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{{For|the marshal|Faith Evans (U.S. Marshal)}}
{{short description|American singer (born 1973)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2013}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
|birth_name = Faith Renee Evans
| name = Faith Evans
|image = FaithEvansApr05.jpg
| image = Faith Evans 1998.jpg
|caption = Evans performing in April 2005
| caption = Evans in 1998
| birth_name = Faith Renée Evans
|Spouse = [[The Notorious B.I.G.|Christopher George Latore Wallace]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|06|10}}
|background = solo_singer
|birth_name = Faith Renée Evans
| birth_place = [[Lakeland, Florida]], U.S.
{{Infobox person
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1973|6|10}}
| child = yes
|birth_place = [[Lakeland, Florida]]
| education = [[Fordham University]] (no degree)}}
|origin = [[Newark, New Jersey]],<br/>United States
| origin = [[Newark, New Jersey]], U.S.
|Voice_Type = Mezzo_soprano
| years_active = 1994–present
|genre = [[contemporary R&B|R&B]], [[soul music|soul]], [[hip hop music|hip hop]]
|occupation = Singer-songwriter, record producer, actress, author
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer-songwriter|actress}}
| discography = [[Faith Evans discography]]
|years_active = 1994–present
| genre = {{hlist|[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]|[[Hip hop music|hip hop]]|[[Soul music|soul]]}}
|label = {{Flat list |
| label = {{hlist|[[Rhino Records|Rhino]]|[[Entertainment One Music|E1]]|Prolific|[[Capitol Records|Capitol]]|[[Bad Boy Records|Bad Boy]]|[[Arista Records|Arista]]|[[BMG Rights Management|BMG]]}}
* [[Bad Boy Records|Bad Boy]]
| spouse = {{ubl
* [[BMG Rights Management|BMG Chrysalis]]
| {{marriage|[[The Notorious B.I.G.]]|1994|1997|end=[[Murder of the Notorious B.I.G.|died]]}}{{efn|Evans and Wallace had separated before Wallace's death.<ref>{{cite web|title=Biggie Smalls Wed Faith Evans after 8 Days and Had Many Affairs during Marriage — Inside Their Love Story|date=June 18, 2021|url=https://news.amomama.com/265906-biggie-smalls-wed-faith-evans-8-days-had.html}}</ref>}}
* [[Capitol Records|Capitol]]
| {{marriage|Todd Russaw|1998|2011|reason=divorced}}
* [[E1 Music]]
| {{marriage|[[Stevie J]]|2018|2023|reason=divorced}}<ref>{{cite web|author=Daniela Avila|url=https://people.com/music/stevie-j-files-for-divorce-from-faith-evans/|title=Stevie J Files for Divorce from Faith Evans After 3 Years of Marriage|publisher=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=November 9, 2021|access-date=December 18, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bet.com/article/zqlqxb/faith-evans-stevie-j-divorce-settlement|title=Faith Evans Settles Bitter Divorce Battle With Stevie J|publisher=[[BET]]|date=July 8, 2023|access-date=July 18, 2023}}</ref>}}
* Prolific
{{Infobox person
| child = yes
| children = 4, including [[C. J. Wallace (actor)|C. J. Wallace]]
| website = {{URL|faithevansmusic.com}}
}}
}}
|associated_acts = [[The Notorious B.I.G.]], [[Sean Combs]], [[Mary J. Blige]], [[Carl Thomas (singer)|Carl Thomas]], [[Anastacia]], [[Sting (musician)|Sting]]
|website = [http://www.faithevansmusic.com/ FaithEvansMusic.com]
}}
}}


'''Faith Renée Evans''' (born June 10, 1973) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, occasional actress and author. Born in Florida and raised in [[New Jersey]], Evans relocated to Los Angeles in 1993 for a career in the music business. After working as a backing vocalist for [[Al B. Sure]] and [[Christopher Williams (singer)|Christopher Williams]], she became the first female artist to contract with [[Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs]]' [[Bad Boy Entertainment]] recording company in 1994, for which she collaborated with several label mates such as [[Mary J. Blige]] and [[Carl Thomas (singer)|Carl Thomas]] and released three platinum-certified studio albums between 1995 and 2001, including ''[[Faith (Faith Evans album)|Faith]]'' (1995), ''[[Keep the Faith (Faith Evans album)|Keep the Faith]]'' (1998) and ''[[Faithfully (Faith Evans album)|Faithfully]]'' (2001).<ref name="two"/>
'''Faith Renée Evans''' (born June 10, 1973) is an American [[contemporary R&B|R&B]] singer, songwriter and actress. Born in [[Lakeland, Florida]] and raised in [[Newark, New Jersey|New Jersey]], she relocated to [[Los Angeles]] in 1991 in pursuit of a recording career. She initially performed as a backing vocalist for R&B singers [[Al B. Sure!]] and [[Christopher Williams (singer)|Christopher Williams]], and by the age of 20, signed with [[Sean Combs|Puff Daddy]]'s [[Bad Boy Records]] as the label's first female artist in 1994. Following her uncredited appearance on labelmate [[the Notorious B.I.G.]]'s single "[[One More Chance (The Notorious B.I.G. song)|One More Chance]]", she released her debut studio album, ''[[Faith (Faith Evans album)|Faith]]'' (1995), to critical acclaim and moderate commercial reception. Evans then guest performed alongside [[112 (group)|112]] on Puff Daddy's 1997 single "[[I'll Be Missing You]]," which won [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group|Best Rap Performance]] at the [[40th Annual Grammy Awards]] and became the first hip hop song to debut atop the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. Her second and third albums, ''[[Keep the Faith (Faith Evans album)|Keep the Faith]]'' (1998) and ''[[Faithfully (Faith Evans album)|Faithfully]]'' (2001), peaked at numbers six and 14 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], respectively, and saw further critical praise.


In 2003, she ended her relationship with the company to sign with [[Capitol Records]].<ref name="one"/> Her first album released on the label, ''[[The First Lady]]'' (2005) became her highest-charting album at the time, reaching the top of the US [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] charts, while the holiday album ''[[A Faithful Christmas]]'', released the same year, would became her last release before the company was bought in 2007. Following a longer hiatus, Evans released her fifth album ''[[Something About Faith]]'' on the independent label Prolific/[[E1 Music]] in 2010.
Evans parted ways with Bad Boy in favor of [[Capitol Records]] in 2003.<ref name="one"/> Her fourth album, ''[[The First Lady (Faith Evans album)|The First Lady]]'' (2005) peaked at number two on the ''Billboard'' 200 and topped the US [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] chart, while her fifth album, ''[[A Faithful Christmas]]'' (2005)—a [[holiday album]]—failed to chart and served as her final release on a [[Record label#Major labels|major label]]. After a hiatus, she released her sixth album, ''[[Something About Faith]]'' (2010) independently, followed by her seventh album, ''[[Incomparable (Faith Evans album)|Incomparable]]'' (2014). With a career spanning two decades, Evans has sold over 20 million records worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bmi.com/press/entry/578886|title=Mark Batson Joins Tory Lanez, RedOne And Faith Evans For BMI'S How I Wrote That Song|access-date=December 25, 2018|work=[[Broadcast Music, Inc.|BMI]]}}</ref>


Other than her recording career, Evans is mostly known as the widow of New York rapper [[The Notorious B.I.G.|Christopher "The Notorious B.I.G." Wallace]], whom she married on August 4, 1994, a few weeks<!--CITED SOURCE SAYS NINE DAYS; PROVIDE A SOURCE AND DISCUSS ON TALK IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE THIS--> after meeting at a Bad Boy photo shoot.<ref name="chappell">{{cite web|first=Kevin|last= Chappell|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1264/is_n8_v28/ai_20039489/pg_2|title=After Biggie: Evans Has A New Love, A NEW Baby, A New Career|work=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]|publisher=FindArticles.com|date=April 1, 1999|accessdate=2009-03-14}}</ref> The turbulent marriage resulted in Evans' involvement in the [[East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry]], dominating the [[rap music]] news at the time, and ended with Wallace's murder in a [[cold case|unsolved]] [[drive-by shooting]] in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997.<ref name="three"/> A 1997 tribute single featuring Puff Daddy and the band [[112 (band)|112]], named "[[I'll Be Missing You]]", won Evans a [[Grammy Award]] in 1998.<ref name="one"/> Also an actress and writer, Evans made her screen debut in the 2000 musical drama ''[[Turn It Up (film)|Turn It Up]]'' by [[Robert Adetuyi]]. Her autobiography ''Keep the Faith: A Memoir'' was released by [[Grand Central Publishing]] in 2008 and won a 2009 African American Literary Award for the Best Biography/Memoir category.
Outside of recording, Evans is known as the widow of rapper Christopher "the Notorious B.I.G." Wallace, whom she married on August 4, 1994, <!--CITED SOURCE SAYS NINE DAYS; PROVIDE A SOURCE AND DISCUSS ON TALK IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE THIS--> after meeting the rapper at a Bad Boy photoshoot.<ref name="chappell">{{cite web|first=Kevin|last=Chappell|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1264/is_n8_v28/ai_20039489/pg_2|title=After Biggie: Evans Has A New Love, A NEW Baby, A New Career|work=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]|publisher=FindArticles.com|date=April 1, 1999|access-date=March 14, 2009}}</ref> The turbulent marriage resulted in Evans' involvement in the [[East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry]]—which dominated much of [[hip hop music]]'s mainstream coverage at the time—and concluded with [[Murder of The Notorious B.I.G.|Wallace's unsolved drive-by murder]] on March 9, 1997.<ref name="three"/><ref name="one"/> Also an actress and author, Evans made her screen debut on the 2000 musical drama ''[[Turn It Up (film)|Turn It Up]]'' by [[Robert Adetuyi]]. Her 2008 autobiography, ''Keep the Faith: A Memoir'' was released by [[Grand Central Publishing]] and won a 2009 African American Literary Award for the Best Biography/Memoir category.


==Biography==
==Biography==


===1973–1994: Early life and career beginnings===
===1973–1994: Early life and career beginnings===
Evans was born on June 10, 1973, in [[Lakeland, Florida]] to an [[African American]] mother, Helene Evans, a professional singer.<ref name="one">{{cite web|last=Wood|first=Gaby|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2005/jul/10/popandrock|date=July 10, 2005|title=Rap's first lady|work=[[The Guardian]]|accessdate=2009-03-14}}</ref> Her father, Richard Swain, who was [[White American|Caucasian]], was a musician who left before Evans was born (Evans has said "I've heard people mumble something about him being Italian, but I don't know for sure").<ref name="bookbio1">{{cite book|last=Evans|first=Faith|authorlink=|author2=Aliya S. King|title=Keep the Faith: A Memoir|publisher=Grand Central Publishing|date=August 2008|location=|pages=|url=|isbn=0446199508}}</ref> A half-year later, 19-year-old Helene returned to [[Newark, New Jersey]] and left Faith with her cousin Johnnie Mae and husband Orvelt Kennedy, the [[foster care|foster parents]] of more than 100 children they raised during the time that Faith lived with them. Faith had known Johnnie Mae and Orvelt Kennedy as her grandparents.<ref name="one"/><ref name="three">{{cite web|last=Waldron|first=Clarence|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_24_96/ai_57800104/pg_2|date=November 15, 1999|title=Faith Evans Tells How She Balances Motherhood and Music|work=[[Jet Magazine]]|accessdate=2009-03-15}}</ref> It was not until a couple of years later that Helene's career floundered and she tried to take Evans back home. Faith, however, was afraid to leave what she'd "been used to," and instead, Helene relocated next door.<ref name="one"/>
Evans was born on June 10, 1973, in [[Lakeland, Florida]], to an [[African American]] mother, Helene Evans, a professional singer.<ref name="one">{{cite web|last=Wood|first=Gaby|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/jul/10/popandrock|date=July 10, 2005|title=Rap's first lady|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=March 14, 2009}}</ref> Her father, Richard Swain, was a musician of [[English people|English]] and possible [[Italians|Italian]] descent who left before Evans was born; Evans has said "I've heard people mumble something about him being Italian, but I don't know for sure".<ref name="bookbio1">{{cite book|last=Evans|first=Faith|author2=Aliya S. King|title=Keep the Faith: A Memoir|publisher=Grand Central Publishing|date=August 2008|url=https://archive.org/details/keepfaithmemoir00evan_0|isbn=978-0446199506|url-access=registration}}</ref> A half-year later, 19-year-old Helene returned to [[Newark, New Jersey]], and left Faith with her cousin Johnnie Mae and husband Orvelt Kennedy, the [[foster care|foster parents]] of more than 100 children they raised during the time that Faith lived with them. Faith had known Johnnie Mae and Orvelt Kennedy as her grandparents.<ref name="one"/><ref name="three">{{cite web|last=Waldron|first=Clarence|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_24_96/ai_57800104/pg_2|date=November 15, 1999|title=Faith Evans Tells How She Balances Motherhood and Music|work=[[Jet Magazine]]|access-date=March 15, 2009}}</ref> It was not until a couple of years later that Helene's career floundered and she tried to take Evans back home. Faith, however, was afraid to leave what she had "been used to," and instead, Helene relocated next door.<ref name="one"/>


Raised in a Christian home, Evans began singing at church at age two. At age 4, she caught the attention of the congregation of the Emmanuel Baptist Church in [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]] when she sang [[The 5th Dimension]]'s song "[[Let the Sunshine In]]".<ref>"Faith's healing – Faith Evans, singer, mother and widow of rapper Biggie Notorious B.I.G – Cover Story – Interview", ''[[Essence (magazine)|Essence]]'', December 1997. Retrieved on 2007-07-10 from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1264/is_n8_v28/ai_20039489/pg_2.</ref> While attending [[University High School (New Jersey)|University High School]] in Newark, she sang with several [[jazz music|jazz bands]] and, encouraged by Helene, entered outside pageants, festivals and contests, where her voice would be noticed and praised. After graduating from high school in 1991, Evans attended [[Fordham University]] in New York City to study marketing but left a year later to have daughter Chyna with music producer Kiyamma Griffin.<ref name="two"/> In 1993, she relocated to Los Angeles, where she worked as a [[backing vocalist|backup vocalist]] for singer [[Al B. Sure]], when she was noticed by musician [[Sean Combs|Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs]]. Impressed with her, Combs contracted her as the company's first female artist to his [[Bad Boy Entertainment]] during 1994.<ref name="two">{{cite web|last=Helligar|first=Jeremy|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20126796,00.html|date=November 16, 1998|title=Mrs. B.I.G.|work=[[People Magazine]]|accessdate=2009-03-14}}</ref>
Raised in a Christian home, Evans began singing at church at age two. At age four, she caught the attention of the congregation of the Emmanuel Baptist Church in [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]] when she sang [[The 5th Dimension]]'s song "[[Let the Sunshine In]]".<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1264/is_n8_v28/ai_20039489/pg_2] {{dead link|date=December 2019}}</ref> While attending [[University High School (New Jersey)|University High School]] in Newark, she sang with several [[jazz music|jazz bands]] and, encouraged by Helene, entered outside pageants, festivals and contests, where her voice would be noticed and praised. After graduating from high school in 1991, Evans attended [[Fordham University]] in New York City to study marketing but left a year later to have daughter Chyna with music producer Kiyamma Griffin.<ref name="two"/> In 1993, she relocated to Los Angeles, where she worked as a [[backing vocalist|backup vocalist]] for singer [[Al B. Sure!]], when she was noticed by musician [[Sean Combs|Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs]]. Impressed with her, Combs contracted her as the first female artist to his [[Bad Boy Entertainment]] record label during 1994.<ref name="two">{{cite web|last=Helligar|first=Jeremy|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20126796,00.html|date=November 16, 1998|title=Mrs. B.I.G.|work=[[People Magazine]]|access-date=March 14, 2009}}</ref>


===1994–2001: ''Faith'', ''Keep The Faith'', Biggie, motherhood and marriage===
===1994–2001: ''Faith'', Biggie, ''Keep The Faith'', motherhood and marriage===
[[File:Mugshot Faith-Evans-1.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Evans' mugshot, 2004]]
Newly contracted to [[Bad Boy Records]], Evans was consulted by executive producer Combs to contribute backing vocals and writing skills to [[Mary J. Blige]]'s ''[[My Life (Mary J. Blige album)|My Life]]'' (1994) and [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher's]] [[Usher (album)|self-titled debut album]] (1994) prior to starting work on her debut studio album ''[[Faith (Faith Evans album)|Faith]]''.<ref name="four">{{cite web|last=Huey|first=Steve|url=http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/evans_faith/artist.jhtml#bio|date=November 16, 2006|title=Full Biography|publisher=MTV|work=[[Allmusic]]|accessdate=2009-03-20}}</ref> Released on August 29, 1995 in North America, the album was a main collaboration with Bad Boy's main producers, [[The Hitmen (production team)|The Hitmen]], including [[Chucky Thompson]] and Combs, but it also resulted in recordings with [[Poke & Tone]] and Herb Middleton. ''Faith'' became a success based on the singles "[[You Used to Love Me (Faith Evans song)|You Used to Love Me]]" and "[[Soon as I Get Home]]". The album was eventually certified [[Platinum album|platinum]] with 1.5 million copies sold, according to [[RIAA]].<ref name="five">{{cite web|last=Smaldino|first=Denise|url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117984917.html?categoryid=3067&cs=1|date=April 30, 2008|title=Sean Combs earns platinum, gold|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|accessdate=2009-03-20}}</ref>
Newly contracted to [[Bad Boy Records]], Evans was asked by executive producer Combs to contribute backing vocals and co-write tracks for [[Mary J. Blige]]'s ''[[My Life (Mary J. Blige album)|My Life]]'' (1994) and [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher's]] [[Usher (album)|self-titled debut album]] (1994) prior to starting work on her debut studio album ''[[Faith (Faith Evans album)|Faith]]''.<ref name="four">{{cite web|last=Huey|first=Steve|url=http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/evans_faith/artist.jhtml#bio|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051126184210/http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/evans_faith/artist.jhtml#bio|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 26, 2005|date=November 16, 2006|title=Full Biography|publisher=MTV|work=[[Allmusic]]|access-date=March 20, 2009}}</ref> Released on August 29, 1995, in North America, the album was a main collaboration with Bad Boy's main producers, [[The Hitmen (production team)|The Hitmen]], including [[Chucky Thompson]] and Combs, but it also resulted in recordings with [[Poke & Tone]] and Herb Middleton. ''Faith'' became a success based on the singles "[[You Used to Love Me (Faith Evans song)|You Used to Love Me]]" and "[[Soon as I Get Home]]". The album was eventually certified [[Platinum album|platinum]] with 1.5 million copies sold, according to [[RIAA]].<ref name="five">{{cite web|last=Smaldino|first=Denise|url=https://variety.com/2008/music/markets-festivals/sean-combs-earns-platinum-gold-1117984917/|date=April 30, 2008|title=Sean Combs earns platinum, gold|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=March 20, 2009}}</ref>


A year before, on August 4, 1994, Evans married rapper and label mate [[The Notorious B.I.G.|Christopher "The Notorious B.I.G." Wallace]], after having met him at a Bad Boy photoshoot.<ref name="chappell"/> The couple had one child together, [[Christopher Wallace Jr.|Christopher George Latore Wallace Jr.]]
A year before, on August 4, 1994, Evans married rapper and label mate [[The Notorious B.I.G.|Christopher "The Notorious B.I.G." Wallace]], after having met him at a Bad Boy photo shoot.<ref name="chappell"/> The couple had one child together, Christopher Jordan Wallace, born October 29, 1996, but the marriage was turbulent as Wallace reportedly had several affairs during their union, including relationships with fellow rappers [[Lil' Kim]] and [[Charli Baltimore]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sixshot.com/news/13654/||title=Charlie Baltimore Says Lil Kim Is 'Delusional' For Believing She Was Biggie's Girlfriend |publisher=SixShot.com|date=January 12, 2009|accessdate=2010-01-23|author=Black widow|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426031307/http://www.sixshot.com/news/13654/|archivedate=2009-04-26}}</ref> Additionally, it led to Evans' involvement in the [[East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry|East Coast-West Coast hip hop feud]] which dominated the [[rap music]] news at the time and ended with Wallace's murder in a yet-to-be-solved drive-by shooting in Los Angeles, California in March 1997.<ref name="three"/> During early 1997, after her separation from Wallace, but before his death, Evans' friend [[Missy Elliott]] introduced her to record company executive Todd Russaw. Faith began dating Russaw during her and Wallace's separation and after Wallace died, Evans became pregnant by Russaw. The couple had their first son Joshua on June 8, 1998.<ref name="chappell"/> During the summer of 1998, Evans and Russaw were married, and on March 22, 2007, they had their second son Ryder Evan Russaw.<ref name="chappell"/>
After allegations of an affair with [[Tupac Shakur]], Evans became involved in the [[East Coast&ndash;West Coast hip hop rivalry]] which dominated [[rap music]] at the time. Wallace was murdered in a yet-to-be-solved drive-by shooting in Los Angeles, California in March 1997.<ref name="three"/> During early 1997, after her separation from Wallace, but before his death, Evans' friend [[Missy Elliott]] introduced her to record company executive Todd Russaw. Faith began dating Russaw during her and Wallace's separation and after Wallace died, Evans became pregnant by Russaw. The couple had their first son Joshua on June 10, 1998 (her 25th birthday).<ref name="chappell"/> During the summer of 1998, Evans and Russaw were married, and on March 22, 2007, they had their second son Ryder Evan Russaw.<ref name="chappell"/>


After Biggie's murder on March 9, 1997, Combs helped Evans produce her tribute song named "[[I'll Be Missing You]]", [[sampling (music)|based]] on the [[melody]] of [[The Police|The Police's]] 1983 single "[[Every Breath You Take]]". The song, which featured Combs, Evans, and all-male group [[112 (band)|112]], became a worldwide number-one success and debuted at number one on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart during 1997, scoring that for eleven weeks. It eventually won Puffy and Evans the 1998 [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group]].<ref name="one"/> The next year, she received another two Grammy nominations for "[[Heartbreak Hotel (Whitney Houston song)|Heartbreak Hotel]]", a collaboration with singers [[Whitney Houston]] and [[Kelly Price]], that scored number two on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart.<ref name="sic">{{cite web|first=Clarence|last=Waldron|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_24_96/ai_57800104/|title=Faith Evans Tells How She Balances Motherhood And Music|work=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|publisher=FindArticles.com|date=November 15, 1999|accessdate=2010-01-25}}</ref> \.
After Biggie's murder on March 9, 1997, Combs helped Evans produce her tribute song named "[[I'll Be Missing You]]", [[sampling (music)|based]] on the [[melody]] of [[The Police]]'s 1983 single "[[Every Breath You Take]]". The song, which featured Combs, Evans, and the all-male group [[112 (band)|112]], became a worldwide number-one success and debuted at number one on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart during 1997, scoring that for eleven weeks. It eventually won Puffy, Evans and 112 the 1998 [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group]].<ref name="one"/> The next year, she received another two Grammy nominations for "[[Heartbreak Hotel (Whitney Houston song)|Heartbreak Hotel]]", a collaboration with singers [[Whitney Houston]] and [[Kelly Price]], that scored number two on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart.<ref name="sic">{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_24_96/ai_57800104/|title=Faith Evans Tells How She Balances Motherhood And Music|last=Waldron|first=Clarence|date=November 15, 1999|work=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|publisher=FindArticles.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713070330/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_24_96/ai_57800104/|archive-date=July 13, 2012|access-date=January 25, 2010}}</ref>


Two years in the making, Evans' second solo effort, ''[[Keep the Faith (Faith Evans album)|Keep the Faith]]'', was released in October 1998. Almost entirely written and produced by her, Evans considered the album difficult to complete as she had initially felt discouraged about the progress at first.<ref name="chappell"/> Upon its release, however, the album earned generally positive reviews by music critics, with [[Allmusic]] noting it "without a doubt a highlight of 1990s soul-pop music".<ref>{{cite web|first=Jose F.|last=Promis|url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r380162|pure_url=yes}}|date=April 30, 2008|title=''Keep the Faith'' review|work=[[Allmusic]]|accessdate=2010-01-24}}</ref> Also enjoying commercial success, it eventually went platinum and produced the top ten singles "[[Love Like This (Faith Evans song)|Love Like This]]" and "All Night Long" (released March 30, 1999) prompting Evans to start an 18-city theater tour with [[Dru Hill]] and [[Total (band)|Total]] the following year.<ref name="chappell"/>
Two years in the making, Evans' second studio album, ''[[Keep the Faith (Faith Evans album)|Keep the Faith]]'', was released by Bad Boy Records on October 27, 1998. Almost entirely written and produced by her, Evans considered the album difficult to complete as she had initially felt discouraged about the progress at first.<ref name="chappell"/> Upon its release, however, the album earned generally positive reviews by music critics, with [[Allmusic]] noting it "without a doubt a highlight of 1990s soul-pop music".<ref>{{cite web|first=Jose F.|last=Promis|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r380162|pure_url=yes}}|date=April 30, 2008|title=''Keep the Faith'' review|work=[[Allmusic]]|access-date=January 24, 2010}}</ref> Also enjoying commercial success, it eventually went platinum and produced the top ten singles "[[Love Like This (Faith Evans song)|Love Like This]]" and "All Night Long" (released on March 30, 1999) prompting Evans to start an 18-city theater tour with [[Dru Hill]] and [[Total (band)|Total]] the following year.<ref name="chappell"/>


===2001–2007: ''Faithfully'', legal issues, Capitol Records and ''The First Lady''===
===2001–2007: ''Faithfully'', legal issues, Capitol Records and ''The First Lady''===
[[File:Mugshot Faith-Evans-1.jpg|right|thumb|120px|Evans police mug shot (ca. 1997)]]
[[File:FaithEvansApr05.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Evans performing in 2005]]


Evans' third album on the Bad Boy imprint, named ''[[Faithfully (Faith Evans album)|Faithfully]]'' (2001), involved her working with a wider range of producers, including [[The Neptunes]], [[Mario Winans]], [[Buckwild]], [[Vada Nobles]], [[Cory Rooney]], and others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_22_100/ai_80162956/|date=November 12, 2001|title=Singer Faith Evans sheds more than 50 lbs; releases new CD, ''Faithfully''|work=Jet|publisher=Findarticles.com|accessdate=2010-01-24}}</ref> Her first project with husband Todd Russaw as executive producer and creative partner, the album scored number 14 on the ''Billboard'' 200 album chart and number two on the [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] chart, eventually being certified platinum, but yielded moderately successful singles, with the [[Jennifer Lopez]]-written "[[I Love You (Faith Evans song)|I Love You]]" becoming the only top twenty entry.<ref>{{cite web|first=Shaheem|last=Reid|url=http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1448788/20010910/evans_faith.jhtml|date=October 9, 2001|title=Faith Evans Flips Biggie, Studies Ella Fitzgerald For ''Faithfully''|work=[[MTV News]]|publisher=[[VH1]].com|accessdate=2010-01-24}}</ref> Released amid Bad Boy Records' transition from distributor [[Arista Records]] to [[Universal Records|Universal]], Evans felt ''Faithfully'' received minimum assistance by the company, and during 2004, she finally decided to end her business with Bad Boy as she was convinced Combs couldn't improve her career any more due to his other commitments.<ref name="dan">{{cite web|first=Shaheem|last=Reid|url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1499639/20050405/evans_faith.jhtml|date=October 23, 2001|title=Faith Evans Talks About Her Drug Arrest on New Single|work=[[MTV News]]|publisher=[[VH1]].com|accessdate=2010-04-05}}</ref>
Evans' third album on the Bad Boy label, named ''[[Faithfully (Faith Evans album)|Faithfully]]'' (2001), involved her working with a wider range of producers, including [[The Neptunes]], [[Mario Winans]], [[Buckwild (music producer)|Buckwild]], [[Vada Nobles]], [[Cory Rooney]], and others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_22_100/ai_80162956/|title=Singer Faith Evans sheds more than 50 lbs; releases new CD, ''Faithfully''|date=November 12, 2001|work=Jet|publisher=FindArticles.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901085215/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_22_100/ai_80162956/|archive-date=September 1, 2009|access-date=January 24, 2010}}</ref> Her first project with husband Todd Russaw as executive producer and creative partner, the album scored number 14 on the ''Billboard'' 200 album chart and number two on the [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] chart, eventually being certified platinum, but yielded moderately successful singles, with the [[Jennifer Lopez]]-written "[[I Love You (Faith Evans song)|I Love You]]" becoming the only top twenty entry.<ref>{{cite web|first=Shaheem|last=Reid|url=http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1448788/20010910/evans_faith.jhtml|date=October 9, 2001|title=Faith Evans Flips Biggie, Studies Ella Fitzgerald For ''Faithfully''|work=[[MTV News]]|publisher=[[VH1]].com|access-date=January 24, 2010}}{{dead link|date=November 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Released amid Bad Boy Records' transition from distributor [[Arista Records]] to [[Universal Records|Universal]], Evans felt ''Faithfully'' received minimum assistance by the company, and during 2004, she finally decided to end her business with Bad Boy as she was convinced Combs couldn't improve her career any more due to his other commitments.<ref name="dan">{{cite web|first=Shaheem|last=Reid|url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1499639/20050405/evans_faith.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131104205/http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1499639/20050405/evans_faith.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2010|date=October 23, 2001|title=Faith Evans Talks About Her Drug Arrest on New Single|work=[[MTV News]]|publisher=[[VH1]].com|access-date=April 5, 2010}}</ref>
During January 2004, Evans and Russaw were arrested and charged with possession of [[marijuana]] and [[cocaine]] and an improper tag violation during a traffic stop in [[Hapeville, Georgia|Hapeville]], a suburb of [[Atlanta, Georgia]].
In January 2004, Evans and Russaw were arrested and charged with possession of [[marijuana]] and [[cocaine]] and an improper tag violation during a traffic stop in [[Hapeville, Georgia|Hapeville]], a suburb of [[Atlanta, Georgia]].


After ending with Bad Boy Entertainment Evans contracted with [[Capitol Records]] company, becoming the first [[contemporary R&B]] artist to do so, and started work on her fourth studio album ''[[The First Lady]]'', named after her nickname on her former label.<ref name="dan"/> As opposed to having an in-house team of producers who supplied most of the previous material, she and Russaw were able to gain more creative control of the album and consulted producers such as [[Bryan-Michael Cox]], [[Jermaine Dupri]], [[Mike Caren]], [[Pharrell Williams]], and [[Chucky Thompson]] to contribute to it.<ref>{{cite web|first=Shaheem|last=Reid|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/e/evans_faith/faith_q&a_050418/|date=April 1, 2005|title=Faith Evans – Always Changing, Still the Same|work=[[MTV News]]|accessdate=2010-01-25}}</ref> Upon its release in April 2005, ''The First Lady'' scored at number two on the ''Billboard'' 200 and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, becoming Evans' best-charting album to date. It was eventually certified gold by the [[RIAA]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Chris|last= Harris|url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1500053/20050413/evans_faith.jhtml|date=April 13, 2005|title=50 Cent Won't Let Go of Billboard's #1|work=[[MTV News]]|publisher=VH1.com|accessdate=2010-03-20}}</ref>
After leaving Bad Boy Entertainment, Evans contracted with [[Capitol Records]], becoming the first [[contemporary R&B]] artist to do so, and started work on her fourth studio album ''[[The First Lady (Faith Evans album)|The First Lady]]'', named after her nickname on her former label.<ref name="dan"/> As opposed to having an in-house team of producers who supplied most of the previous material, she and Russaw were able to gain more creative control of the album and consulted producers such as [[Bryan-Michael Cox]], [[Jermaine Dupri]], [[Mike Caren]], [[Pharrell Williams]], and [[Chucky Thompson]] to contribute to it.<ref>{{cite web|first=Shaheem|last=Reid|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/e/evans_faith/faith_q&a_050418/|date=April 1, 2005|title=Faith Evans – Always Changing, Still the Same|work=[[MTV News]]|access-date=January 25, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003095544/http://www.mtv.com/bands/e/evans_faith/faith_q%26a_050418/|archive-date=October 3, 2009}}</ref> Upon its release in April 2005, ''The First Lady'' scored at number two on the ''Billboard'' 200 and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, becoming Evans' best-charting album to date. It was eventually certified gold by the [[RIAA]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Harris|url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1500053/20050413/evans_faith.jhtml|date=April 13, 2005|title=50 Cent Won't Let Go of Billboard's #1|work=[[MTV News]]|publisher=VH1.com|access-date=March 20, 2010}}{{dead link|date=November 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
At the end of the year, Evans released ''[[A Faithful Christmas]]'', a [[holiday album]] of traditional [[Christmas song]]s and original tracks. The effort would become her last release on Capitol Records as the company was bought during 2007.<ref>{{cite web|first=Njai|last= Joszor|url=http://www.soultracks.com/story-faith_evans_interview|date=August 13, 2009|title=Faith Evans interview|work=Soultracks.com|accessdate=2010-01-25}}</ref>


At the end of the year, Evans released ''[[A Faithful Christmas]]'', a [[holiday album]] of traditional [[Christmas song]]s and original tracks. The effort would become her last release on Capitol Records as the company was bought during 2007.<ref>{{cite web|first=Njai|last=Joszor|url=http://www.soultracks.com/story-faith_evans_interview|date=August 13, 2009|title=Faith Evans interview|work=Soultracks.com|access-date=January 25, 2010}}</ref>
===2008–2012: Hiatus, arrest, divorce and ''Something About Faith''===

===2005–2012: Hiatus, arrest, divorce and ''Something About Faith''===
{{main|Something About Faith}}
{{main|Something About Faith}}
Following a hiatus, Evans signed a deal with [[independent record label]] [[E1 Entertainment]] in 2010. Her fifth studio album ''[[Something About Faith]]'' was released on October 5, 2010 in the United States,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/611/faith_evans_ever_faithful/|title=Faith Evans: Ever Faithful|date=November 2010|publisher=[[Blues & Soul]]|accessdate=February 14, 2011}}</ref> where it debuted and peaked at number fifteen on the ''Billboard'' 200 and number one on the Independent Albums chart.<ref name="Billboard - Something About Faith">{{cite news|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=faith evans|chart=all}}|title=Something About Faith – Faith Evans|publisher=[[Billboard.com]] |accessdate=October 14, 2010}}</ref> ''Something About Faith'' has spawned the leading single "[[Gone Already]]", which spent over thirty-three weeks on the US ''Billboard'' Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, where it peaked at number twenty-two.<ref name="Billboard - Gone Already">{{cite web|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=faith evans|chart=all}}|title=Gone Already – Faith Evans|publisher=[[Billboard.com]]}}</ref>
Following a 5-year hiatus, Evans created her own record label imprint in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bossip.com/280234/bossip-exclusive-interview-faith-evans-speaks-on-5-year-hiatus-new-album-and-being-in-music-for-15-years/file-created-with-coregraphics/|title=Faith Evans|website=Bossip|access-date=April 1, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414201453/http://bossip.com/280234/bossip-exclusive-interview-faith-evans-speaks-on-5-year-hiatus-new-album-and-being-in-music-for-15-years/file-created-with-coregraphics/|archive-date=April 14, 2016}}</ref> She named the imprint Prolific Music Group and hired top talent to build the record label from scratch.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trademarkia.com/prolific-music-group-77960005.html|title=Prolific Music Group, 1st Filing|last=Evans|first=Faith|website=Trademarkia.com|access-date=December 5, 2019}}</ref> Evans began recording songs with [[Keyshia Cole]], [[Redman (rapper)|Redman]], [[Snoop Dogg]] and [[Raekwon]], among others for the labels freshman album. Evans signed a deal with [[independent record label]] [[E1 Entertainment]] later that year. Her fifth studio album ''[[Something About Faith]]'' was released on October 5, 2010, in the United States,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/611/faith_evans_ever_faithful/|title=Faith Evans: Ever Faithful|date=November 2010|publisher=[[Blues & Soul]]|access-date=February 14, 2011}}</ref> where it debuted and peaked at number fifteen on the ''Billboard'' 200 and number one on the Independent Albums chart.<ref name="Billboard - Something About Faith">{{cite news|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=faith evans|chart=all}}|title=Something About Faith – Faith Evans|publisher=[[Billboard.com]]|access-date=October 14, 2010}}</ref> ''Something About Faith'' has spawned the leading single "[[Gone Already]]", which spent over thirty-three weeks on the US ''Billboard'' Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, where it peaked at number twenty-two.<ref name="Billboard - Gone Already">{{cite web|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=faith evans|chart=all}}|title=Gone Already – Faith Evans|publisher=[[Billboard.com]]}}</ref>

In August 2010, Evans was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor drunken driving, after being stopped at a checkpoint in [[Marina del Rey, California]]. In 2011, Evans filed for divorce against Russaw.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Marc W.|last=Dolech|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/faithevans/articles/story/5937072/faith_evans_arrested|title=Faith Evans Arrested|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=January 28, 2004|access-date=March 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080718192907/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/faithevans/articles/story/5937072/faith_evans_arrested|archive-date=July 18, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Stephen M.|last=Silverman|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,627591,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080320010554/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,627591,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 20, 2008|title=Faith Evans Arrested on Drug Charges|work=[[People magazine|People]]|date=January 28, 2004|access-date=January 23, 2010}}</ref> The couple agreed to spend 13 weeks in a drug-treatment program in exchange for halting any further prosecution of their drug-possession case.<ref>{{cite web|first=Julie|last=Keller|url=http://ca.music.yahoo.com/read/news/12176996|title=Faith Evans' Rehab Deal|work=[[E!]] Online|publisher=Yahoo! Music|date=February 5, 2004|access-date=January 23, 2010|archive-date=May 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100513054142/http://ca.music.yahoo.com/read/news/12176996|url-status=dead}}</ref> In May 2011, Evans and Russaw announced they were getting a divorce, and stated they would like to keep it quiet for their children's sakes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vibe.com/posts/breaking-faith-evans-todd-russaw-release-official-divorce-statement/|title=BREAKING: Faith Evans & Todd Russaw Release Official Divorce Statement|publisher=Vibe|date=May 24, 2011|access-date=April 9, 2012|archive-date=August 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831153638/http://vibe.com/posts/breaking-faith-evans-todd-russaw-release-official-divorce-statement|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===2012–2016: ''R&B Divas: Atlanta'' and ''Incomparable'' ===
In 2012, Evans co-executive produced and became a cast member on the [[TV One (US TV network)|TV One]] reality show ''[[R&B Divas: Atlanta]]'' alongside fellow R&B singers [[Nicci Gilbert]], [[Syleena Johnson]], [[Keke Wyatt]] and [[Monifah]].<ref name="R&BDivasBillboard">{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/tv-film/exclusive-r-b-divas-with-faith-evans-nicci-1007409952.story|title=Exclusive: 'R&B' Divas' With Faith Evans, Nicci Gilbert, Syleena Johnson To Premiere on TV One|publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard.biz]]|date=June 25, 2012|access-date=March 7, 2017|archive-date=January 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111155857/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/tv-film/exclusive-r-b-divas-with-faith-evans-nicci-1007409952.story|url-status=dead}}</ref> The show offered an inside look at how the singers balance their music careers and personal lives as they work towards producing an Evans-led compilation album, ''[[R&B Divas (album)|R&B Divas]]'' (2012), in memory of [[Whitney Houston]]. Broadcast to rating records for the network,<ref name="FutonCritic">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/ratings/2012/08/21/tv-ones-randb-divas-propels-network-to-new-ratings-record-538110/20120821tvone01/|title=TV One's "R&B Divas" Propels Network to New Ratings Record|publisher=TheFutonCritic.com|date=August 21, 2012|access-date=March 7, 2017}}</ref> the series produced a spin-off titled ''[[R&B Divas: Los Angeles]]'' and was renewed for two further seasons. Evans, who left the show following its second season, earned a [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Album|Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album]] at the [[56th Annual Grammy Awards|55th awards ceremony]].<ref>[http://www.newsone.com/2848862/r-b-divas-faith-evans-grammy/ Faith Evans Earns Grammy Nomination For Album, ''R&B Divas'']. Newsone.com</ref>

In August 2013, Evans confirmed she had begun work on her seventh studio album ''[[Incomparable (Faith Evans album)|Incomparable]]'',<ref name="incomparable"/> with contribution from [[Chucky Thompson]], [[Mike City]], [[KeKe Wyatt]], [[B.Slade]] and [[Karen Clark Sheard]] of [[The Clark Sisters]].<ref name="incomparable">{{cite web|title=Faith Evans Talks NEW Music, Whitney Houston and R&B Divas LA – Studio Q Exclusive|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT78Jt158wE&t=304|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/nT78Jt158wE|archive-date=December 21, 2021|url-status=live|publisher=[[YouTube|YouTube.com]]|date=August 6, 2013|access-date=March 7, 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> "[[I Deserve It]]", a record featuring recurring collaborator [[Missy Elliott]] and her protégée [[Sharaya J]], was released on August 25, 2014, as the album's lead single and peaked at number 19 on ''Billboard''{{'}}s [[Adult R&B Songs]] chart.<ref name="iTunes">{{cite web|title=iTunes – Music – I Deserve It (feat. Missy Elliott & Sharaya J)|url=https://itunes.apple.com/album/i-deserve-it-feat.-missy-elliott/id894236809?l=sv&v0=9988&ign-mpt=uo%3D1|work=[[iTunes]]|publisher=[[Apple.com]]|date=August 25, 2014|access-date=March 7, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230082305/https://itunes.apple.com/album/i-deserve-it-feat.-missy-elliott/id894236809?l=sv&v0=9988&ign-mpt=uo%3D1|archive-date=December 30, 2014}}</ref> ''Incomparable'' was released on November 24, 2014, by Prolific Music Group and [[BMG Rights Management]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/incomparable/id931388460/|title=Faith Evans: Incomparable|publisher=[[iTunes]].com|date=November 24, 2014|access-date=March 7, 2017}}</ref> It debuted at number 27 on the US [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] and number 17 on the US [[Independent Albums]] chart.<ref name="allmusic">{{cite news|last=Kellmam|first=Andy|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/incomparable-mw0002768243|title=Incomparable – Faith Evans|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=March 7, 2017}}</ref>

===2016–present: ''The King & I'', and ''The Masked Singer''===

In 2016, Evans announced that she was finishing a posthumous Notorious B.I.G. album titled ''[[The King & I (Faith Evans and The Notorious B.I.G. album)|The King & I]]'', featuring duets with her late husband. The album was released on May 19, 2017.<ref name="itunes">{{cite web|title=The King & I|work=[[iTunes]].Apple (US)|url=https://itunes.apple.com/de/album/the-king-i/id1199923319|access-date=March 7, 2017}}</ref>


On July 17, 2018, she married producer and ''[[Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta]]'' star [[Stevie J]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/faith-evans-marries-stevie-j-las-vegas-8466076/|title=Faith Evans Marries Stevie J. in Las Vegas|magazine=Billboard|date=July 18, 2018|access-date=July 22, 2021}}</ref> The couple released the hit song "A Minute" on July 27, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://singersroom.com/content/2018-07-27/faith-evans-and-stevie-j-showcase-their-love-in-a-minute-video/|title=Faith Evans and Stevie J Showcase Their Love In 'A Minute' Video|date=July 27, 2018|work=Singersroom|access-date=June 2, 2019}}</ref> Between 2015 and 2019 Evans appeared in several episodes of ''[[Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta]]'', and ''[[Leave It to Stevie]]'' alongside then friend Stevie J.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ebony.com/news/faith-evans-stevie-j-big-wouldnt-care-marriage/|title=Faith Evans & Stevie J: B.I.G. Wouldn't Care About Our Marriage|last=Santi|first=Christina|date=November 20, 2018|website=EBONY|access-date=June 16, 2019}}</ref>
In August 2010, Evans was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor drunken driving, after being stopped at a checkpoint in [[Marina del Rey, California]]. In 2011, Evans filed for divorce against Russaw.<ref>{{cite web|first=Marc W.|last=Dolech|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/faithevans/articles/story/5937072/faith_evans_arrested|title=Faith Evans Arrested|work=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=January 28, 2004|accessdate=2009-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Stephen M.|last=Silverman|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,627591,00.html|title=Faith Evans Arrested on Drug Charges|work=[[People magazine|People]]|date=January 28, 2004|accessdate=2010-01-23}}</ref> The couple agreed to spend 13 weeks in a drug-treatment program in exchange for halting any further prosecution of their drug-possession case.<ref>{{cite web|first=Julie|last=Keller|url=http://ca.music.yahoo.com/read/news/12176996|title=Faith Evans' Rehab Deal|work=[[E!]] Online|publisher=Yahoo! Music|date=February 5, 2004|accessdate=2010-01-23}}</ref> In May 2011, Evans and Russaw announced they were getting a divorce, and stated they would like to keep it quiet for the children's sakes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vibe.com/posts/breaking-faith-evans-todd-russaw-release-official-divorce-statement/ |title=BREAKING: Faith Evans & Todd Russaw Release Official Divorce Statement |publisher=Vibe |date=May 24, 2011 |accessdate=2012-04-09}}</ref>


In May 2020, Evans was arrested for felony domestic violence against Stevie J. She was released on bond and the charges were later dropped.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/faith-evans-arrested-for-felony-domestic-violence-report/|title=Faith Evans Arrested for Felony Domestic Violence: Report|website=Pitchfork.com|date=May 31, 2020|access-date=June 22, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2020/06/13/faith-evans-domestic-violence-case-dropped-stevie-j/|title=Faith Evans Domestic Violence Case Dropped|website=TMZ|date=June 13, 2020}}</ref> In 2021, Stevie J filed for divorce.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.essence.com/celebrity/black-celeb-couples/faith-evans-and-stevie-divorce/|title=Faith Evans And Stevie J Are Divorcing After Three Years Of Marriage: A Timeline Of Their Relationship|website=Essence|date=November 10, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Diamond Jeune|url=https://news.yahoo.com/officially-met-match-faith-evans-023000220.html|title='He Have Officially Met His Match': Faith Evans Responds to Stevie J Filing for Divorce|publisher=[[Yahoo! News]]|date=December 3, 2021|access-date=December 18, 2021}}</ref> The divorce was finalized in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Vasquez|first=Ingrid|date=July 14, 2023|title=Faith Evans and Stevie J. Finalize Divorce Nearly 2 Years After Filing|url=https://people.com/faith-evans-and-stevie-j-finalize-divorce-nearly-2-years-after-filing-7561089|access-date=July 14, 2023|website=Peoplemag}}</ref>
===2012–present: ''R&B Divas: Atlanta'', ''Incomparable'' and ''The King & I''===
In 2012, Evans became a cast member of [[TV One (US TV network)|TV One]] reality show ''[[R&B Divas (TV series)|R&B Divas]]'' Atlanta alongside [[Nicci Gilbert]], [[Syleena Johnson]], [[Keke Wyatt]] and [[Monifah]]. Evans also co-executive produces the show.<ref name="R&BDivasBillboard">{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/tv-film/exclusive-r-b-divas-with-faith-evans-nicci-1007409952.story |title=Exclusive: 'R&B' Divas' With Faith Evans, Nicci Gilbert, Syleena Johnson To Premiere on TV One |publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard.biz]] |date=June 25, 2012 |accessdate=September 19, 2012}}</ref> The album ''[[R&B Divas (album)|R&B Divas]]'' Atlanta, led by Evans was released on October 2, 2012. Proceeds from the album will benefit the ''[http://houston.eastorange.schoolfusion.us/ Whitney E. Houston Academy of Creative & Performing Arts]'' in [[East Orange]], [[New Jersey]].


In 2021, Evans competed in [[The Masked Singer (American TV series) season 6|season six]] of ''[[The Masked Singer (American TV series)|The Masked Singer]]'' as "Skunk". She was unmasked during the Group A Finals where she made references to the loss of The Notorious B.I.G. and her son being autistic.
On August 6, 2013, Evans confirmed she had begun work on her 6th album, tentatively titled ''Incomparable''.<ref name="incomparable"/> Evans also revealed guest appearances for the album are slated to include [[Missy Elliott]], [[KeKe Wyatt]], [[B.Slade]] and [[Karen Clark Sheard]] of [[The Clark Sisters]].<ref name="incomparable">{{cite web|title=Faith Evans Talks NEW Music, Whitney Houston and R&B Divas LA – Studio Q Exclusive|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=nT78Jt158wE&t=304|publisher=[[YouTube|YouTube.com]]|date=August 6, 2013|accessdate=August 6, 2013}}</ref> "[[I Deserve It]]", a record featuring recurring collaborator [[Missy Elliott]] and her protégée [[Sharaya J]], was released via iTunes on August 25, 2014 as the album's lead single.<ref name="iTunes">{{cite web|title=iTunes - Music - I Deserve It (feat. Missy Elliott & Sharaya J)|url=https://itunes.apple.com/album/i-deserve-it-feat.-missy-elliott/id894236809?l=sv&v0=9988&ign-mpt=uo%3D1|work=[[iTunes]]|publisher=[[Apple.com]]|date=25 August 2014|accessdate=31 August 2014}}</ref> Evans additionally announced that the release date for ''Incomparable'' is tentatively set on November 25, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Faith Evans - I Deserve It feat. Missy Elliott & Sharaya J <nowiki>[Official Teaser]</nowiki>|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df_uyPfgmHY|publisher=[[YouTube]]|date=31 August 2014|accessdate=31 August 2014}}</ref> On TMZ, Evans had announced that she is working on a posthumous Notorious B.I.G. album titled ''The King & I'', which will feature duets with the two. She plans to release it sometime in 2015.


==Other ventures==
==Other ventures==

===Acting===
===Acting===
Having previously appeared in [[stage play]]s as a teenager, Evans began acting with a supporting role in director [[Robert Adetuyi]]'s 2000 music drama ''[[Turn It Up (film)|Turn It Up]]'', featuring [[Pras Michel]] from the [[The Fugees]], [[Jason Statham]] and [[Ja Rule]]. Released to generally negative reviews from critics,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/turn_it_up/|title=''Turn It Up'' (2000)|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|accessdate=2010-01-25}}</ref> who noted it "patently absurd in both the details and larger aspects",<ref>{{cite web|first=Robert|last=Koehler|url=http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117788014.html?categoryid=31&cs=1|title=''Turn It Up'' review|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=September 6, 2000|accessdate=2010-01-25}}</ref> the [[indie film]] had a short play and became a financial disappointment, gaining US$1.24 million during its U.S. run only.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2000/GHSUP.php|title=''Turn It Up''|work=The-Numbers.net|accessdate=2010-01-25}}</ref>
Having previously appeared in [[stage play]]s as a teenager, Evans began acting with a supporting role in director [[Robert Adetuyi]]'s 2000 music drama ''[[Turn It Up (film)|Turn It Up]]'', featuring [[Pras Michel]] from [[The Fugees]], [[Jason Statham]] and [[Ja Rule]]. Released to generally negative reviews from critics,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/turn_it_up/|title=''Turn It Up'' (2000)|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=September 6, 2000|access-date=January 25, 2010}}</ref> who noted it "patently absurd in both the details and larger aspects",<ref>{{cite web|first=Robert|last=Koehler|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117788014.html?categoryid=31&cs=1|title=''Turn It Up'' review|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=September 6, 2000|access-date=January 25, 2010}}</ref> the [[indie film]] had a short play and became a financial disappointment, gaining US$1.24 million during its U.S. run only.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2000/GHSUP.php|title=''Turn It Up''|work=The-Numbers.net|access-date=January 25, 2010}}</ref>


During 2003, Evans acted in the [[MTV Films|MTV]]-produced [[romantic comedy]] ''[[The Fighting Temptations]]'' in which she appeared in a brief but major role portraying a single mother and night club singer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_12_58/ai_109180689/|title=''The Fighting Temptations'': A musical ensemble comedy – Movie Review|work=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]|publisher=FindArticles.com|date=October 1, 2003|accessdate=2010-01-24}}</ref> Filmed in [[Columbus, Georgia]] and headed by [[Cuba Gooding, Jr.]] (her character is his mother) and [[Beyoncé Knowles]], the film garnered mixed reviews by critics,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/fighting_temptations/|title=''The Fighting Temptations'' (2003)|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|accessdate=2010-01-25}}</ref> but scored top three of the U.S. box office, resulting in a domestic gross of US$30.2 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2003/FTMPT.php|title=''The Fighting Temptations''|work=The-Numbers.net|accessdate=2010-01-25}}</ref> In addition, Evans recorded a contemporary [[cover version]] of [[Donna Summer]]'s 1978 success "[[Heaven Knows (Donna Summer song)|Heaven Knows]]" for the film which her characters performs during one of the first in sequence in the film. The accompanying soundtrack scored the top twenty of the U.S. ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{cite web|first=Ryan J.|last=Downey
During 2003, Evans acted in the [[MTV Films|MTV]]-produced [[romantic comedy]] ''[[The Fighting Temptations]]'' in which she appeared in a brief but major role portraying a single mother and night club singer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_12_58/ai_109180689/|title=''The Fighting Temptations'': A musical ensemble comedy – Movie Review|date=October 1, 2003|work=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]|publisher=FindArticles.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050101110750/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_12_58/ai_109180689/|archive-date=January 1, 2005|access-date=January 24, 2010}}</ref> Filmed in [[Columbus, Georgia]] and headed by [[Cuba Gooding Jr.]] (her character is his mother) and [[Beyoncé Knowles]], the film garnered mixed reviews by critics,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/fighting_temptations/|title=''The Fighting Temptations'' (2003)|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=September 19, 2003|access-date=January 25, 2010}}</ref> but scored top three of the U.S. box office, resulting in a domestic gross of US$30.2 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2003/FTMPT.php|title=''The Fighting Temptations''|work=The-Numbers.net|access-date=January 25, 2010}}</ref> In addition, Evans recorded a contemporary [[cover version]] of [[Donna Summer]]'s 1978 success "[[Heaven Knows (Donna Summer song)|Heaven Knows]]" for the film which her character performs during one of the first in sequence in the film. The accompanying soundtrack scored the top twenty of the U.S. ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{cite web|first=Ryan J.|last=Downey|url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1476929/20030814/evans_faith.jhtml|date=August 14, 2003|title=Beyonce Teams With Diddy, Destiny On ''Temptations'' Soundtrack|work=[[MTV News]]|publisher=VH1.com|access-date=January 25, 2010}}{{dead link|date=November 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
|url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1476929/20030814/evans_faith.jhtml|date=August 14, 2003|title=Beyonce Teams With Diddy, Destiny On ''Temptations'' Soundtrack|work=[[MTV News]]|publisher=VH1.com|accessdate=2010-01-25}}</ref>


During 2004, Evans earned a brief guest stint on the [[UPN]] situation comedy ''[[Half & Half]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0262751/|date=August 14, 2003|title=Faith Evans|work=[[IMDb]]|accessdate=2010-01-25}}</ref> Evans announced that she had been working on a synopsis for her own situation comedy that would be based largely on her life but with a more comedic aspect. It is unknown whether she has officially pitched the sitcom to any television networks at this time.{{When|date=February 2011}}<ref name="scw">{{cite web|first=Shaheem|last=Reid|url=http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1602634/20090113/evans_faith.jhtml|date=January 13, 2009|title=Faith Evans Says She'll 'Certainly' Work With Diddy on Next LP|work=[[MTV News]]|publisher=VH1.com|accessdate=2010-03-20}}</ref>
During 2004, Evans earned a brief guest stint on the [[UPN]] situation comedy ''[[Half & Half]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0262751/|date=August 14, 2003|title=Faith Evans|work=[[IMDb]]|access-date=January 25, 2010}}</ref> In 2009, Evans announced that she had been working on a synopsis for her own situation comedy that would be based largely on her life but with a more comedic aspect. It is unknown whether she has officially pitched the sitcom to any television networks, as of 2024.<ref name="scw">{{cite web|first=Shaheem|last=Reid|url=http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1602634/20090113/evans_faith.jhtml|date=January 13, 2009|title=Faith Evans Says She'll 'Certainly' Work With Diddy on Next LP|work=[[MTV News]]|publisher=VH1.com|access-date=March 20, 2010}}{{dead link|date=November 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

Evans has had cameos on the reality show ''[[Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta]]''.


===Florence Ballard biopic===
===Florence Ballard biopic===
In November 2010, several sources stated that Faith would portray [[Motown]] star [[Florence Ballard]] of [[the Supremes]] in an upcoming biopic, ''Blondie: The Florence Ballard Story''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurweb.com/2010/11/faith-evans-to-become-florence-ballard-of-the-supremes/|title=Faith Evans to Become Florence Ballard of the Supremes|work=EURweb|access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref> With the blessing of Ballard's three daughters, Faith later appeared on ''[[The Wendy Williams Show]]'' to promote this role.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://brownsista.com/faith-evans-album-movie-news/|title=Faith Evans Album + Movie News – Brown Sista Online Magazine|work=Brown Sista Online Magazine|access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref> In July 2014, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' reported that the movie, thought to be titled "Blondie", was in fact a con artist's scam.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-lost-supreme-and-a-classic-hollywood-con-20140701|title='The Lost Supreme' and a Classic Hollywood Con|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=July 2014|access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref>

In November of 2010, several sources started that Faith would portray [[Motown]] star [[Florence Ballard]] of [[the Supremes]] in an upcoming biopic. <ref>http://www.eurweb.com/2010/11/faith-evans-to-become-florence-ballard-of-the-supremes/</ref> With the blessing of Ballard's three daughters, Faith later appeared on [[the Wendy Williams Show]] to promote this role. <ref>http://brownsista.com/faith-evans-album-movie-news/</ref> In July of 2014, [[Rolling Stone Magazine]] reported that the movie, thought to be titled "Blondie", was in fact a con artist's scam. <ref>http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-lost-supreme-and-a-classic-hollywood-con-20140701</ref>


===Writing===
===Writing===
Evans released her autobiographic book called ''Keep the Faith: A Memoir'' on August 29, 2008. Written with Aliya S. King, it detailed the singer's life, but also discussed Evans' controversial relationship with her late husband, the Notorious B.I.G.:
Evans released her autobiographic book called ''Keep the Faith: A Memoir'' on August 29, 2008. Written with Aliya S. King, it detailed the singer's life, but also discussed Evans' controversial relationship with her late husband, the Notorious B.I.G.:
<blockquote>"I want people to understand that although he was a large part of my life, my story doesn't actually begin or end with Big's death. My journey has been complicated on many levels. And since I am always linked to Big, there are a lot of misconceptions about who I really am. It's not easy putting your life out there for the masses. But I've decided I'll tell my own story. For Big. For my children. And for myself."<ref>Barnes & Noble synopsis. Retrieved from http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Keep-The-Faith/Faith-Evans/e/9780446199506.</ref></blockquote> In its initial release, ''Keep the Faith: A Memoir'' landed in the Top 20 on New York's Best Seller's List two consecutive weeks in a row. During 2009, the book received The 2009 African American Literary Award for Best Biography/Memoir.<ref name="aala">{{cite web|url=http://www.literaryawardshow.com/winners.html|title=2009 5th Annual African American Literary Awards Show Winners|work=African American Literary Awards|accessdate=2010-01-23}}</ref>
<blockquote>"I want people to understand that although he was a large part of my life, my story doesn't actually begin or end with Big's death. My journey has been complicated on many levels. And since I am always linked to Big, there are a lot of misconceptions about who I really am. It's not easy putting your life out there for the masses. But I've decided I'll tell my own story. For Big. For my children. And for myself."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Keep-The-Faith/Faith-Evans/e/9780446199506|title=Keep the Faith, Faith Evans, Book - Barnes & Noble|access-date=October 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081021072427/http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Keep-The-Faith/Faith-Evans/e/9780446199506|archive-date=October 21, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref></blockquote> In its initial release, ''Keep the Faith: A Memoir'' landed in the Top 20 on New York's Best Seller's List two consecutive weeks in a row. During 2009, the book received The 2009 African American Literary Award for Best Biography/Memoir.<ref name="aala">{{cite web|url=http://www.literaryawardshow.com/winners.html|title=2009 5th Annual African American Literary Awards Show Winners|work=African American Literary Awards|access-date=January 23, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128223317/http://www.literaryawardshow.com/winners.html|archive-date=January 28, 2010}}</ref>


===Philanthropy===
==Philanthropy==
Faith has recently shown support for Little Kids Rock by donating items for auction to raise money in support of music education in public schools.<ref>http://www.littlekidsrock.org/friends/our-big-fans/faith-evans/ Retrieved January 13, 2014</ref>
In 2014, Faith showed support for Little Kids Rock by donating items for auction to raise money in support of music education in public schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.littlekidsrock.org/friends/our-big-fans/faith-evans/|title=Faith Evans &#124; Little Kids Rock|access-date=January 13, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114062333/http://www.littlekidsrock.org/friends/our-big-fans/faith-evans/|archive-date=January 14, 2014}} Retrieved January 13, 2014</ref>


==Voice==
==Artistry==
Faith Evans said that some of her biggest musical influences and favourite singers are gospel singer [[Karen Clark-Sheard]] (whom she has been often likened to), [[Shirley Murdock]],<ref>{{Cite web|publisher=[[YouTube]]|title=Faith Evans Interview (segment)|date=July 30, 2008|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ogzO48H8GSU&feature=youtu.be|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/ogzO48H8GSU|archive-date=December 21, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[Chaka Khan]], [[Anita Baker]] and [[Aretha Franklin]].<ref>{{Cite web|publisher=[[YouTube]]|title=Faith Evans talks about her musical influences|url=https://m.soundcloud.com/siriusxmentertainment/faith-evans-talks-about-her-musical-influences}}</ref>
Evans is noted for her "urban-edged honeyed [[soprano]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soultracks.com/review-faith-evans-something-about-faith|title=Something About Faith Review}}</ref> Her vocal range extends from the low note of C#3 to high soprano B5.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzTRg4TiL9E|title=Faith Evans' Vocal Range}}</ref> ''[[Washington Post]]'' writer Craig Seymour called her "angelic yet hearty soprano" as showcasing emotion that is defined by Evans' personal experiences of tragedy, love, pain and heartbreak. Her official website also references "her soaring soprano" vocals when speaking about her second album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.faithevansmusic.com/discography/108-keep-the-faith.html|title=Keep the Faith Info}}</ref>

Evans is noted for her "urban-edged honeyed [[soprano]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soultracks.com/review-faith-evans-something-about-faith|title=Something About Faith Review|website=Soultracks.com|date=September 24, 2010|access-date=December 5, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.faithevansmusic.com/discography/108-keep-the-faith.html|title=Keep the Faith Info|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629041138/http://www.faithevansmusic.com/discography/108-keep-the-faith.html|archive-date=June 29, 2013}}</ref> Her vocal range extends from the low note of C#3 to high soprano C#6 .<ref>{{Cite web|publisher=[[YouTube]]|title=(HD) Faith Evans - Live Vocal Range (C#3 - C#6)|date=November 8, 2014|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M80p8RS_7i8|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/M80p8RS_7i8|archive-date=December 21, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=February 6, 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]]'' writer Craig Seymour called her "angelic yet hearty soprano" as showcasing emotion that is defined by Evans' personal experiences of tragedy, love, pain and heartbreak.


==Discography==
==Discography==
{{main|Faith Evans discography}}
{{Main|Faith Evans discography}}

{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Studio albums'''
* ''[[Faith (Faith Evans album)|Faith]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Faith (Faith Evans album)|Faith]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Keep the Faith (Faith Evans album)|Keep the Faith]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Keep the Faith (Faith Evans album)|Keep the Faith]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Faithfully (Faith Evans album)|Faithfully]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Faithfully (Faith Evans album)|Faithfully]]'' (2001)
* ''[[The First Lady]]'' (2005)
* ''[[The First Lady (Faith Evans album)|The First Lady]]'' (2005)''
* ''[[A Faithful Christmas]]'' (2005)
* ''[[Something About Faith]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Something About Faith]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Incomparable (Faith Evans album)|Incomparable]]'' (2014)<ref name="incomparable"/>
* ''[[Incomparable (Faith Evans album)|Incomparable]]'' (2014)
* ''[[The King & I (Faith Evans and The Notorious B.I.G. album)|The King & I]]'' (with [[The Notorious B.I.G.]]) (2017)
* ''The King & I'' (TBA)
{{col-2}}
'''Holiday albums'''
* ''[[A Faithful Christmas]]'' (2005)

'''Compilation albums'''
* ''[[R&B Divas (album)|R&B Divas]]'' (2012)

{{col-end}}


==Tours==
==Tours==
Line 117: Line 124:
* [[The First Lady Tour]] (2005)
* [[The First Lady Tour]] (2005)
* [[Something About Faith Tour]] (2010–11)
* [[Something About Faith Tour]] (2010–11)
* An Evening with Faith (2013)
* An Evening with Faith (2012)
* Faith Evans Live (2013)
* [[Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour]] (2016–17)


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
*2000: ''[[Turn It Up (film)|Turn It Up]]''
*2000: ''[[Turn It Up (film)|Turn It Up]]''
*2003: ''[[The Fighting Temptations]]''
*2003: ''[[The Fighting Temptations]]''
*2009: ''[[Notorious (2009 film)|Notorious]] BIG Documentary
*2009: ''[[Notorious (2009 film)|Notorious]]''
*2011: ''Soul Kittens Cabaret''
*2020: ''True to the Game 2: Gena's Story''

==Television==
*2012: ''[[R&B Divas: Atlanta]]'' (Executive Producer & Main Cast)
*2013: ''[[R&B Divas: Los Angeles]]'' (Executive Producer)
*2015: ''[[Real Husbands of Hollywood]]'' (Guest Star)
*2015; 2016&mdash;19 ''[[Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta]]'' (Guest Star & Main Cast)
*2016: ''[[Stevie J & Joseline: Go Hollywood]]'' (Guest Star)
*2016: ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race]]'' (Guest Judge, "[[RuCo's Empire]]")
*2018: ''[[Luke Cage (TV series)|Luke Cage]]'' (Singer at club in "[[Code of the Streets (Luke Cage)|Code of the Streets]]", "[[The Main Ingredient (Luke Cage)|The Main Ingredient]]")
*2021: ''[[The Masked Singer (American TV series)|The Masked Singer]]'' (Herself/Skunk)


==Awards and nominations==
==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable"
*African American Literary Award
|+ [[Grammy Awards]] nominations for Faith Evans
**2009: African American Literary Award: ''Keep the Faith (A Memoir)'' ('''won''')

''[[BET Awards]]''
{{awards table}}
|-
|-
!scope="col"| Year
|{{awards table}}
!scope="col"| Nominee / work
!scope="col"| Award
!scope="col"| Result
|-
|-
| [[40th Annual Grammy Awards|1998]]
|2002
| "[[I'll Be Missing You]]" <small>(with [[Sean Combs|Puff Daddy]] featuring [[112 (band)|112]])</small>
|Herself
|scope="row"| [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group|Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group]]<ref name="grammys">{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/faith-evans/3318|title=Faith Evans {{!}} Artist|publisher=[[Grammy Awards]]|access-date=June 12, 2023}}</ref><ref name="amgawards">{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/faith-evans-mn0000164053/awards|title=Faith Evans {{!}} Awards|access-date=June 12, 2023|publisher=[[AllMusic Guide]]}}</ref><ref name="cbs">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/faith-evans-nominates-her-tears-of-joy-for-a-grammy/|publisher=[[CBS News]]|date=December 4, 2012|via=[[KCAL-TV]]|title=Faith Evans Nominates Her "Tears Of Joy" For A GRAMMY}}</ref>
|Best Female R&B Artist
|{{Nom}}
| {{won}}
|-
|-
| [[41st Annual Grammy Awards|1999]]
{{end}}
| "[[Love Like This (Faith Evans song)|Love Like This]]"
|scope="row"| [[Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance|Best Female R&B Vocal Performance]]<ref name="grammys" /><ref>{{cite web|title=WINNERS 40th Annual GRAMMY Awards (1997)|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/40th-annual-grammy-awards|website=grammy.com|access-date=June 12, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624081119/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/40th-annual-grammy-awards|archive-date=June 24, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| [[42nd Annual Grammy Awards|2000]]
==Grammy Award==
| "[[Heartbreak Hotel (Whitney Houston song)|Heartbreak Hotel]]" <small>(with [[Whitney Houston]] & [[Kelly Price]])</small>
The [[Grammy Award]]s are awarded annually by the [[National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences]] of the United States. Faith has been nominated seven times since 1998."I'll Be Missing You", won Evans a Grammy Award in 1998.
|scope="row" rowspan="2"|[[Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals|Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal]]<ref name="grammys" /><ref name="2000grammy">{{cite web|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2000/grammys.htm|title=2000 The 42nd Grammy Award Winners & Nominees|publisher=rockonthenet.com|date=February 23, 2000|access-date=July 4, 2010}}</ref>
{{awards table}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| [[44th Annual Grammy Awards|2002]]

| "[[Can't Believe]]" <small>(with [[Carl Thomas (singer)|Carl Thomas]])</small>
|2014
| {{nom}}
|R&B Divas
|Best R&B Album
|{{nom}}
|-
|-
| [[45th Annual Grammy Awards|2003]]
|2011
| ''[[Faithfully (Faith Evans album)|Faithfully]]''
|Gone Already
|scope="row"| [[Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album|Best Contemporary R&B Album]]<ref name="grammys" />
|Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
|{{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| [[53rd Annual Grammy Awards|2011]]
|2003
| "[[Gone Already]]"
|Faithfully
|scope="row"| [[Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance|Best Female R&B Vocal Performance]]<ref name="grammys" /><ref name="bmgbio">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bmg.com/de/artist/faith-evans|title=Faith Evans|date=October 30, 2015|publisher=[[BMG Rights Management]]|access-date=June 12, 2023}}</ref>
|Best Contemporary R&B Album
|{{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| [[56th Annual Grammy Awards|2014]]
|2001
|Can't Believe [[Carl Thomas (singer)|Carl Thomas]]
| ''[[R&B Divas (album)|R&B Divas]]''
|scope="row"| [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Album|Best R&B Album]]<ref name="grammys" /><ref name="bmgbio" /><ref name="divasgrammy">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/audio-grammy-winner-faith-evans-719463/|title=Grammy Winner Faith Evans Signs to BMG for Publishing, Artist Services|work=[[Hollywood Reporter]]|date=July 17, 2014|access-date=June 12, 2023|last=Trakin|first=Roy}}</ref>
|Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group
|{{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| [[58th Annual Grammy Awards|2016]]
|2000
| "He Is"
|Heartbreak Hotel (Whitney Houston song)|Heartbreak Hotel" [[Whitney Houston]] & [[Kelly Price]]
|scope="row"| [[Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance|Best Traditional R&B Performance]]<ref name="grammys" /><ref name="heis">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/darren-limitless-henson-keith-pelzer-grammy-faith-evans-jill-scott-floetry/116712/|title=10 Questions With Grammy-Winning Philly Music Producers Keith Pelzer and Darren "Limitless" Henson|last=Chang|first=David|date=December 13, 2015|access-date=June 12, 2023|publisher=[[WCAU]]}}</ref>
| {{nom}}
|}


==Notes==
|Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group
|{{nom}}
{{notelist}}
|-
|1999
|Fath Evans
|Best Female R&B Vocal Performance "Love Like This"
|{{nom}}
|-
|1998
| "[[I'll Be Missing You]]" w/ [[Sean Combs|Diddy]]
|Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
|{{won}}
|-
|-


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikipedia books|Faith Evans}}
*[http://www.faithevansmusic.com/ Official site]
*[http://www.faithevansmusic.com/ Official website]
*{{AllMusic}}
*{{IMDb name|262751}}
*{{IMDb name|262751}}
*[http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/611/faith_evans_ever_faithful/ Faith Evans interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' November 2010]
*[http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/611/faith_evans_ever_faithful/ Faith Evans interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' November 2010]
*[http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,6903,1524881,00.html ''The Observer'' interview, 2005]
*[http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,6903,1524881,00.html ''The Observer'' interview, 2005]
*[http://www.vibe.com/news/magazine_features/2005/05/vibe_cover_story_faith_evans_widows_peak/ ''Vibe'' interview, 2005]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060409155647/http://www.vibe.com/news/magazine_features/2005/05/vibe_cover_story_faith_evans_widows_peak/ ''Vibe'' interview, 2005]


{{Faith Evans}}
{{Faith Evans}}
{{Faith Evans songs}}
{{Faith Evans songs}}
{{MTV Video Music Award for Best R&B Video}}
{{Bad boy}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Authority control|VIAF=85684271}}

{{Persondata
| NAME = Evans, Faith
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American actor and musician
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1973-06-10
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Lakeland, Florida]]
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Evans, Faith}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Evans, Faith}}
[[Category:Faith Evans| ]]
[[Category:Faith Evans| ]]
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Actresses from New Jersey]]
[[Category:Actresses from Newark, New Jersey]]
[[Category:African-American female singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:African-American women singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:American women singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:African-American record producers]]
[[Category:African-American record producers]]
[[Category:Record producers from Florida]]
[[Category:African-American Christians]]
[[Category:African-American Christians]]
[[Category:American rhythm and blues singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:American soul singers]]
[[Category:American soul singers]]
[[Category:American hip hop singers]]
[[Category:American women hip-hop singers]]
[[Category:American people convicted of drug offenses]]
[[Category:Bad Boy Records artists]]
[[Category:Bad Boy Records artists]]
[[Category:Capitol Records artists]]
[[Category:Capitol Records artists]]
[[Category:Grammy Award-winning artists]]
[[Category:American people of English descent]]
[[Category:Singers from New Jersey]]
[[Category:American people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners for rap music]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from New Jersey]]
[[Category:University High School (New Jersey) alumni]]
[[Category:Musicians from Lakeland, Florida]]
[[Category:Musicians from Lakeland, Florida]]
[[Category:People from Newark, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Singers from Newark, New Jersey]]
[[Category:American sopranos]]
[[Category:American sopranos]]
[[Category:Actresses from Florida]]
[[Category:Actresses from Florida]]
[[Category:Singers from Florida]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from Florida]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century American actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century American actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century American singers]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century American singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century American actresses]]
[[Category:African-American actresses]]
[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:American people of European descent]]
[[Category:Fordham University alumni]]
[[Category:Fordham University alumni]]
[[Category:The Notorious B.I.G.]]
[[Category:American contemporary R&B singers]]
[[Category:American women hip-hop musicians]]
[[Category:American women record producers]]
[[Category:American women autobiographers]]
[[Category:American autobiographers]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from New York (state)]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American women singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American women singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American singers]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American women singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American women singers]]

Latest revision as of 01:52, 18 December 2024

Faith Evans
Evans in 1998
Evans in 1998
Background information
Birth nameFaith Renée Evans
Born (1973-06-10) June 10, 1973 (age 51)
Lakeland, Florida, U.S.
EducationFordham University (no degree)
OriginNewark, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • actress
DiscographyFaith Evans discography
Years active1994–present
Labels
Spouses
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 1994; died 1997)​
    [a]
  • Todd Russaw
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1998; div. 2011)​
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 2018; div. 2023)​
    [2][3]
Children4, including C. J. Wallace
Websitefaithevansmusic.com

Faith Renée Evans (born June 10, 1973) is an American R&B singer, songwriter and actress. Born in Lakeland, Florida and raised in New Jersey, she relocated to Los Angeles in 1991 in pursuit of a recording career. She initially performed as a backing vocalist for R&B singers Al B. Sure! and Christopher Williams, and by the age of 20, signed with Puff Daddy's Bad Boy Records as the label's first female artist in 1994. Following her uncredited appearance on labelmate the Notorious B.I.G.'s single "One More Chance", she released her debut studio album, Faith (1995), to critical acclaim and moderate commercial reception. Evans then guest performed alongside 112 on Puff Daddy's 1997 single "I'll Be Missing You," which won Best Rap Performance at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards and became the first hip hop song to debut atop the Billboard Hot 100. Her second and third albums, Keep the Faith (1998) and Faithfully (2001), peaked at numbers six and 14 on the Billboard 200, respectively, and saw further critical praise.

Evans parted ways with Bad Boy in favor of Capitol Records in 2003.[4] Her fourth album, The First Lady (2005) peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and topped the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, while her fifth album, A Faithful Christmas (2005)—a holiday album—failed to chart and served as her final release on a major label. After a hiatus, she released her sixth album, Something About Faith (2010) independently, followed by her seventh album, Incomparable (2014). With a career spanning two decades, Evans has sold over 20 million records worldwide.[5]

Outside of recording, Evans is known as the widow of rapper Christopher "the Notorious B.I.G." Wallace, whom she married on August 4, 1994, after meeting the rapper at a Bad Boy photoshoot.[6] The turbulent marriage resulted in Evans' involvement in the East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry—which dominated much of hip hop music's mainstream coverage at the time—and concluded with Wallace's unsolved drive-by murder on March 9, 1997.[7][4] Also an actress and author, Evans made her screen debut on the 2000 musical drama Turn It Up by Robert Adetuyi. Her 2008 autobiography, Keep the Faith: A Memoir was released by Grand Central Publishing and won a 2009 African American Literary Award for the Best Biography/Memoir category.

Biography

[edit]

1973–1994: Early life and career beginnings

[edit]

Evans was born on June 10, 1973, in Lakeland, Florida, to an African American mother, Helene Evans, a professional singer.[4] Her father, Richard Swain, was a musician of English and possible Italian descent who left before Evans was born; Evans has said "I've heard people mumble something about him being Italian, but I don't know for sure".[8] A half-year later, 19-year-old Helene returned to Newark, New Jersey, and left Faith with her cousin Johnnie Mae and husband Orvelt Kennedy, the foster parents of more than 100 children they raised during the time that Faith lived with them. Faith had known Johnnie Mae and Orvelt Kennedy as her grandparents.[4][7] It was not until a couple of years later that Helene's career floundered and she tried to take Evans back home. Faith, however, was afraid to leave what she had "been used to," and instead, Helene relocated next door.[4]

Raised in a Christian home, Evans began singing at church at age two. At age four, she caught the attention of the congregation of the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Newark when she sang The 5th Dimension's song "Let the Sunshine In".[9] While attending University High School in Newark, she sang with several jazz bands and, encouraged by Helene, entered outside pageants, festivals and contests, where her voice would be noticed and praised. After graduating from high school in 1991, Evans attended Fordham University in New York City to study marketing but left a year later to have daughter Chyna with music producer Kiyamma Griffin.[10] In 1993, she relocated to Los Angeles, where she worked as a backup vocalist for singer Al B. Sure!, when she was noticed by musician Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs. Impressed with her, Combs contracted her as the first female artist to his Bad Boy Entertainment record label during 1994.[10]

1994–2001: Faith, Biggie, Keep The Faith, motherhood and marriage

[edit]
Evans' mugshot, 2004

Newly contracted to Bad Boy Records, Evans was asked by executive producer Combs to contribute backing vocals and co-write tracks for Mary J. Blige's My Life (1994) and Usher's self-titled debut album (1994) prior to starting work on her debut studio album Faith.[11] Released on August 29, 1995, in North America, the album was a main collaboration with Bad Boy's main producers, The Hitmen, including Chucky Thompson and Combs, but it also resulted in recordings with Poke & Tone and Herb Middleton. Faith became a success based on the singles "You Used to Love Me" and "Soon as I Get Home". The album was eventually certified platinum with 1.5 million copies sold, according to RIAA.[12]

A year before, on August 4, 1994, Evans married rapper and label mate Christopher "The Notorious B.I.G." Wallace, after having met him at a Bad Boy photoshoot.[6] The couple had one child together, Christopher George Latore Wallace Jr. After allegations of an affair with Tupac Shakur, Evans became involved in the East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry which dominated rap music at the time. Wallace was murdered in a yet-to-be-solved drive-by shooting in Los Angeles, California in March 1997.[7] During early 1997, after her separation from Wallace, but before his death, Evans' friend Missy Elliott introduced her to record company executive Todd Russaw. Faith began dating Russaw during her and Wallace's separation and after Wallace died, Evans became pregnant by Russaw. The couple had their first son Joshua on June 10, 1998 (her 25th birthday).[6] During the summer of 1998, Evans and Russaw were married, and on March 22, 2007, they had their second son Ryder Evan Russaw.[6]

After Biggie's murder on March 9, 1997, Combs helped Evans produce her tribute song named "I'll Be Missing You", based on the melody of The Police's 1983 single "Every Breath You Take". The song, which featured Combs, Evans, and the all-male group 112, became a worldwide number-one success and debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart during 1997, scoring that for eleven weeks. It eventually won Puffy, Evans and 112 the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.[4] The next year, she received another two Grammy nominations for "Heartbreak Hotel", a collaboration with singers Whitney Houston and Kelly Price, that scored number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[13]

Two years in the making, Evans' second studio album, Keep the Faith, was released by Bad Boy Records on October 27, 1998. Almost entirely written and produced by her, Evans considered the album difficult to complete as she had initially felt discouraged about the progress at first.[6] Upon its release, however, the album earned generally positive reviews by music critics, with Allmusic noting it "without a doubt a highlight of 1990s soul-pop music".[14] Also enjoying commercial success, it eventually went platinum and produced the top ten singles "Love Like This" and "All Night Long" (released on March 30, 1999) prompting Evans to start an 18-city theater tour with Dru Hill and Total the following year.[6]

[edit]
Evans performing in 2005

Evans' third album on the Bad Boy label, named Faithfully (2001), involved her working with a wider range of producers, including The Neptunes, Mario Winans, Buckwild, Vada Nobles, Cory Rooney, and others.[15] Her first project with husband Todd Russaw as executive producer and creative partner, the album scored number 14 on the Billboard 200 album chart and number two on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, eventually being certified platinum, but yielded moderately successful singles, with the Jennifer Lopez-written "I Love You" becoming the only top twenty entry.[16] Released amid Bad Boy Records' transition from distributor Arista Records to Universal, Evans felt Faithfully received minimum assistance by the company, and during 2004, she finally decided to end her business with Bad Boy as she was convinced Combs couldn't improve her career any more due to his other commitments.[17] In January 2004, Evans and Russaw were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and cocaine and an improper tag violation during a traffic stop in Hapeville, a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia.

After leaving Bad Boy Entertainment, Evans contracted with Capitol Records, becoming the first contemporary R&B artist to do so, and started work on her fourth studio album The First Lady, named after her nickname on her former label.[17] As opposed to having an in-house team of producers who supplied most of the previous material, she and Russaw were able to gain more creative control of the album and consulted producers such as Bryan-Michael Cox, Jermaine Dupri, Mike Caren, Pharrell Williams, and Chucky Thompson to contribute to it.[18] Upon its release in April 2005, The First Lady scored at number two on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, becoming Evans' best-charting album to date. It was eventually certified gold by the RIAA.[19]

At the end of the year, Evans released A Faithful Christmas, a holiday album of traditional Christmas songs and original tracks. The effort would become her last release on Capitol Records as the company was bought during 2007.[20]

2005–2012: Hiatus, arrest, divorce and Something About Faith

[edit]
Main article: Something About Faith

Following a 5-year hiatus, Evans created her own record label imprint in 2010.[21] She named the imprint Prolific Music Group and hired top talent to build the record label from scratch.[22] Evans began recording songs with Keyshia Cole, Redman, Snoop Dogg and Raekwon, among others for the labels freshman album. Evans signed a deal with independent record label E1 Entertainment later that year. Her fifth studio album Something About Faith was released on October 5, 2010, in the United States,[23] where it debuted and peaked at number fifteen on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Independent Albums chart.[24] Something About Faith has spawned the leading single "Gone Already", which spent over thirty-three weeks on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, where it peaked at number twenty-two.[25]

In August 2010, Evans was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor drunken driving, after being stopped at a checkpoint in Marina del Rey, California. In 2011, Evans filed for divorce against Russaw.[26][27] The couple agreed to spend 13 weeks in a drug-treatment program in exchange for halting any further prosecution of their drug-possession case.[28] In May 2011, Evans and Russaw announced they were getting a divorce, and stated they would like to keep it quiet for their children's sakes.[29]

2012–2016: R&B Divas: Atlanta and Incomparable

[edit]

In 2012, Evans co-executive produced and became a cast member on the TV One reality show R&B Divas: Atlanta alongside fellow R&B singers Nicci Gilbert, Syleena Johnson, Keke Wyatt and Monifah.[30] The show offered an inside look at how the singers balance their music careers and personal lives as they work towards producing an Evans-led compilation album, R&B Divas (2012), in memory of Whitney Houston. Broadcast to rating records for the network,[31] the series produced a spin-off titled R&B Divas: Los Angeles and was renewed for two further seasons. Evans, who left the show following its second season, earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album at the 55th awards ceremony.[32]

In August 2013, Evans confirmed she had begun work on her seventh studio album Incomparable,[33] with contribution from Chucky Thompson, Mike City, KeKe Wyatt, B.Slade and Karen Clark Sheard of The Clark Sisters.[33] "I Deserve It", a record featuring recurring collaborator Missy Elliott and her protégée Sharaya J, was released on August 25, 2014, as the album's lead single and peaked at number 19 on Billboard's Adult R&B Songs chart.[34] Incomparable was released on November 24, 2014, by Prolific Music Group and BMG Rights Management.[35] It debuted at number 27 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 17 on the US Independent Albums chart.[36]

2016–present: The King & I, and The Masked Singer

[edit]

In 2016, Evans announced that she was finishing a posthumous Notorious B.I.G. album titled The King & I, featuring duets with her late husband. The album was released on May 19, 2017.[37]

On July 17, 2018, she married producer and Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta star Stevie J.[38] The couple released the hit song "A Minute" on July 27, 2018.[39] Between 2015 and 2019 Evans appeared in several episodes of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, and Leave It to Stevie alongside then friend Stevie J.[40]

In May 2020, Evans was arrested for felony domestic violence against Stevie J. She was released on bond and the charges were later dropped.[41][42] In 2021, Stevie J filed for divorce.[43][44] The divorce was finalized in 2023.[45]

In 2021, Evans competed in season six of The Masked Singer as "Skunk". She was unmasked during the Group A Finals where she made references to the loss of The Notorious B.I.G. and her son being autistic.

Other ventures

[edit]

Acting

[edit]

Having previously appeared in stage plays as a teenager, Evans began acting with a supporting role in director Robert Adetuyi's 2000 music drama Turn It Up, featuring Pras Michel from The Fugees, Jason Statham and Ja Rule. Released to generally negative reviews from critics,[46] who noted it "patently absurd in both the details and larger aspects",[47] the indie film had a short play and became a financial disappointment, gaining US$1.24 million during its U.S. run only.[48]

During 2003, Evans acted in the MTV-produced romantic comedy The Fighting Temptations in which she appeared in a brief but major role portraying a single mother and night club singer.[49] Filmed in Columbus, Georgia and headed by Cuba Gooding Jr. (her character is his mother) and Beyoncé Knowles, the film garnered mixed reviews by critics,[50] but scored top three of the U.S. box office, resulting in a domestic gross of US$30.2 million.[51] In addition, Evans recorded a contemporary cover version of Donna Summer's 1978 success "Heaven Knows" for the film which her character performs during one of the first in sequence in the film. The accompanying soundtrack scored the top twenty of the U.S. Billboard 200.[52]

During 2004, Evans earned a brief guest stint on the UPN situation comedy Half & Half.[53] In 2009, Evans announced that she had been working on a synopsis for her own situation comedy that would be based largely on her life but with a more comedic aspect. It is unknown whether she has officially pitched the sitcom to any television networks, as of 2024.[54]

Evans has had cameos on the reality show Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta.

Florence Ballard biopic

[edit]

In November 2010, several sources stated that Faith would portray Motown star Florence Ballard of the Supremes in an upcoming biopic, Blondie: The Florence Ballard Story.[55] With the blessing of Ballard's three daughters, Faith later appeared on The Wendy Williams Show to promote this role.[56] In July 2014, Rolling Stone reported that the movie, thought to be titled "Blondie", was in fact a con artist's scam.[57]

Writing

[edit]

Evans released her autobiographic book called Keep the Faith: A Memoir on August 29, 2008. Written with Aliya S. King, it detailed the singer's life, but also discussed Evans' controversial relationship with her late husband, the Notorious B.I.G.:

"I want people to understand that although he was a large part of my life, my story doesn't actually begin or end with Big's death. My journey has been complicated on many levels. And since I am always linked to Big, there are a lot of misconceptions about who I really am. It's not easy putting your life out there for the masses. But I've decided I'll tell my own story. For Big. For my children. And for myself."[58]

In its initial release, Keep the Faith: A Memoir landed in the Top 20 on New York's Best Seller's List two consecutive weeks in a row. During 2009, the book received The 2009 African American Literary Award for Best Biography/Memoir.[59]

Philanthropy

[edit]

In 2014, Faith showed support for Little Kids Rock by donating items for auction to raise money in support of music education in public schools.[60]

Artistry

[edit]

Faith Evans said that some of her biggest musical influences and favourite singers are gospel singer Karen Clark-Sheard (whom she has been often likened to), Shirley Murdock,[61] Chaka Khan, Anita Baker and Aretha Franklin.[62]

Evans is noted for her "urban-edged honeyed soprano."[63][64] Her vocal range extends from the low note of C#3 to high soprano C#6 .[65] The Washington Post writer Craig Seymour called her "angelic yet hearty soprano" as showcasing emotion that is defined by Evans' personal experiences of tragedy, love, pain and heartbreak.

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Faith Evans discography

Tours

[edit]

Filmography

[edit]

Television

[edit]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Grammy Awards nominations for Faith Evans
Year Nominee / work Award Result
1998 "I'll Be Missing You" (with Puff Daddy featuring 112) Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group[66][67][68] Won
1999 "Love Like This" Best Female R&B Vocal Performance[66][69] Nominated
2000 "Heartbreak Hotel" (with Whitney Houston & Kelly Price) Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal[66][70] Nominated
2002 "Can't Believe" (with Carl Thomas) Nominated
2003 Faithfully Best Contemporary R&B Album[66] Nominated
2011 "Gone Already" Best Female R&B Vocal Performance[66][71] Nominated
2014 R&B Divas Best R&B Album[66][71][72] Nominated
2016 "He Is" Best Traditional R&B Performance[66][73] Nominated

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Evans and Wallace had separated before Wallace's death.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Biggie Smalls Wed Faith Evans after 8 Days and Had Many Affairs during Marriage — Inside Their Love Story". June 18, 2021.
  2. ^ Daniela Avila (November 9, 2021). "Stevie J Files for Divorce from Faith Evans After 3 Years of Marriage". People. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  3. ^ "Faith Evans Settles Bitter Divorce Battle With Stevie J". BET. July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Wood, Gaby (July 10, 2005). "Rap's first lady". The Guardian. Retrieved March 14, 2009.
  5. ^ "Mark Batson Joins Tory Lanez, RedOne And Faith Evans For BMI'S How I Wrote That Song". BMI. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Chappell, Kevin (April 1, 1999). "After Biggie: Evans Has A New Love, A NEW Baby, A New Career". Ebony. FindArticles.com. Retrieved March 14, 2009.
  7. ^ a b c Waldron, Clarence (November 15, 1999). "Faith Evans Tells How She Balances Motherhood and Music". Jet Magazine. Retrieved March 15, 2009.
  8. ^ Evans, Faith; Aliya S. King (August 2008). Keep the Faith: A Memoir. Grand Central Publishing. ISBN 978-0446199506.
  9. ^ [1] [dead link‍]
  10. ^ a b Helligar, Jeremy (November 16, 1998). "Mrs. B.I.G." People Magazine. Retrieved March 14, 2009.
  11. ^ Huey, Steve (November 16, 2006). "Full Biography". Allmusic. MTV. Archived from the original on November 26, 2005. Retrieved March 20, 2009.
  12. ^ Smaldino, Denise (April 30, 2008). "Sean Combs earns platinum, gold". Variety. Retrieved March 20, 2009.
  13. ^ Waldron, Clarence (November 15, 1999). "Faith Evans Tells How She Balances Motherhood And Music". Jet. FindArticles.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  14. ^ Promis, Jose F. (April 30, 2008). "Keep the Faith review". Allmusic. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  15. ^ "Singer Faith Evans sheds more than 50 lbs; releases new CD, Faithfully". Jet. FindArticles.com. November 12, 2001. Archived from the original on September 1, 2009. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  16. ^ Reid, Shaheem (October 9, 2001). "Faith Evans Flips Biggie, Studies Ella Fitzgerald For Faithfully". MTV News. VH1.com. Retrieved January 24, 2010.[dead link‍]
  17. ^ a b Reid, Shaheem (October 23, 2001). "Faith Evans Talks About Her Drug Arrest on New Single". MTV News. VH1.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2010. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
  18. ^ Reid, Shaheem (April 1, 2005). "Faith Evans – Always Changing, Still the Same". MTV News. Archived from the original on October 3, 2009. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  19. ^ Harris, Chris (April 13, 2005). "50 Cent Won't Let Go of Billboard's #1". MTV News. VH1.com. Retrieved March 20, 2010.[dead link‍]
  20. ^ Joszor, Njai (August 13, 2009). "Faith Evans interview". Soultracks.com. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  21. ^ "Faith Evans". Bossip. Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  22. ^ Evans, Faith. "Prolific Music Group, 1st Filing". Trademarkia.com. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  23. ^ "Faith Evans: Ever Faithful". Blues & Soul. November 2010. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  24. ^ "Something About Faith – Faith Evans". Billboard.com. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  25. ^ "Gone Already – Faith Evans". Billboard.com.
  26. ^ Dolech, Marc W. (January 28, 2004). "Faith Evans Arrested". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 18, 2008. Retrieved March 14, 2009.
  27. ^ Silverman, Stephen M. (January 28, 2004). "Faith Evans Arrested on Drug Charges". People. Archived from the original on March 20, 2008. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
  28. ^ Keller, Julie (February 5, 2004). "Faith Evans' Rehab Deal". E! Online. Yahoo! Music. Archived from the original on May 13, 2010. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
  29. ^ "BREAKING: Faith Evans & Todd Russaw Release Official Divorce Statement". Vibe. May 24, 2011. Archived from the original on August 31, 2011. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  30. ^ "Exclusive: 'R&B' Divas' With Faith Evans, Nicci Gilbert, Syleena Johnson To Premiere on TV One". Billboard.biz. June 25, 2012. Archived from the original on January 11, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  31. ^ "TV One's "R&B Divas" Propels Network to New Ratings Record". TheFutonCritic.com. August 21, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  32. ^ Faith Evans Earns Grammy Nomination For Album, R&B Divas. Newsone.com
  33. ^ a b "Faith Evans Talks NEW Music, Whitney Houston and R&B Divas LA – Studio Q Exclusive". YouTube.com. August 6, 2013. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  34. ^ "iTunes – Music – I Deserve It (feat. Missy Elliott & Sharaya J)". iTunes. Apple.com. August 25, 2014. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  35. ^ "Faith Evans: Incomparable". iTunes.com. November 24, 2014. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  36. ^ Kellmam, Andy. "Incomparable – Faith Evans". AllMusic. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  37. ^ "The King & I". iTunes.Apple (US). Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  38. ^ "Faith Evans Marries Stevie J. in Las Vegas". Billboard. July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  39. ^ "Faith Evans and Stevie J Showcase Their Love In 'A Minute' Video". Singersroom. July 27, 2018. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  40. ^ Santi, Christina (November 20, 2018). "Faith Evans & Stevie J: B.I.G. Wouldn't Care About Our Marriage". EBONY. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  41. ^ "Faith Evans Arrested for Felony Domestic Violence: Report". Pitchfork.com. May 31, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  42. ^ "Faith Evans Domestic Violence Case Dropped". TMZ. June 13, 2020.
  43. ^ "Faith Evans And Stevie J Are Divorcing After Three Years Of Marriage: A Timeline Of Their Relationship". Essence. November 10, 2021.
  44. ^ Diamond Jeune (December 3, 2021). "'He Have Officially Met His Match': Faith Evans Responds to Stevie J Filing for Divorce". Yahoo! News. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  45. ^ Vasquez, Ingrid (July 14, 2023). "Faith Evans and Stevie J. Finalize Divorce Nearly 2 Years After Filing". Peoplemag. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  46. ^ "Turn It Up (2000)". Rotten Tomatoes. September 6, 2000. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  47. ^ Koehler, Robert (September 6, 2000). "Turn It Up review". Variety. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  48. ^ "Turn It Up". The-Numbers.net. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  49. ^ "The Fighting Temptations: A musical ensemble comedy – Movie Review". Ebony. FindArticles.com. October 1, 2003. Archived from the original on January 1, 2005. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  50. ^ "The Fighting Temptations (2003)". Rotten Tomatoes. September 19, 2003. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  51. ^ "The Fighting Temptations". The-Numbers.net. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  52. ^ Downey, Ryan J. (August 14, 2003). "Beyonce Teams With Diddy, Destiny On Temptations Soundtrack". MTV News. VH1.com. Retrieved January 25, 2010.[dead link‍]
  53. ^ "Faith Evans". IMDb. August 14, 2003. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  54. ^ Reid, Shaheem (January 13, 2009). "Faith Evans Says She'll 'Certainly' Work With Diddy on Next LP". MTV News. VH1.com. Retrieved March 20, 2010.[dead link‍]
  55. ^ "Faith Evans to Become Florence Ballard of the Supremes". EURweb. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  56. ^ "Faith Evans Album + Movie News – Brown Sista Online Magazine". Brown Sista Online Magazine. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  57. ^ "'The Lost Supreme' and a Classic Hollywood Con". Rolling Stone. July 2014. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  58. ^ "Keep the Faith, Faith Evans, Book - Barnes & Noble". Archived from the original on October 21, 2008. Retrieved October 16, 2008.
  59. ^ "2009 5th Annual African American Literary Awards Show Winners". African American Literary Awards. Archived from the original on January 28, 2010. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
  60. ^ "Faith Evans | Little Kids Rock". Archived from the original on January 14, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2014
  61. ^ "Faith Evans Interview (segment)". YouTube. July 30, 2008. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021.
  62. ^ "Faith Evans talks about her musical influences". YouTube.
  63. ^ "Something About Faith Review". Soultracks.com. September 24, 2010. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  64. ^ "Keep the Faith Info". Archived from the original on June 29, 2013.
  65. ^ "(HD) Faith Evans - Live Vocal Range (C#3 - C#6)". YouTube. November 8, 2014. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  66. ^ a b c d e f g "Faith Evans | Artist". Grammy Awards. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  67. ^ "Faith Evans | Awards". AllMusic Guide. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  68. ^ "Faith Evans Nominates Her "Tears Of Joy" For A GRAMMY". CBS News. December 4, 2012 – via KCAL-TV.
  69. ^ "WINNERS 40th Annual GRAMMY Awards (1997)". grammy.com. Archived from the original on June 24, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  70. ^ "2000 The 42nd Grammy Award Winners & Nominees". rockonthenet.com. February 23, 2000. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
  71. ^ a b "Faith Evans". BMG Rights Management. October 30, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  72. ^ Trakin, Roy (July 17, 2014). "Grammy Winner Faith Evans Signs to BMG for Publishing, Artist Services". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  73. ^ Chang, David (December 13, 2015). "10 Questions With Grammy-Winning Philly Music Producers Keith Pelzer and Darren "Limitless" Henson". WCAU. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
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