Shanice
| Shanice | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Shanice Lorraine Wilson |
| Born | May 14, 1973 |
| Origin | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B, soul, urban adult contemporary |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Labels | A&M (1986–1988) Motown (1991–1995) LaFace (1998–1999) Imajah / PlayTyme (2005–present) |
| Website | http://www.shaniceonline.com |
Shanice Lorraine Wilson-Knox (born May 14, 1973), better known as Shanice, is a Grammy-nominated American R&B/soul singer-songwriter. She scored two Top 6 Billboard hit singles: "I Love Your Smile" in 1991 and "Saving Forever for You" in 1993. In 1999, Shanice scored another hit song, "When I Close My Eyes," which peaked at number #11 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. She is widely recognized for her coloratura soprano and ability to access the whistle register.[1]
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Early life [edit]
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wilson relocated to Los Angeles with her mother and aunt (Krystal and Penny) who were themselves interested in pursuing careers in the music industry. They soon abandoned their aspirations of stardom, instead focusing their efforts on young Shanice, forming the management company Krystal Penny to cultivate and promote her talents. At the age of eight, she appeared in a Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial with venerable jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald. In 1984, she appeared as a regular on the children's program Kids Incorporated, and also performed on Star Search. Shortly after her appearance on Star Search, she was signed to A&M Records.[2][3]
Career [edit]
In 1987, at age 14, A&M Records released her debut album, Discovery. It produced two top-ten R&B hits, "(Baby Tell Me) Can You Dance" and "No ½ Steppin.'"[2][4] Wilson went on to sign a deal with Motown Records in the summer of 1990, who released Inner Child in late 1991, which included Wilson's best-known hit single "I Love Your Smile." The single reached the top ten in 22 countries' charts, including the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number two on the Billboard Hot 100.[4] The album also featured a cover of Minnie Riperton's 1974 hit "Lovin' You," a rendition that brought attention to her four-octave vocal range.[5]
After Inner Child, Wilson continued to record albums, including 1994's 21… Ways to Grow with producer Rhett Lawrence and L.A session musician and Earth Wind & Fire guitarist Dick Smith. This was followed by a move to LaFace Records, who released the 1999 album Shanyce. While she has not achieved significant commercial success with subsequent albums, she has contributed various tracks for films, such as Boomerang ("Don't Wanna Love You") and The Meteor Man ("It's for You"). Wilson also achieved success with her top-ten hit "Saving Forever for You," from the Beverly Hills 90210 soundtrack.[4] She also recorded "If I Never Knew You," a duet with Jon Secada, for the original soundtrack of Disney's 1995 film Pocahontas.
Shanice performs occasional backing vocals for other artists, and can, for example, be heard on Toni Braxton's "Come on Over Here" and "Un-Break My Heart,"[6] as well as Usher's "Bedtime". In 2010 she performed vocals on the track "Behind the Mask," from Michael Jackson's posthumous album Michael.
In addition to singing, Wilson has dabbled in acting, appearing in 1997 on the Broadway stage as the first black performer to star in the role of Eponine in the musical Les Misérables.[7]
After a five-year hiatus, Wilson released her fifth studio album Every Woman Dreams on her own label Imajah (named for her two children).[8] The album peaked at #30 on the R&B Albums Chart.[4]
In 2011 Shanice teamed with Niecy Nash and Franchie Davis for the 21st Annual "Diva's Simply Singing" HIV/AIDS charity event.[9]
More recently, she recorded the song "A Midnight Rendezvous" for the 2012 Kinect rhythm game Rhythm Party. She also performed the English theme song for the video game The Bouncer, called "Love Is the Gift."
Personal life [edit]
On Valentine's Day 2000, Wilson married actor/comedian Flex Alexander.[10] Together, they have two children, daughter Imani Shekinah Knox (born August 23, 2001) and son Elijah Alexander Knox (born March 5, 2004).[11]
Discography [edit]
Albums [edit]
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U.S. charting singles [edit]
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Awards [edit]
- 1993: Golden Lion Award for Best International Artist
References [edit]
- ^ Shanice American Music Channel profile
- ^ a b "Faces to Watch: Shanice Wilson". ew.com. 1992-01-31. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ Ankeny, Jason. "Shanice Biography". vh1.com. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ a b c d "Shanice: Singles Chart History". billboard.com. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ Dyson, Michael Eric (1992-03-19). "Shance: Inner Child Album Review". rollingstone.com. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ Hogan, Ed. ""Un-Break My Heart" Song Review". allmusic.com.
- ^ Shanice at the Internet Broadway Database
- ^ "Shanice Wilson Interview". imissthe80s.com. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ "Divas Dish: Niecy Nash, Shanice Wilson and Frenchie Davis". Retrieved November 24, 2012.
- ^ Dougherty, Steve (2003-10-06). "Flex Appeal". People. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ "10 hottest couples". Ebony. 2007-02. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
External links [edit]
- Shanice at Allmusic
- Shanice discography at Discogs
- Shanice at the Internet Movie Database
- All about Shanice
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