K-Ci: The Soulful Voice of R&B

Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey is an American R&B singer-songwriter best known as one-half of the Grammy-winning duo K-Ci & JoJo and a founding member of the influential group Jodeci. Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, he achieved massive commercial success in the 1990s and 2000s, with his group Jodeci selling over 20 million records worldwide and his duo scoring a diamond-certified single.

Early career

Born in 1969, Cedric Hailey formed the vocal group Jodeci with his brother Joel "JoJo" Hailey, Donald "DeVante Swing" DeGrate, and Dalvin "Mr. Dalvin" DeGrate in the late 1980s. The group's raw, new jack swing-influenced sound caught the attention of Uptown Records, leading to their 1991 debut album Forever My Lady, which quickly went triple platinum and established them as pioneers of a grittier R&B style.

Breakthrough

While Jodeci dominated the early '90s, K-Ci's career reached a new peak in 1997 with the formation of the duo K-Ci & JoJo. Their debut album, Love Always, was a smash, propelled by the monumental success of its lead single. The duo's smooth harmonies and emotional ballads captured a massive audience, solidifying their status as R&B superstars beyond their work with Jodeci.

Key tracks

All My Life — This 1998 ballad became a diamond-selling, chart-topping wedding anthem and remains one of the most recognizable R&B songs of its era.

Crazy — The duo's second major hit from the Love Always album, it reached the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and showcased their vocal versatility.

Tell Me It's Real — This 1999 single from their second album It's Real continued their streak of platinum-selling, heartfelt slow jams.

Come and Talk to Me — As part of Jodeci, this 1992 single from Forever My Lady was a defining new jack swing hit that reached No. 1 on the R&B chart.

Freek'n You — Another Jodeci classic, this 1995 single from the Diary of a Mad Band album exemplified the group's signature risqué and influential style.

The success of K-Ci & JoJo led to several high-profile collaborations, including features on 2Pac's "How Do U Want It" and Mariah Carey's "I Still Believe" remix. Despite personal challenges and hiatuses in the 2000s, both Jodeci and K-Ci & JoJo have reunited for performances, reminding fans of their enduring impact on the genre. K-Ci's distinctive, raspy tenor remains one of the most emotive voices in R&B history.

Fans of K-Ci's passionate vocal delivery and classic R&B style should also explore the work of Jodeci, his groundbreaking group that set the stage for '90s soul. The smooth harmonies of Boyz II Men share a similar commitment to vocal excellence and timeless ballads. For the raw, gospel-inflected edge, listen to Mary J. Blige, who emerged from the same Uptown Records era. The contemporary stylings of Joe also carry on the tradition of heartfelt, male-led R&B.

K-Ci's rich catalog, both with Jodeci and as part of his duo, maintains a strong presence on radio. His hits are staples on classic R&B and throwback stations, as well as on dedicated '90s and 2000s music channels, where his voice continues to define an era of soulful music.

You can hear the timeless music of K-Ci on radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover his iconic songs, from Jodeci anthems to K-Ci & JoJo ballads, through the various radio stations available on onairium.com.