Robin Thicke
Encyclopedia
Robin Charles Thicke is an Award
-winning American
R&B singer-songwriter
, musician
, composer
, and actor
. Thicke's albums, which he previously released under the moniker Thicke, are noted for their feature of a predominantly R&B sound. Robin Thicke has penned hits for popular artists such as Jennifer Hudson
, Usher
, Mary J. Blige
and others. Thicke was also acknowledged for his work in popular albums such as Confessions
and Tha Carter III
.
actress and singer Gloria Loring
and his father is Canadian
actor Alan Thicke
. They divorced when he was seven. Throughout his childhood, he would be exposed to music by Bruce Springsteen
courtesy of his father, as well as Luther Vandross
and Whitney Houston
courtesy of his mother.
's self-titled album
and a number of songs for 3T's "Sexual Attention" and collaborated with Jordan Knight
, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on several songs in Knight's 1999 album Jordan Knight
. He also co-wrote the songs "When You Put Your Hands On Me" for Christina Aguilera
's debut album
and "No Tears on My Pillow" for Mýa
's sophomore release, Fear of Flying
. As an artist, he recorded and performed solely under his surname, Thicke. He would continue to do so until 2005.
" was performed by Guy Sebastian
, the winner of the first Australian Idol 2003, during the competition and at the Idol Grand Final. "When I Get You Alone" was a popular song choice for Sebastian; he put the live idol performance on his four-times platinum debut single "Angels Brought Me Here
"; it was the fastest selling single in Australia debuting at #1 and immediately breaking an Aria
record. In 2004, Thicke co-wrote with Guy Sebastian
, the #1 Hit "Out With My Baby
" from Sebastian's second album, Beautiful Life. Thicke also produced this single for Sebastian. Thicke was involved in three tracks on Beautiful Life. Other songs Thicke contributed to on the album include "Fiend for You", co-written with Sebastian, and "How", a Robin Thicke original included on the track listing. During this same year, he wrote a song with the singer and actress Raven-Symoné
for the album This Is My Time, with the song "Set Me Free".
In April 2007, Thicke co-wrote a song with singer/songwriter Angela Via
called "Wrong for You", a single from Via's forthcoming album. That same year, Thicke appeared on 50 Cent
's album Curtis
, which was released on September 11, 2007, on a song called "Follow My Lead
". He worked with Ashanti
on her fourth studio album, The Declaration
, which was released on June 3, 2008. Thicke was enlisted by producer
Polow da Don
to play piano on the Usher track, "Love in This Club
". Also that year, Thicke reunited with Lil Wayne and was featured on his album Tha Carter III
on a track entitled "Tie My Hands", which Thicke also produced.
At the 2009 Grammy Awards, Thicke was most recently recognized for his work on Lil Wayne’s sixth studio album Tha Carter III
, as well as Jennifer Hudson
’s self titled debut album
. Thicke wrote and produced the song "Tie My Hands" on Tha Carter III, which went on to win Best Rap Album
. Thicke wrote and produced the song "Giving Myself" for the album Jennifer Hudson, which went on to win Best R&B Album
.
, than his pop-offerings for other artists.
In 2002, Thicke released his debut single "When I Get You Alone
". The track samples Walter Murphy
's "A Fifth of Beethoven
", which itself is a disco rendition of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony
. The music video for the song features an unshaven Thicke with long, wild hair as a courier racing
through the streets of Manhattan
on a bicycle. It received some rotation on MTV2
and BET
's Rated Next and was spun moderately on pop and urban radio, peaking at #49 on Radio & Records
Pop chart. Globally, however, "When I Get You Alone" became a chart success when it peaked within the top 20 in Australia, Belgium, and Italy, and reached the top ten of the singles charts in New Zealand and the top three in the Netherlands. The tune was featured for the soundtrack of Agent Cody Banks
.
The moderate success was enough to signal the release of the album, with its name changed to A Beautiful World. Despite the release of a second single, "Brand New Jones", the album received very little promotion, and debuted at a low number 152 on the US Billboard 200
, eventually selling 63,000 copies.
Runner-up Blake Lewis
performed "When I Get You Alone" during the 2007 season of American Idol
when the top 3 chose a song to sing. Lewis has often put Robin Thicke in his list of musical influences in interviews and on the American Idol website. The song was also performed on Glee during the season 2 episode "Silly Love Songs".
's song, "Switch
". After being signed to The Neptunes
label, Star Trak, he began working on his second album entitled The Evolution of Robin Thicke
. The first single, "Wanna Love U Girl
", featured producer Pharrell and experienced chart success on urban radio in the United Kingdom. For the video, Thicke changed his appearance, cutting off his trademark long hair. In 2006, a remix version of the song was filmed with rapper Busta Rhymes
. Nearly a year after the single was released, the album was released on October 3, 2006. The Evolution of Robin Thicke includes songs with Lil' Wayne and Faith Evans
(on "Got 2 Be Down"), as well as Pharrell. To promote the album Thicke toured with India.Arie
, and then opened for John Legend
in late 2006.
His second single, the ballad "Lost Without U
", began getting a lot of radio airplay in Urban & Rhythmic stations towards the end of 2006 and early 2007. With the assistance of radio airplay the song became his breakout hit, reaching as high as number fourteen on the Billboard Hot 100
, and number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
, the first Caucasian male artist to top that chart since George Michael
. With album sales over 1.5 million copies sold domestically after the re-release as a Deluxe Edition (with three new bonus tracks) on February 13, 2007, The Evolution of Robin Thicke became a commercial success in the United States.
The album peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
chart, garnering Thicke his first R&B number one album of his career. From February 24, 2007 to March 3, 2007 the single "Lost Without U
" and album The Evolution of Robin Thicke simultaneously spent two consecutive weeks at number one on the R&B singles and albums charts respectively. On the March 3, 2007 issue of Billboard magazine, Thicke simultaneously topped four Billboard charts; Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay
, and Hot Adult R&B Airplay. In March 2007, The Evolution of Robin Thicke was certified Platinum by the RIAA. Thicke and his record label Interscope soon considered potential tracks to be released as the album's next and third single. Thicke's preference was the track "Can U Believe
", which peaked at number fifteen on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
and at number ninety-nine on the Billboard Hot 100
chart. On October 2, 2007 the track "Got 2 Be Down
" was released as the album's fourth official single. The single peaked at number sixty on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.
Later in 2007, Thicke finished promotion for the album as the featured opening act for the North American leg of Beyoncé's US tour, The Beyoncé Experience
. Thicke also performed a one off UK concert
in London's Koko Arena on September 24, 2007.
As of February 10, 2009, the album was certified Double-Platinum
by the RIAA.
, on September 30, 2008. It debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 charts and sold nearly 140,000 records the first week. The first single from the album was "Magic
" a further expansion of the R&B sound that powered his 2006 breakthrough, The Evolution of Robin Thicke. "Magic" went on to peak at number two on the Urban AC charts. "Magic" was also used in the evening gown competition of Miss Universe 2008 in Viet Nam. He followed this success with the second single, "The Sweetest Love", which also peaked at number two on the Urban AC charts and remained in the top five for twelve consecutive weeks.
Speaking in October 2008 to UK R&B writer Pete Lewis of Blues & Soul
, Thicke explained his reasons for titling his third album Something Else:
During another interview Thicke elaborated:
Thicke recently appeared on an episode of ABC
's The Bachelor to perform “Magic” and “The Sweetest Love” for the remaining female contestants. Thicke wrote and produced a track for the movie Precious
, a film based on a novel by Sapphire
, in which his wife Paula Patton also stars. He is currently co-headlining a U.S. tour with Jennifer Hudson
, which began March 31, 2009 in Albany, New York
, and wraps up 25 shows later in Biloxi, Mississippi
. At the start of the tour, Thicke released "You're My Baby" as the official third single from Something Else, despite filming and releasing a music video for the track "Dreamworld".
, had its release date postponed to winter, being released on December 15, 2009. Jay-Z
is featured on the track "Meiple (Me I Play)". The first single from the album was the self-titled track
, produced by Polow Da Don
and released in October 2009. In November 2009, Thicke premiered the second single to radio, "Shakin' It for Daddy", featuring rapper Nicki Minaj
. It was also produced by Polow Da Don.
Speaking of the musical background to Sex Therapy, in March 2010 Thicke told Pete Lewis - Deputy Editor of Blues & Soul
- "I'm always gonna have the influence of Marvin Gaye
, Stevie Wonder
and Al Green
in my music. But with this album I also wanted to show my HIP HOP side. I grew up listening to Run DMC and NWA
and Biggie and Pac
and Jay-Z
... So I really wanted to make a record that represented how much that music has influenced me." Earlier in 2009, on October 14, Leighton Meester
's debut single "Somebody to Love
", featuring Thicke, was released. Thicke told MTV
he was glad to have Lil Wayne
on the album. He also pointed out that he was featured on Lil Wayne's last two albums, and Lil Wayne was on his last two albums. "We're kind of good luck charms for each other", he said.
Thicke appeared on ABC
's New Year's Rockin' Eve on January 1, 2010 and performed three songs in Las Vegas
, in a pre-recorded segment. It is confirmed that he, along with Melanie Fiona
, will be going on The Freedom Tour
with Alicia Keys
. Thicke will be on tour with Jennifer Hudson, with whom he toured in 2009, in 2011. Robin Thicke is releasing his upcoming fifth studio album Love After War on December 6th 2011.
for a film that is to be out in 2011.
. It was announced at an Alicia Keys
concert in Los Angeles
at the Staples Center
that the couple had their first child, a boy named Julian Fuego Thicke, on April 6, 2010.
Thicke has said he does not like it when his music is called "blue-eyed soul
", calling the label "small-minded and stereotypical."
In the fall of 2010, Robin Thicke spent several weeks in New York City recording and living in a rented SoHo
apartment which he had converted into a makeshift professional studio.
Award
An award is something given to a person or a group of people to recognize excellence in a certain field; a certificate of excellence. Awards are often signifiedby trophies, titles, certificates, commemorative plaques, medals, badges, pins, or ribbons...
-winning American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
R&B singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. Thicke's albums, which he previously released under the moniker Thicke, are noted for their feature of a predominantly R&B sound. Robin Thicke has penned hits for popular artists such as Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Kate Hudson is an American recording artist, actress and spokesperson. She came to prominence in 2004 as one of the finalists on the third season of American Idol coming in seventh place...
, Usher
Usher (entertainer)
Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
, Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
and others. Thicke was also acknowledged for his work in popular albums such as Confessions
Confessions (Usher album)
Confessions is the fourth studio album by American R&B recording artist Usher, released March 23, 2004, on Arista-imprint label LaFace Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2003 to 2004 with production by Jermaine Dupri, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Lil Jon...
and Tha Carter III
Tha Carter III
Tha Carter III is the sixth studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne, released June 10, 2008 on Cash Money Records. It follows a long string of mixtape releases and guest appearances on other hip hop and R&B artists records, helping to increase his exposure in the mainstream...
.
Early life
His mother is Days of Our LivesDays of our Lives
Days of our Lives is a long running daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television network. It is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday in the United States since November 8, 1965. It has since been syndicated to many countries around...
actress and singer Gloria Loring
Gloria Loring
Gloria Loring is an American singer and actress.- Career :Loring began her music career at age 14, singing with a folk group known as "Those Four". Gloria Loring released her first album in 1968. It was titled "Gloria Loring, Today" on MGM Records...
and his father is Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
actor Alan Thicke
Alan Thicke
Alan Thicke is a Canadian actor, songwriter, and game and talk show host. He is best known for his role as Jason Seaver, the patriarch on the ABC television series Growing Pains.- Early life :...
. They divorced when he was seven. Throughout his childhood, he would be exposed to music by Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
courtesy of his father, as well as Luther Vandross
Luther Vandross
Luther Ronzoni Vandross was an American singer-songwriter and record producer. During his career, Vandross sold over twenty-five million albums and won eight Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four times...
and 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...
courtesy of his mother.
Early years
Before his days as a singer-songwriter, Thicke had written "Love Is On My Side" on BrandyBrandy Norwood
Brandy Rayana Norwood , known professionally as Brandy, is an American singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and dancer. In 2009, she introduced her rap alter-ego Bran'Nu....
's self-titled album
Brandy (album)
Brandy is the self-titled debut studio album by American singer Brandy, released by Atlantic Records on September 27, 1994 in North America, December 5 in the United Kingdom and on several dates in Europe, starting on February 3, 1995....
and a number of songs for 3T's "Sexual Attention" and collaborated with Jordan Knight
Jordan Knight
Jordan Nathaniel Marcel Knight is an American singer-songwriter best known as the lead singer in the boy band, New Kids on the Block , and actor, who rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s. He is best known for his distinctive falsetto style of singing, influenced by The Stylistics. After New Kids On...
, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on several songs in Knight's 1999 album Jordan Knight
Jordan Knight (album)
Jordan Knight is the eponymous debut album from former New Kids on the Block member, Jordan Knight. Jordan Knight co-produced 8 of the 11 tracks on the disc with help from Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and a soon-to-be-known artist, Robin Thicke...
. He also co-wrote the songs "When You Put Your Hands On Me" for Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
's debut album
Christina Aguilera (album)
Christina Aguilera is the self-titled debut studio album by American pop singer Christina Aguilera released on August 24, 1999 in the United States by RCA Records...
and "No Tears on My Pillow" for Mýa
Mya
-A person:* Bo Mya , Chief Commander of the Karen National Union* Mýa , American R&B singer-songwriter and actress** Mýa , a 1998 album by Mýa-A code:* Burmese language, ISO 639-3 code is mya* Moruya Airport's IATA code...
's sophomore release, Fear of Flying
Fear of Flying (album)
Fear of Flying is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Mýa, released April 25, 2000 on Interscope Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during late 1999 to early 2000...
. As an artist, he recorded and performed solely under his surname, Thicke. He would continue to do so until 2005.
Songwriting, producing and collaborations
Thicke began his songwriting career by penning hits for popular artists. The Thicke original "When I Get You AloneWhen I Get You Alone
"When I Get You Alone" is the first single by American singer Robin Thicke, released in 2002. It was originally to be featured on his debut album Cherry Blue Skies, before being placed on a revamped version of the album and his first released studio album A Beautiful World.-Writing and...
" was performed by Guy Sebastian
Guy Sebastian
Guy Theodore Sebastian is an Australian pop, R&B, and soul singer-songwriter who was the first winner of Australian Idol in 2003. He is currently a judge on the Australian version of The X Factor. Sebastian has released six top ten platinum/multi platinum albums, including a number-one and...
, the winner of the first Australian Idol 2003, during the competition and at the Idol Grand Final. "When I Get You Alone" was a popular song choice for Sebastian; he put the live idol performance on his four-times platinum debut single "Angels Brought Me Here
Angels Brought Me Here
"Angels Brought Me Here" is a pop song written by Jörgen Elofsson and John Reid for 2003 Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian, for his first album Just as I Am . Recorded versions were made for both grand finalists, Sebastian and Shannon Noll, with only Sebastian's version officially released by BMG...
"; it was the fastest selling single in Australia debuting at #1 and immediately breaking an Aria
Aria
An aria in music was originally any expressive melody, usually, but not always, performed by a singer. The term is now used almost exclusively to describe a self-contained piece for one voice usually with orchestral accompaniment...
record. In 2004, Thicke co-wrote with Guy Sebastian
Guy Sebastian
Guy Theodore Sebastian is an Australian pop, R&B, and soul singer-songwriter who was the first winner of Australian Idol in 2003. He is currently a judge on the Australian version of The X Factor. Sebastian has released six top ten platinum/multi platinum albums, including a number-one and...
, the #1 Hit "Out With My Baby
Out with My Baby
"Out with My Baby" is a song by Australian R&B artist Guy Sebastian. Out With My Baby was co-written by Guy Sebastian and Robin Thicke, the renowned US/Canadian R&B artist. Thicke also produced this single for Sebastian...
" from Sebastian's second album, Beautiful Life. Thicke also produced this single for Sebastian. Thicke was involved in three tracks on Beautiful Life. Other songs Thicke contributed to on the album include "Fiend for You", co-written with Sebastian, and "How", a Robin Thicke original included on the track listing. During this same year, he wrote a song with the singer and actress Raven-Symoné
Raven-Symoné
Raven-Symoné Christina Pearman , known professionally as Raven-Symoné , or simply Raven, is an American actress, singer, songwriter, comedian, dancer, television producer and model. Symoné launched her successful career in 1989 after appearing in The Cosby Show as Olivia...
for the album This Is My Time, with the song "Set Me Free".
In April 2007, Thicke co-wrote a song with singer/songwriter Angela Via
Angela Via
Angela Vía is an American singer/songwriter from Texas. Initially marketed as a pop artist, Angela's catalog contains music of a variety of genres in both English and Spanish...
called "Wrong for You", a single from Via's forthcoming album. That same year, Thicke appeared on 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
's album Curtis
Curtis (50 Cent album)
Curtis is the third studio album by American rapper 50 Cent, released September 11, 2007, on Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. The album features production from Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Timbaland, among others...
, which was released on September 11, 2007, on a song called "Follow My Lead
Follow My Lead
"Follow My Lead" was the originally planned fifth single from 50 Cent's third album, Curtis, but was later replaced by "I'll Still Kill". However, it was released as the 6th single on November 11, 2009 for the Before I Self Destruct countdown....
". He worked with Ashanti
Ashanti (singer)
Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer, actress, and model. She rose to fame in the early 2000s. Ashanti is most famous for her eponymous debut album, which featured the hit song "Foolish", and sold over 503,000 copies in its first week of release...
on her fourth studio album, The Declaration
The Declaration
The Declaration is the fourth studio album by American R&B/pop singer Ashanti. It was released on June 3, 2008.The album includes the single "The Way That I Love You"...
, which was released on June 3, 2008. Thicke was enlisted by producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Polow da Don
Polow Da Don
Polow-Freache Jamal Fincher Jones , better known by known by professional name Polow da Don or Awesome Jones, is an American record producer, songwriter, rapper, and singer. His cousin is Atlanta singer Monica. He has produced for a variety of artists including Usher, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, T.I...
to play piano on the Usher track, "Love in This Club
Love in This Club
"Love in This Club" is a song by American R&B singer Usher. Featuring rapper Young Jeezy, it was released on February 22, 2008 as the lead single from Usher's fifth studio album, Here I Stand. The song was written by Usher, Polow da Don, Young Jeezy, Darnell Dalton, Ryon Lovett, Lamar Taylor and...
". Also that year, Thicke reunited with Lil Wayne and was featured on his album Tha Carter III
Tha Carter III
Tha Carter III is the sixth studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne, released June 10, 2008 on Cash Money Records. It follows a long string of mixtape releases and guest appearances on other hip hop and R&B artists records, helping to increase his exposure in the mainstream...
on a track entitled "Tie My Hands", which Thicke also produced.
At the 2009 Grammy Awards, Thicke was most recently recognized for his work on Lil Wayne’s sixth studio album Tha Carter III
Tha Carter III
Tha Carter III is the sixth studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne, released June 10, 2008 on Cash Money Records. It follows a long string of mixtape releases and guest appearances on other hip hop and R&B artists records, helping to increase his exposure in the mainstream...
, as well as Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Kate Hudson is an American recording artist, actress and spokesperson. She came to prominence in 2004 as one of the finalists on the third season of American Idol coming in seventh place...
’s self titled debut album
Jennifer Hudson (album)
Upon its release, Jennifer Hudson received mixed reviews from music critics. Sarah Rodman of The Boston Globe said that, "Despite its flaws, Hudson's debut comes on much like her Dreamgirls character, with admirable self-assurance and real-girl sensuality." Chris Willman of Entertainment Weekly...
. Thicke wrote and produced the song "Tie My Hands" on Tha Carter III, which went on to win Best Rap Album
Grammy Award for Best Rap Album
The Grammy Award for Best Rap Album is an award presented to recording artists for quality albums with rapping at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards...
. Thicke wrote and produced the song "Giving Myself" for the album Jennifer Hudson, which went on to win Best R&B Album
Grammy Award for Best R&B Album
The Grammy Award for Best R&B Album is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality works on albums in the R&B music genre...
.
2002–2004: Early commercial success
In 2000, Thicke, who simply went by his last name, went to work on material for his debut album, initially entitled Cherry Blue Skies. The album focused more on soulSoul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
, than his pop-offerings for other artists.
In 2002, Thicke released his debut single "When I Get You Alone
When I Get You Alone
"When I Get You Alone" is the first single by American singer Robin Thicke, released in 2002. It was originally to be featured on his debut album Cherry Blue Skies, before being placed on a revamped version of the album and his first released studio album A Beautiful World.-Writing and...
". The track samples Walter Murphy
Walter Murphy
Walter Anthony Murphy, Jr. is an American instrumentalist, songwriter, and arranger. He rose to fame with the hit instrumental "A Fifth of Beethoven", a disco adaptation of passages from the first movement of Ludwig van Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, in 1976, when disco was at the height of its...
's "A Fifth of Beethoven
A Fifth of Beethoven
"A Fifth of Beethoven" is a disco instrumental recorded by Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band. It was adapted by Murphy from the first movement of Beethoven's 5th Symphony. The record was produced by noted production music and sound effects recording producer Thomas J. Valentino. It was one of...
", which itself is a disco rendition of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony
Symphony No. 5 (Beethoven)
The Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67, was written by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1804–08. This symphony is one of the most popular and best-known compositions in all of classical music, and one of the most often played symphonies. It comprises four movements: an opening sonata, an andante, and a fast...
. The music video for the song features an unshaven Thicke with long, wild hair as a courier racing
Bicycle messenger
Bicycle messengers are people who work for courier companies carrying and delivering items by bicycle. Bicycle messengers are most often found in the central business districts of metropolitan areas...
through the streets of Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
on a bicycle. It received some rotation on MTV2
MTV2
MTV2 is a cable network that is widely available in the United States on digital cable and satellite television, and is progressively being added to analogue cable lineups across the nation...
and BET
Bet
Bet or BET may refer to:* A wager in gambling* Basic Economics Test * Bet , the second letter in many Semitic alphabets, including Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician and Syriac* Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherm. See BET_theory...
's Rated Next and was spun moderately on pop and urban radio, peaking at #49 on Radio & Records
Radio & Records
Radio & Records was a trade publication providing news and airplay information for the radio and music industries. It originally started out as an independent trade from 1973 to 2006 until VNU Media took over in 2006, up until its final issue in 2009.-History:The company was founded in 1973 and...
Pop chart. Globally, however, "When I Get You Alone" became a chart success when it peaked within the top 20 in Australia, Belgium, and Italy, and reached the top ten of the singles charts in New Zealand and the top three in the Netherlands. The tune was featured for the soundtrack of Agent Cody Banks
Agent Cody Banks
Agent Cody Banks is an American action comedy film directed by Harald Zwart. Its story follows the adventures of the 15-year-old title character, played by Frankie Muniz, who has to finish his chores, avoid getting grounded, and save the world by going undercover for the CIA as a James Bond type...
.
The moderate success was enough to signal the release of the album, with its name changed to A Beautiful World. Despite the release of a second single, "Brand New Jones", the album received very little promotion, and debuted at a low number 152 on the US 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...
, eventually selling 63,000 copies.
Runner-up Blake Lewis
Blake Lewis
Blake Colin Lewis is an American singer-songwriter and beatboxer who was the runner-up on the sixth season of American Idol. His major label debut album A.D.D. was released on December 4, 2007 through 19 Recordings/Arista Records. On October 30, 2007, his first single "Break Anotha" was released....
performed "When I Get You Alone" during the 2007 season of American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
when the top 3 chose a song to sing. Lewis has often put Robin Thicke in his list of musical influences in interviews and on the American Idol website. The song was also performed on Glee during the season 2 episode "Silly Love Songs".
2005–2007: The Evolution of Robin Thicke
In 2005, Thicke performed as a guest on the remix of Will SmithWill Smith
Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
's song, "Switch
Switch (song)
"Switch" is a single released in 2005 by Will Smith from his album Lost & Found. The song peaked at No. 7 on the United States Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. It reached No. 1 in Canada and Australia where it remained for one week and No. 4 in the United Kingdom...
". After being signed to The Neptunes
The Neptunes
The Neptunes are a record production duo consisting of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, who are credited with contributing the sound for many successful hip hop, R&B and pop artists in the late-1990s and 2000s...
label, Star Trak, he began working on his second album entitled The Evolution of Robin Thicke
The Evolution of Robin Thicke
The Evolution of Robin Thicke is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Robin Thicke, released by Star Trak/Interscope Records on October 3, 2006 . Guest appearances from Faith Evans, Lil Wayne and Pharrell where included. The album was re-released as a Deluxe Edition on February...
. The first single, "Wanna Love U Girl
Wanna Love U Girl
"Wanna Love You Girl" is the lead single by blue-eyed soul singer/songwriter Robin Thicke from his second album The Evolution of Robin Thicke....
", featured producer Pharrell and experienced chart success on urban radio in the United Kingdom. For the video, Thicke changed his appearance, cutting off his trademark long hair. In 2006, a remix version of the song was filmed with rapper Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
. Nearly a year after the single was released, the album was released on October 3, 2006. The Evolution of Robin Thicke includes songs with Lil' Wayne and 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 "Got 2 Be Down"), as well as Pharrell. To promote the album Thicke toured with India.Arie
India.Arie
India.Arie is a Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter and record producer . She has sold over 3.3 million records in the U.S. and 10 million worldwide. She has won four Grammy Awards from her 21 nominations, including Best R&B Album.-Background:Simpson was born in Denver, Colorado...
, and then opened for John Legend
John Legend
John Roger Stephens , better known by his stage name John Legend, is an American singer, musician, and actor. He is the recipient of nine Grammy Awards, and in 2007, he received the special Starlight award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.Prior to the release of his debut album, Stephens' career...
in late 2006.
His second single, the ballad "Lost Without U
Lost Without U
"Lost Without U" is the second official single released from Robin Thicke's second album The Evolution of Robin Thicke .-Writing and inspiration:...
", began getting a lot of radio airplay in Urban & Rhythmic stations towards the end of 2006 and early 2007. With the assistance of radio airplay the song became his breakout hit, reaching as high as number fourteen on the Billboard 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...
, and number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
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,...
, the first Caucasian male artist to top that chart since 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...
. With album sales over 1.5 million copies sold domestically after the re-release as a Deluxe Edition (with three new bonus tracks) on February 13, 2007, The Evolution of Robin Thicke became a commercial success in the United States.
The album peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999...
chart, garnering Thicke his first R&B number one album of his career. From February 24, 2007 to March 3, 2007 the single "Lost Without U
Lost Without U
"Lost Without U" is the second official single released from Robin Thicke's second album The Evolution of Robin Thicke .-Writing and inspiration:...
" and album The Evolution of Robin Thicke simultaneously spent two consecutive weeks at number one on the R&B singles and albums charts respectively. On the March 3, 2007 issue of Billboard magazine, Thicke simultaneously topped four Billboard charts; Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999...
, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
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,...
, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay
The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart is the airplay component chart of the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. It is not the R&B subset of The Hot 100 Airplay, but rather a separate panel of R&B stations in urban markets used for the R&B/Hip-Hop chart...
, and Hot Adult R&B Airplay. In March 2007, The Evolution of Robin Thicke was certified Platinum by the RIAA. Thicke and his record label Interscope soon considered potential tracks to be released as the album's next and third single. Thicke's preference was the track "Can U Believe
Can U Believe
"Can U Believe" is the third single from Robin Thicke's second studio album The Evolution of Robin Thicke. Originally "Got 2 Be Down" was expected to be the 3rd single but due to Faith Evans' recent pregnancy plans the release for the single were scrapped even though the song has already began...
", which peaked at number fifteen on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
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,...
and at number ninety-nine on the Billboard 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...
chart. On October 2, 2007 the track "Got 2 Be Down
Got 2 Be Down
"Got 2 Be Down" is the fourth and final single from Robin Thicke's second studio album The Evolution of Robin Thicke. It was officially released to radio stations on October 2, 2007. Originally "Got 2 Be Down" was expected to be the 3rd single but due to Faith Evans' pregnancy plans the release...
" was released as the album's fourth official single. The single peaked at number sixty on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.
Later in 2007, Thicke finished promotion for the album as the featured opening act for the North American leg of Beyoncé's US tour, The Beyoncé Experience
The Beyoncé Experience
The Beyoncé Experience was the second worldwide concert tour by American singer-songwriter Beyoncé in support to her second solo album B'Day. According to Vibe, the tour grossed over $18.1 million.-Background:...
. Thicke also performed a one off UK concert
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
in London's Koko Arena on September 24, 2007.
As of February 10, 2009, the album was certified Double-Platinum
Platinum
Platinum is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Pt and an atomic number of 78. Its name is derived from the Spanish term platina del Pinto, which is literally translated into "little silver of the Pinto River." It is a dense, malleable, ductile, precious, gray-white transition metal...
by the RIAA.
2008–09: Something Else and other projects
Thicke released his third solo album, entitled Something ElseSomething Else (Robin Thicke album)
-Singles:*Magic*The Sweetest Love*Dreamworld - A video for the song, directed by Anthony Mandler was released on February 11, but no further information shows that the song will be released officially....
, on September 30, 2008. It debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 charts and sold nearly 140,000 records the first week. The first single from the album was "Magic
Magic (Robin Thicke song)
"Magic" is a song by American R&B singer Robin Thicke. The R&B jazz-inspired song was produced in 2008 for Robin Thicke's third studio album, Something Else. "Magic" is a R&B uptempo song, with its live instrumentation varied; including conga, horn, violin, and piano. The song's lyrics refer to a...
" a further expansion of the R&B sound that powered his 2006 breakthrough, The Evolution of Robin Thicke. "Magic" went on to peak at number two on the Urban AC charts. "Magic" was also used in the evening gown competition of Miss Universe 2008 in Viet Nam. He followed this success with the second single, "The Sweetest Love", which also peaked at number two on the Urban AC charts and remained in the top five for twelve consecutive weeks.
Speaking in October 2008 to UK R&B writer Pete Lewis of Blues & Soul
Blues & Soul
Blues & Soul is a British music magazine covering black music. Genres covered include soul, R&B, jazz, hip hop, reggae and world music. It was first published in 1966 and is known for first using the term Northern Soul....
, Thicke explained his reasons for titling his third album Something Else:
During another interview Thicke elaborated:
Thicke recently appeared on an episode of ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
's The Bachelor to perform “Magic” and “The Sweetest Love” for the remaining female contestants. Thicke wrote and produced a track for the movie Precious
Precious (film)
Precious , is a 2009 American drama film directed by Lee Daniels. Precious is an adaptation by Geoffrey S. Fletcher of the 1996 novel Push by Sapphire. The film stars Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, and Paula Patton...
, a film based on a novel by Sapphire
Sapphire (author)
Sapphire is an American author and performance poet.- Early life :Ramona Lofton was born in Fort Ord, California, one of four children of an Army couple who relocated within the United States and abroad. After a disagreement concerning where the family would settle, her parents separated, with...
, in which his wife Paula Patton also stars. He is currently co-headlining a U.S. tour with Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Kate Hudson is an American recording artist, actress and spokesperson. She came to prominence in 2004 as one of the finalists on the third season of American Idol coming in seventh place...
, which began March 31, 2009 in Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
, and wraps up 25 shows later in Biloxi, Mississippi
Biloxi, Mississippi
Biloxi is a city in Harrison County, Mississippi, in the United States. The 2010 census recorded the population as 44,054. Along with Gulfport, Biloxi is a county seat of Harrison County....
. At the start of the tour, Thicke released "You're My Baby" as the official third single from Something Else, despite filming and releasing a music video for the track "Dreamworld".
2009–present: Sex Therapy and future projects
Billboard.com announced that Thicke would release his fourth studio album in the fall of 2009, which would not be self-produced. The album, titled Sex TherapySex Therapy (album)
Sex Therapy is the fourth studio album by American R&B recording artist Robin Thicke, released December 15, 2009 on Star Trak Entertainment in the United States. Sex Therapy also features guest contributions by Jay-Z, Game, Jazmine Sullivan, Kid Cudi, Snoop Dogg, Nicki Minaj, and Estelle...
, had its release date postponed to winter, being released on December 15, 2009. Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
is featured on the track "Meiple (Me I Play)". The first single from the album was the self-titled track
Sex Therapy (song)
"Sex Therapy" is a song by American R&B singer Robin Thicke. The R&B ballad is the lead single from his album Sex Therapy.The song was released to the radio on October 20, 2009...
, produced by Polow Da Don
Polow Da Don
Polow-Freache Jamal Fincher Jones , better known by known by professional name Polow da Don or Awesome Jones, is an American record producer, songwriter, rapper, and singer. His cousin is Atlanta singer Monica. He has produced for a variety of artists including Usher, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, T.I...
and released in October 2009. In November 2009, Thicke premiered the second single to radio, "Shakin' It for Daddy", featuring rapper Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj
Onika Tanya Maraj , better known by her stage name Nicki Minaj; ), is a Trinidadian-born American recording artist...
. It was also produced by Polow Da Don.
Speaking of the musical background to Sex Therapy, in March 2010 Thicke told Pete Lewis - Deputy Editor of Blues & Soul
Blues & Soul
Blues & Soul is a British music magazine covering black music. Genres covered include soul, R&B, jazz, hip hop, reggae and world music. It was first published in 1966 and is known for first using the term Northern Soul....
- "I'm always gonna have the influence of Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
, 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...
and Al Green
Al Green
Albert Greene , better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer. He reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s, with hit singles such as "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together"...
in my music. But with this album I also wanted to show my HIP HOP side. I grew up listening to Run DMC and NWA
NWA
-Nwa:*Nwa, Kale, a village in Burma*Nwa, Cameroon, a commune in the Nord-Ouest region of Cameroon-Groups or organizations:* Northwest Airlines, a defunct U.S...
and Biggie and Pac
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
and Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
... So I really wanted to make a record that represented how much that music has influenced me." Earlier in 2009, on October 14, Leighton Meester
Leighton Meester
Leighton Marissa Meester is an American actress and singer. Meester first garnered attention for playing Blair Waldorf in the CW television series Gossip Girl...
's debut single "Somebody to Love
Somebody to Love (Leighton Meester song)
"Somebody to Love" is a song by American actress and singer Leighton Meester featuring Robin Thicke. Written by Meester, Thicke, Mike Caren, Ollie Goldstein, Rico Love, and Shahine Ezell, and produced by Caren, the song was released as digital single on October 14, 2009 by Universal Republic Records...
", featuring Thicke, was released. Thicke told MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
he was glad to have Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
on the album. He also pointed out that he was featured on Lil Wayne's last two albums, and Lil Wayne was on his last two albums. "We're kind of good luck charms for each other", he said.
Thicke appeared on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
's New Year's Rockin' Eve on January 1, 2010 and performed three songs in Las Vegas
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
, in a pre-recorded segment. It is confirmed that he, along with Melanie Fiona
Melanie Fiona
Melanie Fiona Hallim is a Canadian R&B and Grammy-nominated recording artist from Toronto, Ontario. She was born to Guyanese immigrant parents of African, Indian, and Portuguese descent and grew up in the inner city of Toronto. Living in a music filled household, Fiona says she always knew music...
, will be going on The Freedom Tour
The Freedom Tour
The Freedom Tour was the fourth concert tour by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys in support of her fourth studio album, The Element of Freedom. The tour commenced at the Scotiabank Place in Ottawa on February 26, 2010. The tour continued onto North America visiting Europe as well...
with Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Alicia Augello Cook , better known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She was raised by a single mother in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan in New York City. At age seven, Keys began playing the piano...
. Thicke will be on tour with Jennifer Hudson, with whom he toured in 2009, in 2011. Robin Thicke is releasing his upcoming fifth studio album Love After War on December 6th 2011.
Discography
- A Beautiful WorldA Beautiful World-Chart positions:...
(2003) - The Evolution of Robin ThickeThe Evolution of Robin ThickeThe Evolution of Robin Thicke is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Robin Thicke, released by Star Trak/Interscope Records on October 3, 2006 . Guest appearances from Faith Evans, Lil Wayne and Pharrell where included. The album was re-released as a Deluxe Edition on February...
(2006) - Something ElseSomething Else (Robin Thicke album)-Singles:*Magic*The Sweetest Love*Dreamworld - A video for the song, directed by Anthony Mandler was released on February 11, but no further information shows that the song will be released officially....
(2008) - Sex TherapySex therapySex therapy is the treatment of sexual dysfunction, such as non-consummation, premature ejaculation , erectile dysfunction, low libido, unwanted sexual fetishes, sexual addiction, painful sex, or a lack of sexual confidence, assisting people who are recovering from sexual assault, problems commonly...
(2009) - Love After WarLove After WarLove After War is the fifth studio album by American R&B recording artist Robin Thicke, The album is scheduled to be released on December 6, 2011 through Star Trak Entertainment in the United States. Love After War also features guest contributions by Lil Wayne.-Singles:The lead single is the title...
(2011)
Filmography
According to the Robin Thicke website, Robin Thicke has signed on with FoxFox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
for a film that is to be out in 2011.
Personal life
Thicke has had only one serious relationship which later on led to marrying actress Paula PattonPaula Patton
Paula Maxine Patton is an American actress. She is mostly known for her appearances in the films Idlewild , Déjà Vu , Mirrors , Swing Vote , Precious , Just Wright , and Jumping the Broom .-Early life and career:Patton was born in Los Angeles, to Joyce , a European-American...
. It was announced at an Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Alicia Augello Cook , better known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She was raised by a single mother in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan in New York City. At age seven, Keys began playing the piano...
concert in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
at the Staples Center
Staples Center
Staples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles...
that the couple had their first child, a boy named Julian Fuego Thicke, on April 6, 2010.
Thicke has said he does not like it when his music is called "blue-eyed soul
Blue-eyed soul
Blue-eyed soul is a media term that was used to describe rhythm and blues and soul music performed by white artists, with a strong pop music influence. The term was first used in the mid-1960s to describe white artists who performed soul and R&B that was similar to the music of the Motown and...
", calling the label "small-minded and stereotypical."
In the fall of 2010, Robin Thicke spent several weeks in New York City recording and living in a rented SoHo
SoHo
SoHo is a neighborhood in Lower Manhattan, New York City, notable for being the location of many artists' lofts and art galleries, and also, more recently, for the wide variety of stores and shops ranging from trendy boutiques to outlets of upscale national and international chain stores...
apartment which he had converted into a makeshift professional studio.
Tours
- The Beyoncé ExperienceThe Beyoncé ExperienceThe Beyoncé Experience was the second worldwide concert tour by American singer-songwriter Beyoncé in support to her second solo album B'Day. According to Vibe, the tour grossed over $18.1 million.-Background:...
As an opening act for the North American leg. - Jennifer Hudson and Robin Thicke Co-Headline Tour.
- The Freedom TourThe Freedom TourThe Freedom Tour was the fourth concert tour by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys in support of her fourth studio album, The Element of Freedom. The tour commenced at the Scotiabank Place in Ottawa on February 26, 2010. The tour continued onto North America visiting Europe as well...
As an opening act for the tour along with Melanie FionaMelanie FionaMelanie Fiona Hallim is a Canadian R&B and Grammy-nominated recording artist from Toronto, Ontario. She was born to Guyanese immigrant parents of African, Indian, and Portuguese descent and grew up in the inner city of Toronto. Living in a music filled household, Fiona says she always knew music...
. - Robin Thicke with special guest MiguelMiguelMiguel, the Spanish and Portuguese form of the name Michael, may refer to the following:-Portuguese Royalty:*Miguel of Portugal , King of Portugal;*Miguel II, Duke of Braganza , Portuguese pretender, son of King Miguel I...
in Houston, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. - Robin Thicke will be doing a 3 week promotional tour for the new album "Love after war" starting in late November 2011
Recording artist
| Year | Category | Recording | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BET Awards BET Awards The BET Awards were established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past year. The awards are presented annually and broadcast live on BET... |
||||
| 2007 | Best Male R&B Artist | N/A | Nominated | |
| 2007 | Viewers' Choice Award | "Lost Without U Lost Without U "Lost Without U" is the second official single released from Robin Thicke's second album The Evolution of Robin Thicke .-Writing and inspiration:... " |
Nominated | |
| Soul Train Awards | ||||
| 2009 | Best R&B/Soul Male | N/A | Nominated | |
| 2007 | Best R&B/Soul Album, Male | The Evolution of Robin Thicke The Evolution of Robin Thicke The Evolution of Robin Thicke is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Robin Thicke, released by Star Trak/Interscope Records on October 3, 2006 . Guest appearances from Faith Evans, Lil Wayne and Pharrell where included. The album was re-released as a Deluxe Edition on February... |
Won | |
| MTV Video Music Awards MTV Video Music Awards An MTV Video Music Award , is an award presented by the cable channel MTV to honor the best in music videos... |
||||
| 2007 | Male Artist of the Year | "Can U Believe Can U Believe "Can U Believe" is the third single from Robin Thicke's second studio album The Evolution of Robin Thicke. Originally "Got 2 Be Down" was expected to be the 3rd single but due to Faith Evans' recent pregnancy plans the release for the single were scrapped even though the song has already began... ", "Lost Without U Lost Without U "Lost Without U" is the second official single released from Robin Thicke's second album The Evolution of Robin Thicke .-Writing and inspiration:... ", "Wanna Love U Girl Wanna Love U Girl "Wanna Love You Girl" is the lead single by blue-eyed soul singer/songwriter Robin Thicke from his second album The Evolution of Robin Thicke.... " |
Nominated | |
| MOBO Awards MOBO Awards The Music of Black Origin Awards, established in 1995 by Kanya King MBE and Andy Ruffell, are held annually in the United Kingdom to recognise artists of any ethnicity or nationality performing black music.... |
||||
| 2007 | Best Song | "Lost Without U Lost Without U "Lost Without U" is the second official single released from Robin Thicke's second album The Evolution of Robin Thicke .-Writing and inspiration:... " |
Nominated | |
| American Music Awards American Music Awards -Conception:The AMAs were created by Dick Clark in 1973 to compete with the Grammys after the move of that year's show to Nashville, Tennessee led to CBS picking up the Grammy telecasts after its first two in 1971 and 1972 were broadcast on ABC... |
||||
| 2007 | Favorite Breakthrough Artist | N/A | Nominated | |
| VH1 Soul/VIBE Awards | ||||
| 2007 | Breakthrough Artist of the Year | N/A | Won | |
Songwriting and production
| Year | Category | Recording | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grammy Awards | ||||
| 2004 | Best Contemporary R&B album | Confessions Confessions (Usher album) Confessions is the fourth studio album by American R&B recording artist Usher, released March 23, 2004, on Arista-imprint label LaFace Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2003 to 2004 with production by Jermaine Dupri, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Lil Jon... ; songwriter, producer |
Participant | |
| 2009 | Best Rap album | Tha Carter III Tha Carter III Tha Carter III is the sixth studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne, released June 10, 2008 on Cash Money Records. It follows a long string of mixtape releases and guest appearances on other hip hop and R&B artists records, helping to increase his exposure in the mainstream... ; songwriter, producer |
Participant | |
| Best R&B album | Jennifer Hudson Jennifer Hudson (album) Upon its release, Jennifer Hudson received mixed reviews from music critics. Sarah Rodman of The Boston Globe said that, "Despite its flaws, Hudson's debut comes on much like her Dreamgirls character, with admirable self-assurance and real-girl sensuality." Chris Willman of Entertainment Weekly... ; songwriter, producer |
Participant | ||