Karyn White Biography

On her way to R&B-feminist "Superwoman" status, singer Karyn White worked after high school as a change counter in the L.A. bus terminal and a retail clerk. At the same time she was taking paltry gigs as a recording session vocalist. Her determination and self-assurance, along with touring with R&B artist O'Bryan and providing the lead vocal on jazzman Jeff Lorber's "Facts of Love," propelled her lifelong ambition to become an "overnight" sensation.

The Lorber gig led to her signing with Warner Bros. Records and a 1988 debut album that exploded to #1 on the R&B charts, selling over 2 million copies on the strength of three Top 10 singles: "The Way You Love Me," "Love Saw It," and the definitive anthem "Superwoman," an empowering pro-woman ballad so compelling that at least three soul divas (Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, and Dionne Warwick) have covered the song. Almost as a male counterattack, photographers began to focus on the former beauty pageant winner's physical attributes rather than her impressive singing or heartfelt insights on the woman's view of romantic relationships.

Spending increasing amounts of time in Minneapolis at the Flyte Time studios of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who produced her 1991 follow up LP Ritual of Love, White's view of romance soon focused on Lewis; they eventually wed and had a daughter, Ashley. The real-life "Superwoman" demands of marriage and motherhood have kept White largely out of the R&B spotlight in recent years, but with her undeniable skills and easy access to one of pop music's hottest production teams, she should never be absent from the top of the charts for long.~OFFICIAL BIO

Karyn White's 1988 self-titled debut album. Made her the hottest artists on the scene. Her first single "The way you love me" went to the top of the chart. The video was as exciting as the single. Very colorful with energetic dancing it went great with Karyn "scatting" on the single. The album was produced by LAFace. The second song "Superwoman" written and produced by Babyface established Karyn a strong and emotional vocalist. Karyn says that she was thinking of her mother when she recorded the song. The video portrayed Karyn as a neglected housewife. The next song "Secret Rendez vous "is a classic 80's dance trax. The video features Karyn showing off some dance moves. The last single released "Love saw it" a duet with babyface. Jody Watley notice kcaryn. Jody accused karyn of stealing her look. Karyn and Jody was scheduled to present an award at the American Music Award. Jody refused to present with Karyn saying that they were trying to put all the black female artist on at one time.

Karyn gets romantic

Before releasing her next album. In 1990 Karyn married famed record producer Terry Lewis. She became an instant mom to Terry's children from a previous marriage. She also worked with her friend Pebbles on her album "Always". Karyn lends her vocals for the song "Say a prayer for me" w/ Johnny Gill. 1991 "Rituals of love" was released. The album went platinum. The first single "Romantic" went straight to #1
the video was very reminiscent of old time Hollywood musicals. The second single "The way I feel about you" also was a hit. The next release "Do unto me" a ballad was the last single off the CD. The CD was produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Karyn promoted the album on many popular show like "soul train" and "The Arsenio Hall Show". 1992 gave birth to her daughter Ashley. Karyn Terry and Ashey posed for the cover of Ebony magazine. Also during this period she continued to co-write songs for other artists. "Till you come to me" for Rachelle Ferelle, "I know where I stand" for Johnny Gill. Karyn also help develop acts at flyte time prodution the female trio Krush and Mint Condition.

In 1994 Karyn White third CD "Make him do right" was a critical success. The first single "Hungah" was written by white. She thought of the lyrics in the shower. She wanted the song to be in the same aura as Donna Summer's "Love to love you baby". The next single "Can I stay with you" was written by Babyface. The video was the first use virtual reality technique. The last release "Here come the pain again" is about spousal abuse. The ballads on "Make him do right", display White's ability to project clear articulate, and heartfelt personal expession through her lyrics.