Beginning his career during the mid-'80s under the name the Fresh Prince, by the following decade rapper Will Smith was one of the biggest superstars of his time -- not only a pop music sensation, he also conquered television and eventually feature films, starring in a string of box-office megahits. Born September 25, 1968, in Philadelphia, he... [+] Read More

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Rapper Cam'ron was born and raised in Harlem, attending Manhattan Center High School, where one of his basketball teammates was Mason "Mase" Betha, who also became a successful rapper. Though his playing earned him scholarship offers from top colleges, Cam'ron was unable to take advantage of them because of his poor academic record, and he... [+] Read More

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The sweet urban soul quartet 98° was formed in Los Angeles by four former Ohio residents: brothers Nick and Drew Lachey plus Jeff Timmons and Justin Jeffre. Timmons was trying to make it in the music industry, so he called Jeffre and Nick Lachey -- both former classmates at the Cincinnati School for Creative and Performing Artists -- and formed... [+] Read More

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Long before the Cash Money camp became known as Cash Money Millionaires, the label got its start hustling albums by a young teen known as B.G., who eventually scored a national anthem with his track "Bling Bling." Originally known as the Baby Gangsta, B.G. grew up in the dangerous uptown section of New Orleans, among some of the most... [+] Read More

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A native of Toronto, Deborah Cox began singing for TV commercials at age 12, also entering various talent shows with her mother's help. She performed in nightclubs as a teenager, and around this time, she also began to write her own material with the help of writer, producer, and future romantic interest Lascelles Stephens. Much like Whitney... [+] Read More

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Formed in the early '80s in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Mint Condition began as lead singer Stokley Williams, guitarist Homer O'Dell, keyboardist Larry Waddell, keyboardist/saxophonist Jeff Allen, keyboardist/guitarist Keri Lewis, and guitarist/bassist Rick Kinchen.

The six talented musicians combine a variety of influences and... [+] Read More

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R&B diva Monifah grew up in Spanish Harlem in the midst of a musical family, who encouraged her to work in several musicals while at an early age. With the experience she gained singing, Monifah signed a contract with MCA and released her self-titled album in 1995. The following year, her single "I Miss You (Come Back Home)" became an R&B hit.... [+] Read More

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Just six months after their debut album Rated Next was released in late 1997, Next topped the singles charts with the smooth soul of "Too Close." Composed of brothers T-Low and Tweety plus R.L., the R&B trio formed in Minneapolis/St. Paul after the brothers met R.L. through their uncle, the director of a gospel choir. With the help of Naughty by... [+] Read More

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Ol' Skool is a new jack urban R&B group who released their first single, "Set You Free," in the fall of 1997. The group features Pookie (vocals), Tony Love (vocals, guitar), Curtis Jefferson (vocals, bass) and Bobby Crawford (vocals, drum programming, keyboards). Keith Sweat discovered and championed the group, executive producing their... [+] Read More

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The onetime backing group for R. Kelly, Chicago's Public Announcement made their solo debut in 1998 with All Work, No Play, scoring a Top Ten hit with the single "Body Bumpin' Yippie-Yi-Yo." Kelly moved on to contemporary R&B stardom while the group remained in semi-retirement until late 2000 when they released their sophomore album, Don't Hold... [+] Read More

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