Things that Lovers Do

Background:

American R&B singer hailed from Washington, D.C. Kenny Lattimore launched his singing career with the late-'80s vocal group Maniquin before emerging as a minor R&B star on his own right with the release of his eponymous debut album in 1996. “Kenny Lattimore” generated two hits with the songs “Never Too Busy” and “For You” and received gold certification. The album also brought him a NAACP Image Award. Following the critically praised “From The Soul Of Man” (1998) and the disappointing “Weekend” (2001), Lattimore gained even more recognition with “Things that Lovers Do” (2003), a best-selling album of duets with wife Chanté Moore. Noted for hits like “Loveable (From Your Head To Your Toes)” and “You Don't Have To Cry,” the album became Lattimore's biggest hit record, and led to a famous national tour and play. The spouses rejoined in 2006 for “Uncovered/Covered,” a double CD of R&B love and gospel songs.

Lattimore has been married to songstress Chanté Moore since 2002. The couple have a five-year-old son named Kenny Jr. In 2005, Lattimore returned to his almamater, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, to give a speech at the graduation event. He frequently credits Dr. Baker for setting him up on his current successful career.

Big City Boy

Childhood and Family:

Kenneth Lee Lattimore, who would later be popular as Kenny Lattimore, was born on April 10, 1970, in Washington, D.C. Coming from a musical family, he became the winner of talents shows at his junior high school, and went on to pursue his interest in music throughout his years at the Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Maryland, where he participated in the school's band program. As for college, Kenny majored in architecture and city planning at the Howard University. Though, he kept on performing music as a hobby.

On January 1, 2002, Kenny was married to R&B singer Chanté Moore. The couple welcomed a son named Kenny Jr. on April 10, 2003.

Never Too Busy

Career:

Born and raised in Washington, D.C, Kenny Lattimore began his musical career by joining the R&B group Maniquin, which signed to Epic in 1987. The group released a debut album two years later, but the record was unsuccessful. After touring for a year, Lattimore finally departed Maniquin in 1990. This unhappy experience did not stop him from pursuing music. He then started writing songs and working with numerous artists. His songs were recorded by Jon Lucien and Glenn Jones, and he began collaborating with the group Dem Twinzz. The group's demos, which featured Lattimore singing, caught the attention of major labels, but the singer did not want to be part of a group. Therefore, in 1993, he headed to New York City to try his hand in solo career. He said, “It was a big move for me but I had to do it.  I’d come to grips with the fact that I didn’t want to be a part of anyone’s group or situation…”

After struggling for a few months in Manhattan, Lattimore made a demo of songs he co-penned. Produced by J. Dibbs, the tape landed him a record contract with Columbia in 1995. A year later, on May 14, Lattimore released a self-titled debut that featured production by Herb Middleton, Kenneth and Keith Crouch, Oji Pierce, Jimmy Abney, Kipper Jones, Barry Eastmond and Dave Hall. The album contained 12 songs, 6 of which he wrote or co-wrote, and reached No. 19 on the Billboard R&B charts and No. 1 on the Heatseekers charts. Finally receiving gold certification from RIAA, “Kenny Lattimore” spawned three charted hits, including the Top 20 R&B hits “Never Too Busy” and “For You.” The latter song, penned by fellow Eleanor Roosevelt High School Alumni, Kenny Lerum, also became a favorite at the perennial wedding. For his bright efforts, Lattimore was handed a 1996 NAACP Image for Best New Artist.

Lattimore's sophomore album, “From The Soul Of Man,” followed on October 20, 1998. A set of smoldering soul music, the album was released to critical acclaim and went on to became a Top 15 R&B hit. It produced such hits as “Days Like This” and “If I Lose My Woman.” After taking some time off, Lattimore resurfaced with a new album and a new label. “Weekend” was launched on Arista Record in October 2001. Unlike its predecessors, the album made little impression and earned negative response from fans.

The failure forced Lattimore to produce something new for his follow-ups. He then collaborated with R&B singer-wife Chanté Moore to record a duet album called “Things That Lovers Do.” Released on February 11, 2003, the album offered new versions of classic soul songs from artists like Keith Sweat, Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie, and many others, as well as two new original songs. Thanks to the impressive singles “Loveable (From Your Head To Your Toes)” and “You Don't Have To Cry,” “Things That Lovers Do” peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard R&B Charts and sold one million copies worldwide. Lattimore and Moore went on promoting the album with a massively successful touring stage show.

On May 18, 2004, Lattimore launched “Days Like This: The Best Of Kenny Lattimore,” a greatest-hit compilation. He followed it up with “Uncovered/Covered,” another album of duets with his wife that was released on LaFace/Zomba Music Group on October 10 2006. In its first week of release, it debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard R&B Charts and No. 2 on the Billboard Gospel charts. It had such singles as “Figure It Out,” produced by Bryan Michael Cox, “Make Me Like The Moon,” an inspiring gospel ballad co-penned by Lattimore and Moore, and “Tonight (2 Step).”

Awards:

• NAACP Image: Best New Artist, “Kenny Lattimore,” 1996