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LeToya Luckett

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LeToya Luckett

LeToya Nicole Luckett (born in March 11 1981), known professionally as LeToya, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. She is a founding member of the R&B and world's best-selling female group of all time, Destiny's Child with whom she won two Grammy Awards and after prompting commercially successful releases with the group, she was forced to leave.[1][2][3]

After unsuccessful trying again to join another girl-group, and after signing a record deal with Capitol Records, she pursued a successful solo career. Her solo debut album, LeToya (2006), topped the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart in July 2006 and was certified platinum by the RIAA in December 2006. The single, "Torn", achieved records on BET's top ten countdown show 106 & Park. She was also named "One of the Best New Artists of 2006" by AOL and the "Top Songwriter of 2006" by ASCAP.[4] Her second album is rumored to be released in late 2007.[5]

Early life

Luckett was born and raised in Houston, Texas and grew up singing in her local Brentwood Baptist Church where she had vocal lessons to become an opera singer. Her father, who was also a singer, was very proud of his daughter's vocal talents and tried to promote her into the music business. Lucket is the eldest of two children; she has a younger brother Gavin.[6] Luckett was given the the opportunity to sing her first church solo at the age of five. "The lady just gave me the mic one Sunday and I sang", she recalls.[7] Shortly thereafter, she joined the children's choir and began performing in plays at her elementary school. One day, she was walked to her desk in class to find a girl sitting on her seat. Luckett asked her teacher to remove the girl from her assigned seat, who turned out to be Beyoncé Knowles. Beyoncé and Luckett later became best friends and was invited to join Beyoncé's group.[8]

Destiny's Child

Main article: Destiny's Child
Luckett on the cover of Destiny's Child's self-titled debut album (from left to right: Rowland, Roberson, Luckett, and Knowles)

In 1993, LeToya Luckett joined Beyoncé Knowles, LaTavia Roberson, and Kelly Rowland to complete the Houston-based R&B group, Destiny's Child. After being signed and later dropped by Elektra Records, the group eventually signed with Columbia Records in 1997, but not after signing with Mathew Knowles as their official manager. According to the E! Television Special, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Knowles forced the girls to sign with him before they could sign with the label. LeToya's mother requested the contracts to be reviewed by an attorney, but Knowles denied the request. However, Luckett eventually signed with him and joined the group.[9]

After graduating from the Houston club scene, the group began opening for acts such as Dru Hill, SWV, and Immature, and released their 1998 self-titled debut album Destiny's Child. The album spawned two singles: the platinum "No, No, No Part II" (featuring Wyclef Jean) and "With Me". The group was featured on the Why Do Fools Fall in Love soundtrack with the song "Get on the Bus" (featuring Timbaland), and later toured as an opening act on TLC's "Fanmail Tour" and Christina Aguilera's debut tour.

File:Writings on the wall.jpg
Luckett (left) on the cover of Destiny's Child's second album The Writing's on the Wall

In 1999, the group released their second album, The Writing's on the Wall. The album became one of the biggest selling albums released by a female group, and was certified eight times platinum in the USA. The album spawned four hit singles: "Bills, Bills, Bills", "Bug a Boo", "Say My Name" and "Jumpin' Jumpin'". In late 1999, in the midst of the group's rising success, Luckett and Roberson sent a letter to their management stating they wanted their own manager because of the increasing lack of communication from the group's manager Mathew Knowles (who is also Beyoncé Knowles' father). The pair said they never were in no way trying to fire the group's manager, but simply get secure outside management to represent them fairly. Soon after, Luckett and Roberson found themselves on the outs with Knowles family and the group they help create.[10][11] When the "Say My Name" music video debuted in February 2000, they were shocked to find themselves replaced by two new members, Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin.

Luckett and Roberson filed a lawsuit against Mathew Knowles, Beyoncé Knowles and Kelly Rowland, charging them with breach of partnership and fiduciary duties, and sought unspecified damages. The case was eventually settled, with Luckett and Roberson continuing to receive royalties from their contributions as founding members of the group. When it seemed as if the drama had subsided, shortly following the release of Destiny's Child's, This Is the Remix, Luckett and Roberson filed another lawsuit against the group in March 2002. They claimed that the album's lead single, "Survivor", violated their previous settlement due to its lyrics which they believed to reference the ugly split.[12]

Life after Destiny's Child: Anjel

Main article: Anjel

After several months of media speculation, it was announced via the MTV News website that Luckett and Roberson had created a new group called Anjel.[13] After several auditions, Naty Quinones and Tiffany Beaudoin were selected as members. The group recorded a twenty-two-song demo in Atlanta, Georgia, with the help of R&B group Jagged Edge. Their production company (581 Entertainment) which handled the group fell through, and all the members of Anjel went on to pursue solo projects. However, most of the recorded tracks leaked onto the internet.

Lady L Boutique

In 2003, Luckett opened a successful clothing boutique in the Uptown Park shopping center in Houston, Texas called Lady L Boutique. The store is an upscale women's boutique featuring brands such as: Sky, Ed Hardy, Joe Jean's, and even Beyonce's clothing line, House of Dereon. The store has been open for over five years, and there are rumors of a second location opening in either Houston, Miami, or Atlanta. LeToya recently said through her official MySpace that she is thinking about opening her own clothing line.

Going solo

After the Anjel project fell through, Luckett joined with Noontime, an Atlanta-based management/production company. Along with Noontime, she recorded a five song demo and eventually signed with Capitol Records in 2003. Soon after, she began working on her debut solo album. The first promotional single, "You Got What I Need", was released in 2004, followed next year by "All Eyes on Me". She featured on "My Promise" with her label mate Houston on his debut album It's Already Written, "What Love Can Do" on the Coach Carter soundtrack, and on "This Is My Life" with former boyfriend and rapper Slim Thug on his album Already Platinum.

Over the next few months, several new LeToya records appeared online and on mixtapes and were even played on local radio stations in the USA and Europe. At the end of the year, Capitol Records released the What It Do! mixtape. It was hosted by LeToya, mixed by DJ Brandi Garcia, a Houston radio DJ, which included a few songs from her debut album, freestyles, and some of her favorite hip/hop records from Houston-based artists.

LeToya era

LeToya's self-titled debut album (2006)

LeToya's self-titled debut album, was released on July 2006 and debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, outselling the compilation Now That's What I Call Music! and Pharrel Williams's debut album. The album was certified gold after one month and as of December 2006, the album had been certified platinum. Luckett is the first member of Destiny's Child after Beyoncé Knowles to have an album debut at number one on the Billboard 200 and achieve platinum status.[14][15][16]

With LeToya being marketed as "The H-Town Chick", the album featured hip-hop inspired R&B production, over mostly slow to mid-tempo tracks. Producers on the album included Jermaine Dupri, Scott Storch, Teddy Bishop, B. Cox, and musical guests Slim Thug, Mike Jones, Paul Wall, and Bun B. "[[All Eyes on Me (LeToya song)|All Eyes on Me]" was originally chosen as LeToya's debut single, but she selected "Torn" instead. She stated she "had to go against the grain" to get that single released, but it proved to be a good move. The ballad (produced by Teddy Bishop and a personal favorite of LeToya's) was released March 2006 and became an R&B hit. The song climbed the Billboard charts, peaking at number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and became the number one song on urban radio. The video became the "official summer video" on BET's 106 & Park after spending a record breaking twenty-four days as the most requested video, making LeToya the first artist since 2003 (and first female since Aaliyah in 2001) to do so. The video was eventually retired from 106 & Park at number two.

Although Torn was still receiving major airplay, her second single, "She Don't", was released to radio and the video premiered on BET's Access Granted in July 2006 featuring Letoya's ex-boyfriend, Slim Thug. The single received moderate success, reaching number seventeen on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart. In November 2006, "Obvious" was selected as the third single. According to Billboard, the song had a 94% chance of becoming a hit, but due to the merger of Capitol Records and Virgin Records, all promotion and money was frozen, therefore the single was never officially released. [17]

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At the end of 2006, "Torn" was ranked as the number four video on BET's Notorized, which ranks the top 100 videos of the year. "She Don't" ranked at number seventy-four. LeToya was also named "One of the Best New Artists of 2006" by AOL Music, number two on Rap-Up magazines' Top 5 Breakthrough Artists of 2006, and had received multiple nominations from the NAACP, the Soul Train Music Awards, and the Nickelodeon's Teen Choice Awards. [18]

Promotion and tours

BET promoted LeToya heavily not only on 106 & Park, The Center, and The Black Carpet, but with a three-part reality series special called The H-Town Chick, which aired from May to July 2006. The series chronicled LeToya's experiences during her summer promotional tour and insight on her life since Destiny's Child. BET also hosted a contest that gave fans the opportunity to decide the final outcome of the "Torn" video. Cingular hosted a Lip-Sync contest that awarded those who best performed "Torn" best in an online submitted video.[19]

In addition to a nationwide radio tour, club performances, a brief European and Asia tour, LeToya was asked to participate in the 2006 Pantene Total You Tour, the Cingular Live in Concert series, and was personally invited by Mary J. Blige to join her summer tour, "The Breakthrough Experience Tour", as her opening act.[20][21] [22]

Era after LeToya

LeToya remained busy by writing and recording for her second album, which is expected to be released around November 2007. Some of the producers she is collaborating with include Dr. Dre, Rodney Jerkins, and Babyface.[23] It is rumored she will release another mixtape in late Summer 2007, before releasing her next single, but nothing is confirmed. She also hosted the 21st Annual Soul Train Music Awards with Omarion in March 2007 and signed a publishing deal with Warner-Chappell in April 2007.[24][25]

Guest appearances

LeToya featured on songs by several artists including MIMS' "Without You", Mike Jones' "Bonnie & Clyde", and Ali & Gipp's "Almost Made Ya", the latter of which was released in June 2007. R&B singer Jon B hopes to work with Luckett for his upcoming album.[26][27][28]

Discography

Main article: LeToya Luckett discography

Albums

Singles

Year Song U.S. Hot 100 U.S. R&B UK Aus NZ Album
2006 "Torn" 31 2 35 44 28 LeToya
"She Don't" 102 17 - - -
"Obvious" - 108 - - -
2007 "Almost Made Ya" (Ali & Gipp feat. Letoya) 124 - - - - Kinfolk

Awards and nominations

1998

2000

  • Artist Direct Awards
    • Favorite Group: Urban/Hip-Hop: "The Writing's on the Wall"
  • Billboard Music Awards
    • Top Pop Artist: "The Writing's on the Wall"
    • Top Pop Artist - Duo/Group: "The Writing's on the Wall"
    • Top Hot 100 Artist: "The Writing's on the Wall"
    • Top Hot 100 Artist-Duo/Group: "The Writing's on the Wall"
    • Top Hot Dance Maxi-Single Sales Artist: "The Writing's on the Wall"
    • Top Hot Dance Maxi-Single Sales Artist-Duo/Group: "The Writing's on the Wall"
  • Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards
    • Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band or Duo: "Say My Name"
    • Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year: "The Writing's on the Wall"

2001

  • BMI Pop Awards
    • Most Performed Song of the Year: "Bills, Bills, Bills"
    • Most Performed Song of the Year by Duo or Group: "Say My Name"
  • Grammy Awards

2006

  • Celebrities' Choice Award
    • Best Music Video: "Torn" (nominated)
  • Groovevolt Music Awards
    • Best R&B Female Performance: "Torn"

2007

  • Urban Music Awards
    • Best Music Video: "Torn" (nominated)

References

  1. ^ "Destiny's Child Named The World's Best Selling Female Group of All Time!". Sony BMG Australia. September 2 2005. Retrieved 2006-12-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ "Destiny's World Domination". Yahoo! Music. September 1 2005. Retrieved 2006-12-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ "Destiny's Child Ruled At World Music Awards". Softpedia. September 3 2005. Retrieved 2006-12-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "Awards: ASCAP'S Rhythm & Soul Awards". Concrete Loop. June 27 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-04. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ "LeToya Album News". That Grape Juice. June 27 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-04. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "LeToya interview for E! Television series, Boulevard of Broken Dreams part referring to the Luckett's family". E!. January 28 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "LeToya interview for E! Television series, Boulevard of Broken Dreams part referring to her first experience with a microphone". E!. January 28 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ "LeToya interview for E! Television series, Boulevard of Broken Dreams". E!. January 28 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ "LeToya interview for E! Television series, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, part referring to the Pam Luckett reviewing contracts". E!. January 28 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ "The Song Isn't Called 'Survivor' For Nothing". MTV News. June 13 2005. Retrieved 2007-04-30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ "Where did it all go wrong?". MTV News. September 22 2000. Retrieved 2007-04-30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ "Destiny's Child Settle With Ex-Members Over 'Survivor' Dis". MTV News. July 25 2002. Retrieved 2007-04-20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ "Ex-Destiny's Child Members Say Their Name Is Angel". MTV News. Mar 5 2001. Retrieved 2007-04-20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ "LeToya Rolls With Houston Hip-Hoppers". MTV. Mar 21 2006. Retrieved 2007-04-20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ "For The Record: Quick News On". MTV. Mar 21 2006. Retrieved 2007-04-20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ "News Room". Billboard. December 22 2006. Retrieved 2007-04-20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ "Capitol Music Group Formed". hitsdailydouble. January 25 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-04. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ "LeToya No Longer Destiny's Step-Child". TMZ. August 02 2006. Retrieved 2007-06-19. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ "AllAccess". BET. June 30 2006. Retrieved 2007-06-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ Pantene Total You Tour. [1]
  21. ^ "LeToya Continues Summer Tour With Mary J. Blige". EMI. August 2 2006. Retrieved 2007-06-19. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ "LeToya's 'Torn' No More: Singer Unleashes Second Single, Tours With Mary J." MTV. July 18 2006. Retrieved 2007-06-19. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ "LeToya Luckett Update". Rap-Up. June 23 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ "LeToya host Soul Train Music Awards". Billboard. Mar 12 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ "Warner Music & LeToya hook up". LeToyaOnline.com. May 14 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ "Video for the song "Almost Made Ya"". CastingAudition. April 1 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-27. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ "XXL Magazine Mike's Interview". XXLMag.com. April 1 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-27. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ "That Is Hip Hop". ThatsHipHop.com. April 17 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-27. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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