In 1987 Edmonds and Reid went out on their own and began writing and producing independently. The pair's work with up-and-coming soul crooner Bobby Brown helped Edmonds and Reid break through to the next level. Soon after, they were producing big-name acts like the Jacksons and newcomers like Karyn White, After 7 (featuring two of Edmonds's brothers and one of his cousins), and Pebbles (who married Reid). After Dick Griffey, the head of Solar Records, noticed the duo's producing skills on their own work, the two were enlisted to write and produce for the Whispers and Shalamar. Edmonds later joined the band, and he and Reid soon began to attract attention. In 1981 Edmonds first hooked up with Antonio "L.A." Reid, who was performing with a group called the Deele. He then played in a funk group called ManChild and in another called the Crowd Pleasers. In Indianapolis, Edmonds played in Top 40 bands. Baird theorized that young Babyface made very good mental notes of whatever the promoters divulged, and stored them away for later use. He confided to Jack Baird of Musician that he would phone concert promoters pretending to be his own music teacher, asking if the musicians would grant his gifted young charge-namely, himself-an interview. While in the ninth grade, Edmonds used his determination to devise a way to meet some of his musical idols. At this stage, Edmonds became determined to have a career in music. When he was in eighth grade, Edmonds's father died of lung cancer, leaving his mother to raise her sons alone. A Keyboard magazine writer deemed him "that rarest of creatures, a producer with a Midas touch." Not content to remain behind the recording console, however, Edmonds, who was given the nickname Babyface by guitarist Bootsy Collins, has also pursued a successful career as a solo recording artist.Įdmonds grew up in the Midwest, the second youngest of six boys, and learned guitar at a young age. Described by Gordon Chambers of Vibe as "clearly an architect of today's black pop scene," Edmonds has written songs for such pop luminaries as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, Aretha Franklin, Vanessa Williams, TLC, and Madonna. Much of the artist's success has been achieved in tandem with Antonio "L.A." Reid, with whom he founded the LaFace record label in 1989 at one point, the duo was responsible for six singles appearing simultaneously in the R&B top ten. Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds has emerged as one of the most prolific producers, songwriters, and performers in popular music.
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