Keith Washington

Keith Washington (born on November 15, 1960 in Detroit, Michigan) is an R&B singer from the early 90's.
In 1991, he released his debut album, "Make Time for Love" which peaked at #48 on the Billboard 200 and topped Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single and his biggest hit to date, "Kissing You" peaked at #40 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the R&B charts for a week.

The song was memorably featured as background music on the hit ABC soap opera, "General Hospital." It got a Grammy nomination for "Best R&B Male Vocal Performance" and won a Soul Train Music Award for "Best R&B\Soul Single, Male."

The follow-up single from the album "Are You Still in Love With Me" peaked at #15 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.

The third single, the title song peaked at #22 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the charts for 15 weeks.

The last single from the album, "When You Love Somebody" peaked at #26 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks.

Also in 1991, Keith recorded a duet with Kylie Minogue called "If You Were With Me Now" which peaked at #4 on the UK Singles chart.

In 1992, he guest-starred on the tv show, "Martin" in the episode, "A Woman With a Past" singing a duet with Tisha Campbell-Martin, singing "The Closer I Get to You." He also had brief roles in "Poetic Justice" as a hairdresser named Dexter and on "General Hospital" as Keith Jasper.
In 1993, Keith released his sophomore album, "You Make it Easy" which peaked at #100 on the Billboard 200 and #15 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single from the album, "Stay in My Corner" peaked at #34 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.

The second single, "Believe That" peaked at #30 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 19 weeks.

The last single from the album, "Trippin" peaked at #77 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 5 weeks. Keith was also featured on the "Boomerang" movie soundtrack during that same year.
In 1998, 5 years after his sophomore album, Keith released his third album, "KW" which peaked at #125 on the Billboard 200 and #27 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single, "Bring it On" peaked at #63 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #22 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart in March of 1998, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.

The follow-up single from the album, "I Love You" featuring singer Chante Moore, peaked at #72 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart in May of 1998, staying on the chart for just 2 weeks.

In 2009, Keith married his girlfriend, Stephanie Grimes and has plans to release a new album, but the release date is unknown.

Currently, Keith hosts the evening slow-jams radio show called "Kisses After Dark" on the Detroit radio station, WDMK-FM 105.9.

To see the music video for "Kissing You," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI3VTFnSL1w

To see a fan-made video for "When You Love Somebody," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0Qy94QNnFc

To see a fan-made video for "Make Time for Love," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdSBNr50C2g

To see the music video for "Believe That," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fWw-B_fGk8

To see the music video for "Stay in My Corner," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvYoCFl9TQQ

To see the music video for "Bring it On," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHYeRMuldVU


[updated on 05\07\12]

Alana Davis

Alana Davis (born May 6, 1974 in Greenwich Village, New York) is a female pop singer\songwriter. She is the daughter of jazz singer Ann Marie Schofield and late jazz pianist Walter Davis Jr (who played along jazz musicians such as Dizzy Gillepsie and Charlie Parker).

Alana learned to play the guitar as a child, but she didn't start writing songs until she was 18 years old. She attended Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, New York until she decided to leave to devote her full attention to music. She recorded demo tapes of her original work and Alana was signed to Elektra Records.
In 1997, Alana released her debut album, "Blame it On Me" which peaked at #157 on the Billboard 200 and #7 on Billboard's Heatseekers Albums chart.

The album stayed on the Billboard 200 for seven weeks and reached sales of over 240,000 in the US.
Alana's cover version of Ani DeFranco's song "32 Flavors" became her biggest hit to date, peaking at #37 on the Billboard Hot 100, #17 on Billboard's Adult Top 40 chart, and #34 on Billboard's Top 40 Mainstream chart.
The follow-up single, "Crazy" peaked at #29 on Billboard's Adult Top 40 chart and #37 on Billboard's Top 40 Mainstream chart.
In 2001, Alana released her second album, "Fortune Cookies" which didn't appear to chart at all on the Billboard album charts. One of the songs, "Bye Bye" was co-written by Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo.

Alana also covered Third Eye Blind's "I Want You" which was released a single. Even though it didn't chart (but got significant airplay), the song remains one of Alana's most popular songs.

Alana made guest appearances on "The Mod Squad" movie soundtrack and Jay-Z's "Vol 3....Life and Times of S. Carter" album.

After that, she left Elektra Records and signed a deal with Sony Records. Alana released the single, "Carry On" which was featured in a Super Bowl commercial for Sony Electronics.
In 2005, Alana decided to take the independent music route and formed her own record label, Tigress Records. In February of that same year, she released her third album, "Surrender Dorothy."

In 2006, Alana toured with music act Thievery Corporation for a few dates as a guest vocalist.

To see the music video for "32 Flavors," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEfbL53jhN4

To see a fan-made video for "Carry On," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ChYw0vPaWI

To see a fan-made video for "I Want You," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uURQJKEAQAw

TAMI Show

TAMI Show was a Chicago pop\rock group that consisted of sisters Claire and Cathy Massey (who sang vocals), guitarist Tommy Gawenda, keyboardist George McCrae, bassist Mark Jiaras, drummer Ken Harck and Peter Spero.

The group took their name from a 1964 concert film called "T.A.M.I. Show."

Claire, Cathy, and their sister, Kristin were in a band called "Sirenz." After that, Cathy and Claire went on to form TAMI Show while Kristin left to pursue music in New York.

After the group's demo tape caught the attention of Blondie bassist Nigel Harrison, he passed it along to record producer Mike Chapman who helped them score a record deal with Chrysalis Records. In 1988, TAMI Show released their self-titled debut album. It's unknown how or if the album ever charted.
The only single from the album that charted was "She's Only Twenty" which managed to peak at #88 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 1991, the group released their sophomore album, "Wanderlust" which also didn't appear to chart at all on the Billboard 200.
TAMI Show's hit song to date, "The Truth" peaked at #28 on the Billboard Hot 100, making them a "one-hit wonder."

The follow-up single, "Did He Do It To You" failed to chart and in 1993, TAMI Show disbanded.
In 2001, Claire Massey worked on her solo album, "Suncat Muse" on an Los Angeles independent record label. Unfortunately, the label shut down before the album was even released, but the album is now available on iTunes and CD Baby.

But a year later, Claire released the single, "Butterfly" from her album which became the #1 most added record to the adult pop chart ACQB. It reached the top 20 and aired on over 70 radio stations worldwide.
In March 2007, Claire released the EP, "Music in My Head" which is available on CD Baby. Claire still continues to perform today.
Cathy Massey and Mark Jiaras released an album under the name "Kiss Me Luna" in 1998 which is now available on CD Baby.

To see Claire Massey's official website, go to:
http://www.planetclaire.com/

To see the music video for "The Truth," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-niESd8jO0

To see a fan-made video for "She's Only Twenty," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au7nKApzXhc

To see a fan-made video for "Did He Do It To You," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySt7Lc2-8-c

Taral Hicks

Taral Hicks (born on September 21, 1974 in the Bronx, New York) is a female R&B singer and actress. She is also the younger sister of singer\actress D'Atra Hicks and gospel singer Miriam Hicks.

Taral started singing when she was 5 years old where she was a featured soloist at her church opening up for her big sisters.

When Taral was 12 years old, she appeared in the play, "Mama, I Want to Sing" in a singing role that her sister, D'Atra formerly performed several years ago. When she was 16, she starred in the play, "Let the Music Play Gospel."

Taral graduated from Grace Dodge Vocational High School in the Bronx in 1993 and also in that same year, she starred in the Robert De Niro movie, "A Bronx Tale." She also appeared in other movies such as "Just Cause," "Educating Max Flowers," and "The Preacher's Wife."

It wasn't until Taral's role in the 1997 HBO film, "Subway Stories" that audiences took recognition. She portrayed the role as "Woman With Flowers" who sang to her mom on a payphone and Taral's performance was deemed to be one of the best performances in the movie.

In 1997, Taral signed to Motown Records and released her debut album, "This Time" which didn't appear to chart at all on the Billboard 200 or R&B Albums chart.

The first single from the album, "Oooh Oooh Baby" featuring Missy Elliott (who also produced and wrote the song), peaked at #81 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 5 weeks.
The second single, "Distant Lover" (produced by Teddy Riley) peaked at #60 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart in August of 1997, staying on the chart for 12 weeks, making it her longest chart appearance to date.

The last single, a cover version of Deniece Williams' song, "Silly" peaked at #54 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 18 weeks, making it her highest chart appearance to date.

After collaborating with music video\film director Hype Williams on the music video for "Silly," he cast Taral in his directorial film debut (and Taral's largest role to date), "Belly," playing DMX's girlfriend, Kisha.

The music video for "Silly" appeared in one of the movie's scenes. Taral's record deal with Motown ended after former Motown president Andre Harrell was fired from the label.

Taral wasn't seen much in the music and movie scenes until 2000 when she starred in the short film, "Are You Cinderella?" She also appeared on tv shows such as "Soul Food" and "100 Centre Street." Later on, Taral starred in independent films such as "The Salon," "Forbidden Fruit," "Humenetomy," and "Ex$pendable."

In 2006, Taral became a part of the "Soul Kittens Cabaret" featuring singers Monifah, Nicci Gilbert, TonDalaya Gallant, Sara Stokes, and Demetria McKinney.

Taral is currently married to Loren Dawson, has a son, and is now working as a teacher in North Jersey as of 2009.

To see the music video for "Silly," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRGSJWel8rU

To see the music video for "Ooh Ooh Baby," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7f6yle4wEQ

To see the music video for "Distant Lover," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI_5ftkYxNc


[updated on 05\07\12]

Brigette McWilliams

Brigette McWilliams (born in Chicago, Illinois) is a female R&B singer from the '90s. Her mother is singer Paulette McWilliams, who fronted Chaka Khan's band, Rufus (before Chaka Khan joined).
In 1994, Brigette released her debut album, "Take Advantage of Me" which didn't chart at all on the Billboard 200 chart.
Her first appearance on the Billboard charts was with her first single "I Get the Job Done" which peaked at #96 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 3 weeks.

Despite her talent, critics accused Brigette of attempting to force a soul voice into an R&B format.

After releasing her debut album, she was asked to appear as part of Black Women United (which also included female R&B artists such as Mary J. Blige, En Vogue, Zhane, Me'shell Ndegéocello, and Salt-N-Pepa) on the song "Freedom" which was featured on the 1995 "Panther" movie soundtrack.
In 1997, Brigette released her sophomore album "Too Much Woman" which also didn't peak on the Billboard 200 chart.

She enlisted soul musicians such as Billy Preston, former Rufus guitarist Bobby Watson, percussionist Paulinho De Costa, and Earth, Wind, & Fire members Al McKay (guitarist) and Larry Dunn (keyboardist).

The lead single from the album "Fire" peaked at #66 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks, becoming Brigette's highest chart appearance to date. After that, she was dropped from Virgin Records' roster.
In 2005, Brigette released her third album, "Starlite Lounge" on Expansion Records in the UK. These days, she is married to director Mark Romanek and since 2005, she is a designer of upscale bags & purses called B. Romanek.

To see the music video for "I Get the Job Done," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dDsgTrRods

To see a fan-made video for "Fire," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vum1g_FGBBU



[updated on 04\16\2016]

Suavé

Suavé (born Waymond Anderson on February 22, 1966 in Los Angeles, California) was a male R&B singer from the late 80's. He is the son of R&B singer, Waymond Anderson, who was in the group, GQ.

Suave grew up in South Los Angeles raised by his great-grandmother. He sang in a church choir, wrote songs and orchestrated R&B arrangements in the "new jack swing" style in his home studio.

He was discovered at a New Edition concert in California in the mid-80's when one of the members of the group invited him on stage to sing with them. At age 19, Suave was signed to Capitol Records.
In 1988, Suavé released his debut album, "I'm Your Playmate" which peaked at #101 on the Billboard 200 and #26 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.
His hit single, a cover version of the Temptations' classic hit, "My Girl" peaked at #20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 15 weeks.

The follow-up single, "Shake Your Body" peaked at #22 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 12 weeks.
Three years later in 1991, Suavé released his sophomore album, "To the Maxx" which failed to chart at all on the Billboard 200 or R&B Albums chart.

Just like the album, the single "Rocked Your Boots" flopped on the charts, failing to appear on the Billboard charts at all.

In 1993, Suavé was sentenced to life in prison for arson in the fire of a Los Angeles drug house near the University of Southern California which killed a drug addict. He was convicted based on the shaky testimony of two witnesses. Suave admitted to selling & using drugs, carrying guns and cheating on his wife.

In 2007, new evidence shows that he was not involved in the murder and a hearing was ordered to appeal his case. Since then, Suave remains in prison, but he hopes that he will be found innocent of these false charges.

To see the music video for "My Girl," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s92DFGRNv0s

To see the music video for "Shake Your Body," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=payg9C3TUgA

To see the music video for "Rocked Your Boots," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfOhSyZWRIc


[updated on 04\16\2016]

Scarlett and Black

Scarlett and Black (whose real names were Robin Hild and Sue West) were a pop music duo from the U.K. that were former backup vocalists for London rock band, Doctor and the Medics.
In 1987, they released their self-titled debut album on Virgin Records which managed to peak at #107 on the Billboard 200 a year later.
The duo's only hit song to date, "You Don't Know" peaked at #20 on the Billboard Hot 100, #32 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, #41 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #13 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart.
Scarlett and Black's follow-up single, "Let Yourself Go-Go" didn't reach the same success as their previous single. After that, the duo was unable to provide another follow-up hit and had seemingly faded into obscurity.

After that, Sue West went on to play with Los Angeles power pop music act, Sparkle Jet UK from the mid 90's to early 2000's & these days, Robin Hild works as a songwriter.

To see the music video for "You Don't Know," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6qPno9wOhw

To see the music video for "Let Yourself Go-Go," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N35pCRlmnTg


[Updated on 04\16\2016]

Kon Kan

Kon Kan is a synth-pop duo from Toronto that originally consisted of singer\keyboardist\guitarist Barry Harris and singer Kevin Wynne.

The duo got their name from the phrase "Can Con" which is short for Canadian Content which is the name of a rule that enforces Canadian radio stations to at least play 30% music from Canadian musicians.
In 1989, Kon Kan released their debut album, "Move to Move" on Atlantic Records. It's unknown how or if the album charted in Canada or the US.
Kon Kan's first single was "I Beg Your Pardon (I Never Promised You a Rose Garden)" which sampled Lynn Anderson's 1971 hit song, "(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden" along with Silver Connection's 1976 hit song, "Get Up and Boogie (That's Right)," and Spagna's 1987 hit song, "Call Me."

The song became a hit, peaking at #19 on the Canadian Singles Chart. In the US, the song was Kon Kan's biggest hit to date, peaking at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100, #3 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart. The song was also successful in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands.
The second single from the album, "Harry Houdini" peaked at #39 on the Canadian Singles chart and #88 on the UK Singles chart. In the US, the song managed to peak at #33 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.
Kon Kan's third single was "Puss n' Boots\These Boots (Are Made for Walking)" which sampled Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Are Made for Walking" along with Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song." The song peaked at #61 on the Canadian Singles chart and in the US, the song peaked at #58 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #14 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.
The last single, the title song managed to peak at #84 on the Canadian Singles chart, but not in the US or internationally. After their debut album, Kevin Wynne left Kon Kan, leaving only Barry Harris.
In 1990, Barry released Kon Kan's sophomore album, "Syntonic" under the band's name. It's unknown how or if the album ever charted.

The album wasn't as successful as Kon Kan's debut and only two singles, "Liberty" and "Could've Said I Told You So" failed to become successful on the charts.
By 1993, Kon Kan were no longer signed to the Atlantic Records label and Barry had ran out of ideas. During that same year, their last album, "Vida!" was released to minimal success.

The only song from the album that charted, "Sinful Wishes" only peaked at #75 on the Canadian Singles chart.

After that, Barry Harris went on to form the techno\house music project, Outta Control with Rachid Webbi and Kimberley Wetmore. They released a self-titled album in 1996 and scored four hit songs on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart from 1995 to 1998.

In 1997, Barry became one half of the music production duo Thunderpuss, collaborating with deejay, producer & remixer Chris Cox. They worked together, remixing dance hits for various artists. They disbanded in 2003. After that, he continued with his deejaying career.

After remixing a song for Chaka Khan, Barry took a four-year hiatus from the music business, but re-emerged in 2009 with the song "Drama Queen (Texting You)." In 2011, he formed a rock band called
Sick Seconds.

In June of 2013, Barry and Kevin Wynne reunited as Kon Kan and these days, they continue to be active in the music business.

To see Kon Kan's Facebook page, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/konkanofficial

To follow Kon Kan on Twitter,  go to:
https://twitter.com/konkanofficial

To see the music video for "I Beg Your Pardon (I Never Promised You a Rose Garden)," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se-QYEgAU8E

To see the music video for "Harry Houdini," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FUxFoPy4IQ

To see the music video for "Puss 'n Boots\These Boots Are Made for Walking," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMX-2kifhmg

To see the music video for "Liberty," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60bA3lzOQ6M

To see the music video for "Sinful Wishes," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5m61QJdTQs

To see a fan-made video for "Could Have Said I Told You So," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqSzB4g-t2A


[Updated on 04\16\2016]

Calloway

After leaving Midnight Star, brothers Reggie (real name Reginald born on January 23, 1955) and Vincent (born on January 5, 1957) Calloway formed their own music duo. Their father played the trumpet, their uncle played keyboards, and their aunt was an opera singer. They formed bands and started writing songs.
In 1989, Calloway released their first single, "I Wanna Be Rich" which peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, #5 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, #21 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, and #20 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart.
A year later in 1990, Calloway released their debut album, "All the Way" which peaked at #80 on the Billboard 200 and #42 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The second single from the album, "Sir Lancelot" peaked at #19 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart in July of 1990, staying on the chart for 13 weeks. The last single, the title song peaked at #63 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #39 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart in March of 1990, staying on the chart for 13 weeks.

Two years later in 1992, Calloway released their sophomore album, "Let's Get Smooth" which peaked at #89 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart. The album wasn't as successful as their debut and only the title song managed to peak at #33 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart.

After that, Reggie and Vincent Calloway focused on production work and continue to work in the music biz as record producers. Calloway's two albums are available on iTunes and Amazon.com.

To see the music video for "I Wanna Be Rich," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ztk9t_m1FpY

To see the music video for "Sir Lancelot," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq2ad7omm2o

To see the music video for "Let's Get Smooth," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdOnjAO7SDw


[updated on 05\07\12]