Jasmine Guy
Popularly known by T.V. viewers as “Whitley Gilbert” from the NBC sitcom A Different World, Jasmine Guy released a self-titled album that was very good in late 1990. Her first single “Try Me” was produced by Full Force, and the video featured cameos by her cast mates from ADW like Kadeem Hardison.
The second single “Another Like My Lover” was also mildly successful, as well as a third single entitled “Just Wanna Hold You” – produced by famed keyboardist Rex Salas (has been a band member with Janet Jackson on tour). It’s a shame that Jasmine never recorded another album…she was great. At some point, the Oliver Leiber-produced "Don't Want Money" was also released as a single. (Oliver Leiber produced much of Paula Abdul's first album, including the hit "Opposites Attract")
Jodeci
...bio coming soon!
Jody Watley
Formerly a member of a group named Shalimar, Jody Watley became a dance diva in 1987 with songs like “Lookin’ For A New Love”, and “Some Kind Of Lover”. Ms. Watley was named Best New Artist at the Grammys in early 1988. Then in 1989, her second album took a more urban swing to it with “Friends”, a song that featured vocals by Eric B & Rakim. In 1990, Ms. Watley stunned audiences of the 4th annual Soul Train Music Awards when she performed “Everything” with short hair.
By the end of 1991, Jody Watley faded into obscurity. She reemerged in 1996 with a new album and a pictorial in Playboy magazine, but even that couldn’t resurrect the pop success she once enjoyed. In late 1996, she reunited with Shalimar for a Babyface remake of “For The Lover In You”, along with LL Cool J.
Johnny Gill
Johnny Gill grew up singing gospel with his family and had many influneces such as Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, and Teddy Pendergrass. It was singer and longtime friend, Stacy Lattisaw convinced him to put his incredible talent to good use and released his first single "Super Love" circa 1982-83. Gill then collaborated with Stacy on a duet album giving him his first taste of success with the songs "Perfect Combination" and "Baby It's You". In 1985, Johnny had another hit with the meloncholy "Half Crazy", but 1987 would take Johnny's career to new heights when he joined the R&B/teen pop group, New Edition and gave the group a brand new and more mature sound with the successfully "Jam & Lewis" produced "Heart Break" album in 1988. Johnny shines particularly on the songs "Can You Stand The Rain" and "Boys To Men".
In 1989 when N.E. disbanded, Johnny went on to have a successful solo career, belting out New Jack hits like, "Rub You The Right Way", "Fairweather Friend", "Wrap My Body Tight", and "The Floor". Nut it was his ballads like "My,My,My", "Lady Dujour", "Giving My All To You", and "Long Way From Home" that made him a bonafied superstar, and industry heavyweight. Two years after the New Edition reunion, Johnny joined a new R&B supergroup group called LSG with Keith Sweat and Gerald LeVert. LSG scored with hits like "My Body" and "Door #1". Since then, Johnny has kept a low profile, but has plans to regroup with New Edition for their 20th Anniversary in 2003, and has already toured with the group during the summer of 2002.
Bio submitted to NJS 4-Ever by Jabar Robbins
Johnny Kemp
Best known for his hit “Just Got Paid”, Johnny Kemp was one of the early personalities of the New Jack Era. His 1988 album included a hit entitled “Birthday Suit”. By 1990, Johnny was never heard from again...but *NSync remade "Just Got Paid" for 2000's 'No Strings Attached'.
The Jungle Brothers
...bio coming soon!