Joe Thomas

Joe Lewis Thomas (born on July 5, 1973 in Columbus, Georgia), is a popular African-American R&B singer and record producer. He is ususally credited simply as Joe.

Biography

Early life and career

Joe Thomas was born the son of two preachers. The Thomas family moved to Opelika, Alabama when he was two and he grew up as an active member of the church including singing in the choir, playing guitar and eventually directing the choir.

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In the late 1980s, he started playing in local bands in Alabama after his graduation to high school. He travelled to New York City to pursue a musical career. While working in a gospel music store and singing in the church, Joe met producer Vincent Herbert and recorded a three-track demo tape.

Related Topics:
Alabama - New York City - Gospel music - Vincent Herbert

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Having signed with Polygram Records, Joe released his debut album Everything in 1993. Everything reached a peak of #105 on the Billboard 200 album chart and #16 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop album chart. It spawned a number of hit singles, including the #10 R&B hit "I'm in Luv", * "All or Nothing", and "The One for Me". Joe also had a track on the soundtrack to the film Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood.

Related Topics:
Polygram Records - Billboard 200 - Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood

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Success

Joe signed to Jive Records for his 1997 album, All That I Am. This proved to be his breakthrough album, reaching #13 on the Billboard 200 album charts and number 4 on the r&b charts. The hit singles from this album included the Top 5 R&B/Top 20 pop hit "All the Things (Your Man Won't Do)", the Top 5 R&B/Top 40 pop hit "Don't Wanna Be a Player", produced by Rodney Jerkins, and "The Love Scene". "Don't Wanna Be a Player", produced by Rodney Jerkins, was also featured on the Booty Call soundtrack, helping its success. All That I Am eventually went plantinum in the US. Joe remixed a duet by Barry White and Tina Turner called "Never in Your Dreams" and wrote and produced debut albums by Ideal and Deja Groove in the late 1990s. Joe also sang on the remix of Big Punisher's "Still Not a Player", which interpolated Joe's "Don't Wanna Be a Player".

Related Topics:
Jive Records - Rodney Jerkins - Booty Call - Barry White - Tina Turner - Ideal - Deja Groove - Big Punisher

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Joe appeared on the track "Thank God I Found You" with Mariah Carey which appeared on her Rainbow album. This song was released as the second single and became a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. This track also became a hit internationally, helping to raise Joe's profile in other parts of the world.

Related Topics:
Thank God I Found You - Mariah Carey - Rainbow - Billboard Hot 100

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My Name Is Joe - 2000 onwards

Joe released his fourth album My Name is Joe in 2000 which became his most successful album, reaching the top of the r&b album charts and #2 on the Billboard 200 and eventually selling three million copies. This album was also his first to make an impression outside the US. It featured as its lead single the Top 5 R&B and pop hit "I Wanna Know", which also reached the top 40 in the UK and Australia. The follow-up single, the Teddy Riley-produced "Stutter", was #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and r&b charts, and Top 10 in the UK and top 20 in Australia. Mystikal appeared on the remix of the single, which sampled The Pharcyde's 1995 hit "Passin' Me By".

Related Topics:
2000 - UK - Australia - Teddy Riley - Mystikal - The Pharcyde - 1995

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The Better Days album was released in 2001, reaching #32 on the Billboard 200 and #4 on the r&b chart. It featured two singles, "Lets Stay Home Tonight", which reached #18 on the US r&b chart, and "Treat Her Like a Lady".

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Joe recruited high profile guests for the And Then ... album released in late 2003. R. Kelly features on the track "More and More" while G-Unit features on "Ride Wit U". Joe has returned the favour to the G-Unit by appearing on their first album. The singles from the And Then ... album included the Top 20 R&B hit "More and More", "Ride Wit You", and "Priceless". Aa double a/sided single "More and More" and "Ride Wit You" made the Australian top 40 in July 2004. And Then ... reached #26 on the US album charts and #4 on the r&b charts. Joe has new song called Get To Know Me Featuring Nas(Produced By Tim And Bob).It could is first single off his upcoming album.

Related Topics:
2003 - R. Kelly - G-Unit - July - 2004

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