I Can't Stop Loving You

Background:

Singer, songwriter and producer Kem rose to prominence with his debut album ”Kemistry,” which put him on the radar of Motown Records, who re-released the album in 2003 with significant success. The follow up album, “Album II” (2005), became a chart topper on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and spawned the award winning song “I Can't Stop Loving You” (#84 US Hot 100; #20 US R&B/Hip Hop). Both albums were certificated gold by RIAA. Kem's third album, “Intimacy: Album III,” was released in August 2010 on Universal Motown. It peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and produced two Top 30 hits on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs with “Why Would You Stay” (#17) and “Share My Life” (#25).

Kim Owens

Childhood and Family:

Kem was born Kim Owens on July 23, 1969, in Nashville, Tennessee. He was raised in a middle class Detroit suburb in Michigan. After completing high school, he suffered from addiction, homelessness and isolation from his family for a number of years. He eventually found rehabilitation through music and spirituality.

Kem has daughters named Laylah and Troi.

Intimacy

Career:

After overcoming addiction and homelessness, Kem began a career in the music industry. With his jazz infused music, he emerged as a local musician around Detroit during the 1990s.

Kem originally wanted to record a live album of songs he had written and played for audiences, but instead entered the studio in 2002 to record his independently released debut album “Kemistry,” which he wrote, produced and funded. He promoted the album at concerts and elsewhere and after selling 10,000 units, the album was picked up by Motown Records for nationwide release on February 25, 2003. After its re-release, “Kemistry” rose to No. 14 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and No. 90 on the Billboard Hot 200 and achieved gold certification in the U.S. The lead single, “Love Calls,” peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Kem resurfaced with his much anticipated sophomore effort, “Album II,” which was released on May 17, 2005, under Motown. Produced by Kem and Carlos Gunn, the album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 after selling about 140,000 pieces in its first week and went gold within two months of its release. It also became a hit album on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and yielded three hit singles. The first single, “I Can't Stop Loving You,” rose to No. 20 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and marked his first single on the Billboard Hot 100 when it peaked at No. 84. The second and third singles, “Find Your Way (Back in My Life)” and “Into You,” went to No. 37 and No. 79 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, respectively. In 2005, Kem was nominated for a Billboard Music Award for Top Adult R&B Artist of the Year. The song “I Can't Stop Loving You” brought him an award in the Top Adult R&B Single of the Year category.

Kem’s third studio album, “Intimacy: Album III,” hit the music stores on August 17, 2010, and was his debut on Universal Motown. Produced by Kem, the album went to No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. Released on May 18, 2010, the first single, “Why Would You Stay,” rose to No. 19 and 14 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs and Heatseekers charts, respectively. It also peaked at No. 102 on the Billboard Hot 100. The next single, “Share My Life,” which was released in September 2010, peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs. In addition, Kem had previously recorded the song “Fascination” for the soundtrack to the 2006 motion picture “Take the Lead,” which starred Antonio Banderas, Rob Brown, Alfre Woodard, Dante Basco, Marcus T. Paulk, Jenna Dewan and Lauren Collins.

In addition to his albums, Kem starred in the 2003 TV movie “Organic Soul,” which was helmed by Brian Campbell. He also appeared in the 2006 TV documentary “An Evening of Stars: Tribute to Stevie Wonder” and television series like “Showtime at the Apollo” (2005), “Tavis Smiley” (2005), “The View” (2005), “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (2005) and “The Mo'Nique Show” (2010). In 2010, he performed “Love Never Fails” on an episode of “Detroit 1-8-7” called “Royal Bubbles/Needle Drop.”

Awards:

• Billboard Music: Top Adult R&B Single of the Year, “I Can't Stop Loving You,” 2005