Jodeci et Eric Bellinger

Jodeci is the combination of two performing gospel families, the Haileys and the DeGrates. Brothers Cedric and Joel Hailey, aka K-Ci and JoJo respectively, had previously performed as Little Cedric & the Hailey Singers and released three albums “Jesus Saves”, “I’m Alright Now”, and “God’s Blessings”. The DeGrate family also performed and toured as a family band, with members Donald DeGrate (DeVante Swing) and Dalvin DeGrate (Mr. Dalvin) combining to form Jodeci in 1988.

With only a modest amount of money the group travelled to New York City to accost Uptown Records CEO Andre Harrell. Following a live audition in which Jodeci performed “Come and Talk to Me” and “I’m Still Waiting”, Andre Harrell, taken back by the performance, signed the band that day. Placed in the capable hands of then-intern Sean “Puffy” Combs the group augmented their bad boy image, later making their debut on the Father MC song “Treat Them Like They Want to Be Treated”.

Jodeci made their live performance debut In June 1991 on an episode of Soul Train, after which the group issued their debut album “Forever My Lady” in August 1991. The record was marked by its bold approach, featuring distinctive soul and new jack swing production, and seductive songwriting. The album won over fans and critics alike, peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard 200, and remarkably spawned the five singles: “Gotta Love”, “Forever My Lady”, “Stay”, “Come and Talk to Me”, and “I’m Still Waiting”. Despite a distinct lack of promotion due to Jodeci threatening to leave Uptown, the band’s sophomore album “Diary of a Mad Band”, peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. Aided by the singles “Feenin’”, the R&B No. 1 “Cry for You”, and “What About Us”, the record features contributions from Timabland, Missy Elliot, and Redman.

Surpassing the success of its predecessors, Jodeci’s third full-length album “The Show, the After Party, the Hotel” was issued in July 1995. Selling over a million copies and supported by the singles “Freek’n You”, “Love U 4 Life”, and “Get on Up”, the record peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. Following the a 20 year hiatus in which members pursued their own interests, Jodeci returned to the spotlight, with Timbaland at the production reigns, to release their fourth studio album “The Past, The Present, The Future” in 2015. Led by the single “Nobody Wins”, the album debuted at No. 23 on the Billboard 200, and earned a host of positive reviews from the critical press.