Kem (singer)

Kem
Birth name Kim Owens
Also known as Kem
Born (1969-07-23) July 23, 1969
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Origin Pontiac, Michigan, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer-songwriter
  • multi-instrumentalist
  • record producer
Instruments
Years active 1999–present
Labels Motown
Website musicbykem.com

Kim Owens (born July 23, 1969), better known by his stage name Kem [1][2][3] is an American R&B/Soul singer–songwriter, and producer. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, KEM was raised in Detroit, Michigan.[4]

Biography

After finishing high school, KEM dealt with homelessness, addiction, and isolation from his family. He did not overcome these issues until he turned to spirituality and music, as he has said, "My career didn't take off until I connected with my spirituality. That's why I take time on stage and on the album to administer spirituality to people. That's one of the things that I am most proud of." Kem is also very well received by older listeners of R&B/Soul for his classy sound and not incorporating elements of Hip-hop music.[4]

Career

He wrote, produced, and financed his self-released debut album, Kemistry, with his American Express card and singing top 40 cover tunes in a wedding band and waiting tables. He was later signed by Motown Records in November 2001, who re-released the album on February 25, 2003, and sold more than 500,000 copies nationwide. The album's only official single was "Love Calls". He followed his debut release with a second album, Album II, released May 17, 2005 and sold more than 500,000 copies nationwide. It included the hit single "I Can't Stop Loving You," a # 1 at urban adult contemporary radio, and the song "You Might Win" featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica.

In 2013, he was featured on "My Favorite Thing," with American Recording Artist Ronald Isley which KEM wrote and produced. The song was the 2nd single from Ron Isley's album, This Song Is For You.[5] In 2014, He sang the grammy nominated hit song ¨Nobody¨ on the syndicated daytime talk show Steve Harvey during the fourth season.

Discography

Studio albums

Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications
US[6] US R&B[6]
2003 Kemistry
  • Released: February 25, 2003
  • Label: Motown
  • Format: CD, digital download
 90 14
2005 Album II
  • Released: May 17, 2005
  • Label: Motown
  • Format: CD, digital download
 5 1
  • RIAA: Platinum[7]
2010 Intimacy: Album III 2 2
2014 Promise To Love
  • Released: August 25, 2014
  • Label: Kemistry/Motown
  • Format: CD, digital download
 3 1

Holiday albums

Year Title Peak chart positions
US[6] US R&B[6]
2012 What Christmas Means
  • Released: October 16, 2012
  • Label: Kemistry/Motown
  • Format: CD, digital download
 64 9

Singles

Year Title Chart Positions Album
US[8] US R&B[9]
2003 "Love Calls" — 25 Kemistry
2005 "I Can't Stop Loving You" 84 20 Album II
"Find Your Way (Back in My Life)" — 37
"Into You" — 79
2010 "Why Would You Stay" 102 17 Intimacy: Album III
"Share My Life" — 25
2011 "If It's Love"
(featuring Maurissa Rose)		 — 24
2012 "You're On My Mind" — 27
2013 "My Favorite Thing"
(with Ronald Isley)		 — — This Song Is For You and Promise To Love
2014 "It's You" — 49 Promise To Love

Awards and nominations

References

  1. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "Kem Biography". allmusic.com. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  2. ↑ Johnson, Gwen B. "KEM: From Addiction and Homelessness to 25 Years of Sobriety and Hope". stylemagazine.com. Minority Print Media, L.L.C. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  3. ↑ Nero, Mark Edward. "Kem Biography". about.com. About Entertainment. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  4. 1 2 Kem. Billboards
  5. ↑ "Ronald Isley, 'My Favorite Thing': Exclusive Song Premiere". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. July 12, 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Kem > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums". allmusic.
  7. 1 2 3 "Gold & Platinum – Kem". RIAA. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  8. ↑ Kem. Chart history. Billboard
  9. ↑ Kem. Chart history. Billboard
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