ABOUT KEM
Multi-GRAMMY®-nominated singer/songwriter and author KEM, ascended from the shadows of addiction and homelessness on the streets of Detroit to become a legendary figure in Motown's rich musical history. His music is a captivating blend of sensuous, groove-laden melodies paired with his mesmerizing vocals, all enveloped in lyrics overflowing with love, emotion, and hope. Often likened to iconic artists such as Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Al Jarreau, and Marvin Gaye, KEM's music is a testament to his innate storytelling prowess and lyrical depth.
His journey into music began as a means to cope with life's trials and soon evolved into an avenue for expressing his deepest emotions. In April 2023, KEM unveiled his best-selling memoir, Share My Life, A Journey of Love, Faith, and Redemption, co-authored by David Ritz. This powerful memoir provides a glimpse into his tumultuous path leading up to and through his darkest moments.
Music became KEM's sanctuary during a challenging upbringing, a medium through which he could communicate when words fell short. As he composed reflective lyrics drawn from his life experiences, his signature vocals and melodic expressions gave voice to his innermost feelings.
Over two decades, millions have embraced his music, drawn to his honest lyrics, distinctive voice, and magnetic stage presence. KEM's incredible transformation from a homeless young man battling addiction to a beloved figure in R&B is evident in the evolution of his music.
Perfecting songs in homeless shelters, he revitalized his spirit amidst the daily struggles of seeking his next meal and battling addiction. A pivotal moment arrived on his 23rd birthday in 1990, as KEM sat by the Detroit River, nursing a bottle of Colt 45. A revelation struck him—a surrender to faith that would propel him toward his destiny as one of music's most vital voices.
KEM's musical journey is studded with remarkable achievements. He independently released his debut album, Kemistry, in 2002, leading to a collaboration with Motown Records. Hits like "Love Calls" solidified his status as an R&B powerhouse. Subsequent albums, including Kem Album II, Intimacy, Promise to Love, and Love Always Wins, yielded numerous chart-toppers, securing platinum and gold certifications and earning Grammy®–nominations.
KEM's philanthropic endeavors mirror his generous spirit. In 2012, he founded Mack & Third, Inc., a non-profit organization whose mission is built on the premise that no basic human need should go unmet due to lack of resources. Mack & Third provides funding to humanitarian aid organizations related to: homelessness; hunger; substance abuse; domestic violence; natural disasters; education; and other worthwhile causes. To further support his vision, KEM launched the “Mack & Third LIVE” event, a large-scale, all-day concert fundraiser and food drive to benefit and recognize Detroit’s homeless citizens. His “Mack & Third LIVE” concert fundraiser and food drive has provided free meals to thousands of homeless individuals.
KEM's enduring legacy is etched in his timeless music, unwavering dedication to philanthropy, and status as a modern music icon. His ability to touch hearts, convey emotions, and resonate deeply with listeners through the universal language of love leaves an indelible mark on the world.
KEM's journey exemplifies the power of resilience, faith, and the healing force of music. From the darkest days of addiction and homelessness to the pinnacle of R&B success, he personifies triumph over adversity.
KEM's story inspires not only through his music but also through his unwavering commitment to making the world a better place, one song and one act of kindness at a time.
Musical History
On February 28, 2002, KEM independently released his first album, KEMISTRY, but it wasn’t an overnight success. Driven more than ever to succeed, the artist sold an impressive 15,000 units, literally out of the trunk of his car. The gravity of his expansive musical works and independent success landed him a meeting with Motown Records, who quickly signed KEM to a five-record deal on November 22, 2002, and re-released his debut breakthrough effort KEMISTRY on the Motown label on February 25, 2003. His first hit, the hypnotic single “Love Calls,” jetted to #1 on the Urban Adult Contemporary chart and continues its reign as one of the most requested songs and is in heavy rotation on R&B radio stations to this day, cementing its stature as an undisputed genre-defining classic.
KEM continued to transform his most private emotions into his songs, nearly cinematic in scope, and his second release, KEM ALBUM II, debuted as Certified Gold with 500,000 in sales in May 2005, later to be Certified Platinum in 2014. His #1 single, “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” was Billboard’s undisputed Top Adult R&B Single of the Year. The CD’s second single, “Find Your Way (Back In My Life)” peaked at #3 on UAC Charts.
His popularity continued to soar as his third project, INTIMACY, debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart in August 2010 and hit #1 on the iTunes Top R&B Albums Chart. The first single, “Why Would You Stay,” spent seven weeks at #1 on UAC Radio charts, and the CD’s second, third and fourth singles, “Share My Life,” “If It’s Love” and “You’re On My Mind,” climbed into the chart’s top five. In 2011, “Why Would You Stay” earned KEM two GRAMMY® nominations – in the ‘Best Male R&B Vocal Performance’ and ‘Best R&B Song’ categories.
KEM’s Christmas album, WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS, was released in October 2012. The CD sold an impressive 76,000 copies, making it the #3 highest-selling Urban Christmas record in one season (third only to Whitney Houston’s ‘One Wish: The Holiday Album’ – 230,000 units sold; and Cee-Lo Green’s ‘Cee-Lo’s Magic Moment’ – 169,000 units).
In October 2013, KEM released his WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS DELUXE album with four bonus tracks, including the hit single, “Jesus,” featuring musical heavyweights Patti LaBelle and Ronald Isley. In December 2013, KEM executive-produced the “KEM & Friends: What Christmas Means Holiday Tour,” a holiday-themed music experience with a storyline narrated by actor/comedian Anthony Anderson that featured KEM & his R&B friends: Patti LaBelle; Ronald Isley and Avery Sunshine. Performances of their hits, as well as Christmas originals & classics, took audiences in six cities on an uplifting holiday journey.
KEM’s fourth studio album, PROMISE TO LOVE, was released in August 2014, debuting at #3 on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart and at #1 on the R&B Albums Chart. PROMISE TO LOVE produced two #1 hit singles (‘It’s You” and “Nobody”), marking the first time KEM had two #1 songs from the same album. KEM received his third career GRAMMY® nomination for “Nobody” (in the ‘Best Traditional R&B Performance’ category), which topped the chart for a total of 10 weeks. The CD also includes guest appearances from superstar rapper Snoop Dogg on “Downtown” and the legendary Ronald Isley on “My Favorite Thing.”
In 2015, KEM toured with Charlie Wilson on his 44-city “Forever Charlie Tour,” followed by headlining his own wildly successful first ever sold out “PROMISE TO LOVE Tour.”
On April 24, 2020, KEM released “Lie To Me,” the first single from his album, LOVE ALWAYS WINS. Four days later, the song quickly began puncturing hearts and became the #1 Most Added at UAC Radio, with 60+ stations added on impact. Two weeks later, “Lie To Me” had risen to #3 on the Mediabase Urban AC chart. The single was #1 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Songs Chart for seven consecutive weeks.
KEM’s LOVE ALWAYS WINS album was released on August 28, 2020 and debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Current R&B Albums Chart. The album includes features from GRAMMY® Award winners Toni Braxton (“Live Out Your Love”), Erica Campbell (“Love Always Wins”) and acclaimed musician Brian Culbertson (“Lonely”). The “Live Out Your Love” duet with Toni Braxton topped Billboard’s Adult R&B Songs airplay chart and garnered critical acclaim, receiving an NAACP Image Awards nomination.
On September 24, 2021, KEM released the LOVE ALWAYS WINS DELUXE album, which includes a remix of “Lie To Me” ft. multi-Platinum, GRAMMY® and Golden Globe-nominated recording artist Wiz Khalifa. The “Lie To Me” Remix video featuring KEM and Wiz Khalifa gained in excess of 10 million combined views.
The Platinum-selling and three-time GRAMMY®-nominated artist was crowned as the Mediabase 2015 Urban Adult Contemporary Artist of the Year. Mediabase also honored KEM’s hit single, “Nobody,” as the 2015 Urban Adult Contemporary Song of the Year. KEM served as a distinguished Board Trustee for the Chicago GRAMMY® Chapter (2016-19).
KEM’s 2022 ‘FULL CIRCLE Tour’ featured Babyface and host Sherri Shepherd. The tour was KEM’s first since 2016 (“PROMISE TO LOVE Tour”), the first time he spent significant time on the road since the pandemic, and since getting married in 2019. The tour was named after his new magnetic and introspective EP, entitled FULL CIRCLE. The aptly titled five-song project was released in July 2022 and is a self-reflection of KEM coming full circle in his life and gives listeners the perfect accompaniment to reflect on the full-circle nature of their lives, relationships, and love – particularly with coming out of the pandemic – through deeply soulful lyrics that telegraph his inner emotions with piercing intensity.
“Stuck On You,” the lead single from his FULL CIRCLE EP, quickly dominated airwaves to become his record-extending eighth #1 hit on the Billboard Adult R&B Airplay Chart. As the song soared up the charts, he notably achieved the record for ‘Most #1’s on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay Chart,’ tying with Maxwell and Charlie Wilson.
In August 2022, KEM released a video for the EP’s second single, “Right On Time,” featuring hip-hop heavyweight, Rick Ross. KEM teamed up with veteran producer Derek ‘DOA’ Allen and legendary, GRAMMY® Award-winning songwriter/producer Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds (co-writer), who produced the slick, head-nodding beat. The sensuous black and white visual follows a young couple’s interplay on the corner of ‘KEMISTRY Avenue’ & ‘BOSS Lane,’ while KEM and Ross’ voices heighten the groove.
In commemoration of his 20 years signed to Motown Records, KEM released his first live album, ANNIVERSARY - THE LIVE ALBUM on Friday, April 7, 2023. Recorded in September 2022 at The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre in Detroit, ANNIVERSARY showcases the musical mastery and captivating live show of of one of the world’s most treasured singer-songwriters. It includes powerful renditions of songs from throughout KEM’s career, including No. 1 hits, “Love Calls,” “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” “Why Would You Stay,” “Nobody,” “Lie To Me” and “Stuck On You” and fan favorites, “My Favorite Thing,” “You’re On My Mind,” “Heaven,” “Share My Life,” and “Find Your Way (Back In My Life).”
Combined, KEM’s eight albums have sold tens of millions of units and have garnered over a billion cumulative streams and video views while continuing to dominate airwaves across the world, cementing his legacy as one of the world’s most important and consistent musical forces. In addition to his singing, songwriting, and musical talents, KEM has to his credit: a career total of four GRAMMY® nominations, eight NAACP Image Awards nominations, two Soul Train Award nominations, and a BET Centric Award nomination. He has had two albums reach #1 on the iTunes R&B Albums Chart, has eight #1 Hit Singles, and has been chosen as a Top 5 Adult R&B Artist of the Year by Billboard Magazine.
KEM continues to be widely coveted and revered as one of modern music’s most distinct and treasured voices. He has stretched the fabric of music, translated human emotion, and pierced hearts through his global entertainment and relationship endeavor, KEMISTRY BRANDS, which serves humanity through the universal and multi-faceted language of love.
