Kelly Price (born April 4, 1973) is an American R&B and soul
singer, formerly on the Def Soul label.
Price was born in Queens, New York. She was first discovered by
Mariah Carey in February 1992 and subsequently introduced to Sony
Columbia's then CEO Tommy Mottola.[1] She made a name for herself
as a backing and guest vocalist, appearing on a number of hit singles
such as Mariah Carey's "Fantasy", The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Mo
Money Mo Problems", and Whitney Houston's "Heartbreak Hotel".
She has also sung background vocals for Faith Evans, Aretha Franklin,
Brian McKnight, SWV and R. Kelly.
She issued her debut album, Soul of a Woman, in 1998 on Island Records,
which contained the hit single "Friend of Mine". A remix
of the song, also included on the album, features R. Kelly and Ronald
Isley. In the remix, Isley takes on the fictional role of the singer-protoganist's
Godfather ("Mr. Biggs"), taking her husband (R. Kelly)
to task for cheating on her with her best friend. The "Friend
of Mine" remix was a #1 hit on the U.S. R&B chart.
She issued her second album, Mirror Mirror, in 2000 on the Def Soul
imprint of Def Jam Records; Island and Def Jam had merged in 1999,
with Price and labelmates Dru Hill being reassigned to Def Soul.
Mirror Mirror featured the singles "You Should've Told Me" and
the Grammy Award nominated[2] "As We Lay", a cover of Shirley
Murdock's 1986 hit. A remix of "Love Sets You Free" was
issued a single in 2000, produced by Teddy Riley and starring a number
of fellow R&B performers, including Babyface, Tamar Braxton,
Aaron Hall, Blackstreet, and Def Soul labelmates Dru Hill, Case,
Montell Jordan, LovHer and Kandice Love.
Price was featured in the 2003 film, Bringing Down the House, performing
a cover of the 1983 Rufus & Chaka Khan hit "Ain't Nobody."
A Christmas album, One Family, was issued in 2001. Two years later,
Price returned with her third regular studio album, Priceless. In
October 2005, Price recorded her first live gospel project. The This
Is Who I Am album has been released on October 24, 2006 on her own
label, EcclecticSounds Records. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard
Gospel Charts and peaked at #9 on the R&B album chart.
Price was inducted as an honorary member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority,
Inc. in July 2006.
In early 2007, Price kicked off a tour with the 'Sisters in the
Spirit 2007'.[3]
In 2006, she recorded the song "Why?" for the soundtrack
Why Did I Get Married?, a film version of the stage play of the same
name she once acted in, playing the role to Sheila.
In early 2009, Price was featured on Coko's gospel album entitled
The Winner In Me on the track "Oh Mary".
In June 2010, Price promoted her single "Tired" on The
Jazz Joy and Roy syndicated radio show as "some of the best
work of my career to date."
Referring to her company's collaboration with the legendary producers
at My Block Records, Price said, "(There was) no pressure from
outside forces--you know, the suits behind the desk," adding, "It's
great to be able to work with musical people who understand the heart
of music and my heart...."
Price expressed gratitude for the legions of fans who have a positive
connotation in mind when they label her "DIVA," and was
more than happy to break down the word for listeners.
"'DIVA' can sometimes take on a negative connotation particularly
when it's applied to women. But I believe that the true DIVAS are
those who have come up, have spent a little time in this business...And
they find a way to round out their world, not just musically or (through)
style, but as human beings. They give back."
The acclaimed vocalist leaned closer to the mic and continued to
educate, saying, "(A DIVA) does family, they do friends. They
are not defined just by the music they make, but by every area of
their life. They know what they want and are not afraid to go for
it. So, if that's what you are saying when you call me a DIVA, then
I accept that label and I'll wear it proudly."
Onlookers burst into laughter and applause when Price added, "I'll
get a big 'D' stamped on my forehead!"
[edit] The Queen Project
In September 2009, it was announced she would be joining Deborah
Cox and Tamia to form the super group The Queen Project. The women
seek to empower women of all ages, races and backgrounds by doing
a number of community service projects. In September 2010, Kelly
announced via her official Twitter profile that her new solo album
Kelly will be released in 2011. Her second single "Not My Daddy" debuted
on R&B charts at #87.
[edit] Legal Issues
On July 16, 2010, a lawsuit was filed in a Texas Federal court by
Kelly Price against a nationally known prosperity ministry, New Light
Church of Houston, TX, et. al. Other defendants in the case include
New Light's pastor, I. V. Hilliard, wife, Bridget Hilliard and daughter,
Preshea Hilliard. Price claims she wrote and copyrighted the tune, "Women
Who Win," which New Light Church and three members of the Hilliard
family used without permission in a church show, on DVDs, on a website
and at a "Women Who Win" conference, in Houston, TX. The
original court docket indicates that the involved parties continued
to use the Work in a variety of ways despite being refused license
to use.
[edit] Family
Price grew up in a second apartment in the Edgemere Projects in
Far Rockaway, Queens, New York. Her father died when she was only
nine years old. Residing outside of Atlanta, Georgia, Price lives
with her husband/manager, Jeffrey Rolle, and their children, Jeffrey
Jr. and Jonia.[4]
Price's grandfather is the Bishop Jerome Norman, the pastor of the
Full Gospel Mission Church of God in Christ in Queens, New York and
Jurisdictional Prelate of the First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiciton of
Barbados West Indies since 1990 by the late Presiding Bishop J.O.
Patterson. Her mother, Claudia Price, is the former musical director
of the church. Price began singing in the church as a six year old;
with her big voice, she gained the nickname 'Little Mahalia Jackson'.[5]
[edit] Breast cancer activist
In December 2000, Price donated $250,000 to fight breast cancer.
She presented a check to Tony Martell of the T.J. Martell Foundation
and Denise Rich of G&P Foundation For Cancer Research to help
with the ongoing fight against breast cancer. Price donated the proceeds
from her hit single "Love Sets You Free" which she recorded
in January 2000.[6]
In April 1999, Price volunteered to showcase her fashion designs
during a special charity gala and fashion show to help the National
Breast Cancer Awareness Initiative raise money for breast cancer
education for minority women.[7] The previous year, Price learned
that her mother-in-law had breast cancer. Later in 1998, Price's
own mother also was diagnosed with the disease. Her mother-in-law
died from the disease.[8]
Claudia Price, the mother of Kelly, is a survivor of inflammatory
breast cancer which is the deadliest and most deceptive type of breast
cancer.[9] Claudia, who is a New York City resident, has become a
breast cancer activist to educate the public about the disease. She
was the chairwoman of the seventh annual Sister to Sister Fitness
Festival held in Dallas, Texas which was sponsored by the Celebrating
Life Foundation.
Claudia experienced pain in her breast in 1997, but said fear and
a lack of insurance kept her from seeking immediate medical attention.
Instead, she waited two years before seeing a doctor. While at work
one day in 1999, her doctor called and said she had inflammatory
breast cancer. Doctors gave her two months to live. She underwent
chemotherapy, and the disease is in remission as of October 2006.[10]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
Year Album Chart positions RIAA Certification
U.S. U.S. R&B U.S. Gospel
1998 Soul of a Woman 15 2 - Platinum
2000 Mirror Mirror 5 3 - Platinum
2003 Priceless 10 2 -
One Family - A Christmas Album 45 43 -
2006 This Is Who I Am 54 9 1
2011 Kelly TBA TBA TBA
[edit] Singles
Year Single Chart positions Album
U.S. U.S. R&B
1998 "Friend of Mine" 72 — Soul of a Woman
"
Friend of Mine (Remix)" (featuring Ronald Isley and R. Kelly)
12 1
1999 "Secret Love" 99 3
"
It's Gonna Rain" — 51 Life soundtrack
2000 "As We Lay" 64 12 Mirror Mirror
"
Love Sets You Free (Remix)" 91 14
"
You Should've Told Me" 64 16
2001 "Mirror, Mirror" — —
2002 "In Love At Christmas" — 71 One Family - A Christmas
Album
"
Take It 2 The Head" (featuring Keith Murray) — — Priceless
(Kelly Price album)
"
Someday" — —
"
How Does It Feel (Married Your Girl)" — —
2003 "He Proposed" — 58
2006 "God's Gift" (Jeff Majors featuring Kelly Price) — 32
CD single
"
Healing" — — This Is Who I Am
2010 "Tired" — 97 Kelly
"—"
denotes releases that did not chart.
[edit] Awards and nominations
* American Music Awards
o 2001, Favorite R&B Female Artist (Nominated)
* Grammy Awards
o 2011, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance: "Tired" (Nominated)
o 2004, Best Traditional R&B Performance: "He Proposed" (Nominated)
o 2001, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance: "As We Lay" (Nominated)
o 2000, Best R&B Performance by a duo or Group: "Heartbreak Hotel" (Nominated)
* MTV Video Music Award
o 1999, Best R&B Video: "Heartbreak Hotel" (Nominated)
* Soul Train Awards
o 2001, Favorite Female R&B/Soul Album: Mirror, Mirror (Nominated)
o 1999, Favorite Female R&B/Soul Single: "Friend of Mine" (Nominated)
o 1999, Favorite R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist (WON)
o 1999, Favorite Female R&B/Soul Album: Soul of a Woman (Nominated)