Brenda K. Starr

Last updated

Brenda K. Starr
Richard Scher, Lotti Golden, Arthur Baker, Brenda K. Starr, 1984 (cropped).jpg
Brenda K. Starr in 1984
Background information
Birth nameBrenda Joy Kaplan
Born (1966-10-14) October 14, 1966 (age 57)
OriginNew York City
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Years active1985present
Labels
Website www.brendakstarr.com

Brenda Joy Kaplan [2] (born October 14, 1966), known by her stage name Brenda K. Starr, is an American singer and songwriter. She is well known originally in R&B, dance and pop but now mostly in salsa-based music. She is also well known for her 1980s work with freestyle music. [1]

Contents

Early life

Starr was born as Brenda Joy Kaplan to a Jewish American father, organist Harvey Kaplan (also known as Harvey Kaye of the 1960s band the Spiral Starecase) and a Puerto Rican Roman Catholic mother. [2] [3]

Career

In the early 1980s, through a chance meeting with Harry Belafonte, Starr landed a role in his 1984 hip hop film, Beat Street; she appeared in it, as herself, as a singer at an open-microphone audition. Starr's appearance in the movie garnered attention, leading to a recording contract on Mirage Records, through Arthur Baker, who enlisted the help of two production teams (Lotti Golden and Richard Scher, and Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers) to complete Starr's debut album, I Want Your Love . The lead single, "Pickin' Up Pieces", written by Arthur Baker and Lotti Golden, was a local club sensation and national hit, peaking at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Charts [4] and on the Dance Singles Sales Chart. [5] "Pickin' Up Pieces" also peaked at No. 83 on the R&B Hip Hop Billboard Charts. [6]

Starr's eponymous sophomore LP, which she released in 1987 on the MCA Records label before it became part of the present-day Universal Music Group, included what is considered her signature song, the power ballad "I Still Believe," which peaked at No. 13 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, becoming Starr's first and only top 20 single on the Hot 100. [7] In 1998, Mariah Carey covered the song as a tribute to her "mentrix;" Carey's version peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified platinum by the RIAA. The album peaked at No. 58 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Starr's other top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 was "What You See Is What You Get" (which peaked at No. 24 [7] and at No. 6 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play). [4]

Two of Starr's songs have been included on motion-picture soundtracks; "Sweet Surrender" was included in the soundtrack for the 1988 teen film License to Drive, starring Corey Haim, and "Sata" was on the soundtrack for the 1990 film Lambada. During the late 1980s, Mariah Carey sang background vocals for Starr, and Starr helped Carey secure a recording contract by giving a demo tape of hers to Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola at a party. After being dropped from Sony/Columbia Records for lackluster sales of her third album, By Heart, Starr worked odd jobs to support herself and her family.

Starr learned Spanish to help rejuvenate her career, successfully reinventing herself as a salsa/tropical and Latin pop artist. After the release of her cover of "Herida" (from the Chilean singer Myriam Hernández), which peaked at No. 14 on the Latin Pop Airplay [8] and at No. 1 on the Latin Tropical/Salsa Airplay chart, [9] she continued her success with a string of popular albums and chart hits.

Starr was also a disc jockey at MIX 102.7, WNEW-FM, where she presented a request program titled "Under the Stars" from 9 pm to midnight on Sunday nights before the station changed formats. The lead single from her seventh album, Atrevete a Olvidarme, titled "Tu Eres," earned her a nomination from the Billboard Latin Music Awards in 2006.

Personal life

Starr is married to Chris Petrone and has three daughters and a son. Her two eldest daughters, Kayla Festa and Tori Festa are from a previous relationship with Brazilian-born New Jersey native, Joao (John) Festa, while her current husband fathered her other two children: Chris Petrone Jr. and American Idol finalist (Season 15) Gianna Isabella. Gianna made it to the top 10 in American Idol's 15th and final season on the FOX broadcast network in 2016. [10]

Awards and recognitions

Discography

Albums

YearAlbumPeak chart positions
US Pop
[12]
US Latin
[13]
US Tropical
[14]
1985 I Want Your Love
1987 Brenda K. Starr 58
1991 By Heart
1997 Te Sigo Esperando
1998 No Lo Voy a Olvidar
2000 Pétalos de Fuego 15
2002 All Time Greatest Hits
Temptation 283
2004 So Good: 12" Club Collection
2005 Atrévete a Olvidarme 9
2021 Brenda K. Starr Christmas Spectacular
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Singles

1980s

YearSinglePeak chart positions
US Pop
[7]
US A/C
[15]
US R&B
[6]
US Dance
[4]
US Dance Singles Sales
[5]
US Latin
[16]
1985"Pickin' Up Pieces"8399
"Suspicion"
"Love Me Like the First Time"
1987"Breakfast in Bed"/"Desayuno De Amor"18296
1988"I Still Believe"/"Yo Creo En Ti"131410
"What You See Is What You Get"24611
"Straight from the Heart"
"Over and Over"
1989"You Should Be Loving Me"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

1990s

YearSinglePeak chart positions
US Pop
[7]
US Latin Airplay
[8]
US Latin
[16]
US Tropical
[9]
1990"No Matter What" (with George Lamond)49
1991"If You Could Read My Mind"
1993"So in Love" (with Concept of One)
1995"Thank You"
1996"Feels So Good"
"I Don't Know What To Do"
1997"Only Love"
"Herida"14281
1998"Si Me Preguntan Por Tí"3110
"I Ain't Gonna Settle For Less"
1999"I Still Believe"20
"Señor Amante"3715
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

2000s

YearSinglePeak chart positions
US Dance Singles Sales
[5]
US Latin Airplay
[8]
US Latin
[16]
US Tropical
[9]
2000"Pétalos de Fuego"20
"La Razon"
"Hold Me"48
2002"Por Ese Hombre" (with Tito Nieves and Víctor Manuelle)33111
"Rabia"11
"Gata Bajo la Lluvia"
2005"Tú Eres"19
"Atrévete a Olvidarme"21
2006"Dámelo"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

2010s

YearSinglePeaks
US Tropical
[9]
2013"Yo te Extraño Tanto"
2017"Amor Mío"
"No Ves que te Amo" (with Domenic Marte)23
2018"Siento" (with Nino Segarra)
2019"Rendención"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

2020s

YearSinglePeaks
US Tropical
[9]
2020"Tu Vida en la Mia"23
2021"El Pez Muere por la Boca"
"I Miss You"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

See also

Related Research Articles

George Lamond, sometimes styled George LaMond, is an American freestyle music and salsa music singer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Still Believe (Brenda K. Starr song)</span> 1988 single by Brenda K. Starr

"I Still Believe" is a song written and composed by Antonina Armato and Giuseppe Cantarelli, and originally recorded by pop singer Brenda K. Starr for her eponymous second studio album, Brenda K. Starr (1987). It is a ballad in which the singer is confident she and her former boyfriend will be together again one day. It is Starr's biggest hit in the United States, reaching the top-twenty on the Billboard Hot 100 and being considered her signature song. "I Still Believe" was covered by American singer Mariah Carey, a former backup singer for Starr before she achieved success, for her #1's album in 1998 and released as a single in 1999. It was also recorded by Cantopop singer Sandy Lam in 1989.

<i>Temptation</i> (Brenda K. Starr album) 2002 studio album by Brenda K. Starr

Temptation is the seventh studio album by American singer Brenda K. Starr. It was released on March 26, 2002 on Sony Discos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Que Lloren</span> 2007 single by Ivy Queen

"Que Lloren" (English: Let Them Cry) is a song by Puerto Rican reggaetón recording artist Ivy Queen, from her sixth studio album, Sentimiento (2007). It was composed by Queen, produced by Monserrate & DJ Urba, and released as the lead single off the album in January 2007. Lyrically, the song degrades the stereotype that men shouldn't cry and they are weak if they show emotions. The song gained positive to mixed reviews from critics, reaching the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot Latin Songs, Latin Rhythm Airplay, and Latin Tropical Airplay charts. A remix version with Tito "El Bambino", Naldo and Arcángel was also recorded and featured on the platinum edition of the album, after Sentimiento was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on May 10, 2007, two months after the standard edition was released. Ivy Queen performed the song at Latin Grammy Awards of 2007. It was included on the set of her 2008 World Tour which was held from the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum known as the Coliseum of Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The song's accompanying music video was filmed in Downtown Miami, Florida. It was directed by Marlon Peña.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toby Love</span> Bachata musician from The Bronx, NY

Toby Love is an American singer, rapper and songwriter of Puerto Rican descent. Based on The Bronx, New York, he is best known for being a former member of Aventura before pursuing a solo career, mostly known for their 2002 album We Broke the Rules, later performing a style of bachata music that combines traditional and urban singing and production. In 2006, he embarked on a solo career, thus gaining success. His debut single, "Tengo Un Amor", helped him rise to fame in mainstream Latin music. Since then, he became one of the most successful bachata artists of the 2000s and 2010s with hits like "Llorar Lloviendo", "Te Parece Poco", "Lejos", "Vestida De Blanco", among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Experiencia Religiosa</span>

"Experiencia Religiosa" is the second single released by Spanish singer-songwriter Enrique Iglesias from his eponymous debut studio album Enrique Iglesias (1995), It was released by Fonovisa on 11 December 1995. The song was awarded "Pop Song of the Year" at the Lo Nuestro Awards award, and the Music Video also was nominated for Video of the Year the previous year. The track was written by Chein García Alonso, produced by Rafael Pérez-Botija and became another successful release for Iglesias. The song includes a gospel arrangement on the choruses. An Italian version was also released on the Italian pressings of the album Enrique Iglesias. The track debuted in the United States Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart at number 33 on 10 February 1996, while his previous single was at number 4 on the same chart. The track peaked at number 1, for three weeks on 20 April 1996. The single spent five weeks in Billboard's top 20 Mexican Regional Songs, peaking at number 2. According to the newspaper El Siglo de Torreón, the music was well performed in cities of: Chile, México, and Puerto Rico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ella y Yo</span>

"Ella y Yo" is Aventura's second single from their fourth studio album God's Project and features reggaeton singer Don Omar. The song is also in Don Omar's compilation album, Da Hitman Presents Reggaetón Latino.

"No Matter What" is the fourth single from freestyle singer George Lamond's debut album Bad of the Heart featuring Brenda K. Starr. In 1993, Lamond recorded a Spanish-language version as "No Morirá" with Lisa Lopez on his album Creo en Ti.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ella Lo Que Quiere Es Salsa</span> 2012 single by Víctor Manuelle

"Ella Lo Que Quiere Es Salsa" is a song by Puerto Rican-American recording artist Victor Manuelle featuring Voltio and Jowell & Randy. It was composed by himself and released on January 21, 2012, as the second single off his thirteenth studio album Busco un Pueblo. An urban version was also recorded and later released on May 28, 2012. The song became his twenty-first number one single on the Billboard Tropical Songs chart which led to Manuelle becoming the artist with the most number-one singles on the chart. It was also a minor success peaking on the Billboard Latin Songs and Billboard Latin Pop Songs charts at number 29 and 33 respectively. It received positive reviews from critics praising the music in the song. A music video was released on July 5, 2012, which was directed by Steven Tapia.

"Pobre Corazón" (English: Poor Heart) is a song recorded by Divino for Ivy Queen's sixth studio album, Sentimiento (2007). It was composed by Divino along with Queen and produced by Marcos Sánchez. A remix version with Queen was also recorded and included on the platinum edition of the album. Separate salsa and bachata versions were also later recorded. Ivy Queen and Divino performed the remix of the song as a part of the setlist of her 2008 World Tour which was held from the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum known as the Coliseum of Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Charting on five Billboard charts, the song reached #24 on the Latin Pop Airplay chart.

"Por Ese Hombre" is a song originally recorded by Argentine duo Pimpinela and Spanish singer Dyango for the former's fifth studio album, Lucía y Joaquín (1985). It was covered by American singer Brenda K. Starr and Puerto Rican singers Tito Nieves and Victor Manuelle, as the lead single for Starr's seventh studio album, Temptation (2002). Mexican singer Ana Bárbara and Mexican band La Original Banda El Limón also recorded the song for Bárbara's eleventh studio album, Yo Soy La Mujer (2014).

"Herida" (Wound) is a song originally recorded by Chilean singer Myriam Hernández as the third single from her second studio album, Dos (1990). The song reached number three on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart in 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Te Conozco Bien</span> 1995 single by Marc Anthony

"Te Conozco Bien" is a song by American singer Marc Anthony from his second studio album, Todo a Su Tiempo (1995). The song was written by Omar Alfanno, with production being handled by Marc Anthony and Sergio George. It was released as the first promotional single from the album on May 30, 1995. A salsa song, it sees the singer express certainty that someone is regretful. The song was awarded the Billboard Latin Music Award in 1996 for "Hot Latin Track of the Year" in the Tropical/Salsa field and was nominated for the Tropical Song of the Year award at the 8th Annual Lo Nuestro Awards in the same year. It was a recipient of the ASCAP Latin Award in 1996. Commercially, the song peaked at number seven on the Hot Latin Songs chart and number one on the Tropical Airplay chart in the United States. It was the best-performing song of 1995 on the latter chart. The song was covered by Puerto Rican singer Ángel López as a ballad on his studio album Historias de Amor (2010).

"Todo Mi Corazón" is a ballad written by Venezuelan singer-songwriter Ilan Chester and performed by Mexican singer Yuri on her 11th studio album Soy Libre (1991). It was released as the second single from the album and peaked at number No. 5 on the Hot Latin Songs chart in the US. A music video for the song was filmed and features Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin. The music video was nominated in the Latin field for Best Female Artist at the 1991 Billboard Music Video Awards. Chester recorded his own rendition of the song on his album studio Un Mundo Mejor (1992). It was later covered by American salsa band Dark Latin Groove (DLG) on their 1996 self-titled debut studio album. Their version became their second No. 1 song on the Tropical Airplay chart in the US. DLG's version was recognized as one of the best-performing songs of the year at the 1997 ASCAP Latin Awards on the tropical field.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">La Noche (Joe Arroyo song)</span> 1988 song by Joe Arroyo

"La Noche" is a salsa song written and performed by the Colombian singer Joe Arroyo. Billboard called it a "groundbreaking song" that made Arroyo "a groundbreaking force in Colombian salsa."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mi Mayor Venganza</span> 1997 song by La India

"Mi Mayor Venganza" is a song by Puerto Rican singer La India from her fifth studio album, Sobre el Fuego (1997). The song was written by Rodolfo Barreras and produced by Isidro Infante, and released as the album's second single in 1997 by RMM Records. It is a salsa song, in which La India tells the woman to keep the man who cheated on the artist out of revenge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Píntame (song)</span> 1999 single by Elvis Crespo

"Píntame" is a song by Puerto Rican American singer Elvis Crespo from his 1999 second studio album of the same name. The song was written by Crespo with Luis Angel Cruz and Robert Cora handling its productions. It is a merengue song in which Crespo asks an artist to materialize his lover by painting her. The song was met with positive reactions from three music critics who found the song to be catchy. An accompanying music video for the single features Crespo dancing with other performers in a white background.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Por Mujeres Como Tú</span> 1998 single by Pepe Aguilar

"Por Mujeres Como Tú" is a song by Mexican singer Pepe Aguilar from his 1998 studio album of the same name. The song won Billboard Latin Music Award for Hot Latin Song of the Year and was nominated in the category of Regional Mexican Hot Latin Track of the Year. It also won the Lo Nuestro Award for Regional Mexican Song of the Year in 1999. In addition, the track was recognized as song of the year on the Regional Mexican field at the ASCAP Latin Awards. In 1999, Puerto Rican salsa singer Tito Rojas covered "Por Mujeres Como Tú" on his studio album, Alegrías y Penas. Rojas' version peaked at #1 on the Tropical Airplay, his second and final #1 before his death. Rojas' cover was nominated in the category Tropical Song of the Year at the 2000 Lo Nuestro Awards, but lost to "Píntame" by Elvis Crespo. It was recognized as one of the best-performing songs of the year at the ASCAP Latin Awards under the salsa category in 2000.

<i>Que Suenen los Tambores</i> 2015 studio album by Víctor Manuelle

Que Suenen los Tambores is the sixteenth studio album by Puerto Rican singer and songwriter Víctor Manuelle, released on April 21, 2015, through Kiyavi Corp. and Sony Music Latin. It was produced by Arbise "Motiff" Gonzalez, and features a collaboration with Puerto Rican singer Raquel Sofía in one of the bonus tracks.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Kellman, Andy. "Artist Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  2. 1 2 Vicki Ruíz, Virginia Sánchez (2006). Latinas in the United States: a historical encyclopedia, Volume 1. Indiana University Press. p. 655. ISBN   0-253-34681-9.
  3. "Brenda K. Starr – Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular | San Juan, Puerto Rico".
  4. 1 2 3 "Brenda K. Starr - Chart History: Dance Club Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 "Brenda K. Starr - Chart History: Dance Singles Sales". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  6. 1 2 "Brenda K. Starr - Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Brenda K. Starr - Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 "Brenda K. Starr - Chart History: Latin Pop Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Brenda K. Starr - Chart History: Tropical Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  10. Angermiller, Michele. "'American Idol': Watch Brenda K. Starr's Daughter, Gianna, Audition in Philadelphia". billboard.com. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  11. "Premios a Lo Mejor De La Música Latina". El Tiempo (in Spanish). Casa Editorial El Tiempo S.A. April 8, 1997. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
  12. "Brenda K. Starr - Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard . Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  13. "Brenda K. Starr - Chart History: Top Latin Albums". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  14. "Brenda K. Starr - Chart History: Tropical Albums". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  15. "Brenda K. Starr - Chart History: Adult Contemporary". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  16. 1 2 3 "Brenda K. Starr - Chart History: Hot Latin Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2022.