Sparkle

This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2008)

The neutrality of this article is disputed. Please see the discussion on the talk page. Please do not remove this message until the dispute is resolved. (June 2008)

Sparkle (born Stephanie Edwards in Chicago) is an African-American R&B singer, initially a protégé of R. Kelly.

Career

Sparkle first started singing in her family's gospel music group. Sparkle met singer R. Kelly in 1989 while he was in the studio working with Billy Ocean. Sparkle is best known for her song "Be Careful," a 1998 duet with R. Kelly, which debut #3 on the Billboard Top 200 and charted at #1 on Billboard's R&B Monitor for a staggering six consecutive weeks. Its first week at top 40, it was most added record and the cinematic video quickly moved into heavy rotation on every major video outlet. The record also reached #7 in the UK. Sparkle's top hits are "Be Careful", "Time To Move On" and "What About". Sparkle sang most of the background vocals on Aaliyah's debut album Age Ain't Nothing But A Number and sang background on R. Kelly's Rated R and also with R. Kelly on Mary J. Blige's Share My World CD. before releasing her eponymous CD Sparkle in 1998 on Kelly's Rockland Records (with distribution through Interscope Records).

Sparkle and Rockland Records performed well together, which certified her debut CD Platinum; thanks to the most popular song duet with then mentor R. Kelly. This was an amazing accomplishment for a newcomer at the the time, especially one that arrived on the scene unburdened by hype. The conflicts between Sparkle and R. Kelly didn't come until the work began on her second CD when she was told other producers could be a part of the project. Sparkle and Kelly's creative differences led her to ask for a release from the label. Sparkle was finally released after a long legal battle in early 2000, which lead her to signing with Universal Motwon Records. The CD Told You So was released in late 2000; featuring production by Steve Huff, the CD although a commercial disappointment scored moderate hits with the single "It's A Fact" and minor hit, "Good Life".

Controversy

Sparkle stood alone after shown a videotape by a Chicago Suntimes writer and the Chicago Police Child Investigative Unit, of her young niece and R. Kelly engaging in lewd acts. She identified the young girl as her sisters daughter. Sparkle testified against R. Kelly, but in the end the jury found him not guilty in his child pornography case.

Works

Sparkle has worked with many great artist, Wyclef "Loving You Remix", Avant feat. Kelly Roland as co-writer "Separated Remix", Joe "Woman's Heart", [Jimmy Sommers] and Tank. Sparkle also has performed along side good friend Toni Braxton in her Las Vegas stage show, Revealed.

Sparkle's next CD, "Split Decision", is scheduled for release in 2010.

Discography

Albums

• Sparkle (May 19, 1998) [RIAA Certification: Platinum]
• Told You So (2000)
• Split Decision (2010)

Singles

• "Be Careful" (feat. R.Kelly)
• "Time To Move On"
• "What About" / "Lovin' You"
• "It's a Fact"
• "Good Life"

References

This article about a United States rhythm and blues singer is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e