Kevon Edmonds – From After 7 Star To Solo R&B Sensation
Discover the inspiring journey of Kevon Edmonds, the smooth R&B voice behind After 7 and solo hits like “24/7.” Explore his rise, chart-topping success, and lasting impact on music.
Aug 15, 202520.4K Shares358.5K Views
Kevon Edmonds was born on February 25, 1957 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was the fourth of six sons born to Marvin Edmonds Sr. and Barbara Edmonds, with older brothers Marvin Jr., Melvin, and Michael, and younger brothers Kenny "Babyface" and Derek. He graduated from North Central High School and then attended Indiana University Bloomington. While there, he joined the Soul Revue, a music group where he met Keith Mitchell, who later became his bandmate in After 7.
Career
Kevon Edmonds first rose to fame as the lead singer of the R&B group After 7, which he helped form with his brother Melvin and their friend Keith Mitchell. The group was launched by their younger brother, Babyface, and signed with Virgin Records. They released their self-titled debut album in 1989, which went platinum and featured major hits like "Ready or Not"and "Can't Stop"both topping the R&B charts and cracking the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. After 7 enjoyed more success with their 1992 album Takin’ My Time, which also hit platinum, and included fan favorites like "Baby, I’m for Real/Natural High".
After their third album Reflectionsin 1995, the group parted ways with Virgin Records and paused their work together. During this time, Kevon joined the one-off project Milestonewith Babyface, Melvin, K-Ci, and JoJo to perform "I Care 'Bout You"for the Soul Foodfilm soundtrack.
In 1999, Kevon launched his solo career with the album 24/7, produced with Babyface. The title track became his biggest solo hit, reaching #10 on the Billboard Hot 100and earning Gold certification. Its follow-up single, "No Love (I'm Not Used to)", also did well, reaching #25 on the R&B charts.
After a break from recording, Kevon released his second solo album, Who Knew, in 2009. The lead single "Oh"received strong radio play and marked his return as a solo artist.
Years later, in the late 2000s, After 7 reunited for touring, bringing in Kevon’s nephew Jason Edmonds to replace Melvin during performances. The group officially reunited with Melvin in 2015 and released the comeback single "I Want You,"followed by the album Timelessin 2016. Despite Melvin’s passing in 2019, After 7 continued performing and released Unfinished Businessin 2021.
Discography
Kevon Edmonds has built an impressive discography both as a solo artist and as a member of successful R&B groups. His debut solo album, 24/7, was released in 1999 and quickly became a major success, earning gold certification and reaching number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The title track, “24/7,” became his signature solo hit, while the follow-up single, “No Love (I’m Not Used to),” gained moderate attention on the R&B charts. In 2009, he returned with his second solo album, Who Knew, which showcased his smooth vocals and heartfelt songwriting.
Before his solo career, Edmonds was a founding member of the group After 7, alongside his brother Melvin Edmonds and friend Keith Mitchell. With After 7, he released three acclaimed albums: After 7(1989), Takin’ My Time(1992), and Reflections(1995). These records produced several R&B chart-toppers, including “Ready or Not,” “Can’t Stop,” and “Baby, I’m for Real/Natural High,” solidifying the group’s place in the late 80s and 90s R&B scene.
In addition to his solo and After 7 work, Edmonds was also part of the short-lived supergroup Milestone, which included Babyface, Melvin Edmonds, and K-Ci & JoJo. Together, they released the single “I Care ’Bout You” for the Soul Foodmovie soundtrack in 1997, a song that became a fan favorite. Through his discography, Kevon Edmonds has demonstrated a consistent ability to blend soulful melodies with emotional depth, leaving a lasting mark on contemporary R&B.
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