Glenn Lewis

Glenn Lewis
Background information
Birth name Glenn Ricketts
Born (1975-03-13) March 13, 1975
Origin Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres Neo soul
Occupation(s) Singer–songwriter
Years active 1995–present
Labels Sanctuary Records, Ruffhouse Records, Capitol Records, Epic Records
Associated acts Stanley Clarke, Kardinal Offishall, Melanie Fiona, Amel Larrieux
Website glennlewisofficial.com

Glenn Lewis (born Glenn Ricketts on March 13, 1975) is a Canadian neo soul singer–songwriter, best known for his singles "Don't You Forget It" and "It's Not Fair". His father was a member of the Columbia recording group Crack of Dawn.[1] Lewis has cited Stevie Wonder as his biggest inspiration, and Lewis has often been compared to him because of the similarities in their tones.[2]

Early life

Lewis was born in Toronto to a Trinidadian mother, who was a musician and Jamaican father, who also was a musician[3] and singer known as Glen Ricks[3] who was a former protege of the late Donny Hathaway. From the age of eight to fourteen, he lived in Trinidad before moving back to Toronto.[2] His father, Ricks, was the leader singer for Crack ov Dawn who performed in the 1970s.[3] As his mother was a musician, he would escort his parents to his recording studios.[3] Originally planning to pursue a career in animation as a teenager, Lewis instead decided to focus on music. After moving back to the city, he attended high school at Eastern Commerce Collegiate, where he won a talent contest by covering Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called to Say I Love You". After high school, Lewis began recording demos and performing at nightclubs, eventually becoming a respected act in the city.[3]

Career

Early success

Lewis parlayed his Toronto success into the release of his first single, "The Thing to Do", in 1997 on Beat Factory/BMG Music Canada. The song earned him a Juno Award nomination for Best R&B/Soul Recording. His second single, "Bout Your Love", was released in 1998 and garnered a second consecutive Juno nomination. That year, he also appeared on the remix of Maestro's single "Stick to Your Vision". In 1999, he was featured on the track "Whatever It Takes", which appeared on fellow Canadian singer Jazmin's debut album Better Be Good. The following year, Lewis was featured on Baby Blue Soundcrew's single "Only Be in Love", from their compilation album Private Party Collectors Edition, earning him his third consecutive Juno nomination. This exposure eventually landed him a deal with Epic Records.

World Outside My Window

Lewis' debut album on Epic Records, World Outside My Window, was released on March 19, 2002. Fueled by the hit single "Don't You Forget It", the album peaked at Number 4 on the Billboard charts. The single earned him a Juno for Best R&B/Soul Recording. He promoted the album by touring with Alicia Keys and Tweet, among others.[4] The album spawned a second single, "It's Not Fair" which peaked at Number 90 on the R&B chart.

In 2002, Lewis recorded a cover version of "Superstition" for the tribute album, Conception: An Interpretation of Stevie Wonder's Songs. He also made an appearance in the 2002 film Maid in Manhattan starring Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes. He contributed the song "Fall Again" to the film's soundtrack.[5] "Fall Again" was originally written by Walter Afanasieff and Robin Thicke for Michael Jackson's Invincible album to compose, but did not make it on the track list. However, a demo of the song by Michael Jackson was later released on the Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection CD set.[6] Later that year, he released his first concert DVD, Glenn Lewis Live.

2003–2009

In 2003, Lewis began work on his sophomore album Back for More. The first single, also titled "Back for More", and featuring rapper Kardinal Offishall, was released to radio and a video began to air.[7]

Later that year, Lewis netted a Grammy nomination for his contribution to Stanley Clarke's "Where Is the Love", a duet also featuring Amel Larrieux.[8] Lewis was also the recipient of an International Achievement Award for the song "Don't You Forget It" at the SOCAN Awards in Toronto.[9]

In 2006, he signed with Underdog Entertainment and began work on an album with The Underdogs titled, Remember Me which was to be released in 2007. He premiered the song "Storm" in October 2006 which created a huge viral buzz in the underground soul music world.[10] Shortly thereafter in 2007, Lewis parted ways with The Underdogs.[11]

During this time Lewis performed frequently overseas, particularly in London where he developed a strong following.[12]

Moment of Truth

Lewis reconnected with Andre Harris and Vidal Davis "Dre & Vidal", the producers of his first album, "World Outside My Window" in 2009. On December 14, 2010 a popular soul music website leaked the song "Good One" leading Lewis to officially release the song the following week.[13] He released the official music video in September 2011.[14] On November 9, 2011, Lewis signed with Ruffhouse Entertainment with his upcoming album project distributed through Capitol/Caroline.[15]

On April 29, 2013 Lewis debuted his single "Can't Say Love" which was Number 2 most added at Urban AC Radio and hit Number 25 on BDS.[16]

His album Moment of Truth was released October 15, 2013 and features production from Grammy Award winning duo Dre & Vidal, DJ Camper, Carvin Haggins & Ivan Barias, Certifyd and up-and-coming producers Matrax as well as a duet with Roc Nation vocalist Melanie Fiona.[17]

Glenn Lewis is currently working on a new album for his upcoming 2016 release scheduled for spring.

Discography

Singles

Year Single Chart positions[18] Album
U.S. U.S. R&B
1997 "The Thing to Do" — — GROOVEssentials Volume One
1998 "Bout Your Love" — — Rudimental 2k
2001 "Don't You Forget It" 30 10 World Outside My Window
2002 "It's Not Fair" — 90
2003 "Back for More" (feat. Kardinal Offishall) — 76 non-album single
2010 "Good One" — —
2013 "Can't Say Love" — 17 Moment of Truth
2014 "Closer" — 39

References

  1. ↑ http://www.allaccess.com/urban/artist-info/q/id/4505/glenn-lewis
  2. 1 2 http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/2002/2002-04-05-cover-lewis.htm
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "MTV Biography". MTV.com. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  4. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/64q4
  5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OX9ho9wgr0
  6. ↑ http://www.whosampled.com/cover/view/80842/Michael%20Jackson-Fall%20Again%20(Demo%201999)_Glenn%20Lewis-Fall%20Again/
  7. ↑ http://www.slack-time.com/music-video-3055-Glenn-Lewis-Back-For-More
  8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S71BlQw_3SA
  9. ↑ http://www.socan.ca/about/awards/2003-socan-awards
  10. ↑ http://singersroom.com/content/2010-06-05/Glenn-Lewis-Storm/
  11. ↑ http://youknowigotsoul.com/exclusive-glenn-lewis-finishing-new-album-will-be-reminiscent-of-his-previous-work
  12. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nHfV0Zra4Q
  13. ↑ http://www.thisisrnb.com/2010/12/music-glenn-lewis-good-one-new-single/
  14. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8oIqKhOQuo
  15. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/GlennLewis4Real
  16. ↑ http://singersroom.com/content/2013-06-04/Glenn-Lewis-Cant-Say-Love-PREMIERE
  17. ↑ http://www.thisisrnb.com/tag/glenn-lewis
  18. ↑ Artist Chart History - Glenn Lewis

18 http://youknowigotsoul.com/glenn-lewis-closer-produced-by-carvin-ivan

External links

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