Kem (singer)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Kem | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Kim Owens |
| Born | Nashville, TN |
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B, soul, jazz, neo soul |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer |
| Instruments | vocals, piano/keyboards, |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Labels | Motown |
| Website | Kemmusic.Com[1] |
Kem Owens (born in Nashville, Tennessee), professionally known as Kem, is an American R&B/soul singer, songwriter, and producer. He was raised in Detroit, Michigan.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
After finishing high school, Kem dealt with homelessness, addiction, and isolation from his family. He was caught shoplifting beer from 7-11.
He did not overcome these issues until he turned to spirituality and music, as he has said, "My career didn't take off until I connected with my spirituality. That's why I take time on stage and on the album to administer spirituality to people. That's one of the things that I am most proud of."
[edit] Career
He has also said that he does not create music marketed to the mainstream hip-hop-dominated R&B crowd but to people who enjoy his soul/jazz adult contemporary sound and lyrical content.
He wrote, produced, and financed his self-released debut album, Kemistry, with his American Express and singing top 40 cover tunes in a wedding band and waiting tables.
He was later signed by Motown Records in November 2001, who re-released the album on February 25, 2002, and sold more than 500,000 copies nationwide. The album's first single, "Love Calls", became a hit at urban adult contemporary and smooth jazz radio, and USA Today pegged it early on as a "Motown classic." His debut went gold-plus.
He followed his debut release with a second album, Album II, released May 17, 2005 and sold more than 500,000 copies nationwide. It included the hit single "I Can't Stop Loving You", a # 1 at urban adult contemporary radio, and the song "You Might Win" featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Kemistry (album) (2002; [Certified Gold]
- Album II (2005) #3 US; [Certified Gold]
[edit] Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 | US R&B/Hip-Hop | |||
| 2003 | "Love Calls" | #25 | #1 | Kemistry |
| 2005 | "I Can't Stop Loving You" | #87 | #1 | Album II |
| 2005 | "Find Your Way (Back in My Life)" | - | #43 | Album II |
[edit] Awards and nominations
- 2005 Billboard Music Award win for Top Adult R&B Single of the Year: "I Can't Stop Loving You"
- 2005 Billboard Music Award nomination for Top Adult R&B Artist of the Year (lost to Fantasia).
[edit] External links
- Kemmusic.com & [2] - Official site
