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 | 1981–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 5 Billboard hit singles: "I Love Your Smile" in 1991 and "Saving Forever for You" in 1993. In 1999, Shanice scored another top hit song, "When I Close My Eyes" which peaked to number #11 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Shanice is known for her coloratura soprano and ability to access the whistle register.[1]
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[edit] Early life
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wilson relocated to Los Angeles with her mother and aunt who were interested in pursuing careers in the music industry. At the age of eight, she starred in a KFC commercial with jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald. In 1984, she appeared as a regular on Kids Incorporated, and performed on Star Search. Shortly after her appearance on Star Search, she was signed to A&M Records.[2][3]
[edit] Career
In 1987, Wilson released her debut album, Discovery, at age 14. The album produced two top ten R&B hits, "(Baby Tell Me) Can You Dance" and "No 1/2 Steppin'".[2][4] Wilson went on to sign a record deal with Motown Records in 1991 and released Inner Child, her first Motown effort later that year. The album included Wilson's hit single "I Love Your Smile", which reached top ten in 22 countries, including the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number two on the Billboard Hot 100, and also reached.[4] The album also featured a cover of Minnie Riperton's 1974 hit "Lovin' You". Wilson's rendition brought attention to her five octave vocal range.[5]
After Inner Child, Wilson continued to record albums, including 21… Ways to Grow in 1994 with producer Rhett Lawrence and L.A session musician and Earth Wind & Fire guitarist Dick Smith. Also 1999's Shanice. While she has not achieved significant commercial success with her later albums, she has contributed various tracks for films including Boomerang and The Meteor Man. Wilson also found success with her top ten hit "Saving Forever For You", from the Beverly Hills 90210 soundtrack.[4] Shanice also recorded "If I Never Knew You", a duet with Jon Secada, for the original soundtrack of Disney's Pocahontas.
She also sings backup and does studio sessions and can be heard on Toni Braxton's song "Come On Over Here" and "Un-Break My Heart",[6] as well as Usher's "Bedtime". In 2010. she has also lend her vocals for song "Behind the Mask" which can be found on Michael Jackson's posthumous album Michael.
In addition to singing, Wilson has also appeared on Broadway. In 1997, she was the first African American to the role of Eponine in the musical Les Misérables.[7] She has also performed the English theme song for the video game The Bouncer, called "Love is the Gift".
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]
[edit] Personal life
On Valentine's Day in 2000, Wilson married actor Flex Alexander.[9] Together, they have two children, daughter Imani Shekinah Alexander (2002) and son Elijah Alexander(March 2004).[10]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
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[edit] U.S. singles
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[edit] Awards
- 1993: Golden Lion Award for Best International Artist
[edit] References
- ^ Shanice American Music Channel profile
- ^ a b "Faces to Watch: Shanice Wilson". ew.com. 1992-01-31. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,309339,00.html. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ Ankeny, Jason. "Shanice Biography". vh1.com. http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/shanice_1/bio.jhtml. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ a b c d "Shanice: Singles Chart History". billboard.com. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.vnuArtistId=22525&model.vnuAlbumId=46032. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ Dyson, Michael Eric (1992-03-19). "Shance: Inner Child Album Review". rollingstone.com. http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/309820/review/5943725/innerchild. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ Hogan, Ed. ""Un-Break My Heart" Song Review". allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/song/t1089875.
- ^ Shanice at the Internet Broadway Database
- ^ "Shanice Wilson Interview". imissthe80s.com. http://www.imissthe80s.com/shanicewilsoninterview.htm. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ Dougherty, Steve (2003-10-06). "Flex Appeal". People. http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20148271,00.html. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ "10 hottest couples". Ebony. 2007-02. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_4_59/ai_112861722. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
[edit] External links
- Shanice at Allmusic
- Shanice discography at Discogs
- Shanice at the Internet Movie Database
- All about Shanice
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