Kem (singer)

Last updated
Kem
Kem WBLS interview 2023.png
Kem in 2023
Background information
Birth nameKim Lamont Owens
Born (1967-07-23) July 23, 1967 (age 56)
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Origin Pontiac, Michigan, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • instrumentalist
  • producer
Instrument(s)
Years active1999–present
Labels Motown
Website musicbykem.com

Kim Lamont Owens (born July 23, 1967), better known by his stage name Kem, [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] is an American R&B/soul singer-songwriter and producer. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Kem was raised in Pontiac, Michigan. [6]

Contents

Career

Kem wrote, produced, and financed his self-released debut album, Kemistry , with his American Express card and by singing top 40 cover tunes in a wedding band and waiting tables. He was signed by Motown Records in November 2001, which re-released the album on February 25, 2003. It sold more than 500,000 copies nationwide and was certified Gold by the RIAA. The album's only official single is "Love Calls".

His second album, Album II , was released on May 17, 2005, and was certified Platinum by the RIAA. It includes the single "I Can't Stop Loving You", a #1 song at urban adult contemporary radio, and the song "You Might Win" featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica. His third album, Intimacy: Album III , was released on August 17, 2010, and was certified Gold by the RIAA.

In 2013, Kem was featured on "My Favorite Thing", with American recording artist Ronald Isley who Kem wrote and produced for. The song is the second single from Isley's album This Song Is For You. [7]

On August 25, 2014, Kem released his fourth studio album, Promise to Love . He performed the Grammy-nominated song "Nobody" from the album on the syndicated daytime talk show Steve Harvey during the fourth season. On August 28, 2020, he released his fifth studio album, Love Always Wins , which includes the singles "Lie To Me" and "Live Out Your Love" featuring Toni Braxton.

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak positionsCertifications
US
[8]
US R&B
[8]
Kemistry
  • Released: February 25, 2003
  • Label: Motown
  • Format: CD, digital download
9014
Album II
  • Released: May 17, 2005
  • Label: Motown
  • Format: CD, digital download
51
  • RIAA: Platinum [9]
Intimacy: Album III 22
  • RIAA: Gold [9]
What Christmas Means
  • Released: October 16, 2012
  • Label: Kemistry, Motown
  • Format: CD, digital download
649
Promise to Love
  • Released: August 25, 2014
  • Label: Kemistry, Motown
  • Format: CD, digital download
31
Love Always Wins
  • Released: August 28, 2020
  • Label: Motown
  • Format: CD, digital download
12415

Live albums

TitleAlbum details
Anniversary – The Live Album
  • Released: April 4, 2023
  • Label: Motown
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download

Extended plays

TitleEP details
Full Circle [10]
  • Released: July 22, 2022
  • Label: Motown
  • Format: CD, digital download

Singles

TitleYearChart PositionsAlbum
US
[8]
US R&B
[8]
US Adult R&B
[8]
"Love Calls"2003106251Kemistry
"Matter of Time"24
"I Can't Stop Loving You"200584201Album II
"Find Your Way (Back in My Life)"374
"Into You"7917
"Why Would You Stay"2010102171Intimacy: Album III
"Share My Life"255
"If It's Love"
(solo or featuring Chrisette Michele)
2011243
"You're On My Mind"2012254
"A Christmas Song for You"19What Christmas Means
"Be Mine for Christmas"
(featuring Ledisi)
201335
"Jesus"
(featuring Patti LaBelle & Ronald Isley)
25
"My Favorite Thing"
(with Ronald Isley)
5Promise to Love
"It's You"2014491
"Nobody"1
"Promise to Love"20155
"Lie to Me"
(solo or featuring Wiz Khalifa)
20201Love Always Wins
"Live Out Your Love"
(featuring Toni Braxton)
1
"Stuck on You"20221Full Circle
"Right on Time"
(featuring Rick Ross)
28

Awards and nominations

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References

  1. "KEM's Biography". The HistoryMakers. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  2. "'I was really low': Kem's inspiring journey from despair to R&B stardom". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  3. Kellman, Andy. "Kem Biography". allmusic.com. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  4. Johnson, Gwen B. "KEM: addicted to meth Hope". stylemagazine.com. Minority Print Media, L.L.C. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  5. Nero, Mark Edward. "Kem Biography". about.com. About Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2016-04-06. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  6. Kem. Billboards
  7. "Ronald Isley, 'My Favorite Thing': Exclusive Song Premiere". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media. July 12, 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Kem > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums". allmusic.
  9. 1 2 3 "Gold & Platinum – Kem". RIAA. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  10. "Full Circle - EP". Apple Music . Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  11. "GRAMMY Award Results for Kem". grammy.com. The Recording Academy . Retrieved August 28, 2020.