Search Jobs
Employer Directory
Career Articles
For NJTC Employers

Article: Babyface, singer/songwriter

Article Group List / Workplace / Babyface, singer/songwriter

Babyface, singer/songwriter

Born in Indianapolis in 1959, the writer of some of the most romantic songs in modern R&B insists that he grew up in an unsentimental environment.  According to People magazine, Babyface says, "We weren't a touchy family, saying 'I love you.'" Nonetheless, the former Kenneth Edmonds must have gotten his mushiness from somewhere, because he admits that he was only in the first grade when he wrote his first love letter. 

In fifth grade, Babyface began playing guitar and writing down the romantic verses that he had been brewing in his mind.  By the time he was a teenager, he had embarked on his professional music career, performing in Bootsy Collins' backup band (where he earned his moniker) and meeting people like Antonio "L.A." Reid, who brought him into his funk band, Deele.  After three albums in the 1980s, the band broke up, and Babyface released his first solo effort, Lovers, in 1987.

Collaborating with Reid, who was also Deele's drummer, proved to be fortuitous.  They wrote extremely successful songs together for the likes of Sheena Easton, Paula Abdul, Whitney Houston, and Bobby Brown.  In 1989, the pair founded the record company LaFace, introducing talents like Toni Braxton and TLC.  Since then, Babyface has been one of the world's most successful songwriters, helping write and/or produce 66 Billboard top ten hits and picking up ten Grammy awards - nine for producing/songwriting, and one performing award for his 1995 hit, "When Can I See You."

And don't think that his name detracts from his credibility; in fact, Babyface says his name adds to his success.  "I used to do this one song onstage with Deele - at the end, they'd say, 'That was Kenny Edmonds!' and the reaction would be so-so," he recalls.  "Then one night, I sang it the exact same way and they introduced me as 'Babyface!' and it was a totally different reaction, with people screaming.  That's when I learned the importance of commercialism."