In our series “Rock Black Music” Radio One connects the past with the present by tying in an artist of today with artists who have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
We slide over the Circle City, Indianapolis, Indiana, the home of
Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds. Babyface was born and raised in Naptown and started writing songs while attending North Central High School. Edmonds got his break and name from Rock and Roll Hall of Famer
Bootsy Collins because of his “youthful look.” In the late 70s, he met
L.A. Reid, and the duo would go on to have success with the group
The Deele and founding
LaFace Records.
Babyface’s songwriting and pen game are reminiscent of a young
Curtis Mayfield, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. In honor of both, here are some amazing songs from Mayfield and Edmonds.
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