The Hitmakers: L.A. & Babyface - Page 2

In the summer of 1992, the LaFace team emerged with the ‘Boomerang: Soundtrack’ at nearly the exact same time that Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis released their ‘Mo’Money: Soundtrack’. At the box office, “Boomerang” was the clear victor, and the same can be said commercially for its soundtrack as well. LaFace scored with one of the biggest singles of all time in the form of “End Of The Road”, performed by Boyz II Men. Other hits included Babyface’s duet with his protégé Toni Braxton (“Give You My Heart”), P.M. Dawn’s “I’d Die Without You”, Shanice’s “Don’t Wanna Love You”, and Toni Braxton’s own “Love Shoulda Brought You Home (Last Night)”.

By the end of 1992, it was clear that the New Jack Swing era was over, but LaFace was now even stronger in the 90s than it had been in the late 80s. In the years to come, additional LaFace super-hits by Boyz II Men (“I’ll Make Love To You”, “Water Runs Dry”), Toni Braxton (“Breathe Again”, “Unbreak My Heart”); Babyface (“When Can I See You (Again)”), TLC (“Baby, Baby, Baby”, “Red Light Special”), and Tevin Campbell ("Can We Talk") would put LaFace on top for years to come. As the 1990s wore on, LaFace/Arista would also add the OutKast, Usher, and Pink to its roster, and L.A. Reid would be promoted to become the head of Arista Records when founder Clive Davis left to form J Records.

*** Notable LaFace singles during the New Jack Era (1988 - 1992) ***

“Girlfriend”, “Giving You The Benefit”, “Always”, and “Love Makes Things Happen (feat. Babyface)” performed by Pebbles

“Ready Or Not” and “Can’t Stop” performed by After 7

“It’s No Crime”, “Whip Appeal”, "Tender Lover" (remix feat. Bobby Brown) and “Soon As I Get Home” performed by Babyface

“Don’t Be Cruel”, “Roni”, “Every Little Step”, “Rock Witcha”, and “On Our Own” performed by Bobby Brown

“Dial My Heart”, “Lucky Charm”, and “Crazy” performed by the Boys

“My, My, My”, and “Fairweather Friend” performed by Johnny Gill

“Knocked Out” performed by Paula Abdul

“The Way You Love Me”, “Superwoman”, and “Secret Rendezvous” performed by Karyn White

“I’m Your Baby Tonight” and "My Name Is Not Susan", performed by Whitney Houston

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