(December 13, 2022) Legendary producer, songwriter and singer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds is not a stranger to country music. While he became iconic for his R&B work with Boyz II Men, Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston and countless others, including his own gold-plated singing career, he was also a key part of the now infamous 1999 Chris Gaines album by the biggest country music star of all time, Garth Brooks.
(December 13, 2022) Legendary producer, songwriter and singer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds is not a stranger to country music. While he became iconic for his R&B work with Boyz II Men, Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston and countless others, including his own gold-plated singing career, he was also a key part of the now infamous 1999 Chris Gaines album by the biggest country music star of all time, Garth Brooks.
Babyface has shown a talent so great that he has easily floated between genres over the years, so it shouldn't be a big surprise that he recently collaborated with hot country star Jimmie Allen, co-writing and singing on the tender love and commitment song, "Forever." The song that didn't make Allen's 2020 hit EP Bettie James, but was later released as part of the expanded "Gold Edition" of the disc. While that album had some much bigger hits, "Forever" is a sweet blend of country and soul that delivers a message that works in both genres:
I wanna drive out to Cali for your favorite wine
Stand in the ocean, and drown in your eyes (drown in your eyes)
No, I don't wanna kiss you in these neon lights (these neon lights)
'Cause you deserve more than one Saturday night
The song isn't revolutionary, nor is it bombastic. It's just a simple, catchy love ballad that straddles styles nicely, with Allen and Babyface trade off vocals in great fashion. We missed the song when it quietly came out a year ago, but we're glad we found it now. Check it out below.
By Chris Rizik
Jimmie Allen and Babyface
"Forever"