He’s No New Jack: Al B. Sure Comes Full Circle
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2009, 2:44 pm
By: Tonya Pendleton, BlackAmericaWeb.com


Back when Jeep Wranglers were tricked out with MCM logos, Volkswagen Jettas were the hot sedans and Dapper Dan ruled the design world, Al B. Sure was the crooner of the day. His 1989 mega-hit, “Nite and Day,” was the soundtrack for the bamboo-earring wearing set that grooved along to the new sounds of hip-hop and new jack swing. Sure was one of the early proponents of the latter, which mixed R&B with hard-edged hip-hop beats. His popularity soared right along with the music.

In recent years, the bass-voiced singer/songwriter/producer has worked behind the scenes as a producer, hosted an L.A.-based radio show and readied a comeback. His latest CD, “Honey, I’m Home,” has just hit stores, anchored by its first single, “I Love It (Papi Aye Aye Aye).”

We can’t call it a comeback – he’s been here for years. Read on for more insight on the man and his music.

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BORN: June 4 in Boston, Massachusetts as Albert Joseph Brown III

ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Gemini

BIG BREAK: Winning the Sony Innovators Talent Search in 1987, handpicked by Quincy Jones. Sure would then appear on the classic platinum single, “Secret Garden,” with James Ingram, El DeBarge and Barry White.

RESUME: Worked with Jodeci, Faith Evans, Usher, Case, Tevin Campbell and Dave Hollister
Back Story: Sure grew up in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., often referred to as “Money Earnin’ Mt. Vernon.” Also from that area – Diddy, Heavy D and the Boyz, Mary J. Blige (from nearby Yonkers, N.Y.) and DMX

FUN FACT: Sure was a star quarterback in high school, but turned down a football scholarship at the University of Iowa for a music career.

CONTROVERSY: Sure made headlines recently when his biological son Quincy, who has been raised by Diddy and claimed as his son, wrote a blog criticizing his absent father. Ironically, of Sure’s three sons, it’s Quincy who looks exactly like him. Since then, the two have apparently reconciled.

NUMBERS: “In Effect Mode,” Sure’s classic 1988 debut, sold over 2 million copies.

LATEST WORK: “Honey, I’m Home” is out on Hidden Beach recordings today (June 23)

AWARDS: American Music Award and Soul Train Music Award for Best New Artist


VIDEOS

“Nite and Day”

Al B. Sure on “Rolanda”

“Off On Your Own (Video)”

“Off On Your Own Girl (Live)”


QUOTABLE QUOTES

Essence.com (2009)

“I’m a human being so, of course, hearing about any family member being disappointed with you is devastating, but what can you do? I’m a human being, and my job is to fix it. I will not engage in a private family matter with the public, but I will say that Quincy is the most wonderful, kind young man in the world, and whatever he and I are going through we are going to work it out. And that’s all that counts.”

Essence.com (2008)

“Radio is just one of the ventures of my portfolio. When I was about 14, I started a radio show for the bishop at my church in New Rochelle. I had a four-track (yes, a four-track, not an eight-track!), and I used to record his sermons, and then mix it up and take it to the local a.m. station and host a show. Honestly, I fell in love with radio back then, and I did it for fun. My bishop had the spirit of discernment of what I’d be doing in the future.”