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Awards:
Congratulations to Jagged Edge for their wins at the 15th
Annual soul train Awards!
Best R&B/Soul
Album - Group band or duo - JE Heartbreak
Best R&B/Soul Single - Group band or duo - "Let's
Get Married"
Bio:
R&B music is cluttered with so many boy bands that it's hard to
keep track of who's who. But when it comes to distinction and "edging
out" the competition while creating a league of their own, the men
of Jagged Edge always manage to successfully stand out. With two
phenomenal past albums - 1998's RIAA gold debut A Jagged Era,
and 2000's multiple-platinum smash J.E. Heartbreak
- notched on the group's collective belt, Richard Wingo, Kyle Norman,
and twin brothers Brian and Brandon Casey are once again skillfully
showing the world what real R&B sounds like on the third dynamic
JE disk, Jagged Little Thrill. To prepare fans for
what can only be described as a "higher level" of R&B on what is
perhaps Jagged Edge's most moving work to date, lead singer Brian
says, "We weren't scared to say anything on this album."
Jagged
Little Thrill's lyrical fearlessness shows the group's
growth and will undoubtedly secure the group's reputation on R&B's
legendary roster of icons. "We've discovered that we can make the
type of music that we want to make and still send more of a message
than in some of the past songs we've made," says Brian. "We felt
we could make a statement people haven't made in a long time while
keeping it real hot. Real up-to-date. And real fly."
Jagged
Little Thrill takes the listener on an emotionally stimulating
ride. Stunning standouts like "No Respect" address issues of domestic
abuse and disrespect. Lines like "Got no respect for them dudes
that hit their women/Got no respect for them fools that leave their
children/I just want to take care of my family/Got no respect if
you ain't trying to do the right thing," will inspire and motivate
change in the same way that "Let's Get Married" moved lovers to
the altar. And as "No Respect" checks the men, timeless tracks like
"Head of the Household," produced by Gary "Gizzo" Smith ("Promise")
represent the good guys of the world, reminding the ladies to stand
by their man. "We dug deep on these songs, " says Kyle. "We made
a vow that we'd make songs that are reality, edgy, and not just
funky or on the vibe of the moment."
It's this forward
thinking that makes Jagged Little Thrill bring
chills down the spine. Just as Jagged Edge's sultry love song sound
drove them straight into the hearts of their fans and to the top
of the Billboard charts in the past, Jagged Little
Thrill is filled with the quartet's trademark heartfelt
ballads. There are impeccable tracks like the dreamy "Can We Be
Tight," tearjerkers like "Goodbye"--which was produced by Jermaine
Dupri, winner of ASCAP's "Writer of the Year" (for the 3rd time
in 5 years)--and the silken melody of "Remedy," which finds SESAC
Writer of the Year Bryan-Michael Cox (of the Noontime camp) helping
the JE heartbreakers stroke the ladies right. And after they get
deep, inspire change, and have you falling in love, Jagged Edge
easily moves to a lighter note. They'll have you on the dance floor
while you're shaking your rump to the funky first single, "Where
the Party At" featuring Nelly. Then, they've got you swaying with
Ludacris on unstoppable club bangers like "Cut Something" and "I
Got It" featuring Trina. Executive-produced by Jermaine Dupri and
co-produced by Jagged Edge, Jagged Little Thrill
is older, more confident, and passionately focused. Wingo, Kyle,
Brian and Brandon take you on an exhilarating ride. From beginning
to end, Jagged Little Thrill is a thrilling
trip that will undoubtedly drive the group straight to the top.
After a solid
upbringing where they honed their vocal skills in church choirs,
Jagged Edge first came together in Atlanta, Georgia. Connecticut
natives Brian and Brandon moved to the Peach Tree State and connected
with Kyle and a few other song men. Although they planned to sign
with Michael Bivins and his Biv Ten label, it wasn't meant to be.
Changes were made. Xscape's Kandi Burress brought Wingo to the group.
A demo was shopped. And after hearing a live a capella performance
by the quartet, Jermaine Dupri quickly signed the captivating crooners
to his So So Def label. Always keeping writing duties within the
group, Jagged Edge has stood out from the beginning. "We've always
kept all of the writing in house. Jermaine trusted us," says Kyle.
"He never did that with any other group." Three albums later, Jagged
Edge keep minting the hits, daring to write about, and venture into,
untapped territory. "Times change and we try to keep it fresh and
new. We write our lyrics to reflect events that are going on in
our lives," says Wingo. "Without the meat of the music, which are
the lyrics, you really don't have anything,. So we try to improve
each and every time."
A Jagged
Era was the fledgling beginning for four unknown talents. And
JE Heartbreak was the double-platinum breakthrough that put them
on the map. But Jagged Little Thrill signifies
Jagged Edge's graduation into the school of classic R&B acts - alongside
New Edition, Jodeci, and Boys II Men. Jagged Little Thrill
showcases undeniable maturity, growth and confidence as four men
who can effectively say what they mean, build on the old, and slide
in the new, while still keeping you grooving to each tune--every
time.
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