Detroit, MI (September 7, 2022) — Three-time GRAMMY®-nominated multiplatinum R&B icon KEM, one of the most vibrant and vital voices in music today, is consecrating his impending 20th anniversary of signing to legendary label Motown Records with an eagerly anticipated and historic homecoming at The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre in Detroit, MI September 9th and 10th. KEM will return to his hometown following his recent sold out “Full Circle” tour to record a live album that will commemorate his 20th anniversary of signing with Motown Records in the city that gave rise to both the legendary record label and his soaring musical career at ‘The Aretha,’ which has played host to numerous KEM shows over the years, and continues to showcase some of the biggest names in music.
Detroit, MI (September 7, 2022) — Three-time GRAMMY®-nominated multiplatinum R&B icon KEM, one of the most vibrant and vital voices in music today, is consecrating his impending 20th anniversary of signing to legendary label Motown Records with an eagerly anticipated and historic homecoming at The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre in Detroit, MI September 9th and 10th. KEM will return to his hometown following his recent sold out “Full Circle” tour to record a live album that will commemorate his 20th anniversary of signing with Motown Records in the city that gave rise to both the legendary record label and his soaring musical career at ‘The Aretha,’ which has played host to numerous KEM shows over the years, and continues to showcase some of the biggest names in music.
The two nights of momentous performances will be recorded live in front of electrifying audiences drawn to his musical mosaic in the city that shaped and nurtured his life and his musical artistry, and is set to be released on Black Friday, November 25, 2022.
KEM has penned a two-decade-long string of chart busting #1 hits including: ‘Love Calls,’ ‘I Can’t Stop Loving You,’ ‘Share My Life,’ and ‘Why Would You Stay,’ that will be performed at the two live recording shows, alongside an array of other fan favorites. The historic taping will mark KEM’s first-ever landmark live album showcasing the musical mastery and artistic journey of one of the world’s most treasured musical artists.
KEM stepped into the musical landscape as a premier singer, songwriter, lyrical master, producer and performer. His distinct and captivating vocals and the gravity of his expansive musical oeuvre and independent success have catapulted him into becoming a dominate force and magnetic performer who has amassed a global fan base, and a number of record-breaking milestones fueling his continued success and longevity. He would ultimately find himself among the legendary icons etched atop Motown’s marquee of music history.
His journey to success included an ascension from the deep grasp of addiction and homelessness on the streets of Detroit as a young man – in and out of jail and serving his addictions on the banks of the Detroit River. While bouncing around to several homeless shelters and drug rehab centers, KEM would perfect the songs that would revitalize his spirit. These songs that would guide him through the darkest valleys of despair to sobriety on his birthday – July 23, 1995 — a milestone moment where KEM’s inner strength and dramatic depth propelled him toward his destined future as one of music’s most important and cherished voices. Those same songs that KEM crafted during his journey of homelessness and addiction, would appear on his first album, KEMISTRY.
Prior to signing to the Motown label, KEM independently released his KEMISTRY album on February 28, 2002, but it wasn’t an overnight success. Driven more than ever to succeed in the music business, the artist sold an impressive 15,000 units, literally out of the trunk of his car, which led to Detroit and Chicago radio picking up the ‘Love Calls’ single, and the record started picking up spins and building an audience as fans requested the song.
The momentum of the independent KEMISTRY project, arising from the grass roots campaign in Detroit, piqued the interest of major labels, including Motown Records then-President, Kedar Massenburg, who quickly met with, and signed KEM to a five-record deal in 2002.
"When we first heard ‘Love Calls,’ the indie single that was resounding from Detroit, and met with KEM to listen to his whole KEMISTRY album, we immediately knew this was a hit project we had to have on the Motown label,” said Kedar Massenburg, former President of Motown Records. “His distinctive music parallels the adversity and triumphs in his own life, which resonates deeply with his genre- and demographic-spanning audience, making him one of the most prevalent artists of this era. Having worked with some of the most talented and timeless artists in the world, it was my pleasure to sign, and work with an artist of KEM’s caliber, who possesses the unique qualities of distinctive singing and the ability to craft meaningful lyrics and compose beautiful melodies. That rare combination of talents is what delivers his music directly into the hearts and souls of listeners. KEM surpassed all expectations any of us could have imagined, and I’m so proud having coined the phrase “neo soul” to have been a part of his early career and musical journey helping him achieve breakthrough success that I am honored will be an indelible part of my legacy.”
KEM kicked off his career on the Motown label with his first single, ‘Love Calls’ from his debut album, KEMISTRY. The enormous popularity of the song catapulted KEM and his music into the hearts and souls of R&B/Soul fans across the world and ‘Love Calls’ would become KEM’s first #1 hit. The hypnotic single became a critical and commercial triumph that jetted to #1 on the Urban Adult Contemporary chart with rapid speed. The song continues its reign as one of the most requested and remains in heavy rotation on R&B radio stations to this day, cementing its stature as an undisputed genre-defining classic and KEM as an undeniable musical force.
Since the debut of the KEMISTRY album, KEM has released six albums and an EP on the Motown label and has achieved the incredible fete of posting eight #1 hit singles, with at least one #1 record on each album he has released.
Most recently, KEM released his magnetically introspective EP, entitled Full Circle, on Motown Records. The aptly titled five-song project gives listeners the perfect accompaniment to reflect on the full-circle nature of their lives, loves, and relationships through honeyed lyrics that telegraph his inner emotions with piercing intensity. Listen to the EP HERE.
In 2010, with the understanding of his ability to use his platform and stature in music for local impact and global change, KEM founded Mack and Third, Inc., a grassroots charitable movement committed to fostering sustainable development for the underserved in the personal, social, education and economic sectors. The foundation’s vision is to raise financial support, marshal resources, and spread awareness via concerts, fundraisers, food drives, and civic programming designed to inspire compassionate action, establish meaningful partnerships, and promote public advocacy at local, national, and global levels.