COFFEE CUPS UP! FEBRUARY ISSUE Issue February, 2014 | Page 18

His solo career became bigger than the group itself. His career rocketed to the top. His voice was the voice to reckoned with. He and his father, Eddie Levert, teamed up on a duo that made another #1 hit on the charts,

“Baby Hold On To Me.”

Gerald’s career soared

to the top. He was

acknowledged as an R&B

Master but it wasn’t good

enough for him. He always

commanded a loyal fan base.

He never had a big pop success.

He was making good records but

was always overlooked. Gerald was

dissatisfied. He felt he was better than other performers. They would say his voice was “too soulful”, “too big” for Pop Radio. In the late 90’s his style of singing was slowing down. Mainstream radio was getting into Hip Hop. Levert was considered the “old guy” in the room. Then, the group “LSG” was formed; Gerald Levert, Keith Sweat, and Johnny Gill. They made songs like “My Body”. They were considered as

the black tenors, people were just so in love with them. Their song went platinum and double platinum.

On December 7, 2006, it was announced that Levert, along with soul legend Chaka Khan, gospel singer Yolanda Adams, and R&B singer Carl Thomas were nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best R&B Performance by a Duo Or Group With Vocals for their collaboration on "Everyday (Family Reunion)", a song from the soundtrack of Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion