Marc Nelson
Encyclopedia
Marc Nelson is an American singer. His mother was the late R&B/Dance singer Phyllis Nelson
, known for the songs 'I Like You' and 'Move Closer'. He was an original member of Boyz II Men
while still attending Philadelphia's High School of Performing Arts. However, Nelson left the group before they released their first album to pursue his own solo career.
's "I Want You", which hit #26 on the R&B charts. His follow-up, "Count On Me", reached #48 on the R&B charts. Nelson released his solo album, I Want You. in 1991.
Following the release of his solo album, Nelson began to concentrate his talents as a songwriter. Drawing the attention of Babyface, Nelson wrote for artists like Toni Braxton
, Brandy
, Tamia
, Tyrese
and Jon B. Through Babyface, Nelson met the four members of the group Az Yet
and was added to the line-up as second lead vocalist and the group was signed to LaFace Records
.
Nelson left the group after being driven away by the business end of things. He began writing intensely and then, when satisfied with what he'd produced, returned to his solo career once more. He released a second album, Chocolate Mood, in 1999. The album featured Nelson's biggest solo hit, 15 Minutes
, which reached #4 on the R&B charts and #27 on the Hot 100.
On January 9, 2007, Nelson was honored by SESAC at their third Jazz Awards Luncheon for his authorship on "It's On Tonight" by Brian Culbertson. The event honored jazz writers whose works achieved Top 5 status on the jazz charts from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006.
Nelson released his first independent project, "Marc: My Words" (Lyric Masters 911) on July 24, 2007. Nelson wrote or co-wrote the lyrics on all 15 tracks of the album. He also produced all of the tracks on the album with several of the tracks co-produced by others. Nelson extracted the material for the release from his existing catalog of songs written between 2001 and 2007 and began recording the material in 2006. The album features the original version of "I Don't Wanna Be In Love" (co-written by jazz artist Brian Culbertson) which also appears on the 2007 release "Crystal City" by Andre Ward.
with fellow R&B veterans Tony Grant
of Az Yet, Gary "Lil G" Jenkins of Silk
and Terrell Phillips
of Blackstreet
. Although the group managed to record several songs, the recordings were never publicly released, the album was never completed, and the group disbanded in December 2007. Lil G left Blayse to return to Silk and Nelson left to return to Az Yet. Tony Grant toured in the Tyler Perry
stage production "The Marriage Counselor" from January 2008 through May 2008.
Phyllis Nelson
Phyllis Nelson was an American singer, most famous for her UK chart-topping recording, "Move Closer". Her son is the R&B singer and record producer, Marc Nelson.-Career:...
, known for the songs 'I Like You' and 'Move Closer'. He was an original member of Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. They are the most successful R&B group of all time, having sold more than albums worldwide. In the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet, but original member Michael McCary...
while still attending Philadelphia's High School of Performing Arts. However, Nelson left the group before they released their first album to pursue his own solo career.
Early career
After signing a solo deal with Capitol Records, Marc Nelson scored a hit with a cover of Marvin GayeMarvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
's "I Want You", which hit #26 on the R&B charts. His follow-up, "Count On Me", reached #48 on the R&B charts. Nelson released his solo album, I Want You. in 1991.
Following the release of his solo album, Nelson began to concentrate his talents as a songwriter. Drawing the attention of Babyface, Nelson wrote for artists like Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton
Toni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million records worldwide...
, Brandy
Brandy
Brandy is a spirit produced by distilling wine. Brandy generally contains 35%–60% alcohol by volume and is typically taken as an after-dinner drink...
, Tamia
Tamia
Tamia Hill , and known professionally as Tamia, is a four-time Grammy-nominated Canadian R&B and soul singer, songwriter, record producer, composer, model, entrepreneur and philanthropist, as well as an occasional actress.She is best known for her 2000 hit "Stranger In My House" and Fabolous' 2003...
, Tyrese
Tyrese
Tyrese Darnell Gibson , also known simply as Tyrese, is an American R&B singer, rapper, actor, author, former fashion model and MTV VJ. After releasing several albums, he transitioned into films, with lead roles in several Hollywood releases.-Early life:Gibson was born in Los Angeles, California,...
and Jon B. Through Babyface, Nelson met the four members of the group Az Yet
Az Yet
Az Yet is an American R&B group from Philadelphia, best known for their hit "Last Night" and their cover of the Chicago song "Hard to Say I'm Sorry."-Formation:...
and was added to the line-up as second lead vocalist and the group was signed to LaFace Records
LaFace Records
LaFace Records is an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment.-Company history:LaFace was formed in 1989 as a joint venture between the producing duo Antonio "L.A." Reid & Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, and Arista Records. The combined nicknames of the duo's successful...
.
Successful Breakthrough
As a member of Az Yet, Nelson saw a great deal of success. The group's self-titled debut album was released in 1996 and went platinum. It had a great deal of success with the single "Last Night" going gold and topping the R&B charts. In addition, it reached #9 on the Hot 100. Their second single, "Hard To Say I'm Sorry" did even better, going platinum and reaching #8 on the Hot 100.Nelson left the group after being driven away by the business end of things. He began writing intensely and then, when satisfied with what he'd produced, returned to his solo career once more. He released a second album, Chocolate Mood, in 1999. The album featured Nelson's biggest solo hit, 15 Minutes
15 Minutes
15 Minutes is a 2001 film starring Robert De Niro , Edward Burns and Karel Roden. It is about a homicide detective and a fire marshal who must stop a couple of Eastern European murderers from videotaping their killing and becoming sensationalized by the media. Melina Kanakaredes and Kelsey Grammer,...
, which reached #4 on the R&B charts and #27 on the Hot 100.
On January 9, 2007, Nelson was honored by SESAC at their third Jazz Awards Luncheon for his authorship on "It's On Tonight" by Brian Culbertson. The event honored jazz writers whose works achieved Top 5 status on the jazz charts from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006.
Nelson released his first independent project, "Marc: My Words" (Lyric Masters 911) on July 24, 2007. Nelson wrote or co-wrote the lyrics on all 15 tracks of the album. He also produced all of the tracks on the album with several of the tracks co-produced by others. Nelson extracted the material for the release from his existing catalog of songs written between 2001 and 2007 and began recording the material in 2006. The album features the original version of "I Don't Wanna Be In Love" (co-written by jazz artist Brian Culbertson) which also appears on the 2007 release "Crystal City" by Andre Ward.
Recent Times
Nelson was also a founding member of the R&B super-group BlayseBlayse
Blayse, an American R&B supergroup, which consists of Terrell Phillips formerly of Blackstreet, Marc Nelson and Tony Grant formerly of Az Yet and Gary "Lil G" Jenkins formerly of Silk...
with fellow R&B veterans Tony Grant
Tony Grant
Tony Grant may refer to:* Tony Grant * Tony Grant * Tony Grant , American singer and stage actor* Toni Grant, American psychologist and radio talk show host...
of Az Yet, Gary "Lil G" Jenkins of Silk
Silk
Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...
and Terrell Phillips
Terrell Phillips
Terrell Phillips is an American music artist, recording producer and engineer, R&B vocalist, actor and former member of the R&B/New Jack recording group, Blackstreet. After the departure of Mark Middleton, Terrell was recruited by Blackstreet group leader Teddy Riley...
of Blackstreet
Blackstreet
Blackstreet is an American R&B group founded in 1991 by Thomas Taliaferro and Teddy Riley, the inventor of New Jack Swing known for his work as a member of Guy. Chauncey Hannibal and Levi Little were signed under production and management contracts with Thomas Taliaferro and were merged into what...
. Although the group managed to record several songs, the recordings were never publicly released, the album was never completed, and the group disbanded in December 2007. Lil G left Blayse to return to Silk and Nelson left to return to Az Yet. Tony Grant toured in the Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry is an American actor, director, playwright, entrepreneur, screenwriter, producer, author, and songwriter. Perry wrote and produced many stage plays during the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2005, he released his first film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman...
stage production "The Marriage Counselor" from January 2008 through May 2008.
Discography
- 1991: I Want You
- 1999: Chocolate Mood
- 2007: Marc My Words
Stage play appearances
- Love Ain't Supposed to Hurt - Part II: The Wedding
- Tell Hell I Ain't Coming
- King Solomon Lives
- Men Cry in the Dark