Elgin Baylor Lumpkin (born October 15, 1975),1 better known by his stage name Ginuwine, is an American R&B singer and an occasional actor. Signed to Epic Records since the mid-1990s, Ginuwine has released a number of multi-platinum and platinum-selling albums and singles, becoming one of R&B's top artists during the '90s heyday of hip-hop soul.2
Early life
Ginuwine was born on October 15, 1975 in Washington D.C. He is named after NBA legend Elgin Baylor.1 In 1993, he graduated from Forestville High School in Forestville, Maryland and later graduated from Prince George's Community College in Largo, Maryland with a paralegal associate's degree. Soon afterwards broke into the music industry, becoming a part of Jodeci member Devante Swing's Swing Mob collective in the early 1990s.
Music career
Ginuwine can be spotted in one of Jodeci's videos. There, he met rapper Missy Elliott and producer Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley, who became his main collaborators through the 1990s. Ginuwine's first single, 1996's "Pony" from Ginuwine...The Bachelor, showcased his smooth vocals and Timbaland's innovative production style, and the two became a hit-making duo. The song "Pony" was used in a "karaoke" scene from the box office smash "Wild Hogs" in 2007 and again used in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV in 2008. Ginuwine and Aaliyah covered Prince's "When Doves Cry" single from the movie soundtrack to "Purple Rain". Ginuwine's version was released but Aaliyah's version was not.
After his second album, 1999's 100% Ginuwine, Ginuwine and Timbaland grew apart, and producers such as R. Kelly have crafted hits for him since then. In 2001, Ginuwine had a number-four hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with the single "Differences", which also peaked at number-one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. Within a year, Ginuwine lost both of his parents. He later wrote a song which is featured on his album The Life entitled "Two Reasons I Cry".
In 2002, Ginuwine was a feature artist on P. Diddy's number-one hit "I Need a Girl (Part II)". Later that year, Ginuwine started his own label, Bag Entertainment. The label would feature artists like Jose Cenquentez (who appeared on The Senior) and Knight.
Ginuwine's fifth album, Back II Da Basics, was released on November 15, 2005. The album debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200, selling close to 100,000 copies. Ginuwine stated on BET's Top 100 countdown that the album went Gold with sells of 500,000 copies. 3
In May 2007, an album entitled I Apologize was released in stores. Although attributed to Ginuwine, the release was an unauthorized album and only included three Ginuwine songs - apparently from stolen masters - and ten songs by other artists. Ginuwine spoke against the unofficial release on both his MySpace page and through YouTube4.
In 2007, Ginuwine also collaborated with Canadian hip-hop artist Belly in the latter's debut solo song "Pressure" which was featured in Belly's debut album the Revoultion, released in June 2007.
Recent Events
Ginuwine has also formed a group with Tank and Tyrese named TGT. Their first single was a remix of Tank's "Please Don't Go". They were supposed to tour but plans fell apart due to conflicting schedules 5.
Ginuwine Announced on his Myspace Blog on August 21, 2008 that Due to label and legal issues They will not be able to release an official TGT album. 6
Ginuwine is currently working on his 6th album, The New Beginning. He is also the founder and CEO of LoveSong Incorporated after completing his contract with 550 Music/Epic.
Ginuwine also Announced on his Myspace Blog on August 21, 2008 that he signed a Major Label deal with Notifi Records/ Warner Brothers. 6
Ginuwine introduced rapper Young Knight a.k.a. Knightron on the Back 2 Da Basics Album. Currently Knightron is working on his own album under Ginuwines label BAG ENT. Knightron last teamed up with Ginuwine and producers Melvin Rogers and Ted Clinkscale for the hit song "I Apologize" remix.
Film career
Ginuwine was originally cast in the 2004 film "You Got Served". Ultimately R&B artist Marques Houston was cast in his place. The writer of the movie kept Ginuwine's real name "Elgin" as the name for one of the lead characters.
Trivia
- Jay-Z references Ginuwine in a guest rap verse on Beyoncé's #1 song "Crazy in Love" released in 2003.
- Legendary rap group EPMD references Ginuwine, his signature hit "Pony" and his single "Only When Ur Lonely" in their single "Joint" that appears on the 1997 album release "Back In Business"
- Ginuwine stood in for Devante Swing in the music video for Father MC's single "Everything's Going To Be Alright" featuring Jodeci. Swing decided not to show up for the video shoot and Ginuwine was asked to appear in the video in Devante's absence so it would appear that the entire group was featured in the video.
- Ginuwine's very first music video appearance ever was as an extra in the video for popular DC area DJ/Rapper DJ Kool's regional hit single "Reggae Dance". This 1988 single was a bonafide radio hit in the Washington DC area.
- Ginuwine's very first appearance with P. Diddy in a music video was not for Diddy's #1 hit single "I Need A Girl (Part II)" but for Jodeci's "Let's Go Through The Motions" which served as the first video and single off the motion picture soundtrack for the 1993 comedy film Who's the Man? starring Ed Lover and Doctor Dre. Diddy and Ginuwine were extras in this music video and this would mark the first time Ginuwine and Diddy appeared in a music video together. Ginuwine also contributed background vocals for this single.
Discography
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Albums
Compilations
Filmography
Awards and nominations
- American Music Awards
- 2003: Favorite Male R&B Artist, Nominated
- 2002: Favorite Male R&B Artist, Nominated
- 2000: Favorite Male R&B Artist, Nominated
References
External links
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| Persondata |
| NAME |
Ginuwine |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES |
Lumpkin, Elgin Baylor (real name) |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION |
R&B Singer |
| DATE OF BIRTH |
October 15, 1975 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH |
Washington, D.C. |
| DATE OF DEATH |
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| PLACE OF DEATH |
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