K-Ci
K-Ci | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Cedric Renard Hailey |
| Also known as |
|
| Born | September 2, 1969 Monroe, North Carolina |
| Origin | Monroe, North Carolina |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts |
|
Cedric Renard Hailey (born September 2, 1969), known professionally as K-Ci (formerly Little Cedric as a member of Little Cedric and the Hailey Singers), is an American singer, songwriter and member of K-Ci & JoJo and Jodeci.
Although Hailey is best known as the lead singer of Jodeci and second-lead singer of K-Ci & JoJo, he participated on different solo projects as K-Ci, most notably his cover of Bobby Womack's "If You Think You're Lonely Now" in 1994.
Early life[edit]
Hailey was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, to Anita and Cliff Hailey[1] both of whom were gospel singers. For a time, the Hailey family lived in Baltimore, MD where they performed gospel music. The family would later return to Charlotte when Cedric was a teen. He would eventually go on to attend Garinger High School.
Music career[edit]
Along with younger brother, Joel (known professionally as "JoJo") and his father, Hailey recorded three gospel albums as "Little Cedric and the Hailey Singers"[2] beginning with the 1983 release I'm Alright Now by Atlanta International Records, Gospel.[3] Though the album failed to place on any Billboard magazine charts,[4] the next two releases, 1984's Jesus Saves and God's Blessing in 1985,[3][4] both placed upon the Billboard Gospel Albums chart; the former at No. 4 and the latter at No. 22.[4]
Cedric and Joel's gospel singing eventually connected them with the DeGrate brothers, Donald "DeVante Swing" DeGrate and Dalvin DeGrate, with whom they formed the R&B group Jodeci. As lead vocalist for the group, Hailey and Jodeci would release three multi-platinum albums between 1991 and 1995. In 1996, the group announced a hiatus from recording and releasing music. Hailey continued to record with his brother as the duo K-Ci & JoJo, releasing five albums between 1997 and 2013.
As K-Ci, his cover of Bobby Womack's "If You Think You're Lonely Now" was featured on the soundtrack to the 1994 film, Jason's Lyric. It was released as a single and peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Indecent exposure allegation[edit]
In March 2001, Hailey was charged with several charges of indecent exposure, due to him allegedly flashing and fondling his genitals while performing at a holiday concert at the Shrine Auditorium.[5][6]
Personal life[edit]
Hailey dated fellow R&B singer and then label-mate Mary J. Blige from 1992 to 1997. Blige stated that they were engaged, but Hailey denied that they were going to get married.[7][8]
The two Hailey brothers are cousins of R&B singers Fantasia Barrino, Dave Hollister, Calvin Richardson, and Stephanie Mills.[9]
He is married to the former Cassandra Chestnut of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Discography[edit]
- with Jodeci
- Forever My Lady (1991)
- Diary of a Mad Band (1993)
- The Show, the After Party, the Hotel (1995)
- The Past, The Present, The Future (2015)
- with K-Ci & JoJo
- Love Always (1997)
- It's Real (1999)
- X (2000)
- Emotional (2002)
- My Brother's Keeper (2013)
- Solo album
- My Book (2006)
References[edit]
- ^ Billboard (April 7, 2003). "K-Ci, JoJo Free After Tax Evasion Arrest". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
- ^ Carpenter, Bil (2005). "Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia": 253.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ a b AllMusic. "Little Cedric : Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
- ^ a b c Billboard. "Little Cedric : Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
- ^ "CI YOU IN COURT!". Nme.com. March 15, 2001. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
- ^ "K-Ci Sentenced To Two Years Probation". Billboard.com. July 3, 2001. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
- ^ Sullivan, Caroline (January 31, 2002). "'My boyfriend was trying to kill me. There were weapons'". The Guardian. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ MaGee, Ny (July 16, 2019). "K-Ci Recalls Why He Called It Quits On Relationship with Mary J Blige". EURweb.com. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
- ^ "Stephanie Mills Opens Up About Who She's Related To". Yourblackworld.net. May 18, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
