Chuckii Booker

Early life

Booker was born in Los Angeles, California on December 19, 1962. .

Career

Booker emerged in the late 1980s as an urban contemporary R&B artist and producer. He began recording the music after being signed by his godfather, Barry White, to his production company in 1984. Later, he played keyboards with the short-lived Epic Records band Tease for three years.

Booker received his recording contract in an unlikely manner. He gave his demo tape to the manager of Gerald Albright to showcase his skills as a musician, but had forgotten about the songs on the other side of the tape that contained original songs with his vocals. As a result, he was offered a recording contract with Atlantic Records.

Booker signed a recording contract with Atlantic to release his debut album Chuckii in 1989 in which he played all the instruments and sang all vocals. The album fared well on the strength of hit singles "(Don't U Know) I Love U" and the #1 R&B single "Turned Away". The follow-up and its final studio album to date (as of 2024) Niice 'N Wiild was released in 1992 and yielded another chart-topping R&B hit "Games". After the release of Niice 'N Wiild, Booker retired from recording music.

Booker produced for several recording artists throughout the years, including Troop, which yielded two #1 singles ("All I Do Is Think of You" & "Spread My Wings"), his godfather Barry White, Janet Jackson, Vanessa Williams, Demetrius Ross, Kool & the Gang and many more. He was the musical director, producer and keyboardist for Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation World Tour as well as the opening act. Booker got the gig after he was invited by Jackson to the premiere of her long-form video Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814. Although Booker went to the premiere to mingle with celebrities, he was caught off guard when Jackson asked him after the screening to be her musical director for the tour.

Booker has produced records for artists such as Lalah Hathaway, Troop, En Vogue, Angela Winbush, Diana Ross, Anastacia, Commissioned, Rihanna, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, and Bette Midler.

He has a net worth of $3 million.

Discography

Albums

Tease (as keyboardist and songwriter):

• 1986: Tease (Epic)

As solo artist:

Singles

References

References

1. "Chuckii Booker Page".
2. (2003). "All Music Guide to Soul: The Definitive Guide to R&B and Soul". All Media Guide.
3. "All-New Unsung Tells the Story of Chuckii Booker's Iconic Career".
4. (August 16, 1990). "Chuckii Booker: On Janet Jackson Tour, He's Key At The Spectrum, You Can See Him Playing Keyboards And Performing. Here's What The "Turned Away" Singer Sees From The Stage.". [[The Philadelphia Inquirer]].
5. "Artist Biography". [[AllMusic]].
6. (April 2, 1990). "Word of the Week: Chuckii Booker". Johnson Publishing Company.
7. (January 25, 2003). "R&B Trooper". Nielsen Business Media, Inc..
8. "Chuckii Booker - Awards". AllMusic.
9. "Chuckii Booker Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography".