Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight (born June 5 1969 in Buffalo, New York) is an American singer, songwriter, arranger, and producer, specializing in pop and R&B. He is a multi-instrumentalist and plays the piano, guitar, and trumpet.
Biography
McKnight's musical career was spurred by a musical childhood, in which he was a member of the church choir and a bandleader in high school. Encouraged by his older brother Claude’s band Take 6 getting a record deal, McKnight sent out demo tapes and, at the age of 19, signed his first recording deal with Mercury Records. He released his first album, Brian McKnight, in 1992, I Remember You (his sophmore album) in 1995, and his third and final album for Mercury, 1997's Anytime. It sold over two million copies.
Moving to the Motown label, McKnight continued his successful career. His 1999 Back at One album sold over three million copies, and he has collaborated with such musical personalities as Mase, Sean “Puffy” Combs, Mary J. Blige, Vanessa Williams, For Real, Mariah Carey, Regine Velasquez, Boyz II Men, Christina Aguilera and Quincy Jones. McKnight's latest album, Gemini, was released on February 8 2005.
McKnight has two children and is divorced. He currently lives in Los Angeles, California. Although rumors have spread (and been confirmed) of a possible pose for Playgirl magazine, after 9 years, this still has not yet materialized.
Discography
Albums
- Mercury releases
- 1992: Brian McKnight
- 1995: I Remember You
- 1997: Anytime
- Motown releases
- 1998: Bethlehem (Christmas album)
- 1999: Back at One
- 2001: Superhero
- 2003: U-Turn (album)
- 2005: Gemini
Singles
- Mercury releases
- 1992: "The Way Love Goes" (R&B #11)
- 1992: "Goodbye My Love" (R&B #46)
- 1993: "One Last Cry" (US #13, R&B #8)
- 1993: "After the Love" (R&B #39)
- 1993: "Love Is" (Performed by Vanessa Williams and Brian McKnight) (US #3, R&B #55)
- 1995: "Crazy Love" (US #45, R&B #10)
- 1995: "On the Down Low" (US #73, R&B #12)
- 1995: "Still in Love" (R&B #24)
- 1997: "You Should Be Mine (Don't Waste Your Time)" (US #17, R&B #4)
- 1998: "Anytime"
- 1998: "Hold Me" (US #35)
- 1998: "The Only One for Me"
- Motown releases
- 1999: "Back at One" (US #2, R&B #7)
- 2000: "6, 8, 12" (R&B #48)
- 2000: "Stay or Let It Go" (US #76, R&B #26)
- 2000: "Win" (R&B #51)
- 2001: "Love of My Life" (US #51, R&B #11)
- 2001: "Still"
- 2002: "What's It Gonna Be" (US #91, R&B #48)
- 2003: "Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda" (R&B #35)
- 2005: "What We Do Here" (R&B #35)
- 2005: "Everytime You Go Away" (R&B #36)
- 2006: "Find Myself In You" (R&B #30)