K-Ci and JoJo
Encyclopedia
K-Ci & JoJo are an American
R&B
duo
, consisting of brothers Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey (born September 2, 1969) and Joel "JoJo" Hailey (born June 10, 1971), Natives of Monroe, North Carolina
, they were also members of the chart-topping R&B group Jodeci
with the DeGrate brothers—Donald (better known as DeVante Swing
) and Dalvin
.
Bobby Womack
's hit "If You Think You're Lonely Now" for the movie Jason's Lyric
.
In late 2006, K-Ci released his debut solo album entitled My Book.
JoJo is planned to release a self-titled solo debut in 2011 or 2012 on Interscope or Def Jam and it features a comeback by Playa
(without Static).
starring Damon Wayans
and Adam Sandler
. By July 1996, K-Ci and JoJo finally had a hit on their hands as guest artists in 2Pac
's number-one R&B hit "How Do U Want It". It also topped the Billboard Hot 100
.
. Released on June 17, 1997, the album spawned two top-ten R&B hits: "You Bring Me Up" (Pop #26) and "Last Night's Letter" (Pop #46). The minor success of those singles, however, paled in comparison to the success of the album's third single, "All My Life
" (which was dedicated to JoJo's daughter). A supple, lush ballad
far removed from the Jodeci material of the early 1990s, "All My Life" was the number-one song on the Hot 100 for three weeks, a feat that K-Ci and JoJo had never achieved with Jodeci. It features a piano melody very similar to that of the electric piano found backing "Dancing In The Moonlight
" by King Harvest
. Future singles and albums would be crafted in the vein of "All My Life", which was the duo's only number-one hit, though many consider it one of the greatest jazz pop melodies of all time. Love Always went on to sell four million copies, and the success of the album put Jodeci's reunion on hold indefinitely. During the recording of Love Always they also appeared in the song "I Care 'Bout You" as a member of the R&B Supergroup Milestone along with After 7
which appeared on the soundtrack for the movie, Soul Food
that was written and produced by Babyface.
In 1999, K-Ci & JoJo recorded "Life", which was written and produced by R. Kelly
, for the soundtrack to the Eddie Murphy
and Martin Lawrence
movie Life.
, and appeared on the New Zealand Top 40 Albums and the ARIA Charts. The album spawned four singles, including the number-two Billboard song
, "Tell Me It's Real".
It's Real received a three star rating from Allmusic.
, the Roman numeral for ten, was picked as the album title to celebrate the Haileys' tenth anniversary in the music business. They made a strong return to the Billboard Hot 100 early in 2001 with the song "Crazy"
, also included on the Save the Last Dance
soundtrack. "Crazy" peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The album also features a hidden Jodeci
track entitled "Slip And Fall".
favourite "How Long" written by Steve Vaughn and Jojo Hailey.
K-Ci and JoJo released a greatest hits
album on February 8, 2005.
, which was released only in Japan.
Compilation
| 1999 || K-Ci & JoJo || Favorite R&B Band/Duo/Group ||
|-
| 2000 || K-Ci & JoJo || Favorite R&B Band/Duo/Group ||
| 1999 || K-Ci & JoJo || Best Group - R&B ||
| 1997 || "How Do U Want It
" || Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group ||
|-
| 1999 || "All My Life
" || Best R&B Vocal Performance ||
|-
| 1999 || "All My Life
" || Best R&B Song ||
| 1998 || "All My Life
" || Best R&B Video ||
|-
| 2001 || "Crazy
" || Best Video from a Film ||
| 1999 || K-Ci & JoJo || Outstanding Duo or Group ||
| 1999 || "All My Life
" || Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band or Duo ||
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
duo
Duet (music)
A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
, consisting of brothers Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey (born September 2, 1969) and Joel "JoJo" Hailey (born June 10, 1971), Natives of Monroe, North Carolina
Monroe, North Carolina
Monroe is a city in Union County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 36,397 as of the 2010 census. It is the seat of government of Union County and is also part of the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC-SC Metropolitan area.-Geography:...
, they were also members of the chart-topping R&B group 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,...
with the DeGrate brothers—Donald (better known as DeVante Swing
DeVante Swing
Donald Earle DeGrate, Jr. , better known by his stage name DeVante Swing, is an American record producer, singer, rapper and songwriter. Swing rose to fame in the 1990s as the founding member of the trendsetting R&B group Jodeci, one of the more popular R&B acts of its time...
) and Dalvin
Dalvin DeGrate
Dalvin DeGrate is an R&B/soul musician, singer and rapper, one-quarter of the R&B group Jodeci. He is the younger brother of Jodeci founder DeVante Swing...
.
On their own
K-Ci and JoJo's first sign of independence came in 1994 when K-Ci 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...
Bobby Womack
Bobby Womack
Robert Dwayne "Bobby" Womack is an American singer-songwriter and musician. An active recording artist since the early 1960s where he started his career as the lead singer of his family musical group The Valentinos and as Sam Cooke's backing guitarist, Womack's career has spanned more than 40...
's hit "If You Think You're Lonely Now" for the movie Jason's Lyric
Jason's Lyric
Jason's Lyric is a 1994 romantic drama film, written by Bobby Smith, Jr., and directed by Doug McHenry. The film marks the directorial debut of McHenry, who co-produced the film with George Jackson...
.
In late 2006, K-Ci released his debut solo album entitled My Book.
JoJo is planned to release a self-titled solo debut in 2011 or 2012 on Interscope or Def Jam and it features a comeback by Playa
Playa (band)
Playa was an American R&B/hip-hop group. Composed of Smoke E. Digglera , Digital Black , and the late Static Major , Playa is best known for their 1998 hit album, "Cheers 2 U", produced by longtime collaborator Timbaland...
(without Static).
Early years
Early in 1996, K-Ci and JoJo teamed up for the song "How Could You" for the movie BulletproofBulletproof (1996 film)
Bulletproof is a 1996 American action-comedy film directed by Ernest Dickerson, and starring Damon Wayans, James Caan and Jeep Swenson.-Plot:...
starring Damon Wayans
Damon Wayans
Damon Kyle Wayans is an American stand-up comedian, writer and actor, one of the Wayans brothers.-Early life:Wayans was born in New York City, New York, the son of Elvira, a homemaker and social worker, and Howell Wayans, a supermarket manager...
and Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler
Adam Richard Sandler is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, musician, and film producer.After becoming a Saturday Night Live cast member, Sandler went on to star in several Hollywood feature films that grossed over $100 million at the box office...
. By July 1996, K-Ci and JoJo finally had a hit on their hands as guest artists in 2Pac
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
's number-one R&B hit "How Do U Want It". It also topped 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...
.
Love Always and Life
The brothers made their side projects into a full album, Love AlwaysLove Always
Love Always is the debut album of American R&B duo K-Ci & JoJo, released on June 17, 1997, by MCA Records. It was recorded at various studios in New York and the Los Angeles area in 1996 and 1997. It was produced by JoJo and several others, including DeVante Swing, James Mtume, and Jeff Redd...
. Released on June 17, 1997, the album spawned two top-ten R&B hits: "You Bring Me Up" (Pop #26) and "Last Night's Letter" (Pop #46). The minor success of those singles, however, paled in comparison to the success of the album's third single, "All My Life
All My Life (K-Ci and JoJo song)
"All My Life" is a song recorded by American R&B duo K-Ci & JoJo. The track was produced and written by Joel "JoJo" Hailey and Rory Bennett for K-Ci & JoJo's debut studio album, Love Always . The song was released physically as from January 6, 1998 as the third single from the album through MCA...
" (which was dedicated to JoJo's daughter). A supple, lush ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
far removed from the Jodeci material of the early 1990s, "All My Life" was the number-one song on the Hot 100 for three weeks, a feat that K-Ci and JoJo had never achieved with Jodeci. It features a piano melody very similar to that of the electric piano found backing "Dancing In The Moonlight
Dancing in the Moonlight
"Dancing In The Moonlight" is the title song on the 1973 King Harvest album. The track was released as a single in 1972 and it reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. They released other singles but these were never able to match the success of "Dancing in the Moonlight"...
" by King Harvest
King Harvest
King Harvest was a 1970s American rock band, best known for their 1973 hit single, "Dancing in the Moonlight".-Background:Formed by a group of four American expatriates in Paris in 1970, King Harvest was best known for its one US hit single, "Dancing In The Moonlight," which was released in 1972...
. Future singles and albums would be crafted in the vein of "All My Life", which was the duo's only number-one hit, though many consider it one of the greatest jazz pop melodies of all time. Love Always went on to sell four million copies, and the success of the album put Jodeci's reunion on hold indefinitely. During the recording of Love Always they also appeared in the song "I Care 'Bout You" as a member of the R&B Supergroup Milestone along with After 7
After 7
After 7 is an R&B group founded in 1988 by brothers Melvin and Kevon Edmonds, and Keith Mitchell. The Edmonds brothers are the siblings of popular pop and R&B singer-songwriter-producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds"...
which appeared on the soundtrack for the movie, Soul Food
Soul Food (film)
Soul Food is a 1997 American comedy-drama film, produced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Tracey Edmonds, and Robert Teitel, and released by Fox 2000 Pictures. Featuring an ensemble cast, the film stars Vanessa L. Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long, Michael Beach, Mekhi Phifer, Jeffrey D. Sams, Irma...
that was written and produced by Babyface.
In 1999, K-Ci & JoJo recorded "Life", which was written and produced by R. Kelly
R. Kelly
Robert Sylvester Kelly , better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. A native of Chicago, Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play...
, for the soundtrack to the Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy
Edward Regan "Eddie" Murphy is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, singer, director, and musician....
and Martin Lawrence
Martin Lawrence
Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence is an American actor, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and stand up comedian. He came to fame during the 1990s, establishing a Hollywood career as a leading actor, most notably the films Bad Boys, Blue Streak, and Big Momma's House...
movie Life.
It's Real (1999)
K-Ci & JoJo's second studio album, It's Real was released on June 22, 1999. It peaked at number eight on the Billboard 200, peaked at number two on the R&B/Hip Hop Albums, and was certified platinum by the RIAA. Outside of the US, the album reached top 20 on the Dutch Mega Album Top 100, the Canadian Albums ChartCanadian Albums Chart
The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS...
, and appeared on the New Zealand Top 40 Albums and the ARIA Charts. The album spawned four singles, including the number-two Billboard song
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...
, "Tell Me It's Real".
It's Real received a three star rating from Allmusic.
X
K-Ci and JoJo returned with X on December 5, 2000. XX (K-Ci and JoJo album)
X is the third studio album by American R&B duo and brothers K-Ci & JoJo, released December 5, 2000 on MCA. Recording sessions took place during 1999–2000. Production was handled by various producers, including Mike Smoov, Rory Bennett, and DeVante Swing. The album peaked at number twenty on the US...
, the Roman numeral for ten, was picked as the album title to celebrate the Haileys' tenth anniversary in the music business. They made a strong return to the Billboard Hot 100 early in 2001 with the song "Crazy"
Crazy (K-Ci and JoJo song)
Crazy is a R&B love song by duo K-Ci and JoJo. It was released in 2001 and was their first single off the album X. It was also featured on the soundtrack to the hit dance film Save the Last Dance, starring Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas...
, also included on the Save the Last Dance
Save the Last Dance
Save the Last Dance is a 2001 romantic drama dance film produced by MTV Films, directed by Thomas Carter and released by Paramount Pictures on January 12, 2001. The film stars Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas as a teenage interracial couple in Chicago who work together to help the main...
soundtrack. "Crazy" peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The album also features a hidden 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,...
track entitled "Slip And Fall".
Emotional and Greatest Hits
The fourth K-Ci and JoJo album, Emotional, was released on November 26, 2002, but did not find commercial success. The CD consisted of one single, "This Very Moment." and also their personalfavourite "How Long" written by Steve Vaughn and Jojo Hailey.
K-Ci and JoJo released a greatest hits
Greatest hits
A greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...
album on February 8, 2005.
Love
On February 6, 2008, they released their fifth album called LoveLove (K-Ci and JoJo album)
Love is the fifth album by K-Ci & JoJo. It was released in Japan only on February 6, 2008, by Formula Recordings.-Track listing:...
, which was released only in Japan.
New signing deal
In 2010, they signed an exclusive deal with R&B crooner Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds' upstart Soda Pop Records, distributed through Capitol Records.Media
In 2010, they appeared in a 'T.V. ONE' reality show called K-Ci and JoJo Come Clean about the brothers' struggles with alcohol.Family ties
- Music runs in K-Ci and JoJo's family, with vocalist Dave HollisterDave HollisterDave Hollister is an American R&B vocalist who found fame during the 1990s as one quarter of the Platinum-selling R&B quartet Blackstreet before going on to a solo career.-Biography:...
and Fantasia BarrinoFantasia BarrinoFantasia Monique Barrino commonly known as Fantasia, is an American R&B singer, Broadway and television actress who rose to fame as the winner of the third season of the reality television series American Idol in 2004. Following her victory, she released her debut single, "I Believe", which...
as cousins of the duo.
Discography
Studio- Love AlwaysLove AlwaysLove Always is the debut album of American R&B duo K-Ci & JoJo, released on June 17, 1997, by MCA Records. It was recorded at various studios in New York and the Los Angeles area in 1996 and 1997. It was produced by JoJo and several others, including DeVante Swing, James Mtume, and Jeff Redd...
(1997) - It's Real (1999)
- XX (K-Ci and JoJo album)X is the third studio album by American R&B duo and brothers K-Ci & JoJo, released December 5, 2000 on MCA. Recording sessions took place during 1999–2000. Production was handled by various producers, including Mike Smoov, Rory Bennett, and DeVante Swing. The album peaked at number twenty on the US...
(2000) - EmotionalEmotional (K-Ci and JoJo album)Emotional is the fourth studio album by American R&B duo and brothers K-Ci & JoJo, released on November 26, 2002 on MCA Records. Recording sessions took place at K-Ci & JoJo's home in Los Angeles, California during 2002...
(2002) - LoveLove (K-Ci and JoJo album)Love is the fifth album by K-Ci & JoJo. It was released in Japan only on February 6, 2008, by Formula Recordings.-Track listing:...
(2008)
Compilation
- All My Life: Their Greatest HitsAll My Life: Their Greatest HitsAll My Life: Their Greatest Hits is the greatest hits album released by K-Ci and JoJo. It contains all of their singles as a duo as well as favourites from their four albums.- Track listing :#Last Night's Letter#You Bring Me Up...
(2005) - 20th Century Masters - Millennium Collection: The Best of K-Ci & Jojo (2006)
- Ballad Collection for Lovers (2007)
- Playlist Your WayPlaylist Your Way (K-Ci and JoJo album)Playlist Your Way is a compilation album by K-Ci & JoJo released on August 5, 2008, by Universal Records as part of the Playlist Your Way Hits CD series.-Track listing:# "Last Night's Letter" 4:38...
(2008)
American Music Awards
|-| 1999 || K-Ci & JoJo || Favorite R&B Band/Duo/Group ||
|-
| 2000 || K-Ci & JoJo || Favorite R&B Band/Duo/Group ||
Blockbuster Awards
|-| 1999 || K-Ci & JoJo || Best Group - R&B ||
Grammy Awards
|-| 1997 || "How Do U Want It
How Do U Want It
"How Do U Want It" is a hip-hop song performed by Tupac Shakur. It features K-Ci and JoJo and was the third single from his album All Eyez on Me. It was a Double A-side single to "California Love", and the song reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1996. In the UK, the song peaked at #17.It...
" || Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group ||
|-
| 1999 || "All My Life
All My Life (K-Ci and JoJo song)
"All My Life" is a song recorded by American R&B duo K-Ci & JoJo. The track was produced and written by Joel "JoJo" Hailey and Rory Bennett for K-Ci & JoJo's debut studio album, Love Always . The song was released physically as from January 6, 1998 as the third single from the album through MCA...
" || Best R&B Vocal Performance ||
|-
| 1999 || "All My Life
All My Life (K-Ci and JoJo song)
"All My Life" is a song recorded by American R&B duo K-Ci & JoJo. The track was produced and written by Joel "JoJo" Hailey and Rory Bennett for K-Ci & JoJo's debut studio album, Love Always . The song was released physically as from January 6, 1998 as the third single from the album through MCA...
" || Best R&B Song ||
MTV Video Music Awards
|-| 1998 || "All My Life
All My Life (K-Ci and JoJo song)
"All My Life" is a song recorded by American R&B duo K-Ci & JoJo. The track was produced and written by Joel "JoJo" Hailey and Rory Bennett for K-Ci & JoJo's debut studio album, Love Always . The song was released physically as from January 6, 1998 as the third single from the album through MCA...
" || Best R&B Video ||
|-
| 2001 || "Crazy
Crazy (K-Ci and JoJo song)
Crazy is a R&B love song by duo K-Ci and JoJo. It was released in 2001 and was their first single off the album X. It was also featured on the soundtrack to the hit dance film Save the Last Dance, starring Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas...
" || Best Video from a Film ||
NAACP Awards
|-| 1999 || K-Ci & JoJo || Outstanding Duo or Group ||
Soul Train Awards
|-| 1999 || "All My Life
All My Life (K-Ci and JoJo song)
"All My Life" is a song recorded by American R&B duo K-Ci & JoJo. The track was produced and written by Joel "JoJo" Hailey and Rory Bennett for K-Ci & JoJo's debut studio album, Love Always . The song was released physically as from January 6, 1998 as the third single from the album through MCA...
" || Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band or Duo ||
External links
- Official Site
- RockOnTheNet - Jodeci
- K-Ci & Jojo on Soulrnb.com French group