Cedric and Joel Hailey made up half of the R&B group, Jodeci. The two brothers along with brothers, Dalvin and Donald Degrate formed the group in 1989. During the 90s, the group put out three albums with hit songs such as “Forever My Lady”, “Stay”, “Come and Talk to Me”, and “Cry for You”. After releasing The Show, the After Party, the Hotel in 1995, Jodeci went on a hiatus. In the meantime, K-Ci & JoJo were born.
In 1996, K-Ci & JoJo made their first song, “How Could You” as an official duo. The song was for the soundtrack to the movie Bulletproof starring Damon Wayans and Adam Sandler. It peaked at number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and two years later, they scored their first number one hit with “All My Life”. K-Ci & JoJo is one of the best R&B groups in history. Though they have classic records with Jodeci, the duo have some hit records of their own.
Here are K-CI & JoJo’s greatest hits.
7. “Tell Me It’s Real”
K-Ci & JoJo know how to make a love ballad. They prove it on “Tell Me It’s Real” off their second studio album, It’s Real. Keeping with the theme of the album, the duo desires to know if the love is real with their partner in this song. It was a big hit for K-Ci & JoJo as it landed in the number two spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song remained popular for a while as multiple remixes of the R&B hit were created in the United Kingdom.
6. “How Do You Want It”
The North Carolina natives linked up with one of the greatest rappers of all-time for a classic hip hop hit. Although 2Pac has countless hit records, this song is high on the list. And, even though this is not K-Ci and JoJo’s song, you have to include this as one of their greatest hits simply for their impact. The chorus undoubtedly makes it one of the best songs of the 90s.
K-Ci and JoJo were just getting started when they joined Pac for this song. Still performing with the group, Jodeci, the duo achieved a Grammy nomination. Besides landing atop of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, “How Do You Want It” was nominated for a Grammy in 1997 for Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group. The song also just so happened to be the last single to be released while the California rapper was still alive.
5. “Don’t Rush (Take Love Slowly)”
One of the best messages from the R&B singers comes in this ballad. In “Don’t Rush (Take Love Slowly)”, K-Ci & JoJo are trying to express to the women in their lives that there’s always time for sex and doesn’t need to happen now. Men don’t always just want to get intimate as the duo proves here. There’s always a time and place for everything.
Often, music serves a message. It’s important to hear a message such as this when dealing with matters of the heart. Love should never be rushed; take it one day at a time.
4. “This Very Moment”
Honestly, K-Ci & JoJo might be the kings of making music made for weddings. “This Very Moment” is in line with “All My Life” and “Last Night’s Letter”. Using words like “forever”, “eternity”, and “promise”, these guys know how to express their love.
The song has a nice bop too as it isn’t as slow as “All My Life”. Along with being the second single off their fourth studio album, Emotional, K-Ci and JoJo scored another slot on a movie soundtrack. Just like “Life” years prior, “This Very Moment” appeared on the soundtrack to the movie, Deliver Us From Eva. LL Cool J and Gabrielle Union star in this romantic comedy. This single happened to be the last release for the X singers in 2002 until they came back over ten years later. In 2013, they released “Knock It Off”.
3. “Last Night’s Letter”
“Last Night’s Letter” is another wedding ballad for the Jodeci members. Just like “All My Life”, this song can be played during the first dance. It’s an appreciation song for the love of his life. Sometimes, that’s all you need to do, just let her know that you’re thinking of her. K-Ci & Jo-Jo showing us a letter will do the trick.
Before releasing their hit, “All My Life”, the brothers dropped “Last Night’s Letter”. It was the second single off their debut album, Love Always. On the Billboard R&B/Hip=Hop chart, the song reached number 15.
2. “Life”
The R&B duo made a song perfect for the prominent comedy flick, Life, starring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence. Titled, “Life” as well, the lyrics are right in sync with the plot of the movie. K-CI & JoJo give their all in this performance as you can hear the pain in their voices while singing. It’s as if they really did get a life sentence. You can hear the sorrow as they tell their stories.
Although this is one of their best songs, the duo did not write it. In fact, R. Kelly wrote and produced the movie single. It was the first single off the Life soundtrack and first single off K-Ci & JoJo’s second studio album, It’s Real. “Life” peaked at number 60 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It’s only right that they made a classic song into a classic movie.
1. “All My Life”
The perfect wedding song is what K-Ci and JoJo made with “All My Life”. Throughout the song, the duo sings powerful lyrics like “All my life I prayed for someone like you” and “Close to me you’re like my mother, close to me you’re like my father…”. The words in this song certainly scream love and unity. This is one of the best R&B ballads of all time. “All My Life” is a timeless record as this will be played for years to come.
“All My Life” is the duo’s best record as it topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart three weeks straight! It was nominated for Best R&B song as well as Best R & B Vocal Performance by a Duo Or Group at the 1999 Grammy Awards. Unfortunately, they lost to “Doo Wop (That Thing)” by Lauryn Hill and “The Boy Is Mine” by Brandy & Monica, respectively. The video was just as good as the song as it was nominated for Best R&B Video at the MTV Video Music Awards in 19998. Unfortunately, “Gone Till November” by Wyclef Jean beat them out. Although it did not win awards, the song is a certified classic and their best record.
Let us know your favorite K-Ci & JoJo song in the comments!