Lalah Hathaway

Lalah Hathaway
Hathaway performing "Let Go" at the Twilight Room in September 2008.
Background information
Birth name	Eulaulah Donyll Hathaway
Born	December 16, 1968 (1968-12-16) (age 40)
Origin	Chicago, Illinois, USA
Genres	R&B, soul, jazz
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger, pianist
Instruments	Piano, Vocals
Years active	1986–present
Labels	Virgin, GRP, Mesa Bluemoon, Stax, Concord Music Group
Associated acts	Marcus Miller, Rahsaan Patterson
Website	Lalah Hathaway.com

Eulaulah Donyll Hathaway (born on December 16, 1968)^[1] best known as Lalah Hathaway is a contemporary R&B and jazz singer. She is the daughter of soul singer Donny Hathaway and classically trained vocalist Eulaulah. In 1990, Lalah Hathaway released her self-titled album, Lalah Hathaway. The album's first single was "Heaven Knows," produced by Derek Bramble. The follow-up single was "Baby Don't Cry," produced by Angela Winbush.

In 1991, Hathaway released her extended play, Night & Day in Japan. A Moment was released in 1994, debuting at #34 on the Top R&B albums chart. The lead single "Let Me Love You" charted on the Hot R&B charts at #37. In 1999, Lalah Hathaway colloborated with Joe Sample and released her third album The Song Lives On. After a five year hiatus, Hathaway returned with her fourth album Outrun the Sky. The single "Forever, For Always, For Love" peaked #1 on the Hot Adult R&B Airplay.

In 2007, Hathaway signed to Stax Records and in 2008 released her fifth album Self Portrait. Self Portrait released on June 3, 2008 in the United States, debuted at #63 on the Billboard's Hot 200 and reached the top ten on the Top R&B albums chart, making this album, Hathaway's most successful album to date.

Early life and career beginnings

Lalah Hathaway was born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 16, 1968. Hathaway is the daughter of Donny Hathaway, a R&B and soul singer, and Eulaulah Hathaway, an accomplished musician. Her sister Kenya Canelibra Hathaway is one of the three backup singers of the TV program American Idol. In 1979, Hathaway lost her father, Donny Hathaway at the age of ten. His body did not have any indication of struggle, and the glass from the window in Hathaway's room had been removed; investigators determined Hathaway had committed suicide.

The Chicago native first put pen to paper, "with the music," as a 10th grader. In 1989, Hathaway signed to Virgin Records and released her first song "Inside the Beat", which was released as a promo single. Later, as a student at Berklee College of Music, she recorded her self-titled debut in 1990.

Recording career

Lalah Hathaway and A Moment (1990-1995)

In 1990, Lalah Hathaway released her self-titled and first album, Lalah Hathaway. The album debut at #191 on the Billboard's Hot 200 and #18 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.^[2] The album's lead single Heaven Knows became a top ten single peaking at #3 on the Hot R&B charts. The album's second single "Baby Don't Cry" only charted at #18 on the Hot R&B charts. The follow up single "I'm Coming Back" received moderate success, possibly due to no music video. The album's final single "Something" debut at #21 on the Hot R&B charts. In 1991, Hathaway released an extended play, entitled Night & Day. The EP was only released in Japan but the single "Night & Day" was released in America. Night & Day debut at #110 on the Hot R&B charts. In 1992, Hathaway appeared on Grover Washington's album "Next Exit". The song "Love Like This" which featured vocals from Lalah Hathaway, was chosen to be the lead single of the album. The single charted at #31 on the Hot R&B charts.

In 1994, Hathaway followed up her success with her sophomore album, A Moment. A Moment debut at #34 on the Top R&B albums chart and #23 on the Heatseekers chart.^[2] The release of her sophomore album, A Moment saw Hathaway embracing an even more progressive sound as producer Brian Alexander Morgan was enlisted for her upbeat single "Let Me Love You". The lead single, Let Me Love You, debut at the #37 on the Hot R&B charts. Later that year, the songs "Separate Ways" and "Family Affair" were released as singles, with which neither of songs charted. Still, the album did not sell as well as her first release, and eventually Hathaway parted ways with Virgin.

The Song Lives On (1998-2000)

She continued working with many other established artists, including Take 6, Mary J. Blige, The Winans, and Marcus Miller, writing, producing and doing background vocals. In 1999, Hathaway joined GRP Records and collaborated with jazz legend Joe Sample on the album The Song Lives On. The Song Lives On, topped the jazz charts at #2.^[2] The album became Hathaway's second debut on the Billboard's Hot 200 and later charted on Top R&B album chart.^[2] The single "When Your Life Was Low" charted only on the Hot R&B charts at #118. The album's second single "Fever" failed to chart.

The Song Lives On went on to become one of Hathaway and Joe Sample's most successful album to chart. In response to the album's success, Hathaway and Sample were honored with Billboard/BET On Jazz Award for "Mainstream Jazz Album".^[3]

Outrun the Sky (2003-2006)

In 2003, Lalah Hathaway appeared alongside Sanctuary, Pyramid, Mesa, and Blue Moon Records. In 2004, Hathaway released a cover version of Luther Vandross's song "Forever, For Always, For Love". The song later appeared on the all-star tribute album "Forever, For Always, For Luther" and on Hathaway's fourth album Outrun the Sky. The song was released the lead single and peaked #1 on the Adult R&B charts. Forever, For Always, For Love became Hathaway's first single to chart on the Billboard's Hot 100, charting at #112 and #37 on the Hot R&B charts. Hathaway's first solo album in five years featured production from Rex Rideout, Mike City, and Chris Parks.^[4] The album's second single "Better and Better" peaked #121 on the Hot R&B charts.

Also in 2004, Hathaway was featured on Donald Lawrence's debut solo album I Speak Life as a lead vocalist on "Don't Forget to Remember". In 2005, Hathaway was seen on the international Daughters of Soul tour along with Sandra St. Victor, Nona Hendryx, Indira Khan, Simone, and Joyce Kennedy.^[5] Continuing her forays into the gospel realm, she could be found on Israel and New Breed's 2006 Christmas album A Timeless Christmas, which also featured Marcus Miller.

Stax and Self Portrait (2007-2009)

Lalah Hathaway performing at the Capital Jazz Festival.

The recently re-launched Stax Records label had announced signing Hathaway. Hathaway stated, "The foundation of soul music is rooted in Stax Records. Working with Maurice White on the Interpretations project was more than special to me. There is no higher compliment than to be signed to a label whose music is timeless. I'm proud to carry the torch that will continue to bring quality soul music to a new audience."^[6]

Her first release from Stax was the single "Love's Holiday," from the Earth, Wind, & Fire tribute album Interpretations.^[7] In April 2008, Hathaway released her lead single Let Go, which debut at #51 on the Hot R&B charts and #16 on the Hot Adult R&B charts. In June 2008, Hathaway's debut for Stax Records, Self Portrait was released. Collaborating again with producer Rex Rideout on much of the album and working with such artists as Rahsaan Patterson and Sandra St. Victor, Self Portrait became her most successful album to date, debuting at #6 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and #63 on the Billboard's Hot 200. The album sold over 9,400 copies in the first week.^[2][8]

After the release of Self Portrait, Hathaway went on tour, which began in July 2008.^[9] The Self Portrait Tour was singer Lalah Hathaway's second solo concert tour, intended to showcase songs from her debut solo album, Self Portrait. The concert tour contained ten tour dates in American and collection of songs from her previous albums, Lalah Hathaway and Outrun the Sky, and few songs from her present album, Self Portrait. The tour only reached America. In late 2008, "That Was Then" was released as the album's second single. The single debut at #105 on the Hot R&B charts and #32 on the Hot Adult R&B Airplay.^[10]

In November 2008, Hathaway joined Will Downing and Gerald Albright for the Soulful Christmas Tour. The tour, which kicked off on November 28 at the Detroit Opera House, appeared in the places of Washington, D.C., Memphis, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Atlanta.^[11] In January 2009, Hathaway appeared on BETJ in an interview and performed before an audience. Lalah Hathaway continued to support the album and she is currently schedule to perform at the Capital Jazz Festival in Columbia, MD, Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, LA, and Circle of Promise, which took place in July 2009.^[12]

Musical style and image

Music and voice

Hathaway performing at the Twilight Room in September 2008.

Hathaway, an alto and contralto, has always been identified as the eldest daughter of her father Donny Hathaway. Hathaway's longest singing note held for 17 seconds in the performance of "Forever, For Always, For Love". In many reviews, Lalah is often compared to her father and reviewed to be continuing his vocal style. Lalah has often been criticized for not covering any of her father's songs. Singer Natalie Cole actually stated that Lalah should cover at least one song, however, Hathaway replied with statement that she feels she doesn't need to. Hathaway also mentioned during the recording process of her fifth studio album, that she doesn't want to fit into the music industry's current music. Lalah stated, "I don't necessarily want to fit into what’s happening now, but I want to stand with it, doing my own thing. I would really love it if people need the record. I put a lot of myself into this album, so I hope people can hear me and understand who I am."^[13]

Although she has created a space for herself, it's not surprising that Hathaway remains connected to her late father and his classic sound. Lalah Hathaway stated "I am his daughter and that’s the truth of who I am, every day. When I was 15, and then, 20, I didn’t get why people were asking me how I felt about him and his music. But when I turned 25, I began to understand. Like my father, I want to leave a legacy of music that makes people really feel something, whether it be happiness, sadness, grief or heartache. I also want them to appreciate my humor which I know can be difficult to interpret in a song."^[13]

Songwriting and producing

Between album projects, Hathaway, who has recorded collaborations with Marcus Miller, Meshell Ndegéocello, and Mary J. Blige, keeps her creativity nourished by taking to the global stage and contributing her voice to Daughters of Soul Tour, a musical mélange founded by comrade, Sandra St. Victor, and featuring Nona Hendryx, Joyce Kennedy as well as Indira and Simone, daughters of Chaka Khan and Nina Simone.^[13]

While it might seem that "On Your Own" from Self Portrait, which re-teams her with Rex Rideout and Rahsaan Patterson, is inspired by a past heartbreak, in fact, the idea for the song came to her in a dream. While Lalah Hathaway is often known for singing down tempo songs, during the period of 2004 and 2008, Hathaway has done mid-tempo songs such as "Let Go", "Let Me Love You", and "Better and Better". Keeping in step with the theme of her family, Hathaway often journeys back to her childhood with "Little Girl", which she co-produced with Rex Rideout, Rahsaan Patterson, and Sandra St. Victor.^[13]

Stage

On stage, Hathaway performs the songs longer than the album version with new arrangements. In concert, the stage mainly consists of Lalah Hathaway, the back-up singers, and the band. Often at audience's request, the vocals would be turned higher than band. Hathaway's band would often consist of a keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, and drummer. Most songs would last over approximately five minutes. Dawn! E. Robinson of VocalMusician.com attended a Hathaway in concert and reviewed stating, "The sound in the house was strange – the band was really too loud all evening. Even when the sound guy turned LALAH’s vocals up (at the audience's request) the band got louder. I got the impression that the sound onstage was good though, because none of the singers appeared to be over-singing."^[14]

Influences and legacy

Hathaway has been influenced by singers like Donny Hathaway, Joe Sample, and long-time friend Marcus Miller, the latter with which she has colloborated with. After over fifteen years in the musical industry, Hathaway has always created her own style in music and never has tried to duplicate her father's music. Although, Lalah currently has no golden or platinum records, she continues to make music for her own enjoyment and the happiness of fans.

Other Ventures

Philanthropy

Lalah Hathaway is one of the National Ambassadors for the Circle of Promise. Launched in October 2007, the campaign was created by Susan G. Komen for the Cure to educate, empower and mobilize the African-American community in the fight against breast cancer.

"The rate of Black women and girls diagnosed with breast cancer is rising at an alarming rate," said Hathaway. "We are fighting a common enemy. Knowledge and having a take-charge mindset and attitude are critical weapons in the fight against this deadly disease. I became active because I want to be an ambassador of change. If I tell seven of my friends and they tell seven of their friends and so on, the circle will continue to expand and we'll create a chorus of voices within the African-American community to eradicate breast cancer. I truly believe that this is a goal we can achieve together." The Circle of Promise is nationally represented by several phenomenal African American women. Hathaway has raised money on her tours and record sales to help find a cure for women with breast cancer. She has also influenced women to get tested and tell family members to be aware of the cancer.^[15]

Discography

Albums

Singles

Album Appearances

Soundtrack appearances

Awards

• Billboard/BET On Jazz Awards
  • 1999 - Mainstream Jazz Album "The Song Lives On" - Won

References

External links

• Lalah Hathaway official website
• Lalah Hathaway at Allmusic
• Lalah Hathaway at the Internet Movie Database