If, like me, you’ve grown tired of hearing DJs spin the Notorious B.I.G.’s hip-hop hit “One More Chance,” you should check out the man who provided the musical foundation for this and other tunes: El DeBarge.
Over the years, rappers like Biggie and Rich Boy (of “Throw Some D’s” fame … see video below) have sampled classic songs by El and the DeBarge family. But, as he battled drug addiction, the legendary vocalist pretty much disappeared from the spotlight. (In a recent interview, El told me: “It took me 22 years to get hooked on drugs and 25 years to get off.”)
Now, however, he’s back with a brand-new album (Second Chance), and a smooth new sound (According to El, Polow Da Don, the producer of “Throw Some D’s” that features a snippet from the beloved track “I Call Your Name” — by the first DeBarge family group, Switch — recently created some tracks for his new album. While in the studio El said to Polow: “I like what you did for Rich Boy. Now let’s see what you can do for me!”), which you can hear live when he makes a stop in Charlotte tonight to perform new, and vintage, material.
$35-$65. 7:30 p.m. CPCC’s Halton Theater, 1206 Elizabeth Ave. For more information, visit www.thesolkitchen.com.
This article appears in Oct 26 – Nov 1, 2010.