JOE

Joe is an American R'n'B artist who was born on the 5th July 1972 and is a native of Cuthbert, Georgia and later moved to Opelika, Alabama. The son of two preachers, Joe spent much time in church singing, playing guitar, and even directing the choir. He was influenced in his early career by gospel performers such as: The Winans, Commissioned, and Vanessa Bell Armstrong. Joe also grew to love soul legends like Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye as well as contemporary stars such as Bobby Brown and Keith Sweat.

[edit]Career



[edit]1990s

Joe graduated from high school and continued to sing and write music while working at occasional temporary jobs. Finally, he traveled to New Jersey, hoping to make connections in the music industry. While working at a gospel record store and continuing his music education through a local church, he met producer Vincent Herbert and recorded a three-song demo tape. He signed to Polygram/Mercury and in 1993 released his album debut, Everything. This album produced a minor hit for him and he was subsequently released from his contract. Joe also had a song called "All the Things" that appeared on the soundtrack to the Wayans Brothers film Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (the brothers later used songs from Joe in loves scenes in their various films over the years). Joe then signed to Jive Records for his 1997 album, All That I Am. This proved to be his breakthrough album, reaching #13 on the Billboard 200 chart, and number 4 on the US Billboard R&B chart. The hit singles from this album included the Top 5 R&B/Top 20 pop hit "All the Things Your Man Won't Do", the Top 5 R&B/Top 40 pop hit "Don't Wanna Be a Player", produced by Rodney Jerkins, and "The Love Scene". "Don't Wanna Be a Player", produced by Rodney Jerkins, was also featured on the Booty Call soundtrack, helping its success. All That I Am eventually went platinum in the US.[citation needed] Joe remixed a duet by Barry White and Tina Turner called "Never in Your Wildest Dreams" and wrote and produced debut albums by Ideal and Déjà Groove in the late 1990s. Joe also sang on the remix of Big Punisher's "Still Not a Player", produced by Knobody, which interpolated Joe's "Don't Wanna Be a Player". Joe sang the background vocals on Brandy's track "Angel in Disguise" on her sophomore album, Never Say Never Read more