Hilfiger, Chanel and Dollhouse, which lead to her being a part of New York and LA's fashion weeks in 1999-2000, being styled by Derek Khan, being signed to "NEXT" modeling agency and appearing in numerous magazines.
On June 29, 1999, she released Tracie
, which featured the singles "It's All About You (Not About Me)
" and "Still In My Heart
." In the 2000s, she started singing background vocals
on hip-hop songs for rappers such as Kanye West
("Slow Jamz" and "Never Let Me Down" from The College Dropout
), 50 Cent
("Back Down" from Get Rich Or Die Tryin'
), and Eve
as well as songwriting for other artist's projects. She acted in the short film, A Tale of Two Sisters; in 2004 and in 2006, she performed in a play called Choices in Los Angeles. As of 2007, Spencer has taken a hiatus from music and moved to the U.K. However, she is still modeling and pursuing other interests.
by a Filipina
diva-actress Iya Villania
, and released in 2008 on her album Finally!
.
Waterloo, Iowa
Waterloo is a city in and the county seat of Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census the population decreased by 0.5% to 68,406. Waterloo is part of the Waterloo – Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is the more populous of the two...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
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...
, actress, and model
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
.
Biography
She began singing by the age of three and modeling in pageant competitions at age five. Tracie performed, produced and directed her first music videos before she was ten years of age. This led to her competing on Star SearchStar Search
Star Search is a television show that was produced from 1983-95, hosted by Ed McMahon, and created by Alfred Masini. A relaunch was produced in 2003-04. The show was originally filmed at the old Earl Carroll Theatre at 6230 Sunset Blvd...
the 1980s CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
televised talent competition. She performed Whitney Houston's
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
1986 hit "How Will I Know
How Will I Know
"How Will I Know" is a song recorded by American recording artist Whitney Houston for her debut album, entitled Whitney Houston, which was released in February 1985. It was released by Arista Records in November that year, as the album's third single. Composed by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam,...
" and won the competition.
Shortly thereafter, she became the youngest female artist to sign a record deal with a major label, Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
, and to release a self-titled debut album
Tracie Spencer (album)
Tracie Spencer is the self titled debut album of the American R&B singer Tracie Spencer released in 1988. It features the Michael Jay-penned "Cross My Heart", which would feature on Martika's album of the same name which was released that same year.-Track listing:# "Hide and Seek" 4:33#...
on January 16, 1988. She found success with the singles "Hide and Seek
Hide and Seek (Tracie Spencer song)
"Hide and Seek" is the first single from Tracie Spencer's self-titled debut album. The single was released in January 1988. It was written by Lynn Davis. Although Tracie was only 11 years old when this single and debut album was released, critics and fans alike could see that her voice lurked some...
", "Symptoms of True Love
Symptoms of True Love
"Symptoms of True Love" is the second single from Tracie Spencer's self-titled debut album. The single was released in 1988. It was written by German composer team Irmgard Klarmann and Felix Weber. Unlike her first single , this song was an uptempo club/dance track...
" and her remake of John Lennon's
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
"Imagine". Her second album, Make the Difference
Make the Difference
-Track listing:#"This House" – 4:39#"Save Your Love" – 5:05#"Tender Kisses" – 5:28#"Too Much of Nothing" – 5:14#"Double O Rhythm" – 4:49#"You Make the Difference" – 5:05#"This Time Make It Funky" – 5:25#"I Like That" – 5:05...
, was released on August 27, 1990.
The first single, "Save Your Love", showed an impressive standing at #7 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. Her following single, "This House", became her biggest hit to date reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100
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...
. "Tender Kisses
Tender Kisses
"Tender Kisses" is the fourth single from Tracie Spencer's second album, Make the Difference. The single was released on July 16, 1991. It was written by Matt Sherrod, Paul Sherrod, Sir Spence and Tracie Spencer. This song is one of Tracie Spencer's best known hits to date, reaching number one on...
", one of her best known ballads, hit #1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks and made her the youngest female artist to receive the ASCAP songwriter of the year award. The other singles, "This Time Make It Funky
This Time Make It Funky
"This Time Make It Funky" is the third single from Tracie Spencer's second album, Make the Difference. The single was released on May 1, 1991...
" and "Love Me
Love Me (Tracie Spencer song)
"Love Me" is the fifth and final single from Tracie Spencer's second album, Make the Difference. The single was released on February 4, 1992. It was written by Fil Brown and Tony Robinson. Like "Tender Kisses," "Love Me" is a ballad...
", charted relatively well on The Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.
Spencer served on the board of the Children's Defense Fund
Children's Defense Fund
The Children's Defense Fund is an American child advocacy and research group, founded in 1973 by Marian Wright Edelman. Its motto Leave No Child Behind reflects its mission to advocate on behalf of children...
as a teen and was given the Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
Christian Leadership Award for being a positive role model to youth and traveling across the US and abroad as part of a "Stay In School" program.
She made a guest appearance on the hit ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
sitcom, Family Matters
Family Matters (TV series)
Family Matters is an American sitcom about a middle-class African-American family living in Chicago, Illinois, which ran on national television for nine full seasons. The series was a spin-off of Perfect Strangers, but revolves around the Winslow family...
as well as commercials, in 1993 and recorded the song "I'll Be There for You" for the 1997 film, Good Burger
Good Burger
Good Burger is a 1997 American comedy film by Tollin/Robbins Productions and Nickelodeon Movies, released by Paramount Pictures, directed by Brian Robbins, and starring Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell...
, "The Rain" for "A Smile Like Yours" starring Lauren Holly
Lauren Holly
Lauren Michael Holly is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Deputy Sheriff Maxine Stewart in the TV series Picket Fences, as Mary Swanson in the 1994 film Dumb & Dumber, and as Jenny Shepard on the TV series NCIS. She was married to comic actor Jim Carrey from 1996 to...
and Greg Kinnear, "Down In The Delta", and "Girlfight" starring Michelle Rodriquez. She also modeled for Tommy Hilfiger, Chanel and Dollhouse, which lead to her being a part of New York and LA's fashion weeks in 1999-2000, being styled by Derek Khan, being signed to "NEXT" modeling agency and appearing in numerous magazines.
On June 29, 1999, she released Tracie
Tracie
Tracie is the 1999 studio effort released from R&B singer Tracie Spencer. Two singles, "It's All About You " and Still In My Heart, were released from the album...
, which featured the singles "It's All About You (Not About Me)
It's All About You (Not About Me)
"It's All About You " is the first single from Tracie Spencer's third album, Tracie. The single was released on June 27, 1999. It was written by Heavynn, Karlin, and Schack. This was Spencer's first single since "Love Me" in 1992...
" and "Still In My Heart
Still In My Heart
"Still in My Heart" is the second single from Tracie Spencer's third album. It failed to make much of an impression and peaked at #88 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #36 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Tracks chart in 2000....
." In the 2000s, she started singing background vocals
Backing vocalist
A backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
on hip-hop songs for rappers such as Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
("Slow Jamz" and "Never Let Me Down" from The College Dropout
The College Dropout
The College Dropout is the debut album by American hip hop artist Kanye West, released February 10, 2004, on Roc-A-Fella Records. It was recorded over a period of four years, beginning in 1999. Prior to the album's release, West had worked on rapper Jay-Z's The Blueprint , which showcased his...
), 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
("Back Down" from Get Rich Or Die Tryin'
Get Rich or Die Tryin'
Get Rich or Die Tryin is the name of several projects by American rapper 50 Cent:*Get Rich or Die Tryin , 2003 album*Get Rich or Die Tryin , 2005 crime drama*Get Rich or Die Tryin , the film's soundtrack...
), and Eve
Eve (rapper)
Eve Jihan Jeffers , is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer and actress. Her first three albums have reached a total of over 8 million albums sold worldwide. She has also achieved success in fashion as she started a clothing line titled "Fetish." She won a Grammy Award in 2002 for the...
as well as songwriting for other artist's projects. She acted in the short film, A Tale of Two Sisters; in 2004 and in 2006, she performed in a play called Choices in Los Angeles. As of 2007, Spencer has taken a hiatus from music and moved to the U.K. However, she is still modeling and pursuing other interests.
Studio albums
| Year | Album | Chart positions | 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... |
|||
| 1988 | Tracie Spencer Tracie Spencer (album) Tracie Spencer is the self titled debut album of the American R&B singer Tracie Spencer released in 1988. It features the Michael Jay-penned "Cross My Heart", which would feature on Martika's album of the same name which was released that same year.-Track listing:# "Hide and Seek" 4:33#... |
146 | 65 | Capitol Capitol Records Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine... |
| 1990 | Make the Difference Make the Difference -Track listing:#"This House" – 4:39#"Save Your Love" – 5:05#"Tender Kisses" – 5:28#"Too Much of Nothing" – 5:14#"Double O Rhythm" – 4:49#"You Make the Difference" – 5:05#"This Time Make It Funky" – 5:25#"I Like That" – 5:05... |
107 | 43 | |
| 1999 | Tracie Tracie Tracie is the 1999 studio effort released from R&B singer Tracie Spencer. Two singles, "It's All About You " and Still In My Heart, were released from the album... |
114 | 19 | |
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 Dance Hot Dance Club Play The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs... |
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 ... |
|||
| 1988 | "Symptoms of True Love Symptoms of True Love "Symptoms of True Love" is the second single from Tracie Spencer's self-titled debut album. The single was released in 1988. It was written by German composer team Irmgard Klarmann and Felix Weber. Unlike her first single , this song was an uptempo club/dance track... " |
38 | 11 | 14 | — | Tracie Spencer Tracie Spencer (album) Tracie Spencer is the self titled debut album of the American R&B singer Tracie Spencer released in 1988. It features the Michael Jay-penned "Cross My Heart", which would feature on Martika's album of the same name which was released that same year.-Track listing:# "Hide and Seek" 4:33#... |
| "Hide and Seek Hide and Seek (Tracie Spencer song) "Hide and Seek" is the first single from Tracie Spencer's self-titled debut album. The single was released in January 1988. It was written by Lynn Davis. Although Tracie was only 11 years old when this single and debut album was released, critics and fans alike could see that her voice lurked some... " |
— | 32 | — | — | ||
| "My First Broken Heart" | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989 | "Imagine Imagine (song) "Imagine" is a song written and performed by the English musician John Lennon. It is the opening track on his album Imagine, released in 1971... " |
85 | 31 | — | — | |
| 1990 | "Save Your Love" | — | 7 | 20 | — | Make the Difference Make the Difference -Track listing:#"This House" – 4:39#"Save Your Love" – 5:05#"Tender Kisses" – 5:28#"Too Much of Nothing" – 5:14#"Double O Rhythm" – 4:49#"You Make the Difference" – 5:05#"This Time Make It Funky" – 5:25#"I Like That" – 5:05... |
| "This House" | 3 | 7 | 7 | 65 | ||
| 1991 | "This Time Make It Funky This Time Make It Funky "This Time Make It Funky" is the third single from Tracie Spencer's second album, Make the Difference. The single was released on May 1, 1991... " |
54 | 31 | 13 | — | |
| "Tender Kisses Tender Kisses "Tender Kisses" is the fourth single from Tracie Spencer's second album, Make the Difference. The single was released on July 16, 1991. It was written by Matt Sherrod, Paul Sherrod, Sir Spence and Tracie Spencer. This song is one of Tracie Spencer's best known hits to date, reaching number one on... " |
42 | 1 | — | — | ||
| 1992 | "Love Me Love Me (Tracie Spencer song) "Love Me" is the fifth and final single from Tracie Spencer's second album, Make the Difference. The single was released on February 4, 1992. It was written by Fil Brown and Tony Robinson. Like "Tender Kisses," "Love Me" is a ballad... " |
48 | 2 | — | — | |
| 1999 | "It's All About You (Not About Me) It's All About You (Not About Me) "It's All About You " is the first single from Tracie Spencer's third album, Tracie. The single was released on June 27, 1999. It was written by Heavynn, Karlin, and Schack. This was Spencer's first single since "Love Me" in 1992... " |
18 | 6 | — | 65 | Tracie Tracie Tracie is the 1999 studio effort released from R&B singer Tracie Spencer. Two singles, "It's All About You " and Still In My Heart, were released from the album... |
| 2000 | "Still in My Heart Still In My Heart "Still in My Heart" is the second single from Tracie Spencer's third album. It failed to make much of an impression and peaked at #88 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #36 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Tracks chart in 2000.... " |
88 | 36 | 39 | — | |
| "—" denotes the single failed to chart or was not released | ||||||
Cover versions
Her song "My First Broken Heart" was coveredCover 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...
by a Filipina
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
diva-actress Iya Villania
Iya Villania
Raelene Elaine Ebaler Villanía , better known as Iya Villania, is a Filipino-Australian actress, host, singer, dancer, and model. She has hosted on TV shows like ASAP Mania, Us Girls and as a VJ for MYX music channel.-Early life:Villanía was born in Camperdown, Australia but grew up in Sydney...
, and released in 2008 on her album Finally!
Finally!
-External links:*...
.