HiphopRnbSoul.com

Lalah Hathaway (born Eulaulah Hathaway)^[2] is a contemporary R&B and jazz singer. She is the daughter of soul singer Donny Hathaway and classically trained vocalist Eulaulah.

Career

After studying at Berklee College of Music,^[3] Hathaway signed with Virgin Records and released her self-titled debut Lalah Hathaway in 1990. The set spawned several R&B hits, including "Something", "Baby Don't Cry", and the Billboard Top 5 R&B chart smash "Heaven Knows".

Her 1994 follow up A Moment saw Hathaway embracing an even more progressive sound as producer Brian Alexander Morgan (of SWV fame) was enlisted for her upbeat single "Let Me Love You". The album also included the singles "Separate Ways" and "Family Affair", a cover of the classic Sly & The Family Stone gem. Still, the set did not sell as well as her first release, and eventually Hathaway parted ways with Virgin.

She continued working with many other established artists, including Take 6, Mary J. Blige, The Winans, and Marcus Miller, writing, producing and doing background vocals. In 1999 jazz legend Joe Sample collaborated with Hathaway on the album The Song Lives On, which became a staple on both jazz and smooth R&B radio, as well as topping the jazz charts.

However, it would not be until 2004 that Lalah Hathaway would resurface with another solo project. She had her biggest hit single in years with an inspired cover of Luther Vandross' "Forever, For Always, For Love" on the all-star tribute album "Forever, For Always, For Luther". The song topped the Urban AC Chart and cracked the Top 40 on Billboard's mainstream R&B chart. This feat was repeated by the album Outrun the Sky, Hathaway's first solo album in a decade, which was released later in the year. Outrun the Sky included production from Rex Rideout and Mike City.^[4] Also in 2004, Hathaway was featured on Donald Lawrence's debut solo album I Speak Life as a lead vocalist on "Don't Forget to Remember".

Recently, Hathaway was seen on the international Daughters of Soul tour along with Sandra St. Victor, Nona Hendryx, Indira Khan (daughter of Chaka Khan), Simone (daughter of Nina Simone), and Joyce Kennedy of Mother's Finest.^[5]

Continuing her forays into the gospel realm, she can be found on Israel and New Breed's 2006 Christmas album A Timeless Christmas which also featured Marcus Miller. The recently re-launched Stax Records label has announced signing Hathaway. Her first release from Stax was the single "Love's Holiday," from the Earth, Wind, & Fire tribute album Interpretations.^[6]

Hathaway's debut for Stax Records, Self Portrait was released in June 2008. Collaborating again with producer Rex Rideout on much of the album (including leadoff single "Let Go") and working with such artists as Rahsaan Patterson and Sandra St. Victor , Self Portrait became her most successful album to date, debuting in the Top 10 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Discography

Albums

• Lalah Hathaway (Virgin)
  Chart Peak: #18 Billboard Top R&B, #191 Billboard 200. Released October 20, 1990
• A Moment (Virgin)
  Chart Peak: #40 Top R&B. Released May 31, 1994.
• The Song Lives On (GRP) Credited to: Joe Sample & Lalah Hathaway.
  Chart Peak: #53 Billboard Top R&B, #196 Billboard 200, #2 Billboard Top Jazz. Released April 20, 1999.
• Outrun the Sky (AgU/Mesa Bluemoon, 2004)
  Chart Peak: #34 Billboard Top R&B, #18 Top Heatseekers. Released September 28, 2004
• Self Portrait (Stax, 2008)
  Chart Peak: #6 Billboard Top R&B, #63 Billboard 200. Released June 3, 2008.

Singles

• "Inside the Beat" (Allegiance, 1987)
• "Heaven Knows" (Virgin, 1990) Released June 28, 1990 (US R&B #3, Dance #35, UK #66) ^V
• "Baby Don't Cry" (Virgin, 1990) Released October 10, 1990 (US R&B #18, UK #54) ^V
• "I'm Coming Back" (Virgin, 1990) Released June 6, 1991 (US R&B #54)
• "Something" (Virgin, 1990) Released March 7, 1991 (US R&B #21) ^V
• "Night & Day" (Virgin, 1991) Japan only
• "Family Affair" (Ten, 1991) B.E.F. featuring Lalah Hathaway (UK #37 - only credited to Lalah Hathaway in UK)
• "Love Like This" (Columbia, 1992) Grover Washington Jr. featuring Lalah Hathaway (US R&B #31)^{[7] V}
• "Let Me Love You" (Virgin, 1994) (US R&B #37) ^V
• "Separate Ways" / "Family Affair" (Virgin, 1994) Released November 1, 1994
• "Anyone Can Be A Hero" (from the motion picture "Blankman") (1994)
• "When Your Life Was Low" (GRP, 1999)^[8] (US R&B #118)^
• "Fever" (GRP, 1999)
• "Forever, For Always, For Love" (GRP, 2004) (US R&B #37, US Hot 100 #112)^
• "Better and Better" (Mesa/Blue Moon, 2004) (US R&B #121)^
• "Love's Holiday" (Stax, 2007)

• "Let Go" (Stax, 2008) (US R&B #51)^V

^V = A music video was shot to accompany the single's release.
^ Denotes chart positions from Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart or Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.
Releases and chart positions researched from ArtistDirect^[9] and BillBoard^[10]

Other

Information culled from Fullasoul.com^[11]

References

External links

• Lalah Hathaway official website
• Lalah Hathaway at Allmusic