If you were to closely examine the annals of modern pop music history, few creative forces have been more seminal or impacted the contemporary pop/urban genres as much as Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds. In a relatively short time, he has reached icon status as a poignant tunesmith, prolific hit maker/producer, superstar recording artist, and revolutionary label owner. He is a statistical juggernaut, who keeps adding milestone after milestone to a legacy that seems to have no threshold or peak in sight.
A 10-time Grammy winner with 11 solo albums of his own, Edmonds’ impeccably crafted explorations of love, romance and relationships have made an indelible imprint on the evolution of contemporary pop music throughout the world: over 125 Top-10 R&B and Pop hits, 42 #1’s R&B hits, and 51 Top-10 Pop hits (including 16 #1’s), which have produced single and album sales in excess of over 500 million units worldwide.
Just a few of the vocalists from which his music can be heard: Whitey Houston, Boyz II
Men, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Eric Clapton, Mary J. Blige, Michael Jackson, TLC, Toni Braxton, Celine Dion, John Mellencamp, Brandy, Aretha Franklin, Fall Out Boy, Pink, Charlie Wilson, Chrisette Michele.
He is the recipient of numerous awards, including Soul Train Music Awards, BMI Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and American Music Awards. Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds was the recipient of the third BET Walk of Fame Award (previous honorees were Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston), and was named BET’s “Entertainer of the Year” at the First Annual BET Awards Ceremony. He will receive a star on Hollywood’s legendary Walk of Fame in 2009.
Edmonds’ charitable work is as impressive as his professional accomplishments. His
caring and generosity have garnered him several awards, including the Essence Award
for Excellence, The City of Hope Award, and Variety Magazine’s “Top of the Town”
Honoree Award. He was National Spokesman for Boarder Babies, and personally helped
raise over $500,000 for a transitional home, The Little Blue House, located in Washington D.C. Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds has also personally donated over $100,000 to the VH-1 Save the Music program. He continues to contribute to a host of other worthwhile organizations, including the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).
In 2008, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds combined his musical prowess with his charitable efforts, co-writing and producing the song “Just Stand Up” with longtime partner Antonio “L.A.” Reid, which served as the backbone of a multi-network breast cancer awareness special. The song featured such current heavyweights as Beyonce, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Leona Lewis, Carrie Underwood, Miley Cyrus and Sheryl Crow. Most recently Kenny Edmonds & LA Reid were honored by the Noble Awards for their contribution to Stand Up To Cancer. Kenny Edmonds has also launched a new record label through Island Def Jam, “Soda Pop Records” with its first release by Kristinia DeBarge.
#1's and Grammys:
#1 Pop Hits (16)
"Every Little Step" - Bobby Brown (1989)
"I'm Your Baby Tonight" - Whitney Houston (1990)
"Baby, Baby, Baby" - TLC (1992)
"End of the Road" - Boyz II Men (1992)
"Humpin' Around" - Bobby Brown (1992)
"Never Forget You" - Mariah Carey (1993)
"I'll Make Love To You" - Boyz II Men (1994)
"Take A Bow" - Madonna (1994)
"Red Light Special" - TLC (1995)
"Diggin' On You" - TLC (1995)
"Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" - Whitney Houston (1995)
"Let It Flow" - Toni Braxton (1995)
"Not Gon' Cry" - Mary J Blige (1995)
"Sittin' Up In My Room" - Brandy (1995)
"You're Making Me High" - Toni Braxton (1996)
"I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)" - R. Kelly (1996)
#1 R&B Hits
"Rock Steady" – The Whispers (1987)
"Girlfriend" – Pebbles (1988)
"Don't Be Cruel" – Bobby Brown (1988)
"Dial My Heart" – The Boys (1988)
"Lucky Charm" – The Boys (1988)
"It's No Crime" – Babyface (1989)
"Tender Lover" – Babyface (1989)
"Every Little Step" – Bobby Brown (1989)
"Can't Stop" – After 7 (1989)
"Ready Or Not" – After 7 (1989)
"On Our Own" – Bobby Brown (1989)
"Love Saw It" – Karyn White & Babyface (1989)
"Roses Are Red" – The Mac Band feat. The McCampbell Brothers (1989)
"I'm Your Baby Tonight" - Whitney Houston (1990)
"Superwoman" – Karyn White (1990)
"Giving You The Benefit" – Pebbles (1990)
"Love Makes Things Happen" – Pebbles & Babyface (1990)
"The Way You Love Me" – Karyn White (1990)
"Exclusivity" – Damian Dame (1991)
"End of the Road" – Boyz II Men (1992)
"Baby-Baby-Baby" – TLC (1992)
"My, My, My" – Johnny Gill (1992)
"Humpin' Around" - Bobby Brown (1992)
"Sweet November" – Troop (1992)
"Can We Talk" – Tevin Campbell (1993)
"Seven Whole Days" – Toni Braxton (1993)
"I'll Make Love To You" - Boyz II Men (1994)
"Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" - Whitney Houston (1995)
GRAMMY AWARDS WON (10)
Producer of the Year (1992)
Best R&B Song - "End of the Road" [Boyz II Men] (1992)
Album of the Year – The Bodyguard Soundtrack (1993)
Best R&B Song – "I'll Make Love To You [Boyz II Men] (1994)
Best Male R&B Vocal Performance – "When Can I See You" (1994)
Producer of the Year (1995)
Producer of the Year (1996)
Best R&B Song – "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" [Whitney Houston] (1996)
Record of the Year – "Change the World" [Eric Clapton] (1996)
Producer of the Year (1997)
OTHER GRAMMY AWARDS (9)
Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male – "Every Little Step" [Bobby Brown] (1989)
Best R&B Performance by A Duo/Group w/ Vocal – "End of the Road" [Boyz II Men] (1992)
Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female – "Another Sad Love Song" [Toni Braxton] (1993)
Best R&B Performance by A Duo/Group w/ Vocal – "I'll Make Love To You" [Boyz II Men] (1994)
Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female – "Breathe Again" [Toni Braxton] (1994)
Best R&B Album – Crazysexycool [TLC] (1995)
Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female – "You're Makin' Me High" [Toni Braxton] (1996)
Best R&B Album – Words [Tony Rich a.k.a. The Tony Rich Project] (1996)
Best R&B Album – Fanmail [TLC] (1999)
