Lalah Hathaway

Lalah Hathaway

born on 16/12/1968 in Chicago, IL, United States

Lalah Hathaway

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Lalah Hathaway

Eulaulah Donyll Hathaway (born December 16, 1968)[1] best known as Lalah Hathaway, and sometimes referred to as the First Daughter of Soul, is a contemporary R&B and jazz and Grammy Award winning artist. She is the daughter of soul singer Donny Hathaway and a classically trained vocalist. In 1990, Lalah Hathaway released a self-titled album. The album's first single was "Heaven Knows", produced by Derek Bramble. The follow-up single was "Baby Don't Cry" produced by Angela Winbush.

In 1991, Hathaway released her extended play, Night & Day in Japan. A Moment was released in 1994, debuting at #34 on the Top R&B albums chart. The lead single "Let Me Love You" charted on the Hot R&B charts at #37. In 1999, Lalah Hathaway collaborated with Joe Sample and released her third album The Song Lives On. After a five year hiatus, Hathaway returned with her fourth album Outrun the Sky. The single "Forever, For Always, For Love" peaked #1 on the Hot Adult R&B Airplay.

In 2007, Hathaway signed to Stax Records and in 2008 released her fifth album Self Portrait. It was released on June 3, 2008 in the United States, debuted at #63 on the Billboard's Hot 200 and reached the top ten on the Top R&B albums chart, making this album, Hathaway's most successful album to date. She received a Best Female R&B Vocal Performance Grammy Award nomination for "That Was Then". She went on to win the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance along with Snarky Puppy for "Something" in 2014.

Early life and career beginnings

Lalah Hathaway was born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 16, 1968. Hathaway is the daughter of Donny Hathaway, an R&B and soul singer, and Eulaulah Hathaway, an accomplished musician. In 1979, Hathaway lost her father, Donny Hathaway at the age of ten. He had plunged fifteen floors from a New York hotel. His body did not have any indication of struggle, and the glass from the window in Hathaway's room had been removed; investigators determined Hathaway had committed suicide.

The Chicago native first put pen to paper, "with the music," as a 10th grader. In 1989, Hathaway signed to Virgin Records and released her first song "Inside the Beat", which was released as a promo single. Later, as a student at Berklee College of Music, she recorded her self-titled debut in 1990.

Recording career

Lalah Hathaway and A Moment (1990-1995)

In 1990, Lalah Hathaway released her self-titled debut album. The album debuted at #191 on the Billboard Hot 200 and #18 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.[2] The album's lead single Heaven Knows became a top ten single peaking at #3 on the Hot R&B charts. The album's second single "Baby Don't Cry" only charted at #18 on the Hot R&B charts. The follow-up single "I'm Coming Back" was less successful, possibly due to the lack of a music video. The album's final single "Something" debuted at #21 on the Hot R&B charts. In 1991, Hathaway released an EP entitled Night & Day. The EP was only released in Japan but the single "Night & Day" was released in America. "Night & Day"' debuted at #110 on the Hot R&B charts. In 1992, Hathaway appeared on Grover Washington's album "Next Exit". The song, "Love Like This", which featured vocals from Lalah Hathaway, was chosen to be the lead single off the album. The single charted at #31 on the Hot R&B charts.

In 1994, Hathaway followed up her success with her second album, A Moment, which debuted at #34 on the Top R&B albums chart and #23 on the Heatseekers chart.[2] The release of her second album saw Hathaway embracing an even more progressive sound as producer Brian Alexander Morgan was enlisted for her upbeat lead single "Let Me Love You", which debuted at the #37 on the Hot R&B charts. Later that year, the songs "Separate Ways" and "Family Affair" were released as singles, although neither charted. The album did not sell as well as her first release and eventually Hathaway left Virgin.

The Song Lives On (1998-2000)

She continued working with many other established artists, including Take 6, Mary J. Blige, The Winans, and Marcus Miller, writing, producing and doing background vocals. In 1999, Hathaway joined GRP Records and collaborated with jazz legend Joe Sample on the album The Song Lives On. The Song Lives On, topped the jazz charts at #2.[2] The album became Hathaway's second debut on the Billboard's Hot 200 and later charted on Top R&B album chart.[2] The single "When Your Life Was Low" charted only on the Hot R&B charts at #118. The album's second single "Fever" failed to chart.

The Song Lives On went on to become one of Hathaway and Joe Sample's most successful album to chart. In response to the album's success, Hathaway and Sample were honored with Billboard/BET On Jazz Award for "Mainstream Jazz Album".[3]

Outrun the Sky (2003-2006)

In 2003, Lalah Hathaway appeared alongside Sanctuary, Pyramid, Mesa, and Blue Moon Records. In 2004, Hathaway released a cover version of Luther Vandross's song "Forever, For Always, For Love". The song later appeared on the all-star tribute album "Forever, For Always, For Luther" and on Hathaway's fourth album Outrun the Sky. The song was released the lead single and peaked #1 on the Adult R&B charts. Forever, For Always, For Love became Hathaway's first single to chart on the Billboard's Hot 100, charting at #112 and #37 on the Hot R&B charts. Hathaway's first solo album in five years featured production from Rex Rideout, Mike City, and Chris Parks.[4] The album's second single "Better and Better" peaked #121 on the Hot R&B charts.

Also in 2004, Hathaway was featured on Donald Lawrence's debut solo album I Speak Life as a lead vocalist on "Don't Forget to Remember". In 2005, Hathaway was seen on the international Daughters of Soul tour along with Sandra St. Victor, Nona Hendryx, Indira Khan, Simone, and Joyce Kennedy.[5] Continuing her forays into the gospel realm, she could be found on Israel and New Breed's 2006 Chr*stmas album A Timeless Chr*stmas, which also featured Marcus Miller.

Stax and Self Portrait (2007-2009)

The recently re-launched Stax Records label had announced signing Hathaway. Hathaway stated, "The foundation of soul music is rooted in Stax Records. Working with Maurice White on the Interpretations project was more than special to me. There is no higher compliment than to be signed to a label whose music is timeless. I'm proud to carry the torch that will continue to bring quality soul music to a new audience."[6]

Her first release from Stax was the single "Love's Holiday," from the Earth, Wind & Fire tribute album Interpretations.[7] In April 2008, Hathaway released her lead single Let Go, which debut at #51 on the Hot R&B charts and #16 on the Hot Adult R&B charts. In June 2008, Hathaway's debut for Stax Records, Self Portrait was released. Collaborating again with producer Rex Rideout on much of the album and working with such artists as Rahsaan Patterson and Sandra St. Victor, Self Portrait became her most successful album to date, debuting at #6 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and #63 on the Billboard's Hot 200. The album sold over 9,400 copies in the first week.[2][8]

After the release of Self Portrait, Hathaway went on tour, which began in July 2008.[9] The Self Portrait Tour was singer Lalah Hathaway's second solo concert tour, intended to showcase songs from her debut solo album, Self Portrait. The concert tour contained ten tour dates in American and collection of songs from her previous albums, Lalah Hathaway and Outrun the Sky, and few songs from her present album, Self Portrait. The tour only reached America. In late 2008, "That Was Then" was released as the album's second single. The single debut at #105 on the Hot R&B charts and #32 on the Hot Adult R&B Airplay.[10]

In November 2008, Hathaway joined Will Downing and Gerald Albright for the Soulful Chr*stmas Tour. The tour, which kicked off on November 28 at the Detroit Opera House, appeared in the places of Washington, D.C., Memphis, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Atlanta.[11] In January 2009, Hathaway appeared on BETJ in an interview and performed before an audience. Lalah Hathaway continued to support the album and she is currently schedule to perform at the Capital Jazz Festival in Columbia, MD, Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, LA, and Circle of Promise, which took place in July 2009.[12] In December, 2009 she won the Song of the Year award in the SoulTracks Readers' Choice Award for her duet with DC singer Eric Roberson, "Dealing."[13]

Where It All Begins (2011)

On August 14, 2011, Lalah Hathaway took to her Twitter account to release a free download of "If You Want To,"[14] the debut single from her sixth studio album Where It All Begins releasing October 18, 2011.[15]

Her performance in Snarky Puppy's 'Something' garnered widespread attention and praise due to her astonishing ability to sing multiple notes at one time.

Musical style and image

Music and voice

Hathaway, an alto and contralto, has always been identified as the eldest daughter of her father Donny Hathaway. Hathaway's longest singing note held for 17 seconds in the performance of "Forever, For Always, For Love". In many reviews, Lalah is often compared to her father and reviewed to be continuing his vocal style. Lalah has often been criticized for not covering any of her father's songs, although she has appeared on others' recorded covers, such as Take 6's rendition of "Someday We'll All Be Free". Singer Natalie Cole (herself having been noted for decades-long resistance to recording Nat "King" Cole's music) actually stated that Lalah should herself cover at least one song, however, Hathaway replied with statement that she feels she doesn't need to. Hathaway also mentioned during the recording process of her fifth studio album, that she doesn't want to fit into the music industry's current music. Lalah stated, "I don't necessarily want to fit into whats happening now, but I want to stand with it, doing my own thing. I would really love it if people need the record. I put a lot of myself into this album, so I hope people can hear me and understand who I am."[16]

Although she has created a space for herself, it's not surprising that Hathaway remains connected to her late father and his classic sound. Lalah Hathaway stated "I am his daughter and thats the truth of who I am, every day. When I was 15, and then, 20, I didnt get why people were asking me how I felt about him and his music. But when I turned 25, I began to understand. Like my father, I want to leave a legacy of music that makes people really feel something, whether it be happiness, sadness, grief or heartache. I also want them to appreciate my humor which I know can be difficult to interpret in a song."[16]

Songwriting and producing

Between album projects, Hathaway, who has recorded collaborations with Marcus Miller, Meshell Ndegéocello, and Mary J. Blige, keeps her creativity nourished by taking to the global stage and contributing her voice to Daughters of Soul Tour, a musical mélange founded by comrade Sandra St. Victor, and featuring Nona Hendryx, Joyce Kennedy as well as Indira and Simone, daughters of Chaka Khan and Nina Simone.[16]

While it might seem that "On Your Own" from Self Portrait, which re-teams her with Rex Rideout and Rahsaan Patterson, is inspired by a past heartbreak, in fact, the idea for the song came to her in a dream. While Lalah Hathaway is often known for singing down tempo songs, during the period of 2004 and 2008, Hathaway has done mid-tempo songs such as "Let Go", "Let Me Love You", and "Better and Better". Keeping in step with the theme of her family, Hathaway often journeys back to her childhood with "Little Girl", which she co-produced with Rex Rideout, Rahsaan Patterson, and Sandra St. Victor.[16]

Stage

On stage, Hathaway performs the songs longer than the album version with new arrangements. In concert, the stage mainly consists of Lalah Hathaway, the back-up singers, and the band. Often at audience's request, the vocals would be turned higher than band. Hathaway's band would often consist of a keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, and drummer. Most songs would last over approximately five minutes. Dawn! E. Robinson of VocalMusician.com attended a Hathaway in concert and reviewed stating, "The sound in the house was strange the band was really too loud all evening. Even when the sound guy turned LALAHs vocals up (at the audience's request) the band got louder. I got the impression that the sound onstage was good though, because none of the singers appeared to be over-singing."[17] Hathaway appeared with her band on Prince's Welcome to America opening concert at the Izod Center, December 15, 2010.

Other Ventures

Philanthropy

Lalah Hathaway is one of the National Ambassadors for the Circle of Promise. Launched in October 2007, the campaign was created by Susan G. Komen for the Cure to educate, empower and mobilize the African-American community in the fight against breast cancer.

"The rate of Black women and girls diagnosed with breast cancer is rising at an alarming rate," said Hathaway. "We are fighting a common enemy. Knowledge and having a take-charge mindset and attitude are critical weapons in the fight against this deadly disease. I became active because I want to be an ambassador of change. If I tell seven of my friends and they tell seven of their friends and so on, the circle will continue to expand and we'll create a chorus of voices within the African-American community to eradicate breast cancer. I truly believe that this is a goal we can achieve together." The Circle of Promise is nationally represented by several phenomenal African American women. Hathaway has raised money on her tours and record sales to help find a cure for women with breast cancer. She has also influenced women to get tested and tell family members to be aware of the cancer.[18]

Discography

Albums

Year Album Peak positions
U.S. U.S. R&B U.S. Jazz Heatseekers Comprehensive Albums
1990 Lalah Hathaway
  • 1st studio album
  • Released: October 20, 1990
  • Label: Virgin
  • 19 8 - - -
    1994 A Moment
    • 2nd studio album
    • Released: May 31, 1994
  • Label: Virgin
  • - 4 - 3 -
    1999 The Song Lives On
    • 3rd studio album (collaborate with Joe Sample)
    • Released: April 20, 1999
  • Label: PRA / GRP
  • 196 53 2 - -
    2004 Outrun the Sky
    • 4th studio album
    • Released: September 24, 2004
  • Label: Mesa/Bluemoon
  • - 4 - 8 -
    2008 Self Portrait
    • 5th studio album
    • Released: June 3, 2008
  • Label: Stax
  • 3 6 - - 67
    2011 Where It All Begins
    • 6th studio album
    • Releasing: October 18, 2011
  • Label: Stax
  • 7 7 - - -

    Singles

    Year Title Chart positions Album
    U.S. U.S. R&B US R&B Adult Airplay US Dance UK[19]
    1987 "Inside The Beat" - - - - - -
    1990 "Heaven Knows" - 3 - 35 66 Lalah Hathaway
    "Baby Don't Cry" - 18 - - 54
    1991 "I'm Coming Back" - 54 - - -
    "Something" - 21 - - -
    "Night & Day" - 110 - - - Night & Day EP
    "Family Affair" (BEF feat. Lalah Hathaway) - - - - 37 -
    1992 "Love Like This" (Grover Washington feat. Lalah Hathaway) - 31 - - - Love Like This
    1994 "Let Me Love You" - 37 - - - A Moment
    "Separate Ways" - - - - -
    "Anyone Can Be A Hero" - - - - - Blankman (Soundtrack)
    1999 "When Your Life Was Low" - 118 - - - The Song Lives On
    "Fever" - - - - -
    2004 "Forever, For Always, For Love" 112 37 1 - - Outrun The Sky
    "Better and Better" - 121 - - -
    2005 "If U Ever" - - - - -
    "Boston" - - - - -
    2007 "Love's Holiday" - - - - - Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind, Fire
    2008 "Let Go" - 51 16 24 - Self Portrait
    "That Was Then" - 105 32 - -
    2011 "If You Want To" - 79 - - - Where It All Begins
    "You Were Meant For Me" - 84 - - -
    2013 "Shine" (feat. Divageek) - - - - -

    Album Appearances

    Year Song Album
    1986 "Flying Easy" Pete Escovedo feat. Lalah Hathaway Flying South
    1992 "Love Like This" Grover Washington Jr. feat. Lalah Hathaway Next Exit
    1993 "It's Not Heaven If You're Not There" The Winans feat. Lalah Hathaway All Out
    1993 "Round Midnight" Marcus Miller feat. Lalah Hathaway The Sun Don't Lie
    1994 "I Surrender" Gerald Albright feat. Lalah Hathaway Smooth
    1996 "One More Chance" Art Porter feat. Lalah Hathaway Lay Your Hands On Me
    1996 "Summer Breeze" Wayman Tisdale feat. Lalah Hathaway In The Zone
    1998 "My Only" Wayman Tisdale feat. Lalah Hathaway Decisions
    1998 "24/7" Bread and Butter feat. Lalah Hathaway & Roy Hargrove The Adventures of Bread and Butter, Vol. 1
    1998 "Summertime" Marcus Miller feat. Lalah Hathaway Live & More
    1999 "All I Ask of You" Ricky Peterson feat. Lalah Hathaway Souvenir
    1999 "When I'm with You" David Sanborn feat. Lalah Hathaway & Eric Benet Inside
    1999 "I Want You" John Tropea feat. Lalah Hathaway A Simple Way to Say.. I Love You
    2000 "A Simple Song" Alex Bugnon feat. Lalah Hathaway As Promised
    2002 "Earth" Me'shell NdegeOcello feat. Lalah Hathaway Cookie: The Anthropological
    2002 "Someday We'll All Be Free" Take 6 feat. Lalah Hathaway Beautiful World
    2003 "You've Got a Friend" Ken Hirai feat. Lalah Hathaway Ken's Bar
    2003 "I Loves You Porgy," "Burning Down the House," "When Your Life Was Low," "People Make the World Go Round," "Killing Me Softly" (Marcus Miller feat. Lalah Hathaway) The Ozell Tapes: The Official Bootleg
    2004 "Don't Forget to Remember" Donald Lawrence) feat. Lalah Hathaway & Ramsey Lewis I Speak Life
    2005 "La Villette" Marcus Miller feat. Lalah Hathaway Silver Rain
    2005 "(When Did You Leave) Heaven"(Me'Shell NdegeOcello feat. Lalah Hathaway The Spirit Music Jamia: Dance Of The Infidel
    2006 "Silent Nocturne"/"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"(Israel & New Breed feat. Lalah Hathaway A Timeless Christmas
    2007 "Heaven" Mike City feat. Lalah Hathaway We Are Family 2007: Artists & Friends for Hurricane Relief
    2007 "Thought You Should Know" Carl Thomas feat. Lalah Hathaway So Much Better
    2008 "Ooh" Marcus Miller feat. Lalah Hathaway Marcus
    2009 "Dealing" (Eric Roberson feat. Lalah Hathaway Music Fan First
    2010 "It's What I Do" Kirk Whalum feat. Lalah Hathaway The Gospel According to Jazz Chapter 3
    2010 "It's A Man's, Man's, Man's World" Mindi Abair feat. Lalah Hathaway In Hi-Fi Stereo
    2010 "You Had To Know" Kirk Whalum feat. Lalah Hathaway Everything Is Everything: The Music of Donny Hathaway
    2012 "Endangered Species" Esperanza Spalding feat. Lalah Hathaway Radio Music Society
    2012 "My Worship" John P. Kee feat. Frank McComb, PJ Morton, Lalah Hathaway, Patrick Dopson, Maranda Curtis Willis, Lil' Mo, Le'Andria Johnson, Dathan Thigpen, Zacardi Cortez, Kim Burrell, Lowell Pye, Glenn Jones & Shelia Lakin Life and Favor
    2012 "Cherish the Day" Robert Glasper feat. Lalah Hathaway Black Radio
    2013 "Something" Snarky Puppy feat. Lalah Hathaway Family Dinner-Volume One
    2013 "Ultimate Relationship" Donald Lawrence feat. Lalah Hathaway 20 Year Celebration, Vol. 1: Best for Last
    2013 "Jesus Children" Robert Glasper Experiment feat. Lalah Hathaway Black Radio 2

    Soundtrack appearances

    Year Song Album
    1994 "Anyone Can Be a Hero" Blankman soundtrack
    1996 "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" (Lalah Hathaway, Marcus Miller, Joshua Redman) World Christmas (Special Olympics)
    1998 "On My Own" (Lalah Hathaway feat. Warren Wiebe) Burt Bacharach... Applause "The Look Of Love"
    1999 "Looking Back on Your Love" ELT Songs from L.A. (VA)
    2000 "All This Time" (Lalah Hathaway feat. Marcus Miller) Ladies Man Soundtrack
    2003 "My Love (Holy Night)" Cover Morning Musume: Hello Project in International
    2007 "Love's Holiday" Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire
    2010 "Sun" For Colored Girls soundtrack

    Music Videos

    • "Heaven Knows"
    • "Baby Don't Cry"
    • "Something"
    • "Love Like This" (Grover Washington feat. Lalah Hathaway)
    • "Let Me Love You"
    • "Family Affair"
    • "Let Go"
    • "Dealing" (Eric Roberson feat. Lalah Hathaway)
    • "Nights (Feel Like Gettin' Down)" (Sy Smith feat. Rahsaan Patterson)

    Concert DVD

    • The Gospel According to Jazz Chapter 3 DVD (Kirk Whalum feat. Lalah Hathaway et al.) includes the 2011 GRAMMY winning song "It's What I Do"

    Awards

    • Billboard/BET On Jazz Awards
      • 1999 - Mainstream Jazz Album "The Song Lives On" - Won
    • The Grammy's
      • 2014 - Best R&B Performance "Something w/ Snarky Puppy" - Won

    References

    1. Lalah Hathaway. CelebSRC.com.
    2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 [Lalah Hathaway at All Music Guide allmusic (Lalah Hathaway > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums )]. Allmusic - Retrieved: July 1, 2009.
    3. Billboard/BET On Jazz Honor Kenny G, Krall. Billboard. Retrieved: June 28, 2009.
    4. eJams: Lalah Hathaway. eJams.
    5. Shelah Moody (October 20, 2005). Lalah Hathaway grateful for her father's gifts. San Francisco Chronicle.
    6. Lalah Hathaway Signs with Stax Records. Soultracks. Retrieved: July 2, 2009.
    7. The BV Buzz with Jawn Murray AOL Black Voices. June 11, 2007
    8. Disturbed's Indestructible Knocks Usher Off Top Of Billboard Chart MTV News
    9. Lalah Hathaway introduces LalahTV and New Tour Dates Hip Online News July 2, 2008
    10. [ Lalah Hathaway - That Was Then (Hot Adult R&B Airplay)]
    11. Will Downing, Lalah, Gerald to Headline Soulful Chr*stmas tour Soultracks. Accessed: October 27, 2008.
    12. Lalah Hathaway Tickets
    13. SoulTracks' Readers' Choice Awards 2009
    14. [1] Lalah Hathaway tweets link to download single
    15. Lalah Hathaway tweets new album's release date
    16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 About Me (Lalah Hathaway). Lalah Hathaway. Retrieved: June 29, 2009.
    17. Lalah Hathaway at Ramshead. Vocal Musician. Retrieved: July 2, 2008.
    18. Lalah Hathaway - Ambassador for the Circle of Promise
    19. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums, 19th, London: Guinness World Records Limited.

    External links

    This page was last modified 18.04.2014 21:02:30

    This article uses material from the article Lalah Hathaway from the free encyclopedia Wikipedia and it is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.