In many ways, humility can be a singer’s greatest asset. While working as a source of quiet strength, it also allows the artist’s music to take center stage—rather than his or her personality. And in the case of Kevon Edmonds, his musical catalog has survived throughout the ages, simply because it was capable of standing upon its own legs, instead of resting upon popular trends or public controversy. With a string of platinum and gold records to attest to this fact, Kevon has enjoyed a fruitful twenty-year career.
Known in varying circles as a solo artist, a founding member of After 7, and the brother of Melvin and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Kevon is comfortable with all of the aforementioned descriptions, because the creation of quality music is more important than the deification of a great singer. Upon the release of Who Knew, his fifth studio project and sophomore solo album, Kevon Edmonds managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on the foundation of R&B music, the heart-wrenching “Til You Do Me Right,” and working with his nephews, the next generation of Edmondses.
To date, you have charted 11 top ten singles between your work as a solo artist and as a member of After 7. How does it feel to be labeled as "a carrier of the R&B torch"?
That is what I grew up on. That is what I knew. That’s real music for me. That’s how it was represented when I grew up. It was music that makes you feel when they deliver it. I think that’s what people mean when they say ‘carrying the torch’ – it’s continuing to make people feel, feel what it is that you sing about, to move them, to touch them, to stir them in some kind of way, to make them reflect on how it has impacted their life in some personal way. If you don’t get a sense of what this person is singing about, it doesn’t come across as real. It’s kind of hard to feel. You may be singing the words, but if there is no feeling attached it goes by you. My thing is to continue to do what R&B has always done – to impact and affect the culture.
When you look at the contemporary musical landscape, where exactly do you see your artistry fitting?
I really want to remind my old fans and introduce to new fans that R&B is still a genre of music. You can shake it up in the club and actually get through doing your thing, but there’s going to be a point in time when you don’t want to let it settle a little bit. Here’s something that speaks to your heart. I think that’s what true R&B does – it speaks to your heart. Where you take it from there is still pretty much on you, but it’s the kind of music that takes you to a place where you get in touch with yourself and those you love in relationships in a good way. It’s okay to talk about love in a positive way. It’s okay to want it or desire it. It’s not uncool to express it in a positive, caring, concerning way with regards to how you feel about somebody. It’s not a bad thing. To me, it’s about letting people know it’s time to connect, it’s time to reconnect, whatever your situation is. We need it. We need each other. We need to love. That is what R&B is about.
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