What is Babyface's Net Worth?
Babyface, born Kenneth Brian Edmonds, is an American R&B musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer who has a net worth of $200 million. Babyface is one of the most prolific songwriters and producers in the music industry. He's been ranked by a number of publications as one of the best record producers ever.
Kenneth Brian Edmonds, better known as Babyface, is an iconic figure in the music industry, renowned for his work as a singer, songwriter, and producer. His career, spanning several decades, is marked by a profound influence on R&B and pop music. Babyface's silky-smooth vocal style and his ability to craft emotive, relatable lyrics have made him a household name.
Babyface's rise to fame began in the 1980s. He started as a member of the R&B band The Deele, where he met future collaborator Antonio "L.A." Reid. Together, they formed one of the most successful production teams of the late 20th century, L.A. Reid and Babyface. Their partnership led to the creation of LaFace Records in 1989, a label that played a critical role in shaping the sound of R&B and pop in the 1990s and early 2000s.
As a songwriter and producer, Babyface has worked with a who's who of the music industry, including Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, and Toni Braxton. His Midas touch has led to numerous hits, many of which have become timeless classics. He is particularly known for his ballads and smooth R&B tracks, often characterized by their emotional depth and melodic richness.
Babyface's solo career is equally impressive. He has released several successful albums that showcase his soft, expressive vocal style and his knack for storytelling through music. His work often explores themes of love, relationships, and vulnerability, resonating deeply with audiences. His contributions to the industry have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards.
Divorce Settlement
Babyface's divorce from Tracey Edmonds, his wife from 1992 – 2005, made headlines when it reportedly cost Babyface half of his total net worth, perhaps as much as $100 million. That's enough to make it one of the most expensive celebrity divorces ever. His varied interests, however, made it so that he could work on rebuilding his personal fortune.
Early Life
Babyface was born on April 10, 1958, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Marvin and Barbara Edmonds. He is the fifth of six sons of his parents. Barbara was a production operator at a pharmaceutical plant. Edmonds' dad died of lung cancer when he was in eighth grade. It was at this time that he decided he was going to have a career in music. He was a shy kid and wrote songs as a way to express his emotions. He attended North Central High School in Indianapolis. He got his nickname when he was still a teenager by funk performer Bootsy Collins, who he was then performing with, and it is an obvious reference to his youthful looks.
Career
Babyface began his musical journey in the late 1970s as a member of the funk band Manchild. In the early 1980s, Babyface joined the R&B group The Deele, which achieved moderate success. Most importantly, one of his bandmates in The Deele was his future business partner, Antonio "L.A." Reid.
During this period, Babyface honed his skills as a songwriter and producer, working behind the scenes for various artists. His breakthrough came in 1983 when he co-wrote the hit song "Slow Jam" for the group Midnight Star. Both Babyface and Reid left The Deele in 1988.
Throughout the 1980s, Babyface's reputation as a hitmaker grew. He wrote and produced songs for major R&B acts like The Whispers, Pebbles, and Bobby Brown. His work on Bobby Brown's "Don't Be Cruel" album in 1988 was particularly significant, producing several chart-topping hits and establishing him as one of the most sought-after producers in the industry.
As the 1990s dawned, Babyface's career reached new heights. He launched his solo career with the album "Tender Lover" in 1989, which spawned hits like "It's No Crime" and "Whip Appeal." His 1993 album "For the Cool in You" was even more successful, featuring the iconic ballad "When Can I See You" and going triple platinum. Babyface released the highly successful album "The Day" in 1996 as well as the albums "Christmas with Babyface" in 1998, "Face 2 Face" in 2001, "Grown & Sexy" in 2005, "Playlist" in 2007, and "Return of the Tender Lover" in 2015.
Throughout the 1990s, Babyface continued to dominate both as a solo artist and as a producer. He wrote and produced hits for Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, Toni Braxton, and many others. His work helped define the sound of 90s R&B and pop, earning him numerous Grammy Awards and cementing his status as one of the most influential figures in popular music.
Babyface wrote Whitney Houston's 1990 hit "I'm Your Baby Tonight." It was his first U.S. #1 hit. He also wrote the 1994 Boyz II Men hit "I'll Make Love to You," which was another #1 hit. Babyface produced the soundtrack for the 1995 movie "Waiting to Exhale" which included the #1 hit "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" by Whitney Houston. Brandy and Mary J. Blige also had hits on the same soundtrack.
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LaFace Records
Babyface's career in the entertainment business really launched when he co-founded LaFace Records in 1989 with L.A. Reid. The label quickly signed TLC, Toni Braxton, and Usher, all of whom became very successful. Babyface wrote most of the songs on Braxton's first two very successful records, 1993's "Toni Braxton" and 1996's "Secrets." Babyface was integral in helping TLC sell more than 75 million albums. TLC's second album "CrazySexyCool," became the best-selling album of all time by an American girl group. LaFace also signed Usher when he was 16. He sold 65 million records while signed to LaFace.
Personal Life
Babyface met Tracey McQuarn in 1990 when she auditioned for the music video for "Whip Appeal." They married in September 1992. They have two sons, Brandon and Dylan. They divorced on the grounds of irreconcilable differences in October 2005 after 13 years of marriage.
In 2007, Babyface started dating Niko Pantenburg, one of his backup dancers. Their daughter was born in 2008. They married in May 2014.
In mid-April 2020, Babyface revealed via his Instagram account that he and his entire family are recovering from COVID-19. He and his family successfully fought the virus. "I am happy to report we have now tested negative and are on our way back to full health," Babyface said.
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Real Estate
In February 1998, Babyface paid $825,000 for a plot of land in LA's Bel Air neighborhood. In 2000 he completed construction on an 11,000 square foot mansion. He listed this home for sale in May 2022 for $8 million. He lowered the price to $7.5 million in November 2022. Here's a video tour of that home:
In May 2004, Babyface paid $4.1 million for a five-bedroom, six-bathroom 7,508 square foot home in LA's Bel Air Crest neighborhood.
In April 2004, just before he and then-wife Tracey announced their split, Babyface shelled out $5.15 million for an 8,245-square-foot mansion in the guard-gated Mulholland Estates community of Los Angeles. The house, which is down the street from Paris Hilton's pad and Charlie Sheen's lair, is now owned by ex-wife Tracey Edmonds.
Babyface also owns a 3,614 square-foot foot mock-Mediterranian tract house in a gated development in Rancho Cucamonga, California, bought in February 2008 for $780,000, and a typical Las Vegas tract house he bought in June 1996 for $255,000.
In 2012, Babyface sold his home in Incline Village, Nevada, for $2.95 million. The 7,344 square foot home has seven bedrooms and six bathrooms on a wooded hillside above Lake Tahoe. He bought the home in March 1995 with then-wife Tracey for $1.9 million.
