Calvin Richardson
Calvin Richardson (born December 16, 1976[2]) is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter. In 1999, he released his debut solo album Country Boy.
Calvin Richardson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Calvin Richardson |
| Born | December 16, 1976 Monroe, North Carolina[1] |
| Origin | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Genres | R&B, soul, neo soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, record producer, musician |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Labels | Tommy Boy, Universal, Hollywood, Shanachie, Jordan House, Primary Wave Music |
| Website | Iamcalvinrichardson.com |
Career
In the mid 1990s, Richardson went solo and signed with Universal Records. His debut album, Country Boy, was released on August 24, 1999, selling 100,000 units. Despite this he was dropped by Universal. Shortly thereafter, he signed a contract with Hollywood Records.
On September 16, 2003, he released his second album, 2:35 PM. The album was given that name because Richardson's child was born at that time, just before completing the album. It featured the minor R&B hit "Keep On Pushin'", a song Richardson wrote and produced by himself. He originally recorded the song "More Than a Woman" a duet with Angie Stone which originally appeared on her 2001 album Mahogany Soul. Richardson would later re-record the song as a solo track for 2:35 pm. An alternate version of the song – which replaces Richardson's vocals with new ones from Joe- was nominated for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 2003 Grammy Awards. The album also included popular songs such as The Underdogs produced single "Not Like This" as well as the Raphael Saadiq produced "Falling Out". The album was produced by The Underdogs, Jake & Trevor, Young RJ, and Raphael Saadiq.
Richardson then co-wrote and performed on the track "Excuse Me", from Saadiq's 2002 Grammy Award nominated album Instant Vintage, as well as co-writing The Charlie Wilson single produced by Babyface "There Goes My Baby".
Richardson released his third album, When Love Comes, on May 27, 2008, on Shanachie Records. In 2009, he was chosen to record a tribute album to Bobby Womack, which coincided with Womack being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Grammy nominated album was entitled, Facts Of Life: The Soul Of Bobby Womack. On August 31, 2010, Richardson released his fifth album, Americas Most Wanted. The lead single was "You're So Amazing".
As of 2013, he has joined the upcoming reality series "Come Back Kings" with Ed Lover, Horace Brown, David "Davinch" Chance (of Ruff Endz), Jeff Sanders, Jameio, Mr. Cheeks and Black Rob.[3][4][5]
In January 2014, it was announced that Richardson signed a new deal with Eric Benét's label Jordan House Records[6] with distribution and marketing from the company Primary Wave Music.[7]
In April 2014, Richardson released the first single from his album "I Am Calvin" entitled "We Gon' Love Tonite".[8]"
On September 30, 2014, Richardson released his fifth studio album I Am Calvin on Jordan House/Primary Wave Music/BMG Rights Management.
In January 2015, following the lead single 'We Gon' Love Tonite,' Richardson released the second single from his album 'Hearsay.'[9]
Artistry
Influences
Richardson cites Babyface as a major influence and someone who has he "learned a lot from".[10] He also cites R. Kelly as someone who he would want to work with, admiring his creativity. Other artists that Richardson says has influenced him are Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Bobby Womack, K-Ci Hailey, and Stevie Wonder.[10]
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [11] |
US R&B [12] |
US Indie [13] | ||
| Country Boy |
|
— | 27 | — |
| 2:35 PM |
|
65 | 8 | — |
| When Love Comes |
|
— | 17 | 25 |
| Facts of Life: The Soul of Bobby Womack |
|
— | 30 | 50 |
| America's Most Wanted |
|
— | 38 | 49 |
| I Am Calvin |
|
— | 34 | — |
| All or Nothing |
|
— | — | — |
| Gold Dust |
|
— | — | — |
Awards
Grammy Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | "Love Has Finally Come At Last" | Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals | Nominated |
| Woman Gotta Have It | Best Traditional R&B Performance | Nominated | |
| 2011 | "You're So Amazing" | Best Traditional R&B Performance | Nominated |
References
- Balestrino, Claudio. "Just Soul – Calvin Richardson". Just Soul. Retrieved January 3, 2009.
- Nero, Mark Edward. "Calvin Richardson Biography". about.com. About Entertainment. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
- "Come back kings – Home". November 9, 2013. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
- "Come Back Kings (@ComeBackKingsTV) | Twitter". Twitter.com. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
- "Come Back Kings". Facebook.com. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
- "YKIGS Live: Eric Benet Talks Signing Calvin Richardson & Goapele, Finding Stars in the Subway, New Music". Youknowigotsoul.com. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
- "News: Eric Benet, Calvin Richardson & Goapele Sign with BMG/Primary Wave to Release New Albums". Youknowigotsoul.com. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
- "Calvin Richardson Debuts New Song, 'We Gon' Love Tonite'". Essence.com. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
- "Premiere: Calvin Richardson 'Hearsay'". Vibe.com. September 30, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
- "N.C. Music Hall of Fame inductee Calvin Richardson shares highs, lows and inspirations". October 15, 2018.
- "Calvin Richardson > Billboard > Billboard 200". Billboard.com. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
- "Calvin Richardson > Billboard > Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard.com. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
- "Calvin Richardson > Billboard > Independent Albums". Billboard.com. Retrieved June 28, 2022.