He began his career as a producer and songwriter for other artists in 2003.[3][4] He received his first formal credits doing so on Ne-Yo's album In My Own Words (2006)—which topped the Billboard 200—as well as Omarion and Bow Wow's collaborative album Face Off (2007)—which peaked at number 11 on the chart.[5] His debut studio album, Genesis was released in 2010. His 2016 single, "Don't Say You Love Me" reached number 11 on the Dance/Electronic Songs chart.[6][7]
Early life
B. Howard was born Brandon Howard in Los Angeles.[1][8] He was raised between Los Angeles and Chicago.[1] Howard's mother, Miki Howard, is also a successful singer-songwriter.[9]Joe Jackson, the patriarch of the Jackson family, was Miki's manager in the '80s.[1][8][10][11][12] His grandmother was Josephine Howard of The Caravans, the first group to have a gospel song played on secular radio and his grandfather was Clay Graham (1936–2018) of Pilgrim Jubilees.[13][14] B. Howard said he first considered working in finance. He was inspired by MTV videos of A-ha and Tears for Fears, instead choosing a career in music. He adopted the artist name "Sonik" and first worked with Gerald Levert in Cleveland, Ohio.[6]
Music career
Howard has been working as a record producer since 2003.[1]
B. Howard started a solo career in 2010 following the success of his single, "Dancefloor."[1] In 2010, B Howard collaborated with Wyclef Jean and Jazmine Sullivan to revamp the song "Ke Nako" as a homage to Nelson Mandela.[15]
The first single from Genesis, "Super Model", was released via iTunes on February 8, 2011.[citation needed] The second single, "Dancefloor" made its US premiere on Wednesday, June 8 (2011) on iTunes and across all digital platforms.[16] Howard performed in Japan to support this release.[17] Howard is currently working on his upcoming American EP, Official.[4] His single "I Do It" and released in 2013.[4][18]
Howard's single, Don't Say You Love Me, hit number 11 on Billboard's Top Dance charts in January 2016.[19] In 2018, Howard joined China's virtual star festival in Beijing.[citation needed]
He was set to repressent United States in Intervision 2025.[20][21][22], but on 17 September he himself announced that he would be unable to perform "due to unforeseen family circumstances".[23][24][25]
Michael Jackson comparisons
Howard's similarities to the late pop icon Michael Jackson have been a source of speculation, and in 2014 FilmOn.com claimed to have evidence that proved paternity.[26] The tests were subsequently proven to be inconclusive.[26]
In March 2014, singer Akon gave an interview with Larry King in which he, as a recording artist who has worked with both Howard and Jackson, claimed to believe Howard was Michael Jackson's son.[27]
In an interview published in 2021, Aaron Carter also gave an interview with Vlad TV in which he states that B Howard is Michael Jackson's son.[28]
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