Sparkle (singer)
Encyclopedia
Stephanie Edwards better known as Sparkle is an American
R&B
singer. She began her career in 1998 as a protégé
of R. Kelly
.
. Sparkle's debut album, the self-titled Sparkle
, was released on May 19, 1998. The album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200
and No. 2 on the R&B charts
and was certified Platinum very soon after the release. The album is best known for the single "Be Careful," a 1998 duet
with R. Kelly, which made it to two of Billboard's major airplay charts, peaking at No. 3 on the Rhythmic Top 40 and charted at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot R&B Airplay for six consecutive weeks, while also reaching No. 7 in the UK
.
Despite the success of her debut album, Sparkle and R. Kelly began to have creative differences while working on her second album, which led to her to ask to be released from Rockland/Interscope. She then signed with Motown Records
, where she would release her second album Told You So
in 2000. However, the album was a commercial disappointment, only making it to 121 on the Billboard 200, while scoring a minor hit with the single "It's a Fact".
on "Age Ain't Nothing But A Number
"; R. Kelly
on "R
"; Mary J. Blige
on "Share My World
"; Wyclef Jean
on "Loving You Remix"; Avant
feat. Kelly Rowland
on "Separated Remix"; Joe
on "Woman's Heart", Jimmy Sommers; and Tank.
Sparkle also has sang background vocals for Toni Braxton
in her Las Vegas stage show Toni Braxton Revealed.
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...
singer. She began her career in 1998 as a protégé
Mentorship
Mentorship refers to a personal developmental relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps a less experienced or less knowledgeable person....
of 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...
.
Career
Sparkle first started singing in her family's gospel music group. Sparkle met singer R. Kelly in while he was working on a male artist in 1989. Sparkle was the first and only successful artist to release an album on Kelly's Rockland labelRockland Records
Rockland Records was a vanity label conceived by R. Kelly. Having distribution from Interscope Records, Rockland's artists included Sparkle, rappers Boo & Gotti, Talent, and Vegas Cats among others...
. Sparkle's debut album, the self-titled Sparkle
Sparkle (Sparkle album)
Sparkle is the self-titled debut album by R&B singer, Sparkle. It was released on May 19, 1998 through Interscope Records and was entirely produced by her mentor R. Kelly. The album was a success in large part to the Sparkle-R.Kelly duet "Be Careful", which peaked at 3 on the Rhythmic Top 40 and 1...
, was released on May 19, 1998. The album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200
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...
and No. 2 on the R&B charts
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...
and was certified Platinum very soon after the release. The album is best known for the single "Be Careful," a 1998 duet
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...
with R. Kelly, which made it to two of Billboard's major airplay charts, peaking at No. 3 on the Rhythmic Top 40 and charted at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot R&B Airplay for six consecutive weeks, while also reaching No. 7 in the 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 ...
.
Despite the success of her debut album, Sparkle and R. Kelly began to have creative differences while working on her second album, which led to her to ask to be released from Rockland/Interscope. She then signed with 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...
, where she would release her second album Told You So
Told You So
For the 1983 song by Depeche Mode, see Construction Time Again.Told You So is the second album by R&B singer Sparkle. It was released on October 24, 2000 through Motown Records and was entirely produced by Steve "Stone" Huff....
in 2000. However, the album was a commercial disappointment, only making it to 121 on the Billboard 200, while scoring a minor hit with the single "It's a Fact".
R. Kelly trial
In 2002, the Chicago Police Child Investigative Unit and a writer for the Chicago Suntimes showed Sparkle a videotape allegedly of her young niece, then approximately 14, and R. Kelly engaging in sexual acts. Sparkle identified the young girl as her sister's daughter. Sparkle testified against R. Kelly in a subsequent criminal trial on charges of child pornography in 2008. However, in the end, the jury found Kelly not guilty in the case.Works
Sparkle has worked with several artists, including AaliyahAaliyah
Aaliyah Dana Haughton , who performed under the mononym Aaliyah , was an American R&B recording artist, actress and model. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of 10, she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside...
on "Age Ain't Nothing But A Number
Age Ain't Nothing but a Number
Age Ain't Nothing But a Number received generally favorable reviews from music critics. Some writers noted that Aaliyah's "silky vocals" and "sultry voice" blended with Kelly's new jack swing helped define R&B in the 1990s. Her sound was also compared to that of female quartet En Vogue...
"; 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...
on "R
R. (album)
-Commercial performance:R. debuted at #2 on the Billboard top 100 with 1st weeks sales of 741,000 coppies in the 1st week.in the second week the album fell to #3 with 567,000 coppies.the album was eventually rewarded a 8x plantium award with more than 8 million copies sold in the United States to...
"; 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...
on "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...
"; Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean is a Haitian musician, record producer, and politician. At age nine, Jean moved to the United States with his family and has spent much of his life in the country...
on "Loving You Remix"; Avant
Avant
Myron Avant , better known as Avant is an American R&B singer-songwriter. He is best known for hits such as "Separated" , "My First Love," which one version features KeKe Wyatt, and "Read Your Mind"...
feat. Kelly Rowland
Kelly Rowland
Kelendria Trene "Kelly" Rowland is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and television personality. She rose to fame as one of the founding members of the American girl group Destiny's Child...
on "Separated Remix"; Joe
Joe (singer)
Joseph Lewis Thomas , usually credited simply as Joe, is an American R&B singer and record producer.-Early life:Joe is a native of Cuthbert, Georgia and later moved to Opelika, Alabama. The son of two preachers, Joe spent much time in church singing, playing guitar, and even directing the choir...
on "Woman's Heart", Jimmy Sommers; and Tank.
Sparkle also has sang background vocals for 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...
in her Las Vegas stage show Toni Braxton Revealed.
Albums
| Year | Title | Chart positions | RIAA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. 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... |
U.S. 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... |
|||
| 1998 | Sparkle Sparkle (Sparkle album) Sparkle is the self-titled debut album by R&B singer, Sparkle. It was released on May 19, 1998 through Interscope Records and was entirely produced by her mentor R. Kelly. The album was a success in large part to the Sparkle-R.Kelly duet "Be Careful", which peaked at 3 on the Rhythmic Top 40 and 1...
|
3 | 2 | Platinum |
| 2000 | Told You So Told You So For the 1983 song by Depeche Mode, see Construction Time Again.Told You So is the second album by R&B singer Sparkle. It was released on October 24, 2000 through Motown Records and was entirely produced by Steve "Stone" Huff.... 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... |
121 | 31 | |
Singles
- "Be Careful" (feat. R.Kelly) (1998)
- "Time To Move On" (1998)
- "What About" / "Lovin' You" (1999)
- "It's a Fact"
- "Good Life"