Chuckii Booker
Encyclopedia
Chuckii Booker is an African American
award-winning producer, singer, songwriter
, multi-instrumentalist
and bandleader
.
to his production company in 1984. Later, he played keyboards with a band called Tease for three years. Booker, known throughout the industry as a keyboard player, is considered by his music peers to be a bass player.
Chuckii signed a recording contract with Atlantic Records
and issued his debut album Chuckii in 1989 in which he played all the instruments and sang all vocals. The album fared well on the strength of hit singles "(Don't U Know) I Love U" and the #1 R&B single "Turned Away". The follow-up final album Niice 'N Wiild was released in 1992 and yielded another chart-topping R&B hit "Games
". Chuckii also wrote, performed and produced the single "Crypt Jam" from the CD soundtrack Tales from the Crypt
. Booker also made a cameo in the movie House Party 3
as a piano player in the hotel lobby scenes which starred Kid N' Play, Bernie Mac
& Chris Tucker
.
Chuckii has recorded & produced with several prominent recording artist throughout the years, including TROOP
which yielded two #1 singles (All I Do Is Think of You
& Spread My Wings
) his godfather Barry White
, Janet Jackson
, CJ Anthony, Vanessa Williams
, Kool & the Gang
and many more. He was the musical director, producer and keyboardist for Janet Jackson
's Rhythm Nation Tour as well as the opening act, He was music director and keyboardist for TLC
& their CrazySexyCool tour as well as New Edition
(Home Again Tour). In 1999, Chuckii served as musical director and keyboardist for R&B platinum artist Faith Evans
on her "Keep The Faith" U.S. tour. Chuckii was also involved with one of the biggest R&B tours of 2008 as musical director with Mary J Blige on her "Heart Of The City" tour alongside Jay Z as co-headliner. Chuckii also served as musical director for acts such as Tevin Campbell
, Brownstone
and recently, Keyshia Cole
. In recent production, Booker is one of the producers for Lionel Richie's album "Coming Home" released in 2007 as well as producer and arranger for Lionel Richie's Collection of Holiday Classics album for NBC's "Sounds of the Season" (2007) series of CDs for Christmas. He was also the pianist for Tina Turner for her "Wildest Dreams" tour in 1997 replacing Kenny Moore who succumbed to a heart attack during the tour.
Chuckii has carved a sizeable niche for himself as a record producer for artists such as Lalah Hathaway
, Troop
, En Vogue
, Angela Winbush
, Diana Ross
, Anastacia
, Commissioned
, Lionel Richie
, and Bette Midler
.
Booker also attended the Pasadena Art Center College of Design on a scholarship program specializing in Graphic Arts. He is also known to have one of the most extensive comic book collections ranging from popular Marvel and D.C. comics to obscure paperback novels.
He was also co-owner of Aire L.A. Studios in Glendale CA. which is one of L.A.'s premiere private recording and mixing studios.
Chuckii comes from a vast musical background family which includes his uncle, a jazz flautist, his grandmother, who is a gospel pianist, as well as his mother, who has played and recorded with such Gospel artists as James Cleveland
and Norman Hutchins. He is currently working with R&B writer/artist Steve Russell from the group TROOP
To date, Chuckii is one of the most sought after musical directors in the R&B and Pop field.
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...
award-winning producer, singer, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, multi-instrumentalist
Multi-instrumentalist
A multi-instrumentalist is a musician who plays a number of different instruments.The Bachelor of Music degree usually requires a second instrument to be learned , but people who double on another instrument are not usually seen as multi-instrumentalists.-Classical music:Music written for Symphony...
and bandleader
Bandleader
A bandleader is the leader of a band of musicians. The term is most commonly, though not exclusively, used with a group that plays popular music as a small combo or a big band, such as one which plays jazz, blues, rhythm and blues or rock and roll music....
.
Biography
Booker emerged in the late 1980s as a prominent urban contemporary R&B artist and producer. He began recording music after being signed by his late godfather Barry WhiteBarry White
Barry White, born Barry Eugene Carter , was an American composer and singer-songwriter.A five-time Grammy Award-winner known for his distinctive bass voice and romantic image, White's greatest success came in the 1970s as a solo singer and with the Love Unlimited Orchestra, crafting many enduring...
to his production company in 1984. Later, he played keyboards with a band called Tease for three years. Booker, known throughout the industry as a keyboard player, is considered by his music peers to be a bass player.
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
and issued his debut album Chuckii in 1989 in which he played all the instruments and sang all vocals. The album fared well on the strength of hit singles "(Don't U Know) I Love U" and the #1 R&B single "Turned Away". The follow-up final album Niice 'N Wiild was released in 1992 and yielded another chart-topping R&B hit "Games
Games (Chuckii Booker song)
"Games" is a song by American R&B singer Chuckii Booker, from his second studio album Niice 'n Wiild. The single spent one week at number-one on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and peaked at number sixty-eight on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100"Games" is a song by American R&B singer...
". Chuckii also wrote, performed and produced the single "Crypt Jam" from the CD soundtrack Tales from the Crypt
Tales from the Crypt (TV series)
Tales from the Crypt, sometimes titled HBO's Tales from the Crypt, is an American horror anthology television series that ran from 1989 to 1996 on the premium cable channel HBO...
. Booker also made a cameo in the movie House Party 3
House Party 3
House Party 3 is a 1994 comedy film, starring Kid 'n Play and Bernie Mac. It is the third and intended final installment of the House Party film series, and the last film in the series to feature Kid 'n Play. This was to be the last film in the franchise, making it a trilogy but 7 years later, a...
as a piano player in the hotel lobby scenes which starred Kid N' Play, Bernie Mac
Bernie Mac
Bernard Jeffrey McCullough , better known by his stage name, Bernie Mac, was an American actor and comedian. Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Mac gained popularity as a stand-up comedian. He joined comedians Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, and D. L...
& Chris Tucker
Chris Tucker
Christopher "Chris" Tucker is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for playing the role of Detective James Carter in the Rush Hour film series.-Early life:...
.
Chuckii has recorded & produced with several prominent recording artist throughout the years, including TROOP
Troop (band)
----Troop is an R&B group from Pasadena, California. TROOP has had three number one singles and ten top ten singles on the Billboard R&B Charts. They have also completed five albums, which include three certified gold and one certified platinum album...
which yielded two #1 singles (All I Do Is Think of You
All I Do Is Think of You
"All I Do Is Think of You" is a ballad single released by The Jackson 5 as the b-side to the group's single, "Forever Came Today" on the Motown label in 1975, and was the final charted single the group issued as The Jackson 5 before they left Motown for CBS the following year...
& Spread My Wings
Spread My Wings
"Spread My Wings" is the title of a number-one R&B single by Troop. As the second single taken from the album Attitude, the song spent two weeks at number one on the U.S. R&B chart....
) his godfather Barry White
Barry White
Barry White, born Barry Eugene Carter , was an American composer and singer-songwriter.A five-time Grammy Award-winner known for his distinctive bass voice and romantic image, White's greatest success came in the 1970s as a solo singer and with the Love Unlimited Orchestra, crafting many enduring...
, 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...
, CJ Anthony, Vanessa Williams
Vanessa L. Williams
Vanessa Lynn Williams is an American pop-R&B recording artist, producer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. In 1983, she became the first woman of African-American descent to be crowned Miss America, but a scandal generated by her having posed for nude photographs published in Penthouse magazine...
, Kool & the Gang
Kool & the Gang
Kool & the Gang are an American jazz, R&B, soul, and funk group, originally formed as the Jazziacs in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1964.They went through several musical phases during the course of their recording career, starting out with a purist jazz sound, then becoming practitioners of R&B and...
and many more. He was the musical director, producer and keyboardist for 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...
's Rhythm Nation Tour as well as the opening act, He was music director and keyboardist for TLC
TLC (band)
TLC is an American musical trio whose repertoire spanned R&B, hip-hop, soul, funk, and new jack swing. Originally consisting of singer Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, rapper-singer Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and singer Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas it found success in the 1990s while also enduring a series of spats...
& their CrazySexyCool tour as well as New Edition
New Edition
New Edition is an R&B group formed in Boston in 1978. The group reached its height of popularity during the 1980s. They were the progenitors of the boy band movement of the 1980s and 1990s and led the way for groups like New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync...
(Home Again Tour). In 1999, Chuckii served as musical director and keyboardist for R&B platinum artist 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...
on her "Keep The Faith" U.S. tour. Chuckii was also involved with one of the biggest R&B tours of 2008 as musical director with Mary J Blige on her "Heart Of The City" tour alongside Jay Z as co-headliner. Chuckii also served as musical director for acts such as Tevin Campbell
Tevin Campbell
Tevin Jermod Campbell is an American R&B singer-songwriter and actor. He scored a string of R&B chart hits as a teenager in the early to mid-1990s.-Music career:...
, Brownstone
Brownstone
Brownstone is a brown Triassic or Jurassic sandstone which was once a popular building material. The term is also used in the United States to refer to a terraced house clad in this material.-Types:-Apostle Island brownstone:...
and recently, Keyshia Cole
Keyshia Cole
Keyshia Myeshia Cole Gibson born October 15, 1981) is an American singer–songwriter and actress. She gained nationwide acclaim when her 2005 debut album, The Way It Is went platinum. Her sophomore album Just Like You went into production shortly after that and was released in September 2007...
. In recent production, Booker is one of the producers for Lionel Richie's album "Coming Home" released in 2007 as well as producer and arranger for Lionel Richie's Collection of Holiday Classics album for NBC's "Sounds of the Season" (2007) series of CDs for Christmas. He was also the pianist for Tina Turner for her "Wildest Dreams" tour in 1997 replacing Kenny Moore who succumbed to a heart attack during the tour.
Chuckii has carved a sizeable niche for himself as a record producer for artists such as Lalah Hathaway
Lalah Hathaway
Eulaulah Donyll Hathaway best known as Lalah Hathaway referred to as the First Daughter of Soul, is a contemporary R&B and jazz singer. She is the daughter of soul singer Donny Hathaway and a classically trained vocalist. In 1990, Lalah Hathaway released a self-titled album. The album's first...
, Troop
Troop
A troop is a military unit, originally a small force of cavalry, subordinate to a squadron and headed by the troop leader. In many armies a troop is the equivalent unit to the infantry section or platoon...
, En Vogue
En Vogue
En Vogue is an American female R&B vocal group from Oakland, California assembled by music producers Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy.The group has won more MTV Video Music Awards than any other female group in MTV history, a total of seven, along with four Soul Train Awards, six American Music...
, Angela Winbush
Angela Winbush
Angela Winbush is an American R&B/soul singer-songwriter who rose to fame first in the 1980s R&B duo René & Angela, also scoring hits as a solo artist.-Early life and career:...
, Diana Ross
Diana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
, Anastacia
Anastacia
Anastacia is an American singer-songwriter. Anastacia has been highly successful in Europe, Asia, South Africa and South America, but has had only minor success in her native United States...
, Commissioned
Commissioned (gospel group)
Commissioned is an American Gospel group. The group recorded twelve albums over a period of seventeen years.-Group composition:Originally from Detroit, Michigan, the six original members were Fred Hammond, Mitchell Jones, Keith Staten, Karl Reid, Michael Brooks, and Michael Williams formed a...
, Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie
Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Since 1968, he has been a member of the musical group Commodores signed to Motown Records...
, and Bette Midler
Bette Midler
Bette Midler is an American singer, actress, and comedian, also known by her informal stage name, The Divine Miss M. She became famous as a cabaret and concert headliner, and went on to star in successful and acclaimed films such as The Rose, Ruthless People, Beaches, and For The Boys...
.
Booker also attended the Pasadena Art Center College of Design on a scholarship program specializing in Graphic Arts. He is also known to have one of the most extensive comic book collections ranging from popular Marvel and D.C. comics to obscure paperback novels.
He was also co-owner of Aire L.A. Studios in Glendale CA. which is one of L.A.'s premiere private recording and mixing studios.
Chuckii comes from a vast musical background family which includes his uncle, a jazz flautist, his grandmother, who is a gospel pianist, as well as his mother, who has played and recorded with such Gospel artists as James Cleveland
James Cleveland
The Reverend Dr. James Cleveland was a gospel singer, arranger, composer and, most significantly, the driving force behind the creation of the modern gospel sound, bringing the stylistic daring of hard gospel and jazz and pop music influences to arrangements for mass choirs...
and Norman Hutchins. He is currently working with R&B writer/artist Steve Russell from the group TROOP
Troop (band)
----Troop is an R&B group from Pasadena, California. TROOP has had three number one singles and ten top ten singles on the Billboard R&B Charts. They have also completed five albums, which include three certified gold and one certified platinum album...
To date, Chuckii is one of the most sought after musical directors in the R&B and Pop field.
Albums
- 1989: Chuckii (AtlanticAtlantic RecordsAtlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
) - US Pop #116, US R&B #18 - 1992: Niice 'n Wiild (Atlantic) - US R&B #13
- 2011: "CBIII" EPK To be dated
Singles
- 1989: "Turned AwayTurned Away"Turned Away" is a 1989 debut single by singer/songwriter Chuckii Booker. The single went to number on the Hot Soul Singles chart for one week and peaked at number forty-two on the Hot 100..-References:...
" - US Pop #42, US R&B #1 - 1989: "(Don't U Know) I Love U" - US R&B #4
- 1989: "Touch" - US R&B #13
- 1992: "GamesGames (Chuckii Booker song)"Games" is a song by American R&B singer Chuckii Booker, from his second studio album Niice 'n Wiild. The single spent one week at number-one on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and peaked at number sixty-eight on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100"Games" is a song by American R&B singer...
" - US Pop #68, US R&B #1 - 1993: "I Should Have Loved You" - US R&B #38