Kelly Price
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Kelly Price | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Queens, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B, soul, gospel |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Labels | Island Black Music (1994–1996) Def Soul (1996–2005) EcclectiSounds/Gospo Centric (2006) My Block (2010–present) |
| Website | kellyprice.com |
Kelly Price (born April 4, 1972) is an American R&B and soul singer, formerly on the Def Soul label.
Life and music career
Kelly Cherelle Price was born in Queens, New York. She was first discovered by Mariah Carey in February 1992 and subsequently introduced to Sony Columbia's then CEO Tommy Mottola.[1] She made a name for herself as a backing and guest vocalist, appearing on a number of hit singles such as Mariah Carey's "Fantasy", The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Mo Money Mo Problems", and Whitney Houston's "Heartbreak Hotel". She has also sung background vocals for Faith Evans, Aretha Franklin, Brian McKnight, SWV and R. Kelly.
She issued her debut album, Soul of a Woman, in 1998 on Island Records, which contained the hit single "Friend of Mine". A remix of the song, also included on the album, features R. Kelly and Ronald Isley. In the remix, Isley takes on the fictional role of the singer-protagonist's Godfather ("Mr. Biggs"), taking her husband (R. Kelly) to task for cheating on her with her best friend. The "Friend of Mine" remix was a #1 hit on the U.S. R&B chart.
She issued her second album, Mirror Mirror, in 2000 on the Def Soul imprint of Def Jam Records; Island and Def Jam had merged in 1999, with Price and labelmates Dru Hill being reassigned to Def Soul. Mirror Mirror featured the singles "You Should've Told Me" and the Grammy Award nominated[2] "As We Lay", a cover of Shirley Murdock's 1986 hit. A remix of "Love Sets You Free" was issued a single in 2000, produced by Teddy Riley and starring a number of fellow R&B performers, including Babyface, Tamar Braxton, Aaron Hall, Blackstreet, and Def Soul labelmates Dru Hill, Case, Montell Jordan, LovHer and Kandice Love.
Price was featured in the 2003 film, Bringing Down the House, performing a cover of the 1983 Rufus & Chaka Khan hit "Ain't Nobody."
A Christmas album, One Family, was issued in 2001 which had a piano appearance from GospelJazz pioneer, Ben Tankard. Two years later, Price returned with her third regular studio album, Priceless. In October 2005, Price recorded her first live gospel project. The This Is Who I Am album has been released on October 24, 2006 on her own label, EcclecticSounds Records. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard Gospel Charts and peaked at #9 on the R&B album chart.
Price was inducted as an honorary member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority in July 2006.
In early 2007, Price kicked off a tour with the 'Sisters in the Spirit 2007'.[3]
In 2006, she recorded the song "Why?" for the soundtrack Why Did I Get Married?, a film version of the stage play of the same name she once acted in, playing the role to Sheila.
In early 2009, Price was featured on Coko's gospel album entitled The Winner In Me on the track "Oh Mary".
In June 2010, Price promoted her single "Tired" on The Jazz Joy and Roy syndicated radio show as "some of the best work of my career to date." The song was also feautured in Tyler Perrys 2011 film Madea's Big Happy Family
Referring to her company's collaboration with the legendary producers at My Block Records, Price said, "(There was) no pressure from outside forces--you know, the suits behind the desk," adding, "It's great to be able to work with musical people who understand the heart of music and my heart...."
Price expressed gratitude for the legions of fans who have a positive connotation in mind when they label her "DIVA," and was more than happy to break down the word for listeners.
"'DIVA' can sometimes take on a negative connotation particularly when it's applied to women. But I believe that the true DIVAS are those who have come up, have spent a little time in this business...And they find a way to round out their world, not just musically or (through) style, but as human beings. They give back."
The acclaimed vocalist leaned closer to the mic and continued to educate, saying, "(A DIVA) does family, they do friends. They are not defined just by the music they make, but by every area of their life. They know what they want and are not afraid to go for it. So, if that's what you are saying when you call me a DIVA, then I accept that label and I'll wear it proudly."
Onlookers burst into laughter and applause when Price added, "I'll get a big 'D' stamped on my forehead!"
In September 2010, Kelly announced via her official Twitter profile that her new solo album Kelly will be released on May 3, 2011. Her second single "Not My Daddy" debuted on R&B charts at #87 and has since risen to #23 on the Billboard R&B Charts. The third single "Himaholic" debuted at #88 on the chart dated July 30, 2011.
The Queen Project
In September 2009, it was announced she would be joining Deborah Cox and Tamia to form the super group The Queen Project. The women seek to empower women of all ages, races and backgrounds by doing a number of community service projects.
Legal Issues
On July 16, 2010, a lawsuit was filed in a Texas Federal court by Kelly Price against a nationally known prosperity ministry, New Light Church of Houston, TX, et al. Other defendants in the case include New Light's pastor, I. V. Hilliard, wife, Bridget Hilliard and daughter, Preshea Hilliard. Price claims she wrote and copyrighted the tune, "Women Who Win," which New Light Church and three members of the Hilliard family used without permission in a church show, on DVDs, on a website and at a "Women Who Win" conference, in Houston, TX. The original court docket indicates that the involved parties continued to use the Work in a variety of ways despite being refused license to use.
Family
Price grew up in a second apartment in the Edgemere Projects in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York. Her father died when she was nine years old. Residing outside of Atlanta, Georgia, Price lives with her husband/manager, Jeffrey Rolle, and their children, Jeffrey Jr. and Jonia.[4]
Price's grandfather is the Bishop Jerome Norman, the pastor of the Full Gospel Mission Church of God in Christ in Queens, New York and Jurisdictional Prelate of the First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiciton of Barbados West Indies since 1990 by the late Presiding Bishop J.O. Patterson. Her mother, Claudia Price, is the former musical director of the church. Price began singing in the church at the age of six; with her voice, she gained the nickname 'Little Mahalia Jackson'.[5]
Breast cancer activist
In December 2000, Price donated $250,000 to fight breast cancer. She presented a check to Tony Martell of the T.J. Martell Foundation and Denise Rich of G&P Foundation For Cancer Research to help with the ongoing fight against breast cancer. Price donated the proceeds from her hit single "Love Sets You Free" which she recorded in January 2000.[6]
In April 1999, Price volunteered to showcase her fashion designs during a special charity gala and fashion show to help the National Breast Cancer Awareness Initiative raise money for breast cancer education for minority women.[7] The previous year, Price learned that her mother-in-law had breast cancer. Later in 1998, Price's own mother also was diagnosed with the disease. Her mother-in-law died from the disease.[8]
Claudia Price, the mother of Kelly, is a survivor of inflammatory breast cancer which is the deadliest and most deceptive type of breast cancer.[9] Claudia, who is a New York City resident, has become a breast cancer activist to educate the public about the disease. She was the chairwoman of the seventh annual Sister to Sister Fitness Festival held in Dallas, Texas which was sponsored by the Celebrating Life Foundation.
Claudia experienced pain in her breast in 1997, but said fear and a lack of insurance kept her from seeking immediate medical attention. Instead, she waited two years before seeing a doctor. While at work one day in 1999, her doctor called and said she had inflammatory breast cancer. Doctors gave her two months to live. She underwent chemotherapy, and the disease is in remission as of October 2006.[10]
Discography
Albums
| Year | Album | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | U.S. R&B | |||
| 1998 | Soul of a Woman
|
15 | 2 |
|
| 2000 | Mirror Mirror
|
5 | 3 |
|
| 2003 | Priceless
|
10 | 2 |
|
| 2006 | This Is Who I Am
|
54 | 9 | |
| 2011 | Kelly
|
36 | 9 | |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | U.S. R&B | |||
| 1998 | "Friend of Mine" | 72 | — | Soul of a Woman |
| "Friend of Mine (Remix)" (featuring Ronald Isley and R. Kelly) | 12 | 1 | ||
| 1999 | "Secret Love" | 99 | 3 | |
| "It's Gonna Rain" | — | 51 | Life soundtrack | |
| 2000 | "As We Lay" | 64 | 12 | Mirror Mirror |
| "Love Sets You Free (Remix)" | 91 | 14 | ||
| "You Should've Told Me" | 64 | 16 | ||
| 2001 | "Mirror, Mirror" | — | — | |
| 2002 | "In Love At Christmas" | — | 71 | One Family - A Christmas Album |
| "Take It 2 The Head" (featuring Keith Murray) | — | — | Priceless (Kelly Price album) | |
| "Someday" | — | — | ||
| "How Does It Feel (Married Your Girl)" | — | — | ||
| 2003 | "He Proposed" | — | 58 | |
| 2006 | "God's Gift" (Jeff Majors featuring Kelly Price) | — | 32 | CD single |
| "Healing" | — | — | This Is Who I Am | |
| 2010 | "Tired" | — | 93 | Kelly |
| 2011 | "Not My Daddy" (featuring Stokley) | 122 | 22 | |
| "Himaholic" | — | 69 | ||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. | ||||
Awards and nominations
- American Music Awards
- 2001, Favorite R&B Female Artist (Nominated)
- Grammy Awards
- 2011, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance: "Tired" (Nominated)
- 2004, Best Traditional R&B Performance: "He Proposed" (Nominated)
- 2001, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance: "As We Lay" (Nominated)
- 2000, Best R&B Performance by a duo or Group: "Heartbreak Hotel" (Nominated)
- MTV Video Music Award
- 1999, Best R&B Video: "Heartbreak Hotel" (Nominated)
- Soul Train Awards
- 2001, Favorite Female R&B/Soul Album: Mirror, Mirror (Nominated)
- 1999, Favorite Female R&B/Soul Single: "Friend of Mine" (Nominated)
- 1999, Favorite R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist (WON)
- 1999, Favorite Female R&B/Soul Album: Soul of a Woman (Nominated)
See also
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
References
External links
- Wikipedia introduction cleanup from December 2008
- Articles covered by WikiProject Wikify from December 2008
- 1973 births
- Living people
- African American singers
- American dance musicians
- American gospel singers
- American rhythm and blues singers
- American soul singers
- Def Jam Recordings artists
- American Christians
- American Pentecostals
- Members of the Church of God in Christ
- People from New York City
- People from Far Rockaway, Queens
- People from New York
- People from Atlanta, Georgia
- DeKalb County, Georgia