R. J.'s Latest Arrival

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RJ's Latest Arrival
Origin Detroit, Michigan
Genre(s) R&B, soul
Years active 1979–1990
Label(s) Buddah, Atlantic, EMI Manhattan
Former members
R. J. Rice : Vocals, Keyboards, percussion, etc.

DeDe Leitta : Vocals, rhythm guitar
Craig Lane : Keyboards
Dean DiPierro : Keyboards, backing vocals
Paris Reese : Drums
Paul Munroe : Lead Guitar
Rudy "Famous" Maldonado : Drums

R. J.'s Latest Arrival was a R&B, dance, and soul music band from Detroit, Michigan who formed in the late 1970's and reached the peak of their popularity in the mid-1980's. They released their self-titled debut in 1979 (this debut would be the first of three self-titled albums the group released, with a second one following in 1982, and a third in 1985). Their biggest hit came with the 1984 single "Shackles," off their Harmony album from the same year, which fused R. J.'s raps and DeDe's soulful vocals. Rudy Famous left the band during The Shackles Tour 1984 and was featured in the follow up video "Harmony." They would score another big hit in 1985 with the single "Heaven In Your Arms." They continued to score moderate hits on the R&B chart throughout the 1980's. The group later became more based in traditional R&B and Soul music and broke up in the late 1990s. R. J. Rice went on to form Barak Records, an independent hip-hop label based in Detroit; the labels most notable act is Slum Village.