Uptown Records
Encyclopedia
Uptown Records was an American
record label
, founded by Andre Harrell
in 1986. It went on to become one of the most popular Hip-Hop
and R&B labels of the late 1980's and early 1990s. Featured on the roster were such luminaries as Guy
, Heavy D & The Boyz
, Jodeci
, Mary J. Blige
, and Soul for Real
to name a few.
, Andre Harrell
. After securing distribution deal through MCA Records
the compilation album, "Uptown Is Kickin' It" was released. Among the artists featured on the album was Heavy D & The Boyz
and Marley Marl
. By 1987 two debut albums by Heavy D and Al B. Sure!
would be very successful for the young label. Heavy D & The Boyz Living Large
would be certified Gold
while Al B. Sure! Warner Bros
distributed Uptown album In Effect Mode
would have many hit singles and chart number seven on the R&B charts. In 1988, Guy
featruing group member and producer Teddy Riley would release their debut album Guy
. This album would continue Uptown's hot streak as the album went number one and continued building upon the bubbling New jack swing
sound created by Teddy. Continued success followed the label with the release of Heavy D & The Boyz 1989 second album, Big Tyme
and Guys 1990's The Future
. Tradegy would struck as Heavy D & The Boyz member, Trouble T Roy
died that summer due to an accidental fall while out on tour. The spirtial third Heavy D album, Peaceful Journey
was dedicated in his honor. By 1990, Sean “Puffy” Combs
had started interning at Uptown and started working with newly signed acts Jodeci
and Mary J. Blige
. Uptown would have another hit on their hands with Jodeci's debut album, "Forever My Lady
. Around the same time, Andre was busy producing the flim Strictly Business and it's accomplying soundtrack
.
In 1992, due to all of Uptown's success, MCA offered Harrell a multimedia deal, which involved film and television productions. Uptown Records was subsequently renamed to Uptown Entertainment. Also in 1992, saw changes in the Hip Hop and R&B musical landscape which was changing towards a harder edge sound due to the popularity of gangsta rap
. In keeping in step with the changing times, Mary J. Blige would release her debut album, "What's the 411?
" in Summer 1992. Dubbed The Queen of Hip Hop Soul, the success of her debut single, You Remind Me
and others would help her album be certified three times Platinum
. By 1993, Uptown was the leading urban label. In February, Uptown artists Jodeci, Father MC
, Mary J. Blige, Christopher Williams
and Heavy D would perform an accoustic set on MTV Unplugged
. Taped at Universal Studios
in Los Angeles, California
it would be called "Uptown Unplugged" and released as both a home video and CD. Jodeci did a live cover of Stevie Wonder
’s "Lately
" at the show and the song was released as single. It would chart at both number one on the R&B charts and number four Pop. Later that spring they released the soundtrack
to the hip hop film Who's the Man?
which featured a new rising emcee called B.I.G. who would later be known as The Notorious B.I.G.
. Towards the end of the year, Jodeci would release their second album, "Diary of a Mad Band
".
and took The Notorious B.I.G. along with him. Without Comb's keen vision, Uptown began to suffer but not without his involvement in Mary J. Blige’s second album My Life
which was released in late 1994 and would later be certified three times Platinum
. Tension started to exist between Uptown and its key acts Mary J. Blige and Jodeci as Death Row Records
label head Suge Knight
signed them to management deals with his "West Coast Management" firm. Knight was able to upgrade their contracts by doubling their royalty rates, secure greater creative control and landed them substantial back payments.
Even with all these distractions, Uptown managed to still put out some hit records. 1994's Heavy D & The Boyz final album, "Nuttin' But Love
" would chart number one on the R&B charts and be certified Platinum
. While in 1995 both Soul for Real
's debut album Candy Rain and Jodeci's final Uptown album The Show, the After Party, the Hotel
" which charted number one on the R&B charts
By early 1996, Andre was offered the chance to revive Motown Records
and became their CEO. Heavy D moved into the role of Uptown's president and CEO. Even with this change, there was only some minor success with rap group Lost Boyz debut album, "Legal Drug Money
". The album sold well, peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot 200 and #1 on the R&B/Hip Hop Albums charts. Not long afterwards, Uptown folded when Heavy D decided that running the company was not for him, choosing instead to pursue acting and performing. Mary J. Blige would move over to MCA Records to release her next album, "Share My World
in 1997. The same year, Uptown was repositioned to operate under the newly established Universal Records
umbrella. By 1999, Uptown Records was absorbed into Universal Records
. Subsequently, many of Uptown's artists (with the exception of Monifah and Soul for Real) were moved to the MCA roster. Today the label is a part of Universal Motown Republic Group, but remains defunct.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, founded by Andre Harrell
Andre Harrell
Andre Harrell is founder of the now defunct record label, Uptown Records. Harrell also served as president/CEO of Motown Records. He was also the first half of the hip hop duo Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde.-Biography:...
in 1986. It went on to become one of the most popular Hip-Hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
and R&B labels of the late 1980's and early 1990s. Featured on the roster were such luminaries as Guy
Guy (band)
Guy are a hip hop, R&B and soul band most closely associated with the new jack swing style of the 1980s and 1990s.-Origins :Guy was formed in Harlem, New York in 1987 by R&B singer-songwriters Aaron Hall, young musician/record producer Teddy Riley and Timmy Gatling...
, Heavy D & The Boyz
Heavy D & the Boyz
Dwight Arrington Myers , better known as Heavy D, was a Jamaican-born American actor, rapper, record producer, singer and former leader of Heavy D & the Boyz, a hip hop group which included G-Whiz , "Trouble" T. Roy , and Eddie F...
, Jodeci
Jodeci
Jodeci is an American band, whose repertoire includes R&B, soul music, and new jack swing. The group consists of two pairs of brothers from Hampton, Virginia and Charlotte, North Carolina: Cedric & Joel Hailey and Donald & Dalvin DeGrate, all respectively known by their stage names: K-Ci & Jojo,...
, Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
, and Soul for Real
Soul for Real
Soul for Real is an R&B group from Wheatley Heights, New York, made up of brothers Andre , Brian , Christopher , and Jason Dalyrimple...
to name a few.
History
Founded in 1986 by one half of rap duo, Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. HydeDr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde (group)
Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde was a 1980s hip hop group consisting of Andre "Dr. Jeckyll" Harrell and Alonzo "Mr. Hyde" Brown. The group was known for its corporate business image, wearing designer suits and ties while they rapped. The group first performed under the name "Harlem World Crew" and recorded...
, Andre Harrell
Andre Harrell
Andre Harrell is founder of the now defunct record label, Uptown Records. Harrell also served as president/CEO of Motown Records. He was also the first half of the hip hop duo Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde.-Biography:...
. After securing distribution deal through 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...
the compilation album, "Uptown Is Kickin' It" was released. Among the artists featured on the album was Heavy D & The Boyz
Heavy D & the Boyz
Dwight Arrington Myers , better known as Heavy D, was a Jamaican-born American actor, rapper, record producer, singer and former leader of Heavy D & the Boyz, a hip hop group which included G-Whiz , "Trouble" T. Roy , and Eddie F...
and Marley Marl
Marley Marl
Marlon Williams , better known as Marley Marl, is an American DJ and record producer, who is considered one of the most important and influential hip-hop producers in the history of hip hop.-Biography:...
. By 1987 two debut albums by Heavy D and Al B. Sure!
Al B. Sure!
Albert Jason Brown III is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He grew up in Leonia, New Jersey and Mount Vernon, New York. During the late 1980s under the stage name Al B...
would be very successful for the young label. Heavy D & The Boyz Living Large
Living Large
-Reception:The album was released in 1987 for Uptown Records and was produced by names such as DJ Eddie F , Teddy Riley , and Marley Marl . The album was a success for the group making it to #92 on the Billboard 200 and #10 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart...
would be certified Gold
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
while Al B. Sure! Warner Bros
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
distributed Uptown album In Effect Mode
In Effect Mode
-Reception:Released on May 3, 1988 as a joint venture between Uptown Records and Warner Bros. Records , it was a huge success, having made it to #20 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart...
would have many hit singles and chart number seven on the R&B charts. In 1988, Guy
Guy (band)
Guy are a hip hop, R&B and soul band most closely associated with the new jack swing style of the 1980s and 1990s.-Origins :Guy was formed in Harlem, New York in 1987 by R&B singer-songwriters Aaron Hall, young musician/record producer Teddy Riley and Timmy Gatling...
featruing group member and producer Teddy Riley would release their debut album Guy
Guy (album)
-Album:-Singles:"—" denotes releases that did not chart.-Personnel:Information taken from Allmusic.*arranging – Gene Griffin, Teddy Riley*assistant engineering – Franklin D., Alan Friedman, Alan Gregorie, Jay Henry, Dennis Mitchell, Mario Salvati...
. This album would continue Uptown's hot streak as the album went number one and continued building upon the bubbling New jack swing
New jack swing
New jack swing or swingbeat is a fusion genre spearheaded by Teddy Riley and Bernard Belle which became extremely popular from the late-1980s into the mid-1990s. Its influence, along with hip-hop, seeped into pop culture and was the definitive sound of the inventive Black New York club scene...
sound created by Teddy. Continued success followed the label with the release of Heavy D & The Boyz 1989 second album, Big Tyme
Big Tyme
-Reception:The album was released in 1989 for Uptown Records and was produced by DJ Eddie F, Teddy Riley, Marley Marl, and Pete Rock. The album was considerably more successful than the group's last album, making it to #19 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart...
and Guys 1990's The Future
The Future (Guy album)
-Album:-Singles:"—" denotes releases that did not chart.-Personnel:Information taken from Allmusic.*art direction – Jeanne Bradshaw*artwork – Stuart Watson...
. Tradegy would struck as Heavy D & The Boyz member, Trouble T Roy
Trouble T Roy
Troy Dixon , better known as Trouble T Roy, was a hip-hop dancer with the successful group Heavy D and the Boyz from 1987 until 1990....
died that summer due to an accidental fall while out on tour. The spirtial third Heavy D album, Peaceful Journey
Peaceful Journey
-Reception:The album was released on July 2, 1991, for Uptown Records and was produced by Pete Rock, DJ Eddie F, Teddy Riley, Marley Marl and Howie Tee. This marked the group's first album since the death of member, Trouble T Roy, who died almost a year before the album's release, and several on...
was dedicated in his honor. By 1990, Sean “Puffy” Combs
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
had started interning at Uptown and started working with newly signed acts Jodeci
Jodeci
Jodeci is an American band, whose repertoire includes R&B, soul music, and new jack swing. The group consists of two pairs of brothers from Hampton, Virginia and Charlotte, North Carolina: Cedric & Joel Hailey and Donald & Dalvin DeGrate, all respectively known by their stage names: K-Ci & Jojo,...
and Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
. Uptown would have another hit on their hands with Jodeci's debut album, "Forever My Lady
Forever My Lady
Arion Berger of Entertainment Weekly gave the effort a good review, calling the work "sophisticated beyond the band members' years" and noting that "if they can keep up the momentum of this commercially successful debut , Jodeci will be a force to be reckoned with."-Track...
. Around the same time, Andre was busy producing the flim Strictly Business and it's accomplying soundtrack
Strictly Business (soundtrack)
Strictly Business is the soundtrack to the 1991 comedy film, Strictly Business. It was released on October 29, 1991 through Uptown Records and consisted of hip hop and R&B music. The soundtrack reached number 64 on the Top R&B Albums chart, and its lone single, "Strictly Business" by LL Cool J, did...
.
In 1992, due to all of Uptown's success, MCA offered Harrell a multimedia deal, which involved film and television productions. Uptown Records was subsequently renamed to Uptown Entertainment. Also in 1992, saw changes in the Hip Hop and R&B musical landscape which was changing towards a harder edge sound due to the popularity of gangsta rap
Gangsta rap
Gangsta Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths. Lyrics in gangsta rap have varied from accurate reflections to fictionalized accounts. Gangsta is a non-rhotic pronunciation of the word...
. In keeping in step with the changing times, Mary J. Blige would release her debut album, "What's the 411?
What's the 411?
What's the 411? is the debut album by American recording artist Mary J. Blige, released July 28, 1992. Upon being signed to Uptown Records, she began working with record producer Puff Daddy. The album spawned six singles, including "You Remind Me" and "Real Love".What's the 411? peaked at number...
" in Summer 1992. Dubbed The Queen of Hip Hop Soul, the success of her debut single, You Remind Me
You Remind Me
"You Remind Me" is the debut single by American hip hop music and R&B singer Mary J. Blige. Released in June 1991, it was originally featured on the 1991 soundtrack, Strictly Business, and later was the first single off her debut album, What's the 411?. The song was written by Eric Milteer and was...
and others would help her album be certified three times Platinum
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
. By 1993, Uptown was the leading urban label. In February, Uptown artists Jodeci, Father MC
Father MC
Father MC African American rapper Timothy Brown achieved success in the early 1990s on the Uptown Records label. Discovered and signed by then-Uptown executive Sean "Puffy" Combs, he is best known for introducing the public to Uptown's successful R&B act Jodeci in the track, "Treat Them Like They...
, Mary J. Blige, Christopher Williams
Christopher Williams (singer)
Christopher Williams is an American R&B singer and actor.-Music career:...
and Heavy D would perform an accoustic set on MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged is a TV series showcasing many popular musical artists usually playing acoustic instruments. The show has received the George Foster Peabody Award and 3 Primetime Emmy nominations among many accolades.-Unplugged:...
. Taped at Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
it would be called "Uptown Unplugged" and released as both a home video and CD. Jodeci did a live 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 "Lately
Lately (Stevie Wonder song)
"Lately" is a song by American singer Stevie Wonder recorded for his album Hotter than July . The song was notably covered by R&B group Jodeci and released as a promotional single for the live album Uptown MTV Unplugged in June 1993....
" at the show and the song was released as single. It would chart at both number one on the R&B charts and number four Pop. Later that spring they released the soundtrack
Who's the Man? (soundtrack)
-Album:-Singles:"—" denotes releases that did not chart.-Personnel:Information taken from Allmusic.*arranging – CL Smooth, Kenny "G-Love" Greene, Crystal J...
to the hip hop film Who's the Man?
Who's the Man?
Who's the Man? is a 1993 comedy film, directed by Ted Demme. The film stars Yo! MTV Raps hosts Doctor Dré and Ed Lover as its two main protagonists., it features dozens of cameo appearances from some of the top rap/hip-hop acts of the time, including Busta Rhymes, Eric B., House of Pain, Ice-T,...
which featured a new rising emcee called B.I.G. who would later be known as The Notorious B.I.G.
The Notorious B.I.G.
Christopher George Latore Wallace , best known as The Notorious B.I.G., was an American rapper. He was also known as Biggie Smalls , Big Poppa, and The Black Frank White .Wallace was raised in the Brooklyn borough...
. Towards the end of the year, Jodeci would release their second album, "Diary of a Mad Band
Diary of a Mad Band
-Album:-Singles:"—" denotes releases that did not chart.-Personnel:Information taken from Allmusic.*arranging – Dalvin DeGrate, Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey, DeVante Swing*assistant engineer – Steve Fitzmaurice*creative director – Brett Wright...
".
Decline
In the summer of 1993, Sean “Puffy” Combs was abruptly terminated due to tension between him and label head Andre Harrell. Within two weeks of that dismissal he established Bad Boy RecordsBad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records is a record label founded in 1993 by producer/rapper/entrepreneur Sean "Diddy" Combs. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records.-Beginnings:...
and took The Notorious B.I.G. along with him. Without Comb's keen vision, Uptown began to suffer but not without his involvement in Mary J. Blige’s second album My Life
My Life (Mary J. Blige album)
My Life is the second studio album from American R&B and soul singer Mary J. Blige, Released by Uptown/MCA Records on November 29, 1994. Recording sessions for the album began in fall of 1993 and ended almost one year later. Many of the topics on My Life deal with clinical depression, Blige's...
which was released in late 1994 and would later be certified three times Platinum
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
. Tension started to exist between Uptown and its key acts Mary J. Blige and Jodeci as Death Row Records
Death Row Records
Death Row Records is a record label founded in 1991 by Marion "Suge" Knight Jr., Andre Young , Tracy Lynn Curry and Michael Harris . It is known to have been home to many popular West Coast hip hop artists such as Dr...
label head Suge Knight
Suge Knight
Marion "Suge" Knight, Jr. is the founder and CEO of Black Kapital Records and co-founder and former CEO of Death Row Records. Death Row Records rose to dominate the rap charts after Dr. Dre's breakthrough album The Chronic in 1992. After several years of chart successes for artists including...
signed them to management deals with his "West Coast Management" firm. Knight was able to upgrade their contracts by doubling their royalty rates, secure greater creative control and landed them substantial back payments.
Even with all these distractions, Uptown managed to still put out some hit records. 1994's Heavy D & The Boyz final album, "Nuttin' But Love
Nuttin' But Love
Nuttin' But Love is the fifth and final studio album by rap group, Heavy D & the Boyz.-Reception:The album was released on May 24, 1994 by Uptown Records and was produced by DJ Eddie F, Teddy Riley, Marley Marl, Erick Sermon, Kid Capri, Easy Mo Bee, The Trackmasters, and Pete Rock...
" would chart number one on the R&B charts and be certified Platinum
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
. While in 1995 both Soul for Real
Soul for Real
Soul for Real is an R&B group from Wheatley Heights, New York, made up of brothers Andre , Brian , Christopher , and Jason Dalyrimple...
's debut album Candy Rain and Jodeci's final Uptown album The Show, the After Party, the Hotel
The Show, the After Party, the Hotel
-Album:-Singles:"—" denotes releases that did not chart.-Personnel:Information taken from Allmusic.*Arranging: Dalvin DeGrate, Missy Elliott*Art Direction: Robert Reives*Bass: Darryl Pearson...
" which charted number one on the R&B charts
By early 1996, Andre was offered the chance to revive Motown Records
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
and became their CEO. Heavy D moved into the role of Uptown's president and CEO. Even with this change, there was only some minor success with rap group Lost Boyz debut album, "Legal Drug Money
Legal Drug Money
Legal Drug Money is the debut album from Hip Hop group Lost Boyz, featuring members Mr. Cheeks, Freaky Tah, DJ Spigg Nice and Pretty Lou. The album featured 5 major hits "Renee", "Music Makes Me High", "Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz", "Get Up" and "Lifestyles Of The Rich & Shameless"...
". The album sold well, peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot 200 and #1 on the R&B/Hip Hop Albums charts. Not long afterwards, Uptown folded when Heavy D decided that running the company was not for him, choosing instead to pursue acting and performing. Mary J. Blige would move over to MCA Records to release her next album, "Share My World
Share My World
Share My World is the third studio album by American R&B singer-songwriter Mary J. Blige, released by MCA Records on April 23, 1997. The album serves as a follow-up to her Grammy-nominated critically acclaimed second album, My Life...
in 1997. The same year, Uptown was repositioned to operate under the newly established Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
umbrella. By 1999, Uptown Records was absorbed into Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
. Subsequently, many of Uptown's artists (with the exception of Monifah and Soul for Real) were moved to the MCA roster. Today the label is a part of Universal Motown Republic Group, but remains defunct.
Artists
- See :Category:Uptown Records albums
- Al B. Sure!Al B. Sure!Albert Jason Brown III is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He grew up in Leonia, New Jersey and Mount Vernon, New York. During the late 1980s under the stage name Al B...
- Christopher WilliamsChristopher Williams (singer)Christopher Williams is an American R&B singer and actor.-Music career:...
- Father MCFather MCFather MC African American rapper Timothy Brown achieved success in the early 1990s on the Uptown Records label. Discovered and signed by then-Uptown executive Sean "Puffy" Combs, he is best known for introducing the public to Uptown's successful R&B act Jodeci in the track, "Treat Them Like They...
- GuyGuy (band)Guy are a hip hop, R&B and soul band most closely associated with the new jack swing style of the 1980s and 1990s.-Origins :Guy was formed in Harlem, New York in 1987 by R&B singer-songwriters Aaron Hall, young musician/record producer Teddy Riley and Timmy Gatling...
- Heavy D & The BoyzHeavy D & the BoyzDwight Arrington Myers , better known as Heavy D, was a Jamaican-born American actor, rapper, record producer, singer and former leader of Heavy D & the Boyz, a hip hop group which included G-Whiz , "Trouble" T. Roy , and Eddie F...
- Horace BrownHorace Brown (musician)Horace Brown was born in Charlotte, North Carolina and is the son of a Baptist minister. Despite singing in the church as a child, Brown never believed he would have a singing career and instead dreamed of one day being a professional basketball player...
- Jeff ReddJeff Redd-Career:A New York native, Redd began singing with the short-lived group, The Sophisticated Gents, at the age of 17 in the mid-1980s. Redd has also appeared on Sesame Street....
- JodeciJodeciJodeci is an American band, whose repertoire includes R&B, soul music, and new jack swing. The group consists of two pairs of brothers from Hampton, Virginia and Charlotte, North Carolina: Cedric & Joel Hailey and Donald & Dalvin DeGrate, all respectively known by their stage names: K-Ci & Jojo,...
- Little ShawnLittle ShawnLittle Shawn is a New York hip hop artist, rapper, songwriter and producer.He released an album called The Voice In The Mirror in 1993....
- Lost Boyz
- Mary J. BligeMary J. BligeMary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
- McGruffMcGruff (rapper)Herbert Brown, better known as McGruff, is an American rapper from Harlem.McGruff originally started his career as a member of the rap group, Children of the Corn, alongside Big L, Cam'ron and Mase, all of whom would go on to have successful careers in the music industry...
- MonifahMonifahMonifah is an American female R&B singer-songwriter.-Career:In 1996, her debut album, Moods...Moments was released. In 1997, she contributed the Heavy D. produced "I Still Love You" to the soundtrack of the film, Sprung. Monifah's second album was Mo'hogany. Released in the last quarter of 1998,...
- Soul for RealSoul for RealSoul for Real is an R&B group from Wheatley Heights, New York, made up of brothers Andre , Brian , Christopher , and Jason Dalyrimple...
- Al B. Sure!