CeCe Peniston
Encyclopedia
CeCe Peniston
is an African American
recording artist and former beauty queen. At the beginning of the nineties, she was considered to be one of the most successful dance club artists in the history of the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play, scoring five major number one hits in the chart within three years. Her signature song “Finally” (#5 in the Hot 100 and #2 in UK Top 75) became one of the biggest dance singles, selling three million copies worldwide.
Among those who personally requested Peniston at private engagements are Aretha Franklin
at her private birthday party in Detroit, Michigan
, the Pope John Paul II
in Rome at the Vatican
(as a member of the gospel band Sisters of Glory
) and the 42nd President of the United States
, Bill Clinton
, during both of his inauguration ceremonies in Washington, D.C.
After the abolition of apartheid, she became the first female entertainer ever to visit and perform in South Africa
(before incorrectly denoted Whitney Houston
).
On February 4, 2011, Peniston signed a record deal with West Swagg Music Group
/Bungalo Records
, with full distribution through Universal Music Group Distribution, and declared to release a new solo album after fifteen years since her last studio set (I'm Movin' On
from 1996 on A&M Records
) was recorded. Its pilot single, "Stoopid!
" was issued on April 26.
, in United States
, but she would spend the majority of her formative years in Phoenix, Arizona
, where she was raised since the age of nine. As a daughter of an ex-military father, Ronald Peniston (born 1934, married Barbara Anne in 1960), she started singing at church and doing plays and musicals such as H.M.S. Pinafore
in the 6th grade. She participated in local karaoke contests and singing talent shows, while taking piano lessons.
She attended Trevor G. Browne High School
, class of 1987, in Phoenix, and landed a part in a local theater group’s production of Bubblin' Brown Sugar, (playing the young Sweet Georgia Brown
). After earning her diploma, she would continue to study liberal arts at the Phoenix College
where she got involved in athletics, and took entering beauty pageants. She was crowned Miss Black Arizona in 1989 and, eventually, Miss Galaxy in 1990.
Peniston began writing pop lyrics already at school. The words of her international hit "Finally" were purportedly penned during a chemistry class, while thinking about dating in college.
, her friend and a record producer based also in Phoenix, asked Peniston to record back-up vocals for Tonya Davis, a black female rapper known after her childhood nickname as Overweight Pooch
.
Davis, headed in a direction of a "new" Monie Love
, was searching for a singer to add vocals to the title track of her album Female Preacher
, which was to be released on A&M Records
that summer. She would remember meeting at a talent show a woman named Malaika LeRae Sallard
, but when it came time to get Sallard into the studio, the rapper found she'd lost her future label mate's number. When Delgado, who'd preferred Peniston instead, brought his favorite in to do background part, the response from everyone would be immediate, but would not move the Pooch to invite Peniston back for more vocals – unless she was successful to locate Sallard.
Later on, as it became clear that the singer was leaping from the Overweight Pooch's album to the top of the charts, rumor had it the Pooch was stewing over Peniston's using Female Preacher as her springboard. Tonya Davis, pregnant at the time of recording her album, would swear though, she harbored no Peniston envy. "There's no jealousy, because she has a voice. I gave her the chance, but I didn't give her a voice," the rapper insisted for Phoenix New Times
in July 1992, and Peniston, interviewed by the same newspaper in the meantime, reacted by her own words. "I feel like anything's possible and I know one thing. If I wasn't at this spot, I still would be achieving to get to this spot." Ironically enough, Sallard would eventually throw in a few back-up vocals for Peniston on a song with a significant title, "You Win, I Win, We Lose", while Peniston, who in return played an agent to get a record deal also for Malaika (whose album Sugar Time scored in 1993 two Top 5 hits on the US Dance chart, including the No.1 single "Gotta Know (Your Name)
") would mention the Pooch's name on her own debut album in addition, leaving Davis a note saying "thanks for letting me be a part of Female Preacher.
Besides the Peniston's vocal performance on three tracks in total, of which "I Like It" would be released as a single with a moderate success (at #16 in US Dance and #58 in UK Top 75 the following January), she was eventually given also a credit for co-writing two of those, "Kickin’ Da Blues" and the title's, "Female Preacher". But the Overweight Pooch’s album flopped on the market, and A&M was the first major label for Delgado himself, who was facing contractual disputes with the record company. After Manny Lehman
(a former DJ, then A&M Art Director
and one of the executive producer
s of Female Preacher) also noticed the powerful voice of a still back-up vocalist, he would offer Delgado a second chance, and commissioned him to produce a track for Peniston herself as a solo artist. Not looking to lose his major deal connections, Delgado called on a hometown friend and music producer too, Rodney K. Jackson (they two met through mutual friends in Arizona), who was brought then to A&M family to help co-produce the Peniston’s single, which was soon to be recognized as “Finally”.
Despite an initial label's resistance to sign Peniston to more than a one-off single deal, the “Finally” session would after the final approval of A&M's Vice President
, Mark Mazzetti, result in recording her own debut album, and discovering the Peniston's legend that established her as one of the paramount artists of the early 90's.
After her first song climbed the international charts, Peniston was headed into the studio to record a full length album. However, she "had two months to pull the whole album together" and "didn’t realize the impact the record was having until it reached the top five". She also described how difficult it was to begin her career at such an extreme pace, but the result was a solidly produced ten track collection entitled Finally
, issued in January of the following year.
Both, the single and album entered the US Hot 100
, as well as the UK Top 75 chart (at No.#5 and No.#2 for single, respectively at No.#70 and at No.#10 for album release), and ultimately earned Peniston a gold, or silver certification in both countries. By the end of 1992 her debut (in Europe re-released in 1997 with a bonus remix "Finally '97") sold over 540,000 in United States.
"We Got a Love Thang
", the second single (co-written by Chantay Savage
), with a videoclip in heavy rotation on TV music channels skyrocketed to No.#1 in the US Dance chart in February (No.#20 in the Hot 100), and in England (where "Finally" would skip to No.#2 eventually) "We Got a Love Thang" peaked at No.#6. Might the only controversional question regarding the title remains who'd provided backgroung vocals on the record. While on her album Finally Darnnel Rush
was credited, on its single release the name of Kym Sims
(who was a co-writer of "Keep On Walkin'
") appeared as one of back-up vocalists actually.
With another hit record on the charts, the singer began a year of touring clubs and small theaters in the USA in support of her album. Her travels would start with a series of shows in Philippines, Japan, Great Britain, Germany, Spain, and Italy, and after her return back to the States, Peniston would continue with such R&B acts as Joe Public, the Cover Girls, R. Kelly
or Levert
.
While on tour, "Keep On Walkin'", a hip-hop swinging composition, joined the list of Peniston's three consecutively running hits, bringing the singer in June her third No.1 in the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart (No.#15 in the Hot 100), and another Top 10 hit in UK. Later in August, that would be also her highest outing in the US R&B
chart, scoring at No.#3.
On October 17, Billboard
magazine announced that Peniston was the leading nominee in the Billboard Music Awards, being nominated in four categories. Three times in the dance category with "Finally" (Best New Artist, Best Female Artist and Best Director), and one in the R&B/Rap category (Best Female Artist) for her urban hit Keep On Walkin'. Ultimately the song won two awards, and three of her singles released in 1992 would be listed also within the Top 100 songs of the Billboard Year-End
chart (at No.#20 with "Finally", at No.#61 with "Keep On Walkin'", and at No.#97 with "We Got a Love Thang"). In UK Peniston would be listed as the 20th of Top Selling Singles Artists in 1992.
Additional songs taken from album Finally achieved the Top 40 status at least on the Hip-Hop/R&B field. The grieving lyrics of her percolating ballad "Inside That I Cried
", co-written by the Peniston's then-husband, Malik Byrd (who appeared also in its video), and produced in conjunction with Anita Baker
's cohort, Steve Lindsey, peaked at No.#10 in the US R&B (No.#94 in the Hot 100 and No.#42 in UK Top 75). The fifth single, a midtempo, "Crazy Love
", climbed to No.#31 (No.#97 in the Hot 100 and No.#44 in UK).
By the end of the year, the singer would receive several awards for her achievements in the music industry for 1992. Among them, one Billboard Music Award
(as Best New Artist – Dance, the second went to the video director Claude Borenzweig), three ASCAP Awards (for Song of The Year, Most Performed Song of The Year, and Pop Songwriter of The Year), another three awards (as Best New Dance Artist, Best Dance Solo Artist, and for Best 12" Dance Record) at the Annual Winter Music Conference
, and the BMI Urban Award of Achievement
. The album itself was nominated on a Soul Train Music Award '93
in the Best R&B/Soul Album – Female
category.
), of which, however, none would be chosen for a single release. This time around, Peniston co-authorized three of thirteen tracks ("Whatever It Is", "Give What I’m Givin" and "Maybe It's The Way", a ballad about her father), and along with Manny Lehman and Damon Jones, who would become the singer's manager, she was also credited as an executive producer of her scheduled album release, Thought 'Ya Knew
. Apart from others, also fellow Ohio-born singer Norma Jean Wright
joined the session.
After a certain level of hesitation over the first single, "I'm in the Mood
" (originally produced by Soulshock & Karlin
) was picked to be the final leader—though as support for "Searchin'
", which would be separately delivered on vinyl only to DJs. "I'm in the Mood" did well by itself, and with a video accompanied by a hip-hop remix from M-Doc
& Jere M.C. (better known as In Da Soul) the title was on singles reproduced by David Morales
for the dance floor. The song spawned Peniston's forth No. 1 (dethroning from the top of the US Dance chart Aretha Franklin
's "A Deeper Love") and peaked at No. 16 in UK (#32 in the Hot 100).
On January 25, 1994, the album Thought 'Ya Knew, which was to represent the singer's musical zenith at that time, arrived on all available formats, including digital compact cassette
s. However, as the record promptly entered the music charts, it was soon to be evident Thought 'Ya Knew was not enjoying the high-profile success of her previous set Finally. After its progress had stalled in the Billboard 200
at No. 96, Thought 'Ya Knew climbed to No. 31 in UK, but the album would chart for only two short weeks in England.
Not certain about the second single either, "Keep Givin' Me Your Love
" was accepted to become the British follow-up. But the track, remixed by Eddie Gordon
's West End production team, had no supporting music video, and after peaking at No. 36 in April in UK, an alternative title ("I'm Not Over You
") was chosen for the US market as the second cut from the Thought 'Ya Knew album.
"I'm Not Over You" (written by Steve Hurley, Jamie Principle
, and M-Doc) might have missed the highest position of the US Dance chart, but only by about one point (at No. 2), and the single would be later classified in the overall Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart as the ninth most successful track of 1994 (leaving "I'm in the Mood
" far behind, at #44). However, although the song had sealed the Top 10 of the US R&B chart, it did not succeed in the Hot 100 that much, failing to crack Top 40 (No.# 41). Considering that expectations of A&M Records company must have been bigger than a club play sale of the singer's singles, "I'm Not Over You" was released in UK only on B-side of the "Hit by Love
" release.
"Hit by Love" was to be the third song taken from the album. As with her previous releases, the song (with additional remixes by David Morales) became Peniston's next US Dance hit in a line of her No. 1s, but while on the top of the chart "Hit by Love" would stay for another week, the single stuck at No.# 33 in the UK Top 75, as well as on the bottom positions of the American Hot 100 chart (at No.# 90).
Along with "Hit by Love" in the charts, A&M issued a rare compilation, Remix Collection, in Japan with nine alternate versions of her songs previously available only on vinyl, which tracked Peniston's music career since the "Keep On Walkin'" release. A similar remixed collection, however, consisted of only two singles ("Finally" and "We Got a Love Thang") was earlier issued in Japan as a remix EP
album under the title Finally/We Got a Love Thang: Remix Collection
featuring overall eight remixed versions.
At the end of the year Peniston was named the No. 1 Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play Artist, summarizing all her songs released in 1994 ("I'm Not Over You" #9, "Hit by Love" #24, and I'm in the Mood" #44). While A&M would be listed as the sixth best dance label in the Billboard Year-End chart, the singer was also rated as the 5th Top R&B Singles Female Artist (behind Janet Jackson
, Tony Braxton, Aaliyah
and Mariah Carey
).
In addition, a remix of "Keep Givin' Me Your Love" was popularized on the original motion picture soundtrack of the Prêt-à-Porter (Ready To Wear) film, and released in the U.S. after a one-year delay, scoring No. 4 in the US Dance charts in March 1995. "Keep Givin' Me Your Love" became Peniston's first song not to enter the Hot 100 chart (No.#101), possibly as the result of appearing as a B-side on her previous release, and sharing its sales with the single "Hit by Love".
The Sisters of Glory
Between releases, Peniston made a jazzy cameo "Don't Forget the Love" with words and music by a Grammy Award
-nominated composer, Jeff Lorber
, and Eric Benet
(also a later Grammy Award nominee) for his album West Side Stories
. The title of the Lorber's album was his response to residing the West Side of L.A.
(not his adaptation of songs from the Broadway musical
or West Side Story
film), and after its issue in November 1994, the studio record peaked at No.#5 in the Billboard's list of Top Contemporary Jazz albums.
As a member of the gospel quintet called The Sisters of Glory
, which included Thelma Houston
, Phoebe Snow
, Lois Walden, Albertina Walker
, and herself, Peniston would also record a spiritual album, Good News in Hard Times, that featured two solo traditionals ("How I Got Over
" and "Precious Memories") performed by the singer, four standards with her solo part ("Rough Side of the Mountain", "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
", "I Won't Be Back No More" and "Oh Happy Day
"), as well as her chorus vocals on additional nine tracks. Good News in Hard Times (produced by Jennifer Cohen and Lois Walden) was released in August 1995 on Warner Bros
, and the album brought Peniston an entry also in the Billboard Top Gospel Albums list, where it reached in October No.#29, remaining in the chart for 6 weeks.
posted information that singer was putting the finishing touches to her new studio album, I'm Movin' On
, slated for its release in May. Judging from the magazine’s earlier preview of several cuts, the Billboard published that Peniston was about to explore more mature jeep-soul fare a la Faith Evans
, and that she has never sounded so assured and convincingly soulful. Though, I'm Movin' On with a noticeably slimmed-down Peniston adorning its cover would not be out before September, a similarly sleek sound marked its title single delivered to the radio stations on July 17, while hitting music stores one week later.
"Movin' On
", the song considered as the strongest track to reach core R&B listeners with potential across several genres, was produced by Dave "Jam" Hall
, the hit maker behind Mariah Carey
's "Dreamlover", whose earlier work included also the Madonna
's Bedtime Stories
album. The song cracked the Top 40 on the US R&B/Hip Hop at No.#29, but failed to show up in the UK chart, while scoring at weak No.#83 in the Hot 100.
On September 9, I'm Movin' On, the record with evident absence of her ever dependable club workouts finally arrived. Peniston contributed to the set with three songs she co-wrote (except the title's track, the ballad "The Last To Know" and a club potential, "Don't Know What To Do", that would not be promoted). After peaking at No.#48 on the US R&B, the album passed by the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart, and soon largely felt victim to mismarketing.
Despite insistence from the Peniston's management to release "Somebody Else's Guy
" as a follow-up, A&M label preferred an alternate composition, "Before I Lay
", which featured the singer’s then-beau JoJo Hailey (of K-Ci and JoJo
) who was supposed to help establish Peniston as an R&B artist. But the duet reached its top in the US R&B already at No.#52, with no entry in the Hot 100 chart (No.#121) or in England.
However, Peniston herself seemed to be not worried about losing her audience, when interviewed at the time of I'm Movin' On release by Billboard: "When you're first coming out as an artist, many times label executives have their own vision for you. But as you move forward, it's only fair that you begin determining your own direction. People will make the change with you as long as you’re honest about your craft and display a comfort for what it is that you’re doing," two years later the singer would actually confirm her doubts, after questioned by the magazine: "I can speak about this firsthand, believe me. Sometimes doing what you feel isn’t always accepted by the public. You’ve got to choose where you want to go and be consistent," (said by the artist at the 5th annual Billboard Dance Music Summit that urged members of the dance music community to work together toward greater credibility, visibility and sales for the genre, held July 8–10 in 1998).
After only two singles released from her R&B set, A&M did not decide to select a song that would cater to another music format, and capitulated to progress with I'm Movin' On album that Peniston would promote also during the Bill Clinton
's election campaign, on which she performed several track from the set. Clinton would comment her performance on November 4, 1996 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
, mentioning: "I want to thank CeCe Peniston for singing so beautifully."
Following her dismissal, Peniston took playing as Glinda the Good Witch in a theatrical production of musical play The Wiz
. The staged concert was opened at Oakland's Paramount Theatre for a five-day run on June 11, 1997, and besides herself, Grace Jones
and Peabo Bryson
appeared to act.
In September, A&M re-released the single "Finally" that successfully entered the UK Top 75 back again (No.#26), and in addition also her debut album on CD enhanced with the new remix, Finally (Classic Funk Radio Mix), both re-issued only in the overseas.
In February 1998, a David Morales' remix of "Somebody Else's Guy", originally popularized by Jocelyn Brown
and recorded for the album I'm Movin' On, became a surprising hit in Europe, where it reached No.#13 in the UK Top 75 (as her last entry to date in England), as well as in April No.#26 in Japan, after being picked to promote the singer’s import greatest hits collection simply entitled The Best of CeCe Peniston
. The black and white photographs for its booklet were done by Daniela Federici, whose art work was noticed already on I'm Movin' On release, and later also on album and single covers of other female recording artists, such as Céline Dion
, Toni Braxton
, or Pink
.
After her departure from A&M Peniston contributed with two songs to the MC Magic
's compilation of various Phoenix-based artists called Desert Funk: Soundtrack
that was issued on Nastyboy Records. The first title, "I Know You Want Me
", was a hip-hop duet recorded in common with Nastyboy Klick (#109 on the US R&B), while the second, a Latino hip-hop ballad, "When I'm with You" was her own solo track also produced by Marcus Cardenas
.
", a gospel-infused sirene and her debut on the producer's label, saw its official release in 1998. However apart from the Billboard, the inlay details of "Nobody Else" would also inform her fan base a studio album with the same title was due that fall, this information seemed to be rather optional than reality that followed the artist's future, while had being signed to the Silk Entertainment company.
To make things surrounding her potential comeback even worst, ferocious house groove "Nobody Else", which was premiered at the 5th Annual Billboard Dance Music Summit on the stage at the Green Dolphin Street
, failed to enter the music charts, despite favorable reviews of the Billboard that rated the song "among the artist's strongest recordings", "a sure to-thrill die hards," and as "a triumphant return to clubland" commenting in addition her summit live performance.
In 1999, "He Loves Me 2", co-written by M-Doc
(known for a remix production for such major artists as Madonna
, Janet Jackson
or Keitha Sweat) to whom singer would return his favor providing background vocals on "Keep It Real", a song recorded for his own album Young, Black, Rich and Famous
, might seemed to bring more competitive results than her previous endeavor, reaching No.#24 on the Hot Dance Club Play.
But the Peniston's next single “My Boo
” with then already Grammy Award-nominee
Hurley (apart from other five remixes for another artists, also for his own 'Silk's 12" Mix' of "He Loves Me 2", eventually lost in favor of Peter Rauhofer
alias Club 69, who became the Remixer of the Year, Non-Classical, in 2000) happened to become disappointing again for both actually, and the last act distributed through the producer's record company. The song contained a sample of "The Bottle" by Gil Scott-Heron
, one of the most important progenitors of rap music, at that time imprisoned for one to three years following series of drug possession charges.
While looking for alternative options for the cancelled production of her album, Peniston decided to make a step back and record a cover version of "Lifetime to Love
", written by Steven Nikolas and Brendon Sibley, for her ex-major label producer and the Manny Lehman's compilation Circuit Sessions 00.1
. The composition would almost revive the singer's No.1 status in February 2001, returning the singer back into the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play list, and delivering her a Top 3 entry also in the millennium (No.#2). Although, the song was at the end of the year classified as the 30th most successful US Dance track of 2001, it did not enter the official Hot 100 chart.
The digital version of "Lifetime to Love" was to be offered, along with photos and other information regarding the singer, for free of charge download via Napster
, an online music file sharing service. Timing prevented the deal's followthrough in, unfortunately, and singer would leave 4 Play label afterwards.
"Reminiscin"
Following the millennium Peniston, not longer part of the mainstream that brought her success in the early '90s, would spend the first decade by supporting numerous recording artists of various musical styles and influences who would keep her in music industry and in the eye of public mostly as a guest, but prominent vocalist.
In 2001, she collaborated with Ella Mae Saison, a singer from Philippines, on a common track. The duet partially mixed in France, and partially in N.Y.C., was sponsored by a multiple world champion boxer, Evander Holyfield
, and released on his record label, named after his nickname Real Deal
in April. After its slow start, while being classified as the Billboard Hot Dance Breakout No.#1 for Maxi-Singles Sales
category, the song hit No.#30 in US Dance chart eventually on August 18, under title "Reminiscin" and with Peniston being credited as a featuring artist.
The singer would later comment her recording with Saison as follows: "I had the pleasure of working with a very talented and inspiring artist by the name of Saison. Last January 2001, we collaborated on a duet, Reminiscin. I was fortunate to witness the warmth of a beautiful personality and the great talent of a rising star. I hope the world will be allowed to share in this experience too."
"For My Baby" and Colour of My Soul
Accompanied by a line-up of seven other female vocalists coming from both sides of the Atlantic, diva herself joined Rob Derbyshire
and Paul 'Solomon' Mullings
, the Birmingham
’s R&B production duo known as Full Flava
, to record lead vocals for their album Colour of My Soul
. The modern soul set was to be made in England, released on Dôme Records
in 2003, and one of the compositions performed by Peniston, "For My Baby", was later given also a treatment for the dance floor with stand-out house mixes from Dave "Leggz" Longmore
and Sam Junior Bromfield known as Ruff ’N’ Tumble, and the Midlands
duo KT & C.
"For My Baby" did not succeed on the music charts, however Ruf N Tumble's dance remixes of the song were based on a sample of the Delegation
hit single "Heartache No. 9" (that scored at number fifty-seven in US Dance in 1980). Her second solo number on the Full Flava's compilation Colour of My Soul was entitled "I Think about Him", and it was a mid-tempo that Peniston co-wrote with Derbyshire and Mullings.
"Eternal Lover"
Her next steps afterwards led to Better Days Studios in Paris where, for a change, singer was supposed to work with a French producer, Fréderic Tharreau alias BIBI, on exclusively import single "Eternal Lover
". In addition to being released in France on RLPMix Records, the song was also issued in Australia and New Zealand on the domestic premier dance label, Vinyl Pusher Records, in 2004.
Gimme the Mike! and Hit Me, Baby, One More Time
Back to the States on the 2nd of June 2005, Peniston appeared on the NBC
network as a contestant of the summer's TV reality show
Hit Me Baby One More Time
.
During each program five former pop stars would sing their biggest hit plus a cover version of one contemporary hit, and every week the winner, picked by the studio audience, would get a donation of $20,000 in their name to a charity of free choice. Peniston competed on the show performing “Finally” plus a Faith Hill
's song, "There You'll Be
", in favor of a hip-hop group, Arrested Development (the final winner of the program that night). When two years later asked, while being interviewed by the Say What News online magazine, the singer would not confirm to record "There You'll Be" also in the studio.
Pastor Jones and Don't Touch if You Ain't Prayed
In the first half of 2005, the singer wrapped up shooting an independent film called Don't Touch if You Ain't Prayed. Her character was a forty year old Christian woman saving herself for marriage, and the film featured gospel music performed by herself. In addition, Peniston would take a small part in another urban Gospel film appealing to Christian market, Pastor Jones.
On September 19, 2005, Peniston was invited to appear at Manhattan Center
, Grand Ballroom, NYC, to be present at the 2nd Annual Dance Music Hall of Fame
Induction Ceremony, along with Wanda Dee
(of KLF), Nile Rodgers
, Freddie Jackson
, and Kathy Sledge
. The Dance Music Hall of Fame, created by veteran John Parker in 2003, was supposed to recognize the contributions of those, who have had a significant impact on the evolution and development of dance music, and celebrate the history and significance of the genre. An awards ceremony announcing the inductees in the event would take place annually at a formal dinner event in New York, but due to financial differences among the Board members, the Dance Music Hall of Fame ceased operations after its second ceremony (in 2005).
"Deeper Love"
The singer's following music project was a common duet with David Longoria
, a trumpet player whose work was previously noticed on records of for example Sting or George Michael
. The union would show up to be successful, when a composition combining jazz and dance music, "Deeper Love", written by Longoria, after six weeks on the chart climbed to No.#14 in the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play (on November 19), returning the singer lost dance chart positions since another duet number ("Reminiscin") from 2001. The single was released with the copywright owned by Del Oro Music, and included eleven remixes from Junior Vasquez
, Ryan Humphries, L.E.X., and Richard Earnshaw. According to the David Longoria's official web-site, the newest radio version of "Deeper Love 2010" is directed at Rhythmic Radio and to be issued in the fall of 2010.
"You Are the Universe" and Music Is Our Way of Life
Interviewed by 5 Chicago magazine in June 2006, singer would state that she was, "working on another album," with George Jackson
(a former manager of the Silk Entertainment label), Tre
, and Ron Carroll
, and expressed her wish to work with Steve Hurley as well back again. She would even go further then, and calculated to be done "within the next three or four months" with her studio record.
Instead, Peniston co-wrote with Jackson single "It’s Alright" for RaShaan Houston, and took part in another proto-D’vas project, produced by Full Flava, to which she contributed with a Brand New Heavies
's hit from 1997 (No.#21 in UK), "You Are the Universe". Her cover version was attached to the Full Flava’s retro album, Music Is Our Way of Life
, which reconstructed eleven dancefloor classics in total, and the compilation was released on Dôme. The Peniston’s track would be remixed by a Japanese producer, DJ Hasebe, to be featured in his disco medley entitled after the song, and for the purpose of a limited edition single available only in Japan on vinyl.
"EP Live" and Divas of Disco
On April 25 in 2007, her icon stood on the stage of Avalon, Hollywood on the occasion of a five star concert Divas of Disco: Live, which included Thelma Houston
, Linda Clifford
, A Taste of Honey
, France Joli
and herself. Each diva performed overall three songs as a solo artist, while Peniston was the main star closing the night. Her performances of "Keep On Walkin'", the Donna Summer
's cover version of "Last Dance
", and "Finally" would be released as a digital live EP
on One Media Publishing the following year. The whole concert entitled Divas of Disco was available in Europe on DVD on ZYX Music
in 2008, as well as on CD in 2010, while in U.S. only its DVD release followed (on RSM Records in 2009).
"I'm Feelin' U"
In 2007, Peniston teamed up with US house DJ Ron Carroll
for a funky bomb, "I'm Feelin' U
", which was released in May on the Soulfuric Recordings
label. The song caught an attention in the European clublands (No.#2 in the DJ House chart) The four track single included also additional mixes from a French, DJ Fudge, and Brian Tappert
, but as with her previous Japanese release ("You Are the Universe"), "I'm Feelin' U" was available for sale exclusively on vinyl, or as a digital single to be directly downloaded.
"Shame Shame Shame"
The singer's following promotional single, "Shame Shame Shame" released in UK in June 2007 was co-written by Matt
and Warren Meyers
, and Kelly Mueller
, better recognized as Soulshaker
(alias The Soul Shakers). The British music producers' team produced for Peniston a catchy composition, which would by the end of the year achieve several No.#1 statuses within specialized UK magazine charts (including No.#1 Music Week Pop Tip Chart, No.#1 Music Week Club Chart, and No.#1 DJ Mag Hype Chart). While in England Shame Shame Shame" was issued on the AATW
label, in the States the title was released on Trackworks Records in several promo editions.
On August 26, 2007, one year after her interview for 5 Chicago Mag, the singer would mention again her plans regarding a new album project also for Say What News, however she would not go further this time. When asked, with whom from the industry she would like to once collaborate, she named the winner of twenty-two Grammy Awards, Stevie Wonder
.
"Still I"
Originally, the potential release of an R&B song after a lengthy absence, "Still I
", was to be cancelled, but the final record actually leaked out after Rodney K. Jackson, one of the producers, allowed the Adrenaline Music company to distribute the song.
Behind the song's production would be soon recognized the singer's former folks from Arizona, Felipe Delgado
and Jackson (both in charge of her initial hit, “Finally”, from 1991) who reunited in 2005 to form a new production crew, collectively known as SandWorx, altogether with Nick "Cello" Valentine (which joined them in the spring of the following year). Though Peniston herself, who supported the trio by performing live in the Next In club in Scottsdale, Arizona
, did not consider the record as a strong enough to be offered for sale, "Still I" was eventually released as a four track virtual single in September 2007, and the session that was supposed to rejoin the former producers with the singer ended up with an apparent contradiction. The rest of to date unreleased recordings are songs entitled "Wonder Woman", "Next to Me" and "Right Here".
"Above Horizons"
However, the year of 2008 would also pass with no significant news regarding her new solo studio project, the following June Peniston released "Above Horizons
", a national PTA
anthem as a tribute to the families, teachers and communities who help children reach their dreams through the PTA, Parent Teacher Association, which resulted from her role being a National Ambassador of the US largest volunteer child advocacy organization. The ballad was written by Byron V. Garrett, Peniston, Erric Carrington, Essej and Marcus L. Barnum, and the CD promo release, issued on National PTA Recordings, included overall four versions. Among others, also two mixes from a Detroit house music producer and DJ, Aaron-Carl Ragland
, who would list one of the singer's compositions ("Nobody Else" from 1998) as one of his musical influences.
On June 17, 2009, Chicago Defender interviewed the artist, who would declare that after over a decade she was about to finish recording her comeback album. Although, she did not concrete its release date, Peniston revealed that she was working with such likes as Track Kingz West, Vudu, Status ("Above Horizons"), David Givens, Montell Jordan
(on their common duet "He Say, She Say"), Mateo
(on "Piece of That"), Isalene Elliot, and Ragland. “Once I reach an agreement and sign with a record company, the album will drop,” she added. One month later, Peniston would confirm information regarding her new studio album live as a guest of the Wendy Williams
birthday show, during which she performed "Finally". Subsequently, the diva allowed to prelisten a few of her brand new recordings to her community via her web-site at myspace.com. Among them, the song "Runway" met with instant positive feedback due to its hip-hop/dance sound comparable to the Timbaland
's production. After a New York correspondent, Kenya Thomas, questioned Peniston for Skinny, she wished to subtitle the album CeCe. Her long-waited record would not be out even by the end of 2010.
"In Love with a DJ"
In June 2010, Hip-Hop Press posted information about Ron Carroll
launching his own independent record label called Electricity, which is to be part of One Entertainment company that will specialize in marketing and promoting concerts, fashion shows and club events all over the world, and signing Electronic, Hip-Hop/R&B and gospel artists. According to the producer himself, Carroll's goal with the label (which has a major distribution deal with Universal
) is to focus on artist development, music education and ensuring that Electricity creates a solid foundation for the music industry in the City of Chicago.
Following this announcement, a house/groove, "In Love with a DJ
", with Peniston as its lead vocalist was released in July, including four remixes. In an interview for Great British Life, Carroll would say that he "wanted to make a song that gives the perspective of a woman groovin’ to my music, and loving me enough make her night complete.”
On February 4, 2011, Peniston signed a recording contract with the independent label West Swagg Music Group
(WWMG), established by Lupe Rose in 2010. The company currently has a deal with Bungalo Records
, which is exclusively distributed by Universal Music Group Distribution. The singer's first single on the label, "Stoopid!
" was officially released on April 26 as a download single. One month prior to that, Peniston contributed to the March-issued various artists digital compilation entitled Miami 2011 with "Make Me Say Oh", which is her fourth track recorded in collaboration with Ron Carroll
(their previous works included songs "My Boo
", "I'm Feelin' U
" and "In Love with a DJ
"). On August 9, WWMG released "Keep On Flossing" (a remixed version of her former single
from 90s) recorded as a duet with her fellow rapper Lavon Collins (aka L.C.)
, Treat Her Like a Lady or When a Woman's Fed Up, and later also wrapped up shooting two independent films of the same genre (both released on Maverick Spirit in 2005). The first of them, Don't Touch if You Ain't Prayed, featured gospel music performed by the singer herself, while the second, Pastor Jones, was another urban film appealing to the Christian market.
The most currently, Peniston was attached to the cast in the horror film Thorns from a Rose by A 22 Seventeen production. The story about a poorly treated and improperly diagnosed mental patient, seeking revenge upon his doctor and
former fellow patients who abused him, is to be directed by Bryce Prevatte, and Peniston should reportedly make a cameo appearance as the character of Laura Lee May in the thriller.
, whom she divorced in 2011.
While the singer's mother, Barbara Anne Quick (born August 25, 1938 in Brooklyn, New York), was also her manager, one of the Peniston's brothers, Gregory Dereck Peniston (born in 1972) is a behavior coach for children ages five to seventeen and a model, who tried to record several songs himself. He was involved in her co-production as a road manager, as well as in her charity work. She has also a sister, Linda.
Peniston is childless, sharing her home in Glendale, Arizona
, with two pit bulls and a chihuahua.
However three years later, in November 2009, Peniston herself was spotted in Culver City, California
posing for Inside Edition
(produced daily at the CBS Broadcast Center
in N.Y.C.), which first revealed details about her radical physical makeover and tumescent liposuction she, reportedly, got recommended by her new record executives.
In addition, she was featured in several national celebrity news and fashion magazines, including the National US Weekly
, which tracked her progress as she sought to lose weight through plastic surgery. The surgery was a “hit” for Peniston, who then claimed to "feel great" after having liposuction, a tummy tuck, fat removed from her neck and a host of other procedures at the Infini Cosmetic Associates clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona.
, whose first two singles made her the youngest recording act to ever have two consecutive chart-topping hits on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B Singles chart in 1995. The younger singer outspokenly talked about her professional life, upcoming wedding as well as her past relationships. During the interview she also highlighted a devastating moment she had with Peniston when she was a child:
A friend of Peniston had brought the article to her attention later, and she would respond to Monica via the social networking website MySpace.com:
After Monica reached the Peniston’s comment on the issue, she would react as follows:
Originally in 1997, singer, along with her friend Heather, founded the CeCe Peniston Youth Foundation to help raise funds for many other organizations, particularly those concerned with HIV/AIDS, women and children in need, hunger and the equality of mankind. After the September 11, 2001 tragedy, Michael Jackson
requested her presence for his "United We Stand" concert to benefit the families of 9/11. She has also blazed two tracks ("The Christmas Song
" and "What a Wonderful World
) on the albums Merry Arizona II
and Merry Arizona 97
, with proceeds going to Multiple Sclerosis
. She had been requested to perform for U.S. troops on the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower
in 1993, and has continued to travel to entertain the U.S. troops overseas since.
Later in 2006, the foundation was to be re-named as the LOTS Foundation (Lifting Others To Succeed), after her statement in the interview for 5 Mag in June the same year, and she was planning doing a benefit for cancer research, because of her father, a cancer survivor.
National PTA Ambassador
In October 2008, singer was along with Dara Torres
named a National Ambassador
for the Parent Teacher Association, which is the largest volunteer child advocacy organization with more than 5 million members. In her new role, she would visit with hundreds of children across the country to reinforce the importance of an arts education and pursuing their dreams. She would also join parents and educators to work toward improving the lives of children, as well as urging families to be more involved.
Following this announcement, Peniston started to record the official PTA anthem, "Above Horizons
", which was released on the organization's recording label, National PTA Recordings in June 2009, as its first music release. The single was available in three different mixes ("Original Mix", "Status Mix" and "Aaron-Carl Mix") at www.PTAmusic.org, and its release coincided with PTA’s unofficial announcement of Downloadfundraiser.com as a PTA National Member Benefits Provider, and the "category exclusive" digital music retailer for National PTA.
is an African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
recording artist and former beauty queen. At the beginning of the nineties, she was considered to be one of the most successful dance club artists in the history of the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play, scoring five major number one hits in the chart within three years. Her signature song “Finally” (#5 in the Hot 100 and #2 in UK Top 75) became one of the biggest dance singles, selling three million copies worldwide.
Among those who personally requested Peniston at private engagements are Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
at her private birthday party in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
, the Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
in Rome at the Vatican
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
(as a member of the gospel band Sisters of Glory
Sisters of Glory
The Sisters of Glory was a US gospel band that included Thelma Houston, CeCe Peniston, Phoebe Snow, Lois Walden, and Albertina Walker.After performing for the Pope John Paul II in Rome at the Vatican, the quintet released their only album entitled Good News in Hard Times, which scored at number...
) and the 42nd President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
, Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
, during both of his inauguration ceremonies in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
After the abolition of apartheid, she became the first female entertainer ever to visit and perform in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
(before incorrectly denoted Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
).
On February 4, 2011, Peniston signed a record deal with West Swagg Music Group
West Swagg Music Group
West Swagg Music Group is an American independent record label, established in 2010, that was located in the West Coast and designed to sign and distribute the music from West Coast Artist....
/Bungalo Records
Bungalo Records
Bungalo Records is an American independent record label established in 2000 and distributed through Universal Music Group Distribution. -Current Artists:*Nikki Bates*Bam Rogers *Big Gov*Boondock*Agnes Chan...
, with full distribution through Universal Music Group Distribution, and declared to release a new solo album after fifteen years since her last studio set (I'm Movin' On
I'm Movin' On (CeCe Peniston album)
I'm Movin' On is the third studio album recorded by American singer CeCe Peniston, released on September 9, 1996 by A&M Records. The set that supposed to be the artist's deeper foray into mainstream R&B followed the pattern of her previous release Thought 'Ya Knew , in which Peniston began her...
from 1996 on A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
) was recorded. Its pilot single, "Stoopid!
Stoopid!
"Stoopid!" is a 2011 song by the singer CeCe Peniston, released as the pilot single from her fourth studio album enitled CeCe.The composition written by Lupe Rose, CEO of West Swagg Music Group, and the singer herself was produced by Aphiliated and The Incredibles.-Credits and personnel:* CeCe...
" was issued on April 26.
1969–1990: Early life
Peniston was born in Dayton, OhioDayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
, in United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, but she would spend the majority of her formative years in Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, where she was raised since the age of nine. As a daughter of an ex-military father, Ronald Peniston (born 1934, married Barbara Anne in 1960), she started singing at church and doing plays and musicals such as H.M.S. Pinafore
H.M.S. Pinafore
H.M.S. Pinafore; or, The Lass That Loved a Sailor is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and a libretto by W. S. Gilbert. It opened at the Opera Comique in London, England, on 25 May 1878 and ran for 571 performances, which was the second-longest run of any musical...
in the 6th grade. She participated in local karaoke contests and singing talent shows, while taking piano lessons.
She attended Trevor G. Browne High School
Trevor G. Browne High School
Trevor G. Browne High School is part of the Phoenix Union High School District. The campus is located at 7402 West Catalina Drive, northwest of downtown Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Trevor Browne's enrollment is 2,887 students, over 80 percent of whom are Hispanic...
, class of 1987, in Phoenix, and landed a part in a local theater group’s production of Bubblin' Brown Sugar, (playing the young Sweet Georgia Brown
Sweet Georgia Brown
"Sweet Georgia Brown" is a jazz standard and pop tune written in 1925 by Ben Bernie and Maceo Pinkard and Kenneth Casey .The tune was first recorded on March 19, 1925 by bandleader Ben Bernie, resulting in a five-week No. 1 for Ben Bernie and his Hotel Roosevelt Orchestra...
). After earning her diploma, she would continue to study liberal arts at the Phoenix College
Phoenix College
Phoenix College is a community college located in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Founded in 1920, it is one of the oldest community colleges in the country....
where she got involved in athletics, and took entering beauty pageants. She was crowned Miss Black Arizona in 1989 and, eventually, Miss Galaxy in 1990.
Peniston began writing pop lyrics already at school. The words of her international hit "Finally" were purportedly penned during a chemistry class, while thinking about dating in college.
1990–1991: Female Preacher
Her music career began in January 1991, when Felipe "DJ Wax Dawg" DelgadoFelipe Delgado
Felipe Wax Delgado a.k.a. "DJ Wax Dawg" is an American DJ, songwriter and record producer based in Phoenix, Arizona. He is primarily known for his discovery of CeCe Peniston, and collaborative works with his hometown friend and a music producer/keyboardist, Rodney K. Jackson...
, her friend and a record producer based also in Phoenix, asked Peniston to record back-up vocals for Tonya Davis, a black female rapper known after her childhood nickname as Overweight Pooch
Overweight Pooch
Overweight Pooch is a female rapper, called after her childhood nickname.In 1991, she released her only album to date Female Preacher on A&M Records, and scored a moderate commercial success with the single "I Like It", which charted at number #16 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play...
.
Davis, headed in a direction of a "new" Monie Love
Monie Love
Simone Riscoe , better known by her stage name Monie Love, is an English emcee and former radio personality in the United States...
, was searching for a singer to add vocals to the title track of her album Female Preacher
Female Preacher
-Credits and personnel:* Tonya Davis - lead vocal, writer, co-producer* CeCe Peniston - back vocal, co-writer* Felipe Delgado - writer, producer, engineer, mix, cuts and scratches* Andrew Smith - writer, producer* T. Smith - writer* James Brown - writer...
, which was to be released on A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
that summer. She would remember meeting at a talent show a woman named Malaika LeRae Sallard
Malaika (singer)
Malaika also known under name Malaika Sallard Johnson, is a female African American dance singer from Seattle, Washington...
, but when it came time to get Sallard into the studio, the rapper found she'd lost her future label mate's number. When Delgado, who'd preferred Peniston instead, brought his favorite in to do background part, the response from everyone would be immediate, but would not move the Pooch to invite Peniston back for more vocals – unless she was successful to locate Sallard.
Later on, as it became clear that the singer was leaping from the Overweight Pooch's album to the top of the charts, rumor had it the Pooch was stewing over Peniston's using Female Preacher as her springboard. Tonya Davis, pregnant at the time of recording her album, would swear though, she harbored no Peniston envy. "There's no jealousy, because she has a voice. I gave her the chance, but I didn't give her a voice," the rapper insisted for Phoenix New Times
Phoenix New Times
The Phoenix New Times is a free, weekly Phoenix, Arizona newspaper, put out every Thursday. It is the founding publication of the New Times Media , but The Village Voice is now the flagship publication of that company....
in July 1992, and Peniston, interviewed by the same newspaper in the meantime, reacted by her own words. "I feel like anything's possible and I know one thing. If I wasn't at this spot, I still would be achieving to get to this spot." Ironically enough, Sallard would eventually throw in a few back-up vocals for Peniston on a song with a significant title, "You Win, I Win, We Lose", while Peniston, who in return played an agent to get a record deal also for Malaika (whose album Sugar Time scored in 1993 two Top 5 hits on the US Dance chart, including the No.1 single "Gotta Know (Your Name)
Gotta Know (Your Name)
"Gotta Know " is a 1993 song by Malaika, released on A&M Records.The composition was written by Eric Miller, Jamie Principle, Steve Hurley and Tommye Miller, and released as the second single from the singer's debut album Sugar Time...
") would mention the Pooch's name on her own debut album in addition, leaving Davis a note saying "thanks for letting me be a part of Female Preacher.
Besides the Peniston's vocal performance on three tracks in total, of which "I Like It" would be released as a single with a moderate success (at #16 in US Dance and #58 in UK Top 75 the following January), she was eventually given also a credit for co-writing two of those, "Kickin’ Da Blues" and the title's, "Female Preacher". But the Overweight Pooch’s album flopped on the market, and A&M was the first major label for Delgado himself, who was facing contractual disputes with the record company. After Manny Lehman
Manny Lehman
Manny Lehman is a house music DJ and producer. In addition to his production and DJ work, Lehman is one of the most requested remixers presently, transforming many songs into club hits....
(a former DJ, then A&M Art Director
Art director
The art director is a person who supervise the creative process of a design.The term 'art director' is a blanket title for a variety of similar job functions in advertising, publishing, film and television, the Internet, and video games....
and one of the executive producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
s of Female Preacher) also noticed the powerful voice of a still back-up vocalist, he would offer Delgado a second chance, and commissioned him to produce a track for Peniston herself as a solo artist. Not looking to lose his major deal connections, Delgado called on a hometown friend and music producer too, Rodney K. Jackson (they two met through mutual friends in Arizona), who was brought then to A&M family to help co-produce the Peniston’s single, which was soon to be recognized as “Finally”.
Despite an initial label's resistance to sign Peniston to more than a one-off single deal, the “Finally” session would after the final approval of A&M's Vice President
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
, Mark Mazzetti, result in recording her own debut album, and discovering the Peniston's legend that established her as one of the paramount artists of the early 90's.
1991–1992: Finally
Peniston was 22 years old when her debut single "Finally" was successfully released. The song burst on to the US club scene in the fall of 1991, where became an instant dance anthem peaking, in October, at the top of the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play for two weeks, while achieving a respectful starting position (at No.#29) overseas. Within three months of "Finally", the US sale of the single reached over 500,000 copies, and over 3 million worldwide.After her first song climbed the international charts, Peniston was headed into the studio to record a full length album. However, she "had two months to pull the whole album together" and "didn’t realize the impact the record was having until it reached the top five". She also described how difficult it was to begin her career at such an extreme pace, but the result was a solidly produced ten track collection entitled Finally
Finally (CeCe Peniston album)
Finally is the debut album by American singer CeCe Peniston, released on January 28, 1992 by A&M Records. Prior to that, she recorded her debut single "Finally", which topped the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music Club Play chart on October 26, 1991, peaking eventually at number five on the Billboard...
, issued in January of the following year.
Both, the single and album entered the US Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, as well as the UK Top 75 chart (at No.#5 and No.#2 for single, respectively at No.#70 and at No.#10 for album release), and ultimately earned Peniston a gold, or silver certification in both countries. By the end of 1992 her debut (in Europe re-released in 1997 with a bonus remix "Finally '97") sold over 540,000 in United States.
"We Got a Love Thang
We Got a Love Thang
"We Got a Love Thang" is a 1991 song by the musician CeCe Peniston, originally released on her debut album Finally from 1992.The song was co-written by Chantay Savage, and became the second number one hit for the artist, remaining on the top of the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart two weeks...
", the second single (co-written by Chantay Savage
Chantay Savage
Chantay Savage is an R&B/dance singer who found substantial success in the 1990s with "I Will Survive", in which she reworked the Gloria Gaynor disco anthem...
), with a videoclip in heavy rotation on TV music channels skyrocketed to No.#1 in the US Dance chart in February (No.#20 in the Hot 100), and in England (where "Finally" would skip to No.#2 eventually) "We Got a Love Thang" peaked at No.#6. Might the only controversional question regarding the title remains who'd provided backgroung vocals on the record. While on her album Finally Darnnel Rush
Donell Rush
Donell Rush was an American R&B singer, who was signed to RCA Records in the 1990s. He scored a Top 10 hit in the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart with the song "Symphony", from his debut album, Comin' & Goin. "Symphony" peaked at #66 in the UK Singles Chart in December 1992...
was credited, on its single release the name of Kym Sims
Kym Sims
Kym Sims is an American singer, whose biggest success came outside her home market. Sims began her career as an advertising jingle singer before breaking through into the dance music market.-Career:...
(who was a co-writer of "Keep On Walkin'
Keep on Walkin' (song)
"Keep On Walkin" is a 1992 song by the musician CeCe Peniston, recorded for her debut album release Finally on A&M Records.The song was released as the singer's third single from the album and was her third number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart...
") appeared as one of back-up vocalists actually.
With another hit record on the charts, the singer began a year of touring clubs and small theaters in the USA in support of her album. Her travels would start with a series of shows in Philippines, Japan, Great Britain, Germany, Spain, and Italy, and after her return back to the States, Peniston would continue with such R&B acts as Joe Public, the Cover Girls, R. Kelly
R. Kelly
Robert Sylvester Kelly , better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. A native of Chicago, Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play...
or Levert
LeVert
LeVert is a R&B/pop music singing group, formed in Ohio in 1984, comprising Sean and Gerald Levert, the sons of O'Jays founder Eddie Levert, as well as Marc Gordon.-Biography:The group released their first single, "I'm Still", for Harry Coombes' Tempre label...
.
While on tour, "Keep On Walkin'", a hip-hop swinging composition, joined the list of Peniston's three consecutively running hits, bringing the singer in June her third No.1 in the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart (No.#15 in the Hot 100), and another Top 10 hit in UK. Later in August, that would be also her highest outing in the US R&B
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart, scoring at No.#3.
On October 17, Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
magazine announced that Peniston was the leading nominee in the Billboard Music Awards, being nominated in four categories. Three times in the dance category with "Finally" (Best New Artist, Best Female Artist and Best Director), and one in the R&B/Rap category (Best Female Artist) for her urban hit Keep On Walkin'. Ultimately the song won two awards, and three of her singles released in 1992 would be listed also within the Top 100 songs of the Billboard Year-End
Billboard Year-End
Billboard Year-End charts are a cumulative measure of a single or album's performance in the United States, based upon the Billboard magazine charts during any given chart year. Billboard's "chart year" runs from the first week of December to the final week in November...
chart (at No.#20 with "Finally", at No.#61 with "Keep On Walkin'", and at No.#97 with "We Got a Love Thang"). In UK Peniston would be listed as the 20th of Top Selling Singles Artists in 1992.
Additional songs taken from album Finally achieved the Top 40 status at least on the Hip-Hop/R&B field. The grieving lyrics of her percolating ballad "Inside That I Cried
Inside That I Cried
"Inside That I Cried" is a 1992 song by the musician CeCe Peniston, taken from her album Finally on A&M Records.The single release included "Hitmix", a medley of her songs "Finally", "We Got a Love Thang", "Keep On Walkin'", "Lifeline" and "It Should Have Been You", all taken from her debut...
", co-written by the Peniston's then-husband, Malik Byrd (who appeared also in its video), and produced in conjunction with Anita Baker
Anita Baker
Anita Baker is an American R&B/soul jazz singer-songwriter. To date, Baker has won eight Grammy Awards, and has four platinum albums and two gold albums to her credit....
's cohort, Steve Lindsey, peaked at No.#10 in the US R&B (No.#94 in the Hot 100 and No.#42 in UK Top 75). The fifth single, a midtempo, "Crazy Love
Crazy Love (CeCe Peniston song)
"Crazy Love" is a 1992 song by the musician CeCe Peniston, released on her debut album Finally on A&M Records.The title was first issued in the UK as the fourth single from the album, peaking at number forty-four, while in the US , it reached number thirty-one on the R&B chart in February 1993...
", climbed to No.#31 (No.#97 in the Hot 100 and No.#44 in UK).
By the end of the year, the singer would receive several awards for her achievements in the music industry for 1992. Among them, one Billboard Music Award
Billboard Music Award
The Billboard Music Award is an honor given by Billboard magazine, the preeminent publication covering the music business. The Billboard Music Awards show had been held annually in December until it went dormant in 2007, but it returned in May 2011...
(as Best New Artist – Dance, the second went to the video director Claude Borenzweig), three ASCAP Awards (for Song of The Year, Most Performed Song of The Year, and Pop Songwriter of The Year), another three awards (as Best New Dance Artist, Best Dance Solo Artist, and for Best 12" Dance Record) at the Annual Winter Music Conference
Winter Music Conference
The Winter Music Conference is a weeklong electronic music conference, held every March since the mid-1980s in Miami, Florida, United States. Venues are hosted primarily in Downtown Miami and Miami's South Beach...
, and the BMI Urban Award of Achievement
Broadcast Music Incorporated
Broadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
. The album itself was nominated on a Soul Train Music Award '93
1993 Soul Train Music Awards
The 1993 Soul Train Music Awards was held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on March 9, 1993. The show was co-hosted by Natalie Cole, Patti LaBelle, and Luther Vandross.-Song of the Year:*Tennessee - Arrested Development...
in the Best R&B/Soul Album – Female
Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Album, Female
The Soul Train Music Award winners for Best R&B/Soul Album - Female...
category.
1993–1995: Thought 'Ya Knew
Within a year, Peniston was back in the studios to record her sophomore release, and the particular challenge for the vocalist would be not getting pigeonholed into the dance genre. For that reason, several ballads would be arranged to appear on the final set (in the front with "Forever In My Heart", produced by Brian McKnightBrian McKnight
Brian McKnight is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, and R&B/Pop musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays nine instruments: piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet....
), of which, however, none would be chosen for a single release. This time around, Peniston co-authorized three of thirteen tracks ("Whatever It Is", "Give What I’m Givin" and "Maybe It's The Way", a ballad about her father), and along with Manny Lehman and Damon Jones, who would become the singer's manager, she was also credited as an executive producer of her scheduled album release, Thought 'Ya Knew
Thought 'Ya Knew
Thought 'Ya Knew is the second solo studio album released by American singer CeCe Peniston, issued on January 25, 1994 by A&M Records. Peniston collaborated with her Chicago-based producer Steve Hurley, Carsten Schack and Kenneth Karlin from Denmark, David Morales, Sir Jinx, and on one track also...
. Apart from others, also fellow Ohio-born singer Norma Jean Wright
Norma Jean Wright
Norma Jean Wright was the lead vocalist of the soul, R&B and disco group Chic, from 1977 to 1978. Before joining Chic in 1977, she sang in the female trio, the Topettes, and toured for a short time with The Spinners...
joined the session.
After a certain level of hesitation over the first single, "I'm in the Mood
I'm in the Mood
"I'm In The Mood" is a 1993 song by the musician CeCe Peniston, released as the first commercial single taken from Thought 'Ya Knew, the singer's second studio album....
" (originally produced by Soulshock & Karlin
Soulshock & Karlin
Soulshock & Karlin is a duo of Danish record producers and songwriters, Carsten Schack and Kenneth Karlin. They have produced a large number of successful songs, including Monica's "Before You Walk out of My Life", Whitney Houston's "Heartbreak Hotel", JoJo's "Leave ", and Fantasia's "Truth Is"...
) was picked to be the final leader—though as support for "Searchin'
Searchin' (CeCe Peniston song)
"Searchin" is a 1993 song by the musician CeCe Peniston, taken from her second solo album Thought 'Ya Knew on A&M Records.However, the single was released only as a promotional release in United Kingdom, which included three remixes by Jamie Principle) , the song was later...
", which would be separately delivered on vinyl only to DJs. "I'm in the Mood" did well by itself, and with a video accompanied by a hip-hop remix from M-Doc
M-Doc
M-Doc is a rap artist and producer who was signed to RCA Records and Smash Records in the 1990s. He scored minor chart success with the singles "Free" and "It's a Summer Thang" featuring Chantay Savage...
& Jere M.C. (better known as In Da Soul) the title was on singles reproduced by David Morales
David Morales
David Morales is an internationally acclaimed Grammy-winning house music DJ and producer. In addition to his production and DJ work, Morales is one of the most prolific remixers of all time, transforming many pop music songs into club-friendly dance tracks...
for the dance floor. The song spawned Peniston's forth No. 1 (dethroning from the top of the US Dance chart Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
's "A Deeper Love") and peaked at No. 16 in UK (#32 in the Hot 100).
On January 25, 1994, the album Thought 'Ya Knew, which was to represent the singer's musical zenith at that time, arrived on all available formats, including digital compact cassette
Digital Compact Cassette
Digital Compact Cassette was a magnetic tape sound recording format introduced by Philips and Matsushita in late 1992 and pitched as a successor to the standard analog cassette. It was also a direct competitor to Sony's MiniDisc but neither format toppled the then ubiquitous analog cassette...
s. However, as the record promptly entered the music charts, it was soon to be evident Thought 'Ya Knew was not enjoying the high-profile success of her previous set Finally. After its progress had stalled in the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
at No. 96, Thought 'Ya Knew climbed to No. 31 in UK, but the album would chart for only two short weeks in England.
Not certain about the second single either, "Keep Givin' Me Your Love
Keep Givin' Me Your Love
"Keep Givin' Me Your Love" is a 1994 song by the musician CeCe Peniston, originally from her studio album Thought 'Ya Knew. While in the US, it was issued as the fifth single release in 1995, the song was in released in the UK as the second single from the mentioned album .After peaking at number...
" was accepted to become the British follow-up. But the track, remixed by Eddie Gordon
Eddie Gordon
Eddie Gordon is an English music journalist, a producer, DJ and music business personality.-Beginnings:...
's West End production team, had no supporting music video, and after peaking at No. 36 in April in UK, an alternative title ("I'm Not Over You
I'm Not Over You
"I'm Not Over You" is a 1994 song by the musician CeCe Peniston, originally recorded for her album Thought 'Ya Knew on A&M Records.The single achieved number two in the US Dance chart, and number ten on the R&B field...
") was chosen for the US market as the second cut from the Thought 'Ya Knew album.
"I'm Not Over You" (written by Steve Hurley, Jamie Principle
Jamie Principle
Jamie Principle is a house music artist and producer born in Chicago, Illinois.He is one of the early pioneers of house music when the genre first began in Chicago during the early 1980s...
, and M-Doc) might have missed the highest position of the US Dance chart, but only by about one point (at No. 2), and the single would be later classified in the overall Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart as the ninth most successful track of 1994 (leaving "I'm in the Mood
I'm in the Mood
"I'm In The Mood" is a 1993 song by the musician CeCe Peniston, released as the first commercial single taken from Thought 'Ya Knew, the singer's second studio album....
" far behind, at #44). However, although the song had sealed the Top 10 of the US R&B chart, it did not succeed in the Hot 100 that much, failing to crack Top 40 (No.# 41). Considering that expectations of A&M Records company must have been bigger than a club play sale of the singer's singles, "I'm Not Over You" was released in UK only on B-side of the "Hit by Love
Hit by Love
"Hit by Love" is a 1994 song by the musician CeCe Peniston, released as the fourth single from her album record Thought 'Ya Knew, and the fifth number one hit in the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play for the artist....
" release.
"Hit by Love" was to be the third song taken from the album. As with her previous releases, the song (with additional remixes by David Morales) became Peniston's next US Dance hit in a line of her No. 1s, but while on the top of the chart "Hit by Love" would stay for another week, the single stuck at No.# 33 in the UK Top 75, as well as on the bottom positions of the American Hot 100 chart (at No.# 90).
Along with "Hit by Love" in the charts, A&M issued a rare compilation, Remix Collection, in Japan with nine alternate versions of her songs previously available only on vinyl, which tracked Peniston's music career since the "Keep On Walkin'" release. A similar remixed collection, however, consisted of only two singles ("Finally" and "We Got a Love Thang") was earlier issued in Japan as a remix EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
album under the title Finally/We Got a Love Thang: Remix Collection
Finally/We Got a Love Thang: Remix Collection
-Credits and personnel:* CeCe Peniston – lead vocal, writer* Felipe Delgado - producer, co-writer* R.K. Jackson - co-producer* E.L. Linnear - co-writer* David Morales - remix, additional producer, percussion...
featuring overall eight remixed versions.
At the end of the year Peniston was named the No. 1 Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play Artist, summarizing all her songs released in 1994 ("I'm Not Over You" #9, "Hit by Love" #24, and I'm in the Mood" #44). While A&M would be listed as the sixth best dance label in the Billboard Year-End chart, the singer was also rated as the 5th Top R&B Singles Female Artist (behind Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
, Tony Braxton, Aaliyah
Aaliyah
Aaliyah Dana Haughton , who performed under the mononym Aaliyah , was an American R&B recording artist, actress and model. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of 10, she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside...
and Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
).
In addition, a remix of "Keep Givin' Me Your Love" was popularized on the original motion picture soundtrack of the Prêt-à-Porter (Ready To Wear) film, and released in the U.S. after a one-year delay, scoring No. 4 in the US Dance charts in March 1995. "Keep Givin' Me Your Love" became Peniston's first song not to enter the Hot 100 chart (No.#101), possibly as the result of appearing as a B-side on her previous release, and sharing its sales with the single "Hit by Love".
The Sisters of Glory
Between releases, Peniston made a jazzy cameo "Don't Forget the Love" with words and music by a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
-nominated composer, Jeff Lorber
Jeff Lorber
Jeff Lorber is an American Grammy Award-nominated keyboardist, composer, and record producer.After leading his own group, The Jeff Lorber Fusion, he went on to pioneer the smooth jazz genre....
, and Eric Benet
Eric Benét
Eric Benét, is an American singer. His duet with Tamia, "Spend My Life With You" was a number one song for three weeks on the US Billboard R&B chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2000....
(also a later Grammy Award nominee) for his album West Side Stories
West Side Stories
West Side Stories is the twelfth studio album by a Grammy Award nominated composer, keyboardist and pioneer of the smooth jazz genre, Jeff Lorber, released on Verve Forecast in 1994....
. The title of the Lorber's album was his response to residing the West Side of L.A.
West Los Angeles, Los Angeles
West Los Angeles is a district in Los Angeles, California, within a larger region known as the "Westside."-Geography and transportation:...
(not his adaptation of songs from the Broadway musical
West Side Story (Original Broadway Cast)
West Side Story is the 1957 recording of a Broadway production of the musical West Side Story. Recorded 3 days after the show opened at the Winter Garden Theatre, the recording was released in October 1957 in both mono and stereo formats. In 1962, the album reached #5 on Billboard's "Pop Album"...
or West Side Story
West Side Story (film)
West Side Story is a 1961 musical film directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins. The film is an adaptation of the 1957 Broadway musical of the same name, which in turn was adapted from William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. It stars Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno,...
film), and after its issue in November 1994, the studio record peaked at No.#5 in the Billboard's list of Top Contemporary Jazz albums.
As a member of the gospel quintet called The Sisters of Glory
Sisters of Glory
The Sisters of Glory was a US gospel band that included Thelma Houston, CeCe Peniston, Phoebe Snow, Lois Walden, and Albertina Walker.After performing for the Pope John Paul II in Rome at the Vatican, the quintet released their only album entitled Good News in Hard Times, which scored at number...
, which included Thelma Houston
Thelma Houston
Thelma Houston is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She scored a number-one hit in 1976 with her cover version of the song "Don't Leave Me This Way", which won the 1978 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.-Early life & career:Houston is the daughter of a cotton picking mother...
, Phoebe Snow
Phoebe Snow
Phoebe Snow was a fictional character created by Earnest Elmo Calkins to promote the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad. The advertising campaign, based on a live model, using impressionistic techniques and a fictional character, was one of the first of its kind.-The advertising...
, Lois Walden, Albertina Walker
Albertina Walker
-Early years:Walker was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Ruben and Camille Coleman Walker. Her mother was born in Houston County, Georgia, and her father in Bibb County, Georgia. They moved to Chicago between 1917-1920 where they lived out their lives. Albertina had four siblings born in Bibb County...
, and herself, Peniston would also record a spiritual album, Good News in Hard Times, that featured two solo traditionals ("How I Got Over
How I Got Over
How I Got Over is a Gospel hymn composed and published in 1951 by Clara Ward . Notable recordings of this work have been made by Mahalia Jackson , Aretha Franklin , and the Blind Boys of Alabama How I Got Over is a Gospel hymn composed and published in 1951 by Clara Ward (1924-1973). Notable...
" and "Precious Memories") performed by the singer, four standards with her solo part ("Rough Side of the Mountain", "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
"He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" is a traditional American spiritual. It was first published in the paperbound hymnal Spirituals Triumphant, Old and New, in 1927. In 1933, it was collected by Frank Warner from the singing of Sue Thomas in North Carolina...
", "I Won't Be Back No More" and "Oh Happy Day
Oh Happy Day
"Oh Happy Day" is a 1967 gospel music arrangement of an 18th century hymn. Recorded by the Edwin Hawkins Singers, it became an international hit in 1969, reaching US #4 and UK #2 on the pop charts...
"), as well as her chorus vocals on additional nine tracks. Good News in Hard Times (produced by Jennifer Cohen and Lois Walden) was released in August 1995 on Warner Bros
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
, and the album brought Peniston an entry also in the Billboard Top Gospel Albums list, where it reached in October No.#29, remaining in the chart for 6 weeks.
1996–1998: I'm Movin' On and The Best Of album
In February 1996, the BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
posted information that singer was putting the finishing touches to her new studio album, I'm Movin' On
I'm Movin' On (CeCe Peniston album)
I'm Movin' On is the third studio album recorded by American singer CeCe Peniston, released on September 9, 1996 by A&M Records. The set that supposed to be the artist's deeper foray into mainstream R&B followed the pattern of her previous release Thought 'Ya Knew , in which Peniston began her...
, slated for its release in May. Judging from the magazine’s earlier preview of several cuts, the Billboard published that Peniston was about to explore more mature jeep-soul fare a la Faith Evans
Faith Evans
Faith Renée Evans is an American singer-songwriter, recording artist, record producer, actress and author. Born in Florida and raised in New Jersey, Evans relocated to Los Angeles during 1993 for a career with the music business. After working as a backing vocalist for Al B...
, and that she has never sounded so assured and convincingly soulful. Though, I'm Movin' On with a noticeably slimmed-down Peniston adorning its cover would not be out before September, a similarly sleek sound marked its title single delivered to the radio stations on July 17, while hitting music stores one week later.
"Movin' On
Movin' On (CeCe Peniston song)
"Movin' On" is a 1996 song by the musician CeCe Peniston, released as the lead single from her studio album I'm Movin' On.The track produced by Dave Hall charted at number twenty-nine in the US R&B chart, reaching in the Billboard Hot 100 at number eighty-three...
", the song considered as the strongest track to reach core R&B listeners with potential across several genres, was produced by Dave "Jam" Hall
Dave Hall (record producer)
David "Dave" Hall is a record producer. He is famous for working on Mary J. Blige's debut album What's the 411? ; with Madonna, co-writing and co-producing several tracks from her 1994 album Bedtime Stories, including the single "Human Nature," for working with R&B harmony group Brownstone, and for...
, the hit maker behind Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
's "Dreamlover", whose earlier work included also the Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
's Bedtime Stories
Bedtime Stories (Madonna album)
Bedtime Stories is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Madonna, released on October 25, 1994 by Maverick Records. Madonna collaborated with Dallas Austin, Babyface, Dave "Jam" Hall and Nellee Hooper, deciding to move into a more R&B direction...
album. The song cracked the Top 40 on the US R&B/Hip Hop at No.#29, but failed to show up in the UK chart, while scoring at weak No.#83 in the Hot 100.
On September 9, I'm Movin' On, the record with evident absence of her ever dependable club workouts finally arrived. Peniston contributed to the set with three songs she co-wrote (except the title's track, the ballad "The Last To Know" and a club potential, "Don't Know What To Do", that would not be promoted). After peaking at No.#48 on the US R&B, the album passed by the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart, and soon largely felt victim to mismarketing.
Despite insistence from the Peniston's management to release "Somebody Else's Guy
Somebody Else's Guy
"Somebody Else's Guy" is a song written and popularized by Jocelyn Brown in April 1984. In 1997, the song was covered by musician CeCe Peniston for her studio album I'm Movin' On....
" as a follow-up, A&M label preferred an alternate composition, "Before I Lay
Before I Lay
"Before I Lay " is a 1996 song by the musician CeCe Peniston, released as a duet with JoJo Hailey.The single was released as the second single from the singer's studio album I'm Movin' On, peaking at number fifty-two in on the US R&B chart, while reaching number twenty-one on Billboard Bubbling...
", which featured the singer’s then-beau JoJo Hailey (of K-Ci and JoJo
K-Ci and JoJo
K-Ci & JoJo are an American R&B duo, consisting of brothers Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey and Joel "JoJo" Hailey , Natives of Monroe, North Carolina, they were also members of the chart-topping R&B group Jodeci with the DeGrate brothers—Donald and Dalvin.-On their own:K-Ci and JoJo's first sign of...
) who was supposed to help establish Peniston as an R&B artist. But the duet reached its top in the US R&B already at No.#52, with no entry in the Hot 100 chart (No.#121) or in England.
However, Peniston herself seemed to be not worried about losing her audience, when interviewed at the time of I'm Movin' On release by Billboard: "When you're first coming out as an artist, many times label executives have their own vision for you. But as you move forward, it's only fair that you begin determining your own direction. People will make the change with you as long as you’re honest about your craft and display a comfort for what it is that you’re doing," two years later the singer would actually confirm her doubts, after questioned by the magazine: "I can speak about this firsthand, believe me. Sometimes doing what you feel isn’t always accepted by the public. You’ve got to choose where you want to go and be consistent," (said by the artist at the 5th annual Billboard Dance Music Summit that urged members of the dance music community to work together toward greater credibility, visibility and sales for the genre, held July 8–10 in 1998).
After only two singles released from her R&B set, A&M did not decide to select a song that would cater to another music format, and capitulated to progress with I'm Movin' On album that Peniston would promote also during the Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
's election campaign, on which she performed several track from the set. Clinton would comment her performance on November 4, 1996 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls is the largest city in the U.S. state of South Dakota. Sioux Falls is the county seat of Minnehaha County, and also extends into Lincoln County to the south...
, mentioning: "I want to thank CeCe Peniston for singing so beautifully."
Following her dismissal, Peniston took playing as Glinda the Good Witch in a theatrical production of musical play The Wiz
The Wiz
The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical "Wonderful Wizard of Oz" is a musical with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and book by William F. Brown. It is a retelling of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the context of African American culture. It opened on October 21, 1974 at the Morris A...
. The staged concert was opened at Oakland's Paramount Theatre for a five-day run on June 11, 1997, and besides herself, Grace Jones
Grace Jones
Grace Jones is a Jamaican-American singer, model and actress.Jones secured a record deal with Island Records in 1977, which resulted in a string of dance-club hits. In the late 1970s, she adapted the emerging electronic music style and adopted a severe, androgynous look with square-cut hair and...
and Peabo Bryson
Peabo Bryson
Peabo Bryson is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter, born in Greenville, South Carolina...
appeared to act.
In September, A&M re-released the single "Finally" that successfully entered the UK Top 75 back again (No.#26), and in addition also her debut album on CD enhanced with the new remix, Finally (Classic Funk Radio Mix), both re-issued only in the overseas.
In February 1998, a David Morales' remix of "Somebody Else's Guy", originally popularized by Jocelyn Brown
Jocelyn Brown
Jocelyn Lorette Brown is an American R&B and dance music singer...
and recorded for the album I'm Movin' On, became a surprising hit in Europe, where it reached No.#13 in the UK Top 75 (as her last entry to date in England), as well as in April No.#26 in Japan, after being picked to promote the singer’s import greatest hits collection simply entitled The Best of CeCe Peniston
The Best of CeCe Peniston
The Best of CeCe Peniston is the first greatest hits album by American recording artist CeCe Peniston, released on March 2, 1998 by A&M Records in the overseas. It contains thirteen versions of her hit singles from 1991 to 1997. As the compilation was the singer's closing release under her contract...
. The black and white photographs for its booklet were done by Daniela Federici, whose art work was noticed already on I'm Movin' On release, and later also on album and single covers of other female recording artists, such as Céline Dion
Celine Dion
Céline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record...
, Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton
Toni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million records worldwide...
, or Pink
Pink (singer)
Alecia Beth Moore , better known by her stage name Pink , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and actress....
.
After her departure from A&M Peniston contributed with two songs to the MC Magic
MC Magic
Marco Cardenas better known by his stage name MC Magic is a Mexican rapper, songwriter and record producer, known for rapping and singing, both in English and Spanish.-Background:...
's compilation of various Phoenix-based artists called Desert Funk: Soundtrack
Desert Funk: Soundtrack
Desert Funk: Soundtrack is a studio album project produced by MC Magic, a rapper and former of the independent record company Nastyboy Records....
that was issued on Nastyboy Records. The first title, "I Know You Want Me
I Know You Want Me (Nastyboy Klick song)
"I Know You Want Me" is a 1998 song by Nastyboy Klick aka NBK , and CeCe Peniston who was credited as featured artist...
", was a hip-hop duet recorded in common with Nastyboy Klick (#109 on the US R&B), while the second, a Latino hip-hop ballad, "When I'm with You" was her own solo track also produced by Marcus Cardenas
MC Magic
Marco Cardenas better known by his stage name MC Magic is a Mexican rapper, songwriter and record producer, known for rapping and singing, both in English and Spanish.-Background:...
.
1998–2000: Cancelled album
Rumors about the singer working in Chicago on a new album with Steve "Silk" Hurley sprung up after "Nobody ElseNobody Else (CeCe Peniston song)
"Nobody Else" is a 1998 song by the musician CeCe Peniston.The composition was to be the lead single of the singer's originally scheduled album release on the Silk Entertainment label, as well as reportedly released on Steve Hurley's compillation The Voices of Life, Vol 1. The production of her...
", a gospel-infused sirene and her debut on the producer's label, saw its official release in 1998. However apart from the Billboard, the inlay details of "Nobody Else" would also inform her fan base a studio album with the same title was due that fall, this information seemed to be rather optional than reality that followed the artist's future, while had being signed to the Silk Entertainment company.
To make things surrounding her potential comeback even worst, ferocious house groove "Nobody Else", which was premiered at the 5th Annual Billboard Dance Music Summit on the stage at the Green Dolphin Street
Green Dolphin Street
Green Dolphin Street is a 1947 historic drama film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.-Plot summary:In the 1840s, two sisters fall in love with the same man...
, failed to enter the music charts, despite favorable reviews of the Billboard that rated the song "among the artist's strongest recordings", "a sure to-thrill die hards," and as "a triumphant return to clubland" commenting in addition her summit live performance.
In 1999, "He Loves Me 2", co-written by M-Doc
M-Doc
M-Doc is a rap artist and producer who was signed to RCA Records and Smash Records in the 1990s. He scored minor chart success with the singles "Free" and "It's a Summer Thang" featuring Chantay Savage...
(known for a remix production for such major artists as Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
, Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
or Keitha Sweat) to whom singer would return his favor providing background vocals on "Keep It Real", a song recorded for his own album Young, Black, Rich and Famous
Young, Black, Rich and Famous
Young, Black, Rich and Famous is the third album by the rap artist, producer and songwriter M-Doc.The set felt somewhere between rap and R&B, and its ambitions were probably best realized on the lead single, which was a cover of the Deniece Williams' number one hit from 1977 "Free" M-Doc's version...
, might seemed to bring more competitive results than her previous endeavor, reaching No.#24 on the Hot Dance Club Play.
But the Peniston's next single “My Boo
My Boo (CeCe Peniston song)
"My Boo " is a song by the musician CeCe Peniston, which was released on the Steve Hurley's own record labelin February 2001 as the singer's last single issued on Silk Entertainment, and to date her final collaboration with the producer alone as well.The single release followed the US Dance success...
” with then already Grammy Award-nominee
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
Hurley (apart from other five remixes for another artists, also for his own 'Silk's 12" Mix' of "He Loves Me 2", eventually lost in favor of Peter Rauhofer
Peter Rauhofer
Peter Rauhofer is a DJ, remixer and producer who formerly went under the moniker Club 69 as well as Size Queen. A native of Vienna, Austria, he is famous for his remixes of a number of Madonna's songs including "Nothing Really Matters", "American Life", "Nothing Fails, "Nobody Knows Me", "Get...
alias Club 69, who became the Remixer of the Year, Non-Classical, in 2000) happened to become disappointing again for both actually, and the last act distributed through the producer's record company. The song contained a sample of "The Bottle" by Gil Scott-Heron
Gil Scott-Heron
Gilbert "Gil" Scott-Heron was an American soul and jazz poet, musician, and author known primarily for his work as a spoken word performer in the 1970s and '80s...
, one of the most important progenitors of rap music, at that time imprisoned for one to three years following series of drug possession charges.
2000–2010: Singles Decade
"Lifetime to Love"While looking for alternative options for the cancelled production of her album, Peniston decided to make a step back and record a cover version of "Lifetime to Love
Lifetime to Love
"Lifetime to Love" is a 2000 song by the musician CeCe Peniston.The title was originally recorded for a 4 Play Records compilation Circuit Sessions 00.1, which featured overall thirteen dance/house remixes by L.A...
", written by Steven Nikolas and Brendon Sibley, for her ex-major label producer and the Manny Lehman's compilation Circuit Sessions 00.1
Circuit Sessions 00.1 (Manny Lehman compilation)
-Credits and personnel:* Manny Lehman - mixed-by, compiled-by* Hideki Kosakai - performer* Shauna Solomon - performer* Pat Hodges - performer* Groove That Soul - performer* Abigail Zsiga - performer* Michelle Weeks - performer* Dawn Tallman - performer...
. The composition would almost revive the singer's No.1 status in February 2001, returning the singer back into the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play list, and delivering her a Top 3 entry also in the millennium (No.#2). Although, the song was at the end of the year classified as the 30th most successful US Dance track of 2001, it did not enter the official Hot 100 chart.
The digital version of "Lifetime to Love" was to be offered, along with photos and other information regarding the singer, for free of charge download via Napster
Napster
Napster is an online music store and a Best Buy company. It was originally founded as a pioneering peer-to-peer file sharing Internet service that emphasized sharing audio files that were typically digitally encoded music as MP3 format files...
, an online music file sharing service. Timing prevented the deal's followthrough in, unfortunately, and singer would leave 4 Play label afterwards.
"Reminiscin"
Following the millennium Peniston, not longer part of the mainstream that brought her success in the early '90s, would spend the first decade by supporting numerous recording artists of various musical styles and influences who would keep her in music industry and in the eye of public mostly as a guest, but prominent vocalist.
In 2001, she collaborated with Ella Mae Saison, a singer from Philippines, on a common track. The duet partially mixed in France, and partially in N.Y.C., was sponsored by a multiple world champion boxer, Evander Holyfield
Evander Holyfield
Evander Holyfield is a professional boxer from the United States. He is a former undisputed world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, earning him the nickname "The Real Deal"...
, and released on his record label, named after his nickname Real Deal
Real Deal Records
Real Deal Records was an American recording company founded by boxer Evander Holyfield sometime in the late 1990s. The musicians signed to Real Deal Records include Saison, a popular Filipino singer, NuWine, an inspirational R&B singer, and Exhale, a trio of unique R&B singers. Holyfield emphasized...
in April. After its slow start, while being classified as the Billboard Hot Dance Breakout No.#1 for Maxi-Singles Sales
Hot Dance Singles Sales
Hot Dance Singles Sales is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States, established in 1985. It measures the sale of commercially released singles that deal with dance music and remixes...
category, the song hit No.#30 in US Dance chart eventually on August 18, under title "Reminiscin" and with Peniston being credited as a featuring artist.
The singer would later comment her recording with Saison as follows: "I had the pleasure of working with a very talented and inspiring artist by the name of Saison. Last January 2001, we collaborated on a duet, Reminiscin. I was fortunate to witness the warmth of a beautiful personality and the great talent of a rising star. I hope the world will be allowed to share in this experience too."
"For My Baby" and Colour of My Soul
Accompanied by a line-up of seven other female vocalists coming from both sides of the Atlantic, diva herself joined Rob Derbyshire
Full Flava
Full Flava are Rob Derbyshire and Paul Solomon, a Birmingham’s innovative production team assisted by backing singer Tee, that specialize in producing R&B and Soul records for many established artists such as Chantay Savage, Beverlei Brown, Ruby Turner, Carleen Anderson, Hazel Fernandes, Alison...
and Paul 'Solomon' Mullings
Full Flava
Full Flava are Rob Derbyshire and Paul Solomon, a Birmingham’s innovative production team assisted by backing singer Tee, that specialize in producing R&B and Soul records for many established artists such as Chantay Savage, Beverlei Brown, Ruby Turner, Carleen Anderson, Hazel Fernandes, Alison...
, the Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
’s R&B production duo known as Full Flava
Full Flava
Full Flava are Rob Derbyshire and Paul Solomon, a Birmingham’s innovative production team assisted by backing singer Tee, that specialize in producing R&B and Soul records for many established artists such as Chantay Savage, Beverlei Brown, Ruby Turner, Carleen Anderson, Hazel Fernandes, Alison...
, to record lead vocals for their album Colour of My Soul
Colour of My Soul
Colour of My Soul is the second studio album released by Full Flava, which is the brainchild of a group of two writers and musicians based in Birmingham - Rob Derbyshire and Paul 'Solomon' Mullings, assisted by back-up vocalist Tee...
. The modern soul set was to be made in England, released on Dôme Records
Dome Records
Dome Records is a British record label, which has existed since 1992, specializing in soul and rhythm and blues music.-History:The label, also known as Dôme Records, was formed in 1992, and has consistently been voted as the United Kingdom's leading black music label, by readers of Blues & Soul...
in 2003, and one of the compositions performed by Peniston, "For My Baby", was later given also a treatment for the dance floor with stand-out house mixes from Dave "Leggz" Longmore
The Str8jackets
The Str8jackets are a London based trio composed of Mark Robinson, Dave Longmore and Phil Fearon.The Str8jackets had their first major musical recognition courtesy of BBC Radio 1's Pete Tong who playing their bootleg remix of The Black Eyed Peas’ "Boom Boom Pow" and their own track "What's it All...
and Sam Junior Bromfield known as Ruff ’N’ Tumble, and the Midlands
English Midlands
The Midlands, or the English Midlands, is the traditional name for the area comprising central England that broadly corresponds to the early medieval Kingdom of Mercia. It borders Southern England, Northern England, East Anglia and Wales. Its largest city is Birmingham, and it was an important...
duo KT & C.
"For My Baby" did not succeed on the music charts, however Ruf N Tumble's dance remixes of the song were based on a sample of the Delegation
Delegation (band)
Delegation was a British soul musical group with a lengthy career, and an amount of international success. They are generally viewed in the U.S. as a one-hit wonder, based on the crossover hit, "Oh Honey"...
hit single "Heartache No. 9" (that scored at number fifty-seven in US Dance in 1980). Her second solo number on the Full Flava's compilation Colour of My Soul was entitled "I Think about Him", and it was a mid-tempo that Peniston co-wrote with Derbyshire and Mullings.
"Eternal Lover"
Her next steps afterwards led to Better Days Studios in Paris where, for a change, singer was supposed to work with a French producer, Fréderic Tharreau alias BIBI, on exclusively import single "Eternal Lover
Eternal Lover
"Eternal Lover" is a 2004 song by CeCe Peniston, who scored five number ones in the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart so far.The single was written and produced by Fréderic Tharreau , who became popular after his own track "Something About The Music" produced under the name of Da Slammin'...
". In addition to being released in France on RLPMix Records, the song was also issued in Australia and New Zealand on the domestic premier dance label, Vinyl Pusher Records, in 2004.
Gimme the Mike! and Hit Me, Baby, One More Time
Back to the States on the 2nd of June 2005, Peniston appeared on the NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
network as a contestant of the summer's TV reality show
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
Hit Me Baby One More Time
Hit Me Baby One More Time
Hit Me, Baby, One More Time was a 2005 reality show first aired by ITV on British television and later, as a new version, by NBC in the United States; both were presented by Vernon Kay. During each programme, five former pop stars sing their biggest hit along with a cover version of a contemporary...
.
During each program five former pop stars would sing their biggest hit plus a cover version of one contemporary hit, and every week the winner, picked by the studio audience, would get a donation of $20,000 in their name to a charity of free choice. Peniston competed on the show performing “Finally” plus a Faith Hill
Faith Hill
Faith Hill is an American country singer. She is known both for her commercial success and her marriage to fellow country star Tim McGraw. Hill has sold more than 40 million records worldwide and accumulated eight number-one singles and three number-one albums on the U.S...
's song, "There You'll Be
There You'll Be
"There You'll Be" is a song by Faith Hill, which became a hit single in 2001. Written by Diane Warren and Alan Menken, known for his Disney film scores such as "The Little Mermaid", "Beauty and the Beast", "Aladdin", "Pocahontas" and "Tangled", it was featured on the Pearl Harbor soundtrack...
", in favor of a hip-hop group, Arrested Development (the final winner of the program that night). When two years later asked, while being interviewed by the Say What News online magazine, the singer would not confirm to record "There You'll Be" also in the studio.
Pastor Jones and Don't Touch if You Ain't Prayed
In the first half of 2005, the singer wrapped up shooting an independent film called Don't Touch if You Ain't Prayed. Her character was a forty year old Christian woman saving herself for marriage, and the film featured gospel music performed by herself. In addition, Peniston would take a small part in another urban Gospel film appealing to Christian market, Pastor Jones.
On September 19, 2005, Peniston was invited to appear at Manhattan Center
Manhattan Center
The Manhattan Center building, built in 1906 and located at 311 West 34th Street in Midtown Manhattan, houses Manhattan Center Studios , its Grand Ballroom, and the Hammerstein Ballroom, one of New York City's most renowned performance venues...
, Grand Ballroom, NYC, to be present at the 2nd Annual Dance Music Hall of Fame
Dance Music Hall of Fame
The Dance Music Hall of Fame was created in 2003 when music industry veteran John Parker thought that something needed to be done to honor the creators and innovators of dance music...
Induction Ceremony, along with Wanda Dee
Wanda Dee
Wanda Dee is a singer songwriter whose career has spanned many years. Her face and vocals are well known to international audiences through her involvement as lead singer on a number of international hits such as 3 a.m...
(of KLF), Nile Rodgers
Nile Rodgers
Nile Gregory Rodgers is an American musician, producer, composer, arranger, and guitarist.-Biography:...
, Freddie Jackson
Freddie Jackson
Frederick Anthony "Freddie" Jackson is an American soul singer. He was an important figure in R&B during the 1980s and early 1990s...
, and Kathy Sledge
Kathy Sledge
Kathy Sledge , the youngest of five sisters, Carol,Debra,Joni and Kim. She is an American singer who has had several hits on the International Pop and Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, including "Take Me Back To Love Again," which hit #1 in 1992. She is the granddaughter of former opera singer...
. The Dance Music Hall of Fame, created by veteran John Parker in 2003, was supposed to recognize the contributions of those, who have had a significant impact on the evolution and development of dance music, and celebrate the history and significance of the genre. An awards ceremony announcing the inductees in the event would take place annually at a formal dinner event in New York, but due to financial differences among the Board members, the Dance Music Hall of Fame ceased operations after its second ceremony (in 2005).
"Deeper Love"
The singer's following music project was a common duet with David Longoria
David Longoria
David Longoria is a trumpeter, singer, songwriter and record producer.He was classically trained before discovering jazz, and continued to explore various styles such as gospel, R&B, and Latin. As an artist his Dance/Pop song "Deeper Love", a duet with CeCe Peniston, peaked at #14 under Billboard...
, a trumpet player whose work was previously noticed on records of for example Sting or George Michael
George Michael
George Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley...
. The union would show up to be successful, when a composition combining jazz and dance music, "Deeper Love", written by Longoria, after six weeks on the chart climbed to No.#14 in the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play (on November 19), returning the singer lost dance chart positions since another duet number ("Reminiscin") from 2001. The single was released with the copywright owned by Del Oro Music, and included eleven remixes from Junior Vasquez
Junior Vasquez
Junior Vasquez, , is an American club DJ and remixer/producer.-Career:...
, Ryan Humphries, L.E.X., and Richard Earnshaw. According to the David Longoria's official web-site, the newest radio version of "Deeper Love 2010" is directed at Rhythmic Radio and to be issued in the fall of 2010.
"You Are the Universe" and Music Is Our Way of Life
Interviewed by 5 Chicago magazine in June 2006, singer would state that she was, "working on another album," with George Jackson
George Jackson
- People :* George Jackson , American MLB player from 1911–1913* George Jackson , U.S. Black Panther, prisoner, and author* George Jackson , English botanist...
(a former manager of the Silk Entertainment label), Tre
TRE
TRE might stand for:*3 , a mobile operator in Sweden*Tampere, a city in Finland*Telecommunications Research Establishment, British radar research organization...
, and Ron Carroll
Ron Carroll
Ron Carroll is an American DJ, singer, songwriter and producer. He is primarily known in the house music circuit. Carroll has worked with many of house's most famous producers, including E-Smoove, Maurice Joshua and Bob Sinclar. He has also produced, usually with partner Spero Pagos, for other...
, and expressed her wish to work with Steve Hurley as well back again. She would even go further then, and calculated to be done "within the next three or four months" with her studio record.
Instead, Peniston co-wrote with Jackson single "It’s Alright" for RaShaan Houston, and took part in another proto-D’vas project, produced by Full Flava, to which she contributed with a Brand New Heavies
Brand New Heavies
The Brand New Heavies are an acid jazz and funk group formed in 1985 in Ealing, a suburb of London, England.-Biography:The Brand New Heavies began in the 1980s as an instrumental acid jazz group called Brother International....
's hit from 1997 (No.#21 in UK), "You Are the Universe". Her cover version was attached to the Full Flava’s retro album, Music Is Our Way of Life
Music Is Our Way of Life
-Credits and personnel:* Chantay Savage - lead vocal* Beverlei Brown - lead vocal* Kelli Sae - lead vocal* Carleen Anderson - lead vocal* Joy Rose - lead vocal* Donna Gardier - lead vocal* Hazel Fernandes - lead vocal* CeCe Peniston - lead vocal...
, which reconstructed eleven dancefloor classics in total, and the compilation was released on Dôme. The Peniston’s track would be remixed by a Japanese producer, DJ Hasebe, to be featured in his disco medley entitled after the song, and for the purpose of a limited edition single available only in Japan on vinyl.
"EP Live" and Divas of Disco
On April 25 in 2007, her icon stood on the stage of Avalon, Hollywood on the occasion of a five star concert Divas of Disco: Live, which included Thelma Houston
Thelma Houston
Thelma Houston is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She scored a number-one hit in 1976 with her cover version of the song "Don't Leave Me This Way", which won the 1978 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.-Early life & career:Houston is the daughter of a cotton picking mother...
, Linda Clifford
Linda Clifford
Linda Clifford is an American R&B, disco and house music singer and actress, who scored hits from the 1970s to the 1980s, most notably "If My Friends Could See Me Now", "Bridge over Troubled Water", "Runaway Love" and "Red Light"....
, A Taste of Honey
A Taste of Honey (band)
A Taste of Honey was the name of an American recording act, formed in 1971 by associates Perry Kibble and Donald Ray Johnson. In 1978 they had one of the best known chart-toppers of the disco era, "Boogie Oogie Oogie"...
, France Joli
France Joli
France Joli is a Canadian singer, born 1963, who is best known for the disco classic "Come to Me."-Teen stardom:A native of Montreal, Quebec, Joli grew up in the Montreal suburb of Dorion...
and herself. Each diva performed overall three songs as a solo artist, while Peniston was the main star closing the night. Her performances of "Keep On Walkin'", the Donna Summer
Donna Summer
LaDonna Adrian Gaines , known by her stage name, Donna Summer, is an American singer/songwriter who gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s. She has a mezzo-soprano vocal range. Summer is a five-time Grammy winner and was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach...
's cover version of "Last Dance
Last Dance (song)
"Last Dance" is a hit 1978 song by singer Donna Summer. The song appeared on the Thank God It's Friday movie soundtrack. It was written by Paul Jabara and was co-produced by Summer's regular collaborator Giorgio Moroder, along with Bob Esty...
", and "Finally" would be released as a digital live EP
CeCe Peniston (EP Live)
"CeCe Peniston" also known as "EP Live" was a digital EP by the artist CeCe Peniston, released on July 14, 2008 on One Media Publishing.The lead track of the EP featured Peniston's R&B hit from 1992 "Keep On Walkin'...
on One Media Publishing the following year. The whole concert entitled Divas of Disco was available in Europe on DVD on ZYX Music
ZYX Music
ZYX Music is a German record label which was founded in 1971 by Bernhard Mikulski. Until 1992, the label's name was Pop-Import Bernhard Mikulski. The label specialized in disco and early house music. Founder Bernhard Mikulski is credited with coining the term Italo disco in the 1980s...
in 2008, as well as on CD in 2010, while in U.S. only its DVD release followed (on RSM Records in 2009).
"I'm Feelin' U"
In 2007, Peniston teamed up with US house DJ Ron Carroll
Ron Carroll
Ron Carroll is an American DJ, singer, songwriter and producer. He is primarily known in the house music circuit. Carroll has worked with many of house's most famous producers, including E-Smoove, Maurice Joshua and Bob Sinclar. He has also produced, usually with partner Spero Pagos, for other...
for a funky bomb, "I'm Feelin' U
I'm Feelin' U
"I'm Feelin' U" is a 2007 song by the musician CeCe Peniston.The single was originally released in February on the three disc dance compilation entitled Defected in the House: Miami 2007, that featured overall thirty-eight tracks by various artists and was issued on ITH Records label.In May 2007,...
", which was released in May on the Soulfuric Recordings
Soulfuric Recordings
Soulfuric Recordings is an independent house-music record label owned by Marc Pomeroy and Brian Tappert. It releases soulful house records worldwide and is the owner of music download site Traxsource.com.-External links:***...
label. The song caught an attention in the European clublands (No.#2 in the DJ House chart) The four track single included also additional mixes from a French, DJ Fudge, and Brian Tappert
Soulfuric Recordings
Soulfuric Recordings is an independent house-music record label owned by Marc Pomeroy and Brian Tappert. It releases soulful house records worldwide and is the owner of music download site Traxsource.com.-External links:***...
, but as with her previous Japanese release ("You Are the Universe"), "I'm Feelin' U" was available for sale exclusively on vinyl, or as a digital single to be directly downloaded.
"Shame Shame Shame"
The singer's following promotional single, "Shame Shame Shame" released in UK in June 2007 was co-written by Matt
Soulshaker
Soulshaker is a Dance, Club, and Pop music production company based in the UK. In addition to creating their own productions, they write, produce, mix, and remix tracks for a number of major and independent labels in the UK, Europe, and North America....
and Warren Meyers
Soulshaker
Soulshaker is a Dance, Club, and Pop music production company based in the UK. In addition to creating their own productions, they write, produce, mix, and remix tracks for a number of major and independent labels in the UK, Europe, and North America....
, and Kelly Mueller
Soulshaker
Soulshaker is a Dance, Club, and Pop music production company based in the UK. In addition to creating their own productions, they write, produce, mix, and remix tracks for a number of major and independent labels in the UK, Europe, and North America....
, better recognized as Soulshaker
Soulshaker
Soulshaker is a Dance, Club, and Pop music production company based in the UK. In addition to creating their own productions, they write, produce, mix, and remix tracks for a number of major and independent labels in the UK, Europe, and North America....
(alias The Soul Shakers). The British music producers' team produced for Peniston a catchy composition, which would by the end of the year achieve several No.#1 statuses within specialized UK magazine charts (including No.#1 Music Week Pop Tip Chart, No.#1 Music Week Club Chart, and No.#1 DJ Mag Hype Chart). While in England Shame Shame Shame" was issued on the AATW
All Around The World (record label)
All Around the World Productions Limited is a record label from Blackburn, England. The label specialises in Dance Music and most recently R&B.-History:AATW was founded by directors Matt Cadman & Cris Nutall in 1991....
label, in the States the title was released on Trackworks Records in several promo editions.
On August 26, 2007, one year after her interview for 5 Chicago Mag, the singer would mention again her plans regarding a new album project also for Say What News, however she would not go further this time. When asked, with whom from the industry she would like to once collaborate, she named the winner of twenty-two Grammy Awards, Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
.
"Still I"
Originally, the potential release of an R&B song after a lengthy absence, "Still I
Still I
"Still I" is a 2007 song by R&B singer CeCe Peniston, recorded in collaboration with Rodney R.K. Jackson and Felipe “Wax” Delgado, who initially found success producing and co-writing the Peniston’s gold-certified album Finally on A&M Records in 1992....
", was to be cancelled, but the final record actually leaked out after Rodney K. Jackson, one of the producers, allowed the Adrenaline Music company to distribute the song.
Behind the song's production would be soon recognized the singer's former folks from Arizona, Felipe Delgado
Felipe Delgado
Felipe Wax Delgado a.k.a. "DJ Wax Dawg" is an American DJ, songwriter and record producer based in Phoenix, Arizona. He is primarily known for his discovery of CeCe Peniston, and collaborative works with his hometown friend and a music producer/keyboardist, Rodney K. Jackson...
and Jackson (both in charge of her initial hit, “Finally”, from 1991) who reunited in 2005 to form a new production crew, collectively known as SandWorx, altogether with Nick "Cello" Valentine (which joined them in the spring of the following year). Though Peniston herself, who supported the trio by performing live in the Next In club in Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2010 the population of the city was 217,385...
, did not consider the record as a strong enough to be offered for sale, "Still I" was eventually released as a four track virtual single in September 2007, and the session that was supposed to rejoin the former producers with the singer ended up with an apparent contradiction. The rest of to date unreleased recordings are songs entitled "Wonder Woman", "Next to Me" and "Right Here".
"Above Horizons"
However, the year of 2008 would also pass with no significant news regarding her new solo studio project, the following June Peniston released "Above Horizons
Above Horizons
"Above Horizons" is a 2009 song by CeCe Peniston, and the official PTA anthem as a tribute to the families, teachers and communities who help children reach their dreams through the PTA, which resulted from the singer's role being named a National Ambassador of the US largest volunteer child...
", a national PTA
Parent-Teacher Association
In the U.S. a parent-teacher association or Parent-Teacher-Student Association is a formal organization composed of parents, teachers and staff that is intended to facilitate parental participation in a public or private school. Most public and private K-8 schools in the U.S. have a PTA, a...
anthem as a tribute to the families, teachers and communities who help children reach their dreams through the PTA, Parent Teacher Association, which resulted from her role being a National Ambassador of the US largest volunteer child advocacy organization. The ballad was written by Byron V. Garrett, Peniston, Erric Carrington, Essej and Marcus L. Barnum, and the CD promo release, issued on National PTA Recordings, included overall four versions. Among others, also two mixes from a Detroit house music producer and DJ, Aaron-Carl Ragland
Aaron-Carl Ragland
Aaron-Carl Ragland better known simply as Aaron-Carl was an American electronic dance musician....
, who would list one of the singer's compositions ("Nobody Else" from 1998) as one of his musical influences.
On June 17, 2009, Chicago Defender interviewed the artist, who would declare that after over a decade she was about to finish recording her comeback album. Although, she did not concrete its release date, Peniston revealed that she was working with such likes as Track Kingz West, Vudu, Status ("Above Horizons"), David Givens, Montell Jordan
Montell Jordan
Montell Jordan is a former American R&B singer-songwriter and record producer. Jordan became the main solo male artist on its Def Soul imprint until leaving the label in 2003. Of his live performances it is often regarded that he is a rock oriented musician, with Jordan even going as far as to...
(on their common duet "He Say, She Say"), Mateo
Mateo
Mateo may refer to:* Mateo , American singer/songwriter* Mateo Arias, an American teen actor.* Mateo , a 1937 Argentine film.* Mateo , people with the given name Mateo....
(on "Piece of That"), Isalene Elliot, and Ragland. “Once I reach an agreement and sign with a record company, the album will drop,” she added. One month later, Peniston would confirm information regarding her new studio album live as a guest of the Wendy Williams
Wendy Williams
Wendy Williams may refer to:* Wendy O. Williams, former Plasmatics singer* Wendy Williams , British actress* Wendy Williams , American radio and television personality...
birthday show, during which she performed "Finally". Subsequently, the diva allowed to prelisten a few of her brand new recordings to her community via her web-site at myspace.com. Among them, the song "Runway" met with instant positive feedback due to its hip-hop/dance sound comparable to the Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
's production. After a New York correspondent, Kenya Thomas, questioned Peniston for Skinny, she wished to subtitle the album CeCe. Her long-waited record would not be out even by the end of 2010.
"In Love with a DJ"
In June 2010, Hip-Hop Press posted information about Ron Carroll
Ron Carroll
Ron Carroll is an American DJ, singer, songwriter and producer. He is primarily known in the house music circuit. Carroll has worked with many of house's most famous producers, including E-Smoove, Maurice Joshua and Bob Sinclar. He has also produced, usually with partner Spero Pagos, for other...
launching his own independent record label called Electricity, which is to be part of One Entertainment company that will specialize in marketing and promoting concerts, fashion shows and club events all over the world, and signing Electronic, Hip-Hop/R&B and gospel artists. According to the producer himself, Carroll's goal with the label (which has a major distribution deal with Universal
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
) is to focus on artist development, music education and ensuring that Electricity creates a solid foundation for the music industry in the City of Chicago.
Following this announcement, a house/groove, "In Love with a DJ
In Love with a DJ
"In Love with a DJ" is a 2010 song by the singer CeCe Peniston and producer Ron Carroll, primarily known in the house music circuit.Carroll collaborated with Peniston already on her previous singles, on "My Boo" in 2000, and on "I'm Feelin' U" in 2007...
", with Peniston as its lead vocalist was released in July, including four remixes. In an interview for Great British Life, Carroll would say that he "wanted to make a song that gives the perspective of a woman groovin’ to my music, and loving me enough make her night complete.”
2011–present:CeCe
"Make Me Say Oh" and "Stoopid!"On February 4, 2011, Peniston signed a recording contract with the independent label West Swagg Music Group
West Swagg Music Group
West Swagg Music Group is an American independent record label, established in 2010, that was located in the West Coast and designed to sign and distribute the music from West Coast Artist....
(WWMG), established by Lupe Rose in 2010. The company currently has a deal with Bungalo Records
Bungalo Records
Bungalo Records is an American independent record label established in 2000 and distributed through Universal Music Group Distribution. -Current Artists:*Nikki Bates*Bam Rogers *Big Gov*Boondock*Agnes Chan...
, which is exclusively distributed by Universal Music Group Distribution. The singer's first single on the label, "Stoopid!
Stoopid!
"Stoopid!" is a 2011 song by the singer CeCe Peniston, released as the pilot single from her fourth studio album enitled CeCe.The composition written by Lupe Rose, CEO of West Swagg Music Group, and the singer herself was produced by Aphiliated and The Incredibles.-Credits and personnel:* CeCe...
" was officially released on April 26 as a download single. One month prior to that, Peniston contributed to the March-issued various artists digital compilation entitled Miami 2011 with "Make Me Say Oh", which is her fourth track recorded in collaboration with Ron Carroll
Ron Carroll
Ron Carroll is an American DJ, singer, songwriter and producer. He is primarily known in the house music circuit. Carroll has worked with many of house's most famous producers, including E-Smoove, Maurice Joshua and Bob Sinclar. He has also produced, usually with partner Spero Pagos, for other...
(their previous works included songs "My Boo
My Boo (CeCe Peniston song)
"My Boo " is a song by the musician CeCe Peniston, which was released on the Steve Hurley's own record labelin February 2001 as the singer's last single issued on Silk Entertainment, and to date her final collaboration with the producer alone as well.The single release followed the US Dance success...
", "I'm Feelin' U
I'm Feelin' U
"I'm Feelin' U" is a 2007 song by the musician CeCe Peniston.The single was originally released in February on the three disc dance compilation entitled Defected in the House: Miami 2007, that featured overall thirty-eight tracks by various artists and was issued on ITH Records label.In May 2007,...
" and "In Love with a DJ
In Love with a DJ
"In Love with a DJ" is a 2010 song by the singer CeCe Peniston and producer Ron Carroll, primarily known in the house music circuit.Carroll collaborated with Peniston already on her previous singles, on "My Boo" in 2000, and on "I'm Feelin' U" in 2007...
"). On August 9, WWMG released "Keep On Flossing" (a remixed version of her former single
Keep on Walkin' (song)
"Keep On Walkin" is a 1992 song by the musician CeCe Peniston, recorded for her debut album release Finally on A&M Records.The song was released as the singer's third single from the album and was her third number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart...
from 90s) recorded as a duet with her fellow rapper Lavon Collins (aka L.C.)
Discography
Studio albums:- 1992: FinallyFinally (CeCe Peniston album)Finally is the debut album by American singer CeCe Peniston, released on January 28, 1992 by A&M Records. Prior to that, she recorded her debut single "Finally", which topped the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music Club Play chart on October 26, 1991, peaking eventually at number five on the Billboard...
- 1994: Thought 'Ya KnewThought 'Ya KnewThought 'Ya Knew is the second solo studio album released by American singer CeCe Peniston, issued on January 25, 1994 by A&M Records. Peniston collaborated with her Chicago-based producer Steve Hurley, Carsten Schack and Kenneth Karlin from Denmark, David Morales, Sir Jinx, and on one track also...
- 1995: Good News in Hard Times with The Sisters of GlorySisters of GloryThe Sisters of Glory was a US gospel band that included Thelma Houston, CeCe Peniston, Phoebe Snow, Lois Walden, and Albertina Walker.After performing for the Pope John Paul II in Rome at the Vatican, the quintet released their only album entitled Good News in Hard Times, which scored at number...
- 1996: I'm Movin' OnI'm Movin' On (CeCe Peniston album)I'm Movin' On is the third studio album recorded by American singer CeCe Peniston, released on September 9, 1996 by A&M Records. The set that supposed to be the artist's deeper foray into mainstream R&B followed the pattern of her previous release Thought 'Ya Knew , in which Peniston began her...
- 2011: CeCe
Filmography
Peniston has acted in theatrical productions such gospel plays as The WizThe Wiz
The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical "Wonderful Wizard of Oz" is a musical with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and book by William F. Brown. It is a retelling of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the context of African American culture. It opened on October 21, 1974 at the Morris A...
, Treat Her Like a Lady or When a Woman's Fed Up, and later also wrapped up shooting two independent films of the same genre (both released on Maverick Spirit in 2005). The first of them, Don't Touch if You Ain't Prayed, featured gospel music performed by the singer herself, while the second, Pastor Jones, was another urban film appealing to the Christian market.
The most currently, Peniston was attached to the cast in the horror film Thorns from a Rose by A 22 Seventeen production. The story about a poorly treated and improperly diagnosed mental patient, seeking revenge upon his doctor and
former fellow patients who abused him, is to be directed by Bryce Prevatte, and Peniston should reportedly make a cameo appearance as the character of Laura Lee May in the thriller.
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2005 | Pastor Jones | cameo | DVD, directed by Jean-Claude La Marre Jean-Claude La Marre Jean-Claude La Marre is a Haitian-American writer, director, and film and television actor. His film credits include Malcolm X, Dead Presidents, Gang of Roses and Go For Broke. On television, he has guest-starred on New York Undercover, Law & Order, and NYPD Blue... |
| Don't Touch if You Ain't Prayed | Pamela Matthews | DVD, directed by Larry "Flash" Jenkins | |
| 2011 | Thorns from a Rose, in production | Laura Lee May | directed by Bryce Prevatte |
| Television | |||
| 1992 | Top of the Pops Top of the Pops Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn... |
Herself | TV series, aired 16 January |
| TV series, aired 19 March | |||
| It's Showtime at the Apollo | TV series, aired 25 April | ||
| Top of the Pops Top of the Pops Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn... |
TV series, aired 28 May | ||
| The Tonight Show with Jay Leno The Tonight Show with Jay Leno The Tonight Show with Jay Leno is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jay Leno that initially aired from May 25, 1992 to May 29, 2009, and resumed production on March 1, 2010. The fourth incarnation of the Tonight Show franchise made its debut on May 25, 1992, three days following Johnny... |
TV series, aired 29 September | ||
| Ebony/Jet Showcase | TV series, aired 9 October | ||
| Soul Train (Season 22) Soul Train Soul Train is an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from October 1971 to March 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared.As a nod to Soul Trains... |
TV series documentary, episode 3, aired 10 October | ||
| 1993 | 7th Annual Soul Train Music Awards 1993 Soul Train Music Awards The 1993 Soul Train Music Awards was held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on March 9, 1993. The show was co-hosted by Natalie Cole, Patti LaBelle, and Luther Vandross.-Song of the Year:*Tennessee - Arrested Development... |
Herself/performer | TV special, 9 March |
| 1994 | Top of the Pops Top of the Pops Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn... |
Herself | TV series, aired 13 January |
| The Tonight Show with Jay Leno The Tonight Show with Jay Leno The Tonight Show with Jay Leno is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jay Leno that initially aired from May 25, 1992 to May 29, 2009, and resumed production on March 1, 2010. The fourth incarnation of the Tonight Show franchise made its debut on May 25, 1992, three days following Johnny... |
TV series, aired 2 March | ||
| Soul Train (Season 23) Soul Train Soul Train is an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from October 1971 to March 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared.As a nod to Soul Trains... |
TV series documentary, episode 22, aired 19 March | ||
| 1995 | Ghostwriter Ghostwriter (TV series) Ghostwriter is an American television program created by Liz Nelson and produced by the Children's Television Workshop and BBC One. It began airing on PBS on October 4, 1992, and the final episode aired on February 13, 1995... |
Herself/uncredited | TV series, episode "Attack of the Slime Monster: Part 3", aired 5 February |
| 1996 | The Rosie O'Donnell Show The Rosie O'Donnell Show The Rosie O'Donnell Show is an Emmy Award-winning American daytime television talk show hosted and produced by actress and comedian Rosie O'Donnell. It aired for six seasons from 1996 to 2002... |
Herself | TV series, aired 30 September |
| Soul Train (Season 26) Soul Train Soul Train is an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from October 1971 to March 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared.As a nod to Soul Trains... |
TV series documentary, episode 9, aired 21 December | ||
| 2002 | Where Are They Now? (Season 3) Where Are They Now? (VH1 TV series) Where Are They Now? was a television series on VH1 that featured past celebrities and updated on their current professional and personal status... |
TV series documentary, episode 17 "Dance", aired 7 October | |
| 2004 | Gimme the Mike: Phoenix Edition | Herself/judge | TV reality show, "Audition Highlights", aired 16 June |
| TV reality show, "Semi Finals: Week 2", aired 30 June | |||
| TV reality show, "Semi Finals: Week 3", aired 7 July | |||
| TV reality show, "Semi Finals: Week 4", aired 14 July | |||
| TV reality show, "Semi Finals: Week 5", aired 21 July | |||
| TV reality show, "Grand Finale", aired 4 August | |||
| 2005 | Hit Me, Baby, One More Time | Herself/contestant | TV reality show, aired 2 June |
| 2009 | The Good American | Herself | Documentary |
| The Wendy Williams Show The Wendy Williams Show The Wendy Williams Show is a syndicated talk show hosted by Wendy Williams that premiered on July 14, 2008, as six-week sneak peek, in Detroit, Dallas, Los Angeles, and New York City. The test run was picked up for a full season that began its run on July 13, 2009 in over 70% of the country in... |
Herself/performer | TV series, aired 17 July | |
| 20 to 1 20 to 1 20 to 1 is an Australian television series, currently hosted by Bert Newton that counts down an undefined "top 20" of elements or events of popular culture, such as films, songs, sporting scandals. Previously the show was hosted by Charles "Bud" Tingwell and narrated by David Reyne... |
Herself/archive footage | TV series documentary | |
| 2011 | The Mo'Nique Show The Mo'Nique Show The Mo'Nique Show is an American talk show hosted by comedienne actress Mo'Nique. Aired on BET, the series began October 5, 2009. She is the first African American woman to host her own late night show. The show's second and final season premiered on Monday, October 4, 2010.On July 18, 2011, BET... |
Herself | TV series, aired 31 May |
Personal life
In 1992, subsequent to the release of the debut album Finally, Peniston was shortly married to Malik Byrd, who co-wrote "Inside That I Cried" and appeared by her side also in its video. In 2004, the singer married a three years younger, real estate professional named Frank Martin Jr. from Halifax, MassachusettsHalifax, Massachusetts
Halifax is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 7,500 at the 2000 census.- History :Halifax was first settled by Europeans, most notably the Bosworth family from Bosworth Fields in England, in 1669, growing with lumbering and agriculture...
, whom she divorced in 2011.
While the singer's mother, Barbara Anne Quick (born August 25, 1938 in Brooklyn, New York), was also her manager, one of the Peniston's brothers, Gregory Dereck Peniston (born in 1972) is a behavior coach for children ages five to seventeen and a model, who tried to record several songs himself. He was involved in her co-production as a road manager, as well as in her charity work. She has also a sister, Linda.
Peniston is childless, sharing her home in Glendale, Arizona
Glendale, Arizona
Glendale is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, located about nine miles northwest from Downtown Phoenix. According to 2010 Census Bureau, the population of the city is 226,721....
, with two pit bulls and a chihuahua.
Overweight and plastic surgery
With the exception of her formative years when she was crowned a beauty queen, Peniston was struggling with being overweight constantly. "When I first got in this business, I was actually heavier and I was comfortable with who I was, but that was an issue for the record company," she disclossed in 2006. "But see in this day and age where I'm at, it wouldn't be a problem for the record company, I'm going to make sure that it's not. But for somebody who's getting into the business, realize that you're a commodity, and if the record company's investing in you, make sure you that you invest in yourself. Look is important because people see the physical first," she was advising up comers in the 5 Magazine interview.However three years later, in November 2009, Peniston herself was spotted in Culver City, California
Culver City, California
Culver City is a city in western Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 38,883, up from 38,816 at the 2000 census. It is mostly surrounded by the city of Los Angeles, but also shares a border with unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. Culver...
posing for Inside Edition
Inside Edition
Inside Edition is a thirty-minute American television syndicated news program, first aired on CBS on October 9, 1988. It was originally similar to the programs Hard Copy and A Current Affair, but now more closely resembles a condensed version of breakfast television, exclusively with pre-recorded...
(produced daily at the CBS Broadcast Center
CBS Broadcast Center
The CBS Broadcast Center is a television and radio production facility located in New York City, New York. It is CBS's main East Coast production center, much as Television City in Los Angeles is the West Coast hub.-Overview:...
in N.Y.C.), which first revealed details about her radical physical makeover and tumescent liposuction she, reportedly, got recommended by her new record executives.
In addition, she was featured in several national celebrity news and fashion magazines, including the National US Weekly
Us Weekly
Us Weekly is a celebrity gossip magazine, founded in 1977 by The New York Times Company, who sold it in 1980. It was acquired by Wenner Media in 1986. The publication covers topics ranging from celebrity relationships to the latest trends in fashion, beauty, and entertainment...
, which tracked her progress as she sought to lose weight through plastic surgery. The surgery was a “hit” for Peniston, who then claimed to "feel great" after having liposuction, a tummy tuck, fat removed from her neck and a host of other procedures at the Infini Cosmetic Associates clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Monica versus CeCe
In August 2008, Necole Bitchie interviewed American R&B singer MonicaMonica (singer)
Monica Denise Brown , and professionally known as Monica, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in College Park, Georgia, Monica began performing as a child and became part of a traveling gospel choir, by the time she was ten...
, whose first two singles made her the youngest recording act to ever have two consecutive chart-topping hits on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B Singles chart in 1995. The younger singer outspokenly talked about her professional life, upcoming wedding as well as her past relationships. During the interview she also highlighted a devastating moment she had with Peniston when she was a child:
"I remember years ago when I was like 10, I went to an expo and my manager-cousin Melinda asked CeCe Peniston, who was huge at that time, if I could sing for her. She did everything she possibly could while I sang and I remember her being so rude. She was so horrible to me that I was devastated and I never forgot that", said Monica.
A friend of Peniston had brought the article to her attention later, and she would respond to Monica via the social networking website MySpace.com:
After Monica reached the Peniston’s comment on the issue, she would react as follows:
"CeCe, with all my heart I believe what you are saying. I was only 11 years old and it had an affect on me in a positive way, especially as an artist. It was great for me because to fans I don’t say no to things that are fair or within my reach. But only a REAL woman would care about the story after all the years have passed. I never told the story with the intent of hurting you. I’m nothing like some of these messy chicks that recklessly speak and then back down, but I did it to make a point to the many new artists that I meet who clearly feel they owe fans nothing and clearly, CeCe, you don’t feel that way to have even addressed it after 17 years. So thank you, CeCe, at 28years old it still meant a lot to me that you addressed ME directly, and at this point I feel that story should never be told again because the second greatest point this ENTIRE story makes is that artist is still human. Thank you very much for even caring about my feelings. All my love, Monica and my entire family (who were all there that day) say we thank you and love you."
Charity work
LOTS alias CeCe Peniston Youth FoundationOriginally in 1997, singer, along with her friend Heather, founded the CeCe Peniston Youth Foundation to help raise funds for many other organizations, particularly those concerned with HIV/AIDS, women and children in need, hunger and the equality of mankind. After the September 11, 2001 tragedy, Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
requested her presence for his "United We Stand" concert to benefit the families of 9/11. She has also blazed two tracks ("The Christmas Song
The Christmas Song
"The Christmas Song" is a classic Christmas song written in 1944 by musician, composer, and vocalist Mel Tormé and Bob Wells. According to Tormé, the song was written during a blistering hot summer...
" and "What a Wonderful World
What a Wonderful World
"What a Wonderful World" is a song written by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss. It was first recorded by Louis Armstrong and released as a single in 1968. Thiele and Weiss were both prominent in the music world . Armstrong's recording was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999...
) on the albums Merry Arizona II
Merry Arizona II: Desert Stars Shine at Christmas
Additional notes* "Angels We Have Heard on High" was previously released on Indio Records* "Little Drummer Boy" was previously released on New Haven Records* "I'll Be Home for Christmas" was previously released by Sahnas Music...
and Merry Arizona 97
Merry Arizona 97: Desert Stars Shine at Christmas
Additional notes* "O Come All Ye Faithful" was previously released by Eddie M on MoJazz Records* "The Little Drummer Boy" was previously released by The Phoenix Boys Choir on New Haven Records-Credits and personnel:* Otto D'Agnolo - producer, arranger, engineer...
, with proceeds going to Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
. She had been requested to perform for U.S. troops on the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
in 1993, and has continued to travel to entertain the U.S. troops overseas since.
Later in 2006, the foundation was to be re-named as the LOTS Foundation (Lifting Others To Succeed), after her statement in the interview for 5 Mag in June the same year, and she was planning doing a benefit for cancer research, because of her father, a cancer survivor.
National PTA Ambassador
In October 2008, singer was along with Dara Torres
Dara Torres
Dara Grace Torres is an American international swimmer and a twelve-time Olympic medalist. Torres was the first swimmer from the United States to compete in five Olympic Games , and, at age 41, the oldest swimmer ever to earn a place on the U.S. Olympic team...
named a National Ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
for the Parent Teacher Association, which is the largest volunteer child advocacy organization with more than 5 million members. In her new role, she would visit with hundreds of children across the country to reinforce the importance of an arts education and pursuing their dreams. She would also join parents and educators to work toward improving the lives of children, as well as urging families to be more involved.
Following this announcement, Peniston started to record the official PTA anthem, "Above Horizons
Above Horizons
"Above Horizons" is a 2009 song by CeCe Peniston, and the official PTA anthem as a tribute to the families, teachers and communities who help children reach their dreams through the PTA, which resulted from the singer's role being named a National Ambassador of the US largest volunteer child...
", which was released on the organization's recording label, National PTA Recordings in June 2009, as its first music release. The single was available in three different mixes ("Original Mix", "Status Mix" and "Aaron-Carl Mix") at www.PTAmusic.org, and its release coincided with PTA’s unofficial announcement of Downloadfundraiser.com as a PTA National Member Benefits Provider, and the "category exclusive" digital music retailer for National PTA.
See also
- List of awards and nominations received by CeCe Peniston
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
External links
- CeCe Peniston.com
- CeCe Peniston at BillboardBillboard (magazine)Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
- CeCe Peniston on DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...
- CeCe Peniston photos by Life magazine