K-Ci

Cedric Renard Hailey (born September 2, 1969), known professionally as K-Ci (formerly Little Cedric as a member of Little Cedric and the Hailey Singers), is an American singer, songwriter and member of K-Ci & JoJo and Jodeci. He started his music career as Little Cedric, in 1983, with the release of, I'm Alright Now, by Atlanta International Records. The next two albums, 1984's Jesus Saves and 1985's God's Blessing, were released by AIR Gospel, and they both achieved placements upon the Billboard Gospel Albums chart.

K-Ci
Birth nameCedric Renard Hailey
Also known as
  • Little Cedric
  • K-Ci
Born (1969-09-02) September 2, 1969
Monroe, North Carolina
OriginCharlotte, North Carolina
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1983–present
Labels
Associated acts

Although Hailey is best known as the lead singer of Jodeci and second-lead singer of K-Ci & JoJo, he participated on different solo projects as K-Ci, most notably his cover of Bobby Womack's "If You Think You're Lonely Now" in 1994.

Early life

Hailey was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, to Anita and Cliff Hailey[1] both of whom were gospel singers. For a time, the Hailey family lived in Baltimore, MD where they performed gospel music. The family would later return to Charlotte when Cedric was a teen. He would eventually go on to attend Garinger High School.

Music career

Along with younger brother, Joel (known professionally as "JoJo") and his father, Hailey recorded three gospel albums as "Little Cedric and the Hailey Singers"[2] beginning with the 1983 release I'm Alright Now by Atlanta International Records, Gospel.[3] Though the album failed to place on any Billboard magazine charts,[4] the next two releases, 1984's Jesus Saves and God's Blessing in 1985,[3][4] both placed upon the Billboard Gospel Albums chart; the former at No. 4 and the latter at No. 22.[4]

Cedric and Joel's gospel singing eventually connected them with the DeGrate brothers, Donald "DeVante Swing" DeGrate and Dalvin DeGrate, with whom they formed the R&B group Jodeci. As lead vocalist for the group, Hailey and Jodeci would release three multi-platinum albums between 1991 and 1995. In 1996, the group announced a hiatus from recording and releasing music. Hailey continued to record with his brother as the duo K-Ci & JoJo, releasing five albums between 1997 and 2013.

As K-Ci, his cover of Bobby Womack's "If You Think You're Lonely Now" was featured on the soundtrack to the 1994 film, Jason's Lyric. It was released as a single and peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Personal life

Hailey dated fellow R&B singer and then label-mate Mary J. Blige from 1992 till 1997.

The two Hailey brothers are cousins of R&B singers Fantasia Barrino, Dave Hollister, Calvin Richardson, and Stephanie Mills.[5] He is married to the former Cassandra Chestnut of Myrtle Beach, SC.

Discography
Main article: Jodeci discography
Main article: K-Ci & JoJo discography
with Jodeci
with K-Ci & JoJo
Solo album
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References
  1. Billboard (April 7, 2003). "K-Ci, JoJo Free After Tax Evasion Arrest". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  2. Carpenter, Bil (2005). "Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia": 253. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. AllMusic. "Little Cedric : Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  4. Billboard. "Little Cedric : Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  5. http://yourblackworld.net/2016/05/18/stephanie-mills-opens-up-about-who-shes-related-to/
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