Jussie Smollett is an American actor and singer. He began his career as a child actor in 1991 debuting in The Mighty Ducks (1992). From 2015 to 2019, Smollett portrayed musician Jamal Lyon in the Fox drama series Empire.
Durrell Artaze Babbs, better known by his stage name Tank, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a backing vocalist for R&B singer Aaliyah, and signed a recording contract with her label, Blackground Records as a performing act in 1998. His 2001 single, "Maybe I Deserve" peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 and led his debut studio album, Force of Nature (2001). It peaked within the top ten of the Billboard 200, while his second album, One Man (2002) peaked within the top 20 and saw mixed critical response.
Terri & Monica was an R&B duo from the early 1990s which featured Terri Robinson and Monica Payne, who were members of the short-lived late 1980s New Jack Swing R&B group The Gyrlz along with third member Tara Geter.
Tim & Bob, also known as Funktwons, were an American songwriting and production duo from Peoria, Illinois. The duo has been credited on the Billboard Hot 100 top ten-singles "Thong Song" for Sisqó, "Slow Down" for Bobby V, "They Don't Know" for Jon B., and the top 40-singles "So Into You" for Tamia and "Come See Me" for 112. They discovered the latter act in Atlanta during the late 1990s, and worked extensively with artists Bobby V, Boyz II Men, Donell Jones and Monica to produce one or more of their albums, respectively. They disbanded in 2014 to separately pursue solo work.
Chrisette Michele Payne is an American R&B and soul singer. She won a Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance in 2009 for her song "Be OK".
Tyrese is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Tyrese. It was released on September 29, 1998, through RCA Records in the United States. The production on the album was handled by multiple producers including Ron "Amen-Ra" Lawrence, Tricky Stewart, The Characters, Derek Allen and Anthony Morgan among others.
Hourglass is the second solo studio album by English singer Dave Gahan, released on 17 October 2007 by Mute Records. It received generally favourable reviews; most critics complimented its electronica sound, while some criticised it for sounding too similar to Gahan's group Depeche Mode.
Kendrick Jevon Dean is an American record producer, songwriter and entrepreneur. He has produced or written for 7 GRAMMY Nominated albums to date. Some of his hits include Chris Brown's "Say Goodbye", Mariah Carey's "I Stay In Love" and Trey Songz "Last Time". Kendrick began his music career in 2004 when he was first credited as a producer on mega group Destiny's Child final album Destiny Fulfilled. A former high school history teacher, and University of Florida graduate; Dean used his classical, jazz and gospel music background to make a seemingly seamless transition into the music business. Dean is often incorrectly credited for compositions from Swizz Beatz, both of which being credited as "K. Dean". He is a member of Iota Phi Theta fraternity.
Tyrese Darnell Gibson is an American R&B singer and actor. His self-titled debut album, released in 1998, featured the single "Sweet Lady". The record peaked at number twelve on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. His second and third albums, 2000 Watts and I Wanna Go There, were released in 2001 and 2002, respectively. The latter contained the lead single "How You Gonna Act Like That", which became Gibson's highest-charting single, reaching number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. On his fourth album, Alter Ego (2006), Gibson explored hip hop under the rap alias Black-Ty. Gibson was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album for his fifth album, Open Invitation (2011). Gibson's sixth album, Black Rose (2015), debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200, becoming his highest-charting album. He has sold over 4 million records in the United States.
American singer and actor Tyrese has released seven studio albums and twelve singles. According to Billboard, Tyrese has sold 3.69 million albums in the United States.
Open Invitation is the fifth studio album by American singer Tyrese. It was released on November 1, 2011, by his label Voltron Recordz and was distributed by EMI. This became Tyrese's first album released on his label Voltron Recordz since his departure from J Records. The production on the album was handled by multiple producers including David Banner, B.A.M., R. Kelly, Lil' Ronnie, and Swiff D among others. The album also features guest appearances by Rick Ross, Ludacris, T.I., Jay Rock, Big Sean, R. Kelly, Busta Rhymes and Faith Evans.
LaTocha Reney Scott-Bivens, also known by her mononym LaTocha, is an American R&B and Gospel singer, songwriter, and occasional actress. She is best known as a member of the multi-platinum selling R&B group Xscape, who rose to popularity in the 1990s.
Jon Redwine is an American record producer. He is best known for his co-production on Tinashe's 2014 single "2 On", which peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). He has also been credited on songs and albums by other artists including Chris Brown, Bobby Brackins, G-Eazy, Zendaya, Waka Flocka Flame, Mario, Jeremih, Colette Carr, MKTO, and Jake Miller.
Demetria Dyan McKinney is an American actress, model, and singer. From 2006 to 2012, during its original run, she starred in the TBS sitcom Tyler Perry's House of Payne, a BET revival of the show was announced in 2020. Her other series regular roles include TV One sitcom The Rickey Smiley Show, Bounce TV prime time soap opera Saints & Sinners and Syfy horror drama Superstition, as well as Motherland: Fort Salem on Freeform.
Timothy Bloom is a two time Grammy Award winning American alternative soul singer-songwriter and record producer.
Love Sex Passion is the fifth studio album by American R&B recording artist Raheem DeVaughn. The album was released on February 17, 2015, by 368 Music Group and E1 Music.
The pilot episode of the American musical drama television series Empire premiered on Fox on January 7, 2015. The show focuses on Lucious Lyon, the head of a record label who is diagnosed with ALS and given three years to live. While keeping his condition a secret, he decides to find a successor that will take over the company. Meanwhile, his ex-wife Cookie Lyon comes out of jail and demands a part of the company she founded. The episode was directed by Lee Daniels and written by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong. Over 12 original songs, produced by Timbaland, were featured in the episode.
Black Rose is the sixth studio album by American singer Tyrese. It was released independently on July 10, 2015, through his label Voltron Recordz, while distribution was handled by Caroline Records. The production on the album was handled by Warryn Campbell, Seige Monstracity, Eric Hudson, B.A.M., Tim Kelley, Marcus Hodge and Rockwilder. The album also features guest appearances by Chrisette Michele, Snoop Dogg, Brandy and Tank.
"Shame" is a song by American singer Tyrese. It features background vocals from fellow American singer Jennifer Hudson. It was released on April 28, 2015 as the second single off his sixth studio album Black Rose, on the record label Voltron Recordz. The song contains an interpolation of Atlantic Starr's 1980 hit "Send for Me". "Shame" was nominated for Best Traditional R&B Performance and Best R&B Song at the 58th Grammy Awards.
"What is Love" is a song recorded by American recording artist V. Bozeman for 1st studio album of the TV series Empire. The song was written by Daniel Jones, Timbaland, Jim Beanz, while Timbaland, Jim Beanz also handled the production.
