Representative Albums: "The Very Best of Al B. Sure!," "In Effect Mode," "Sexy Versus"
Representative Songs: "Nite and Day," "Rescue Me," "If I'm Not Your Lover"
Biography
During the late '80s, Al B. Sure! enjoyed a brief run as one of new jack swing's most popular romantic singers. Born Al Brown in Boston, he grew up in Mount Vernon, NY, listening to smooth crooners like Marvin Gaye and Johnny Mathis; he later became interested in rap and added that skill to his vocal repertoire. At age ten, he and a friend performed on a song written by Ellie Greenwich for the soundtrack of Sesame Street, and later he began writing songs with his cousin Kyle West. While in high school (where he quarterbacked the football team), he became friends with Edward Ferrell, aka DJ Eddie F, who was working with rapper Heavy D at the time. Eddie F introduced the still-teenaged Al B. Sure! to Heavy D's manager/Uptown label head Andre Harrell, who had him sing backing vocals on several Heavy D tracks and helped him get a deal with Warner Brothers. Featuring production from DJ Eddie F and a number of co-writes with West, Al B. Sure!'s debut album, In Effect Mode, was released in 1988 and became a platinum-selling sensation thanks to the single "Nite and Day," which reached the Top Ten on the pop charts and topped the R&B charts for three weeks. The follow-up, "Off on Your Own (Girl)," was also a number one R&B hit, and he became a bona fide star among urban audiences, though he didn't remain a presence on the pop charts. His second album, Private Times...and the Whole 9, appeared in 1990 and produced another R&B number one in "Misunderstanding," as well as a duet with Diana Ross called "No Matter What." His third album, 1992's Sexy Versus, wasn't as successful, and he took a hiatus from recording, eventually landing a vice president position at Motown. In 1996, he survived a potentially nasty car accident in New York, and in 2002, he began hosting a quiet storm-style radio show in the San Francisco Bay Area. Signed to the Hidden Beach label, he finally returned with Honey I'm Home, his first album in 17 years, in 2009. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
Brown was a star football quarterback, at Mount Vernon High School in New York, who rejected an athletic scholarship to the University of Iowa to pursue a music career. In 1987, Quincy Jones selected Brown as the first winner of the Sony Innovators Talent Search. Subsequently, Brown went on to work with Jones on several projects, most notably the platinum single "Secret Garden" from Jones' double platinum album, Back on the Block. On this recording, Brown was one of a quartet with Barry White, El DeBarge, and James Ingram.
His debut album from 1988, In Effect Mode, sold more than two million copies, topping the BillboardR&Bchart for seven straight weeks. The album included his single "Nite and Day", which topped the R&B chart and reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. He received numerous Grammy and American Music Award (AMA) nominations, and won an AMA for Best New R&B Artist. He also received several Soul Train Award nominations, and won the award for Best New Artist. He also won several New York Music Awards. In addition, his 900 phone line was third in generating revenue, following those for New Kids on the Block and Run-DMC.
In 2009, Brown signed with Hidden Beach Recordings. His first single, "I Love It (Papi Aye, Aye, Aye)" entered the Radio & Records Urban AC chart at #33 in one week. The album Honey I'm Home was released on June 23, 2009.
Recently, Sure teamed with the ABC Radio Network to produce a romantic nighttime show, The Secret Garden, hosted by him and featuring a blend of music and celebrity guests.
He participated in the Bless the Children Foundation celebrity auction along with NFL stars Charles Woodson and Anthony Dorsett. Sure was presented with the key to the city of Oakland by city council member Laurence E. Reid in recognition of the work of Sure's ABS Ken-Struk-Shen in refurbishing parts of the city. Reid proclaimed October 19 "Al B Sure! Day."
Sure was a DJ on the Los Angelesradio station HOT 92.3 (KHHT), and played old school and R&B. He was one of 590 Clear Channel employees released in April 2009.
One of his three sons, known as Lil B. Sure! was featured on MTV series Rock the Cradle.
Sure was the narrator of a music special Unsung, devoted to R&B and gospel music singers who never got their recognition or acclaim for their musical achievements. It aired on TV One from November 2008.
Personal life
Sure has 3 sons: Quincy Brown (June 4, 1991), with Kimberly Porter; Albert Brown IV (who is an aspiring singer with the stage name "Lil B. Sure!"); and Devin, who resides in Atlanta, Georgia. He also has a goddaughter Paige Hurd. Sure is reportedly dating, Sheree Whitfield of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. He has stated on a radio show that he is not dating Sheree.
