[img:$uid]http://imgur.com/nfnur.png[/img:$uid]

July 2010

Press release:

Notifi Records Chairwoman Ira Dewitt is pleased to announce the signing of R&B legend Johnny Gill to her 3-year-old, St. Louis-based label.

Gill is set to release his first CD in over 16 years in 2011. Gill joins Ginuwine, the first gentleman of Notifi, who is in the studio recording his second CD for the label. Both CDs will be distributed as part of Notifi’s new distribution pact with Ron Spaulding’s Fontana Universal.

“I’m honored and excited about our new association with Johnny Gill. I’ve always been a great admirer of his work going back to his days with Stacy Lattisaw, New Edition and LSG. I’m thrilled to be able to work with him as he continues the journey he started as a solo star 16 years ago. The time is long overdue for the world to reconnect with one of the greatest R&B voices of all times,” said Dewitt.

Gill is already ensconced in a Los Angeles studio finishing up his Notifi Records debut with some of the top producers working today.

Having begun his rise to R&B sainthood as a pre-teen performing with teen idol Stacy Lattisaw, Gill enjoyed tremendous success as part of seminal R&B boy band New Edition replacing Bobby Brown. With Gill as its leader, the group developed a more mature mainstream sound with hits like “Can You Stand The Rain,” “N.E. Heartbreak” and the Gill-lead “Boys To Men.” Gill became a huge solo star in 1990 with the release of Johnny Gill, which spawned classic chart toppers “My, My, My,” “Rub You The Right Way” and “Fairweather Friend.” Gill went on to do several more records and massive tours as part of New Edition.

Gill also joined up with fellow R&B crooners Keith Sweat and Gerald Levert for LSG. Together they produced two multi-platinum CDs, Levert-Sweat-Gill and LSG2. Recently Gill has been a popular fixture as a live performer and on stage.

http://www.financialpost.com/markets/news/Notifi+Records+Signs+Johnny+Gill+First+Years/3270370/story.html#ixzz0uFGF1cuI

^

Fontana Universal isn't a label. It's an indie label distribution company. Giniwine's A Man's Thoughts was released last year on Notifi Records.

[Edited 7/20/10 11:27am]

Umm Gill was never NE's leader. He might was hired with that idea in mind, and sure as hell should had been, but it didn't happen that way.

[Edited 7/20/10 12:10pm]

I'm happy for Johnny. He deserve more success than he has achieved. He is a great singer, but I don't think he was always able to get the right material with his solo work (after his Motown debut).

daPrettyman said:

I'm happy for Johnny. He deserve more success than he has achieved. He is a great singer, but I don't think he was always able to get the right material with his solo work (after his Motown debut).

missfee said:

Umm Gill was never NE's leader. He might was hired with that idea in mind, and sure as hell should had been, but it didn't happen that way.

[Edited 7/20/10 12:10pm]

So true. I don't understand how people say that NE really had a lead. Ralph, Ricky and Bobby (then Johnny) always traded vocals. Ralph may have sang more principle parts, but most of them traded out parts.

Could you guys please post this in the NE/NKOTB thread?

JabarR74 said:

Could you guys please post this in the NE/NKOTB thread?

This is not an NE thread. It's about Johnny getting a record deal.

JabarR74 said:

Could you guys please post this in the NE/NKOTB thread?

Ummmmm NO.

daPrettyman said:

JabarR74 said:

Could you guys please post this in the NE/NKOTB thread?

This is not an NE thread. It's about Johnny getting a record deal.

That's why I asked ya'll to post it here:

http://prince.org/msg/8/340099

How long has Johnny had a solo career? Since like '82?

Timmy84 said:

How long has Johnny had a solo career? Since like '82?

Just as long...or longer than NE.

daPrettyman said:

Timmy84 said:

How long has Johnny had a solo career? Since like '82?

Just as long...or longer than NE.

JG = 1982

NE = 1983

Yeah lol

Cool. R&B could use some more soul like JG

Never knew there was a video for this song.

phunkdaddy said:

Cool. R&B could use some more soul like JG

Never knew there was a video for this song.

That was a crazy seductress.

Cinnie said:

Man it looks like he is staying the most active out of NE.

Johnny has the most talent out of the whole bunch. He also had a solo career before NE, so this makes sense.

He's blah in my book. Great voice that is stuck on overkill and as fine as the brotha is, he just can't pull off sexy IMHO.

sosgemini said:

He's blah in my book. Great voice that is stuck on overkill and as fine as the brotha is, he just can't pull off sexy IMHO.

Love his voice, not to fond of the material he's been singing if that makes sense. And the reason he can't pull off sexy is because... well.. obviousl reasons... plus I will always and forever think of his funky "dancing" in the Rub You The Right Way" video. I don't know WHO told him to dance in that video... they told him WRONG.