It would top the R&B charts, make an appearance in the pop charts and on MTV, and introduce the world to the burgeoning New Jack Swing musical style. Levert started off strong their debut single for Atlantic, “Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop (Goes My Mind),” appeared in 1986, and was an instant success, a blend of gorgeous 70s Soul harmonies and a contemporary beat. Superb balladry was Levert’s specialty, and these songs showcase the power of his voice. Family Reunion: The Anthology is a two-disc set that offers up some of Levert’s best sides, as well as some superb solo sides from Gerard and two tracks from Sean. R&B trio Levert-formed by Gerald and Sean Levert, the sons of The O’Jays‘ Eddie Levert-carried on their father’s legacy, and as a result produced some of the finest R&B records of the past three decades. Unlike the rock world, the children of R&B and Soul musicians often have very little trouble establishing themselves as viable musicians in their own right. Sadly, Sean Levert died shortly thereafter from complications related to sarcoidosis he was 39.Search Levert: Family Reunion: The Anthology (SoulMusic Records) By Joseph Kyle The acclaimed album’s title track later earned Levert his first-ever Grammy for “Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance,” an award memorably accepted on his behalf by younger brother, Sean. In 2007, Levert’s final solo album, In My Songs, debuted atop Billboard’s “Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums” chart while also entering the overall Billboard 200 at #2. On November 10, 2006, he passed away from acute intoxication caused by the accidental combination of prescription narcotics and over-the-counter drugs he was 40 years old. With Elektra entering dormancy, Gerald returned to Atlantic in 2004 with Do I Speak For The World. Too Damn Good.” Levert’s next three albums, including 2001’s Gerald’s World, 2002’s The G Spot, and 2003’s Stroke of Genius, made top 10 debuts on the Billboard 200 upon their respective releases, with the third set also hitting #1 on the R&B album chart. Levert’s first Elektra release came with 1999’s G, an ambitious collection that included the R&B hit, “Mr. Gill, made a top 5 Billboard 200 debut on its way to RIAA platinum certification. Fueled by the #1 R&B/Hip-Hop hit, “My Body,” the trio’s Elektra/EastWest debut album, Levert. In 1997, Levert co-founded LSG, an urban R&B supergroup also comprising Johnny Gill and Elektra labelmate Keith Sweat. Rhone brought with her many of the artists she had been nurturing at EastWest, including Levert. In 1994, he joined the Elektra family when Sylvia Rhone, who had been running Atlantic’s Atco/EastWest division, moved over to become head of the Elektra Entertainment Group – the first African-American woman to become chairman of a major label. The group – which also comprised his younger brother Sean and friend Marc Gordon – was among Atlantic Records’ top urban acts of the ‘80s and ‘90s, unleashing a succession of hits, among them the pop smash “Casanova.” Levert made his solo debut with 1991’s EastWest release, Private Line, featuring two R&B #1 hits in the title track and “Baby Hold On To Me,” a duet with his famous father. He formed the R&B trio LeVert in 1984 while he was still attending high school in Shaker Heights, Ohio. As the son of O’Jays frontman Eddie Levert, Gerald Levert was born into American soul royalty.
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