| Perri "Pebbles" Reid | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Perri Arnette McKissack |
| Born | August 29, 1964 San Francisco, California, United States[1] |
| Origin | Oakland, California, United States |
| Genres | Dance-pop, R&B, New Jack Swing, Urban contemporary, Freestyle |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 1983–2008 |
| Labels | MCA (1986–1996), Pebbitone, Inc 1997-Present |
Perri A. Reid, formerly known as Pebbles (born Perri Arnette McKissack, August 29, 1964) is an American dance-pop and urban contemporary singer-songwriter.
"Pebbles," a childhood nickname, had an early brush with industry success in the early 1980s as a backup singer for percussionist/band leader Bill Summers and the funk outfit Con Funk Shun, helping to co-write "Body of Lover", one of the band's biggest hits. In 1987 she scored her first breakthrough with Pebbles, her self-titled solo debut for MCA Records. "Pebbles" yielded a Platinum-plus album featuring the hits "Girlfriend" and "Mercedes Boy" (which Pebbles wrote), both Top Five Pop and #1 R&B smashes that became anthems around the world. These songs remain in heavy rotation across the globe. The videos for both songs, featuring Pebbles’ signature modern glam style, were in heavy rotation on MTV, VH1 and BET. During this time Pebbles married L.A. Reid, who would co-found LaFace Records with Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds. Pebbles also sang background vocals on Paula Abdul's album Forever Your Girl in 1988.
In 1990 Pebbles released Always, a well-received set that included the Top Five hit "Giving You the Benefit", "Always"," and "Love Makes Things Happen". The latter song, featuring Babyface, was a Top 20 Pop & R&B hit and remains a Quiet Storm staple. In 1995 Pebbles delivered Straight from My Heart, which included a more mature sound and featured the singer's collaborations with producers / songwriters Sean Combs, Kyle West, and Organized Noize. On April 25, 2000 Hip-O Records released a 14 track Pebbles: Greatest Hits album.
Combined, these three albums sold more than six million copies worldwide, received a Grammy nomination and a list of other songwriting and performance awards for Pebbles. As an established artist Pebbles turned her attention to discovering and cultivating new musical talent.
Through Pebbitone, her production company, Pebbles transformed the music industry with her discovery and development of TLC. Under Pebbles' guidance as a producer, director, marketing chief, and image maker, this Grammy-award winning super group recorded 1992’s quintuple platinum debut album Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip, featuring the Top 10 hits "Baby, Baby, Baby," "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" and "What About Your Friends." In 1994, TLC released CrazySexyCool, which sold an unprecedented thirteen million albums and garnered the group its first Grammy for Best R&B Album.
"In our formative years, Pebbles was an integral part of LaFace Records along with Kenny Edmonds and myself," says L.A. Reid. "She understood how to make hits, she had a strong visual sense, and she got both the pop and R&B world."
Eventually, tensions arose between Pebbles and TLC, when the group filed for bankruptcy amid claims that Pebbles was mismanaging their money.[2] Pebbles denied these claims, stating that she was only looking out for the group's best interests. Pebbles and TLC eventually parted ways, but the experience (along with the disintegration of her marriage to LA Reid) left her so embittered, she left the secular music industry and at the time, claimed she would never return.
However, in 1997, Pebbles' found religion. On November 17, 1998 Pebbles also affectionately known as "Sister Perri" founded WOGCL Ministries "Women of God Changing Lives" Through Christ Ministries. As an ordained minister, she has continuously served the community for 13 years by preaching the word and ministering through song. In 2008, after a 13 year music hiatus, Reid released her fourth album and debut gospel album, Prophetic Flows Vol I & II, which peaked at #12 on the Billboard Gospel Album Chart.
"God is helping me to reach even more people and a future generation through the gifts He's given me, and my love for music," says Pebbles.[3]
In February 2011, Pebbles was named as the executive producer / host of Essence's national R&B search. Among other prizes, the winner will be awarded the coveted opportunity to perform in the Superdome during the 2011 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.
[1]In February 2011, Pebbles was named as the executive producer / host of Essence's national R&B search. Among other prizes, the winner will be awarded the coveted opportunity to perform in the Superdome during the 2011 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. On January 29, 1983, she gave birth to daughter Ashley Victoria Winzer (also known as Ashley Reid (photographer)).[4] Pebbles then began a relationship with her record producer L.A. Reid. Their sons Aaron (also known as Aaron Alexander (recording artist) was born in November 1989.[citation needed] and Tian Reid( BasedGod) was born September 1992. She and her daughter moved to Atlanta with Reid. Aaron was on an episode of My Super Sweet 16. Tian made his big break acting in a pepsi commercial. Perri and L.A. Reid were divorced in 1996. She married Otis Nixon in Nassau, Bahamas in 2000; they divorced in 2004. She remains friends with Whitney Houston, her cousin Cherrelle and CeCe Winans.
|title= specified when using {{Cite web}}". Pebbles 2Day website. http://www.pebbles2day.com/about-Pebbles.php. Retrieved 7 July 2011.