Deborah Cox is a Canadian singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. Born and raised in Toronto, she began performing on television commercials at age 12, and entered various talent shows in her teenage years before becoming a professional backing vocalist for Celine Dion. In 1994, Cox relocated to the United States and was signed to Arista Records by Clive Davis, releasing her self-titled debut album the following year. Her second studio album, One Wish (1998), was certified platinum in the United States. It was marked by the commercial success of the pop crossover single "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here", which would become her most successful entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number two and remaining there for eight consecutive weeks. Cox signed with J Records for her third studio album The Morning After (2002), which saw moderate commercial success.
"Like You" is a song by American rapper Bow Wow featuring singer Ciara. It was written by Jermaine Dupri, Jaron Alston, and Johnta Austin, and produced by Dupri and Bryan Michael Cox for Bow Wow's fourth album Wanted (2005). The song includes the keyboard chord of New Edition's "I'm Leaving You Again" written by Jaron Alson, Ricky Bell, and Ralph Tresvant. "Like You" was released as the album's second single on July 12, 2005, reaching atop the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and peaking at number three on the Hot 100, giving Bow Wow his second top 10 hit on that chart, as was Ciara's fifth. The song also charted in the top 40 in countries like Ireland, Germany and the UK. To date, "Like You" remains Bow Wow's highest charting song.
"U Should've Known Better" is a song by American recording artist Monica. It was written in collaboration with Harold Lilly and Jermaine Dupri, and produced by the latter along with frequent co-producer Bryan Michael Cox for her original third studio album, All Eyez on Me (2002). When the album was shelved for release outside Japan, the song was one out of five original records that were transferred into its new version, After the Storm (2003). A contemporary R&B slow jam, "U Should've Known Better" contains elements of soul music and rock music. Built on an pulsating backbeat, the song's instrumentation consists of screeching guitars and an understated harp pattern. Lyrically, Monica, as the protagonist, delivers a message of loyalty to her imprisoned love interest and sings about staying down for him despite his doubts.
"Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" is a song by Canadian recording artist Deborah Cox, released as the lead single from her second studio album, One Wish (1998). Written by Montell Jordan and its producer, Anthony "Shep" Crawford, the song was released on the same day as the album, on September 15, 1998, by Arista Records. It is Cox's most successful song, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks and spending a then-record 14 weeks at number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In 2017, Billboard ranked the song at number five on its "Greatest of All Time Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs" chart.
"Mas que Nada" is a song written and originally recorded in 1963 by Jorge Ben on his debut album Samba Esquema Novo, which was covered in 1966 by Sérgio Mendes, becoming one of the latter's signature songs. It was voted by the Brazilian edition of Rolling Stone as the fifth-greatest Brazilian song. It was inducted to the Latin Grammy Hall of Fame in 2013.
"Water Runs Dry" is a 1995 single by Boyz II Men for the Motown label, written and produced by Babyface. The single, the fourth released from the album II, reached number two in the United States and number four in the Canada. It also contains a version of the group's previous number one hit from the same album, "I'll Make Love to You". A Spanish version, "No dejemos que muera el amor", was also recorded and peaked at number 10 on the US Latin Pop Airplay chart.
Canadian singer and songwriter Tamia has released nine albums, and twenty-six singles. She began her career in 1995 as a protégé of musician Quincy Jones, who offered her the chance to appear on his album Q's Jook Joint (1995). Selected as the album's first single, their collaboration "You Put a Move on My Heart" became a top 20 success on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. The song, along with their second collaboration "Slow Jams" and "Missing You", a song she recorded with Brandy, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan for the soundtrack of the 1996 motion picture Set It Off, was later nominated for a Grammy Award.
One Wish is the second album by Canadian singer-songwriter Deborah Cox. It was released by Arista Records on September 15, 1998, in the United States. As with her self-titled debut album, One Wish was once again executive-produced by Clive Davis, but features more uptempo, contemporary R&B, and a slew of new producers and personnel, including Montell Jordan, Anthony "Shep" Crawford, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, DJ Quik, Stevie J and David Foster. It also contains dance and club music. Diane Warren, Daryl Simmons and Lascelles Stephens also returned with contributions to the album.
Deborah Cox is the debut album by Canadian singer Deborah Cox. It was released by Arista Records on September 12, 1995 in the United States. Executive produced by Clive Davis, Deborah Cox is a blend of R&B, soul and hip hop soul and features productions from producers such as Tim & Bob, Babyface, Daryl Simmons and Dallas Austin. A commercial and critical success, the album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for sales of over 500,000 units, and earned Cox a Juno Award for Best R&B/Soul Recording at the 1996 Juno Awards.
Andrea Monica Martin was an American R&B singer-songwriter and record producer.
"As" is a song written and performed by American singer and musician Stevie Wonder from his 1976 album, Songs in the Key of Life. It reached number 36 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Black Singles chart. The song gets its name from the first word of its lyrics.
"Nobody Knows" is a song by R&B singer Tony Rich from his 1996 debut album, Words. Released as his debut single on November 7, 1995, the song peaked at number two on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks charts. It also became a hit in several other countries, topping the Irish Singles Chart and reaching number two in Australia and Canada, number four in the United Kingdom, and the top 20 in the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Sweden. Rich received a nomination for the 1997 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
"My First Night with You" is a song written by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and Diane Warren. It was originally recorded by Canadian singer Deborah Cox for her self-titled debut studio album (1995). In 1998, American singer Mýa covered the song for her self-titled debut studio album, serving as the album's third and final single. The album version was produced by Daryl Simmons, allowing Mýa to put her own spin on the record, while the Ric Wake pop-produced version was marketed at pop and adult contemporary radio. The lyrics of the ballad speak of a non-sexual experience with a man.
"Stingy" is a song by American R&B singer Ginuwine. It was written by Johnta Austin, Bryan-Michael Cox, and Jason Perry and recorded by the singer for soundtrack of the American comedy-drama film Barbershop (2002), then included on his fourth album The Senior the following year. Production on the song was helmed by Cox, with co-production from Perry. Released as the lead single from the Barbershop soundtrack, "Stingy" peaked at number 33 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top ten of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
"Georgy Porgy" is a song written by David Paich, included on American rock band Toto's self-titled debut album in 1978. It was released as a single in 1979 and charted on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as on both the R&B and Dance charts.
The Promise is the fifth studio album by Canadian R&B singer Deborah Cox. It was released on November 11, 2008 worldwide and marked her debut with Image Entertainment and Deco Recording Group. While her 2007 album Destination Moon was a jazz tribute, this one marks her return to R&B music six years after The Morning After (2002).
"Who Do U Love" is a song performed by Canadian singer Deborah Cox. It was written and produced by Larry "Rock" Campbell and Vassal Benford for her self-titled debut studio album (1995) and contains a sample of "Hold You Tight" by Tara Kemp, as written by Jake Smith, Tuhin Roy, and William Hammond. Arista Records issued the song as the second album's single in 1996.
"A Rose Is Still a Rose" is a song recorded by American singer Aretha Franklin. It was written and produced by singer Lauryn Hill for Franklin's album of the same name (1998). The song focused on a motherly figure giving advice to a younger woman who keeps getting into bad relationships. Throughout "A Rose Is Still a Rose", Franklin advises that in spite of everything and despite the woman's "scorned roses and thorn crowns," the woman is "still a rose". Elements of the song "What I Am" by Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians were sung throughout the song by Hill herself.
"Mr. Lonely" is a song by Canadian singer Deborah Cox. It was written by Ahmad Russell, Christopher Jennings, Eric Johnson, Eric Jones, Takia Jennings, and Terry Johnson for her third studio album The Morning After (2002), with production helmed by Jennings and Johnson along with William Lockwood. The song, along with several remix versions, was released as the album's second single in fall 2002 and reached number one the US Billboard Dance Club Songs.
"Up & Down " is a song by Canadian singer Deborah Cox. It was written by Cox, Alex Richbourg, James Wright, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis for her third studio album The Morning After (2002), with production helmed by Jam, Lewis, Wright and Godson. The song, along with a slightly remixed version featuring additional vocals from rapper Jadakiss, was released as the album's lead single in 2002, reaching number 23 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart.
