I was born in Chicago where i started out playing music at a very early age.where i came to the attention of a Mr Lawrence Simmons who took me to my first major audition for a show by Oscar Brown Jr.After being schooled by the likes of Oscar Brown Jr., Donny Hathaway and later on Curtis Mayfield, I honed my writing and singing skills and set out on my musical journey. I later hooked up with Chaka Khan in a band called "lyfe."that we started, Chaka then left and joined a band called "Rufus." At that point, I was in another band called "High Voltage" with Bobby Watson, Tony Maiden and Lalomie Washburn, who later joined Rufus with Chaka.I had written,some songs "Dance wit me"" Fool's paradise" "Once You Get Started" which were recorded by Rufus, and instantly became their biggest hits and also "Have a goodtime" recently sampled by Missy Elliot called" it's real"...I decided it was time to leave Chicago and moved to Los Angeles, where I was signed to my first deal with Island Records. I later moved back to Chicago to record and work with Curtis Mayfield on the Curtom/RSO Label. Then i got a call from Herbie Hancock to write and sing for his projects. I wrote and sang several songs on several albums with Herbie Hancock and penned the classic"Stars in Your Eyes. Following a move to New York, I signed with EMI Manhattan, and had a couple of singles to date, "One Step Closer to You" and "You are Who You Love. I also produced various artists, such as "Grandmaster Flash,"who was just inducted into the ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME "Afrika Bambatta" and "Ritchie Family." I was heavily involved in the early Hip-Hop scene, writing such hits as "Girls Love the Way He Spins," "Sign of the Time," "We Gonna Rock America" and "All Night All Right."I am currently living in los angeles and working on several projects with "lee curreri" Craig Williams," Steve Harvey", "QuincyJones",. this is a partial listing of recordings i appears on: Gavin Christopher Gavin (1987) Gavin Christopher One Step Closer (1986) Gavin Gavin Christopher (1989) Aquabox Evolution Will Not Be Televised (2003) Vocals, Vocals (bckgr), Producer "Lee Curreri Arthur Baker Breakin' (2001) Piano, Vocals Bruce Conte Bullet Proof (2002) Vocals Lee Garrett Heat for the Feets Vocals (bckgr) "They said it couln't be done "GrandmasterFlash {1985}.producer.. Adventures of Grandmaster Flash,...(1996) Producer Herbie Hancock "Monster" (1981) Vocals Herbie Hancock Magic Windows(1982 Vocals, Bass Arrangement Herbie Hancock Best of Herbie Hancock: The Hits (2000) Arranger, Vocals Lite me up Herbie Hancock (1983)vocals Herbie Hancock Mr. Funk (2001) Chant Herbie Hancock Herbie Hancock Box(2002) Vocals Leroy Hutson Paradise (1982) Vocals (bckgr) Charles Jackson Gonna Getcha Love(1979) Keyboards, Vocals prod) Kym Mazelle Brilliant! (1990) Vocal Arrangement Brigette McWilliams Too Much Woman(1997) Vocals (bckgr)writer The Ritchie Family Best Disco in Town: The Best of... (1995) Producer/writer Soul Mission Soul Mission (1993) Vocals Phil Upchurch Whatever Happened to the Blues (1997) vocals A partial list of albums my songs appear on: Aquabox Evolution Will Not Be Televised Loletta Holloway "crash goes love"(1987) Beatstreet "breakdance"/vocals (1987) The Average White Band Feel No Fret Candy Dulfer For the Love of You Kenny Dope Strange Games and Funky Things, Vol. 3 Grandmaster Flash They said it could'nt be done. Adventures of Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel Shango funk theology Africa Bambatta. Herbie Hancock Best of Herbie Hancock: The Hits Herbie Hancock Monster Chaka Khan Life Is a Dance (The Remix Project) Manila Thriller Please Brigette McWilliams Too Much Woman Rufus Rufusized Rufus & Chaka Khan Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan Rufus & Chaka Khan Stompin' at the Savoy (Live) Original Soundtrack Prefontaine <Xanga Layouts