Joe Little III
Joe N Little III (born July 14, 1968) is an American singer, songwriter and producer who is best known as the lead singer of the 90s R&B group, Rude Boys,[1][2] who had two No. 1 R&B singles, "Written All Over Your Face" and "Are You Lonely For Me", on Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Chart. They received a Billboard Award for "Written All Over Your Face", as the No. 1 R&B song of 1991.[3][2]
Joe Little III | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Joe N Little III |
Born | Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | July 14, 1968
Genres | R&B, Soul, Jazz |
Occupation(s) | Songwriter, record producer, singer, musician |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, Piano |
Labels | Atlantic Records |
Early life
Little was born on July 14, 1968, in Cleveland, Ohio, to parents Joe Little Jr., and Patricia Ann Little.
Career
Rude Boys
In 1987, Little along with friends Edward Lee Banks, Larry Marcus, and Melvin Sephus (Rude Boys) was discovered by R&B singer Gerald Levert who got them a record contract with Atlantic Records.[4][5]
In 1990, Rude Boys released their debut album entitled, "Rude Awakening" releasing 4 singles, "Heaven", "Come Let's Do This", and their two Billboard top charting No.1 R&B hits, "Written All Over Your Face" a top 20 on Billboard's Top 100 chart, and "Are You Lonely For Me".[6] They released two more albums: "Rude House" in 1992 and "Rude As Ever" in 1997.[1]
Writing and producing
Through the 90s and 2000s Little collaborated with other artists, producing and songwriting. In 1998, he co-wrote and produced two singles, "It's Your Turn" and "No Mans Land", for Levert's RIAA Platinum album "Love & Consequences"[7][8] In 2000, Little and Levert co-wrote and produced the singles "Selfish Reasons" and "Proven and True" for The Temptations' album "Ear-Resistible", which won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Album.[9][10][11]
Discography
Rude Boys
Albums
- Rude Awakening - 1990
- Rude House - 1992
- Rude As Ever - 1997
Singles
- Come On Let's Do It - 1990
- Written All Over Your Face - 1990
- Are You Lonely For Me - 1991
- Heaven - 1991
- My Kind Of Girl - 1993
- Go Ahead And Cry - 1993
- Nothing To One - 1997
Solo
Albums
- Puttin' It Down - 1994
Singles
- When I Think Of You - 2019
- Beautiful - 2020
- Holiday Song - 2021
- All Of Me - 2021
References
- "R.I.P. Larry "Bingo" Marcus of The Rude Boys". SoulTracks - Soul Music Biographies, News and Reviews. 16 October 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- "The Rude Boys Rude Awakening Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- "Billboard.com - Year End Charts - Year-end Singles - Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Songs – 1991". 28 November 2007. Archived from the original on 28 November 2007. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- Smith, Robert L.; Dealer, The Plain (11 January 2011). "With soulful coffee houses, R&B singer Joe Little III brings a cafe scene to the black community". cleveland. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- "The Rude Boys Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- "Billboard Hot 100 – Week of June 1, 1991". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- "Love & Consequences - Gerald Levert | Credits | AllMusic". Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- "Ear-Resistible". www.grammy.com. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- "Joe Little III". Discogs. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- "Ear: Resistible - The Temptations | Credits | AllMusic". Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- "Joe Little III Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- Nickoloff, Annie (27 August 2021). "The Rude Boys lead singer Joe Little III releases new single 'All of Me'". cleveland. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- "The Rude Boys lead singer Joe Little III releases new single 'All of Me'". MSN. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- Haney, Felicia (19 December 2009). "This Christmas let Joe put a 'Little' jingle in your cup". cleveland. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- "Two E. Cleveland businesses turning city around". WEWS. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2022.