The 411 Magazine issue 3 | Page 22

FEATURE In 2001, Evans released her third album, 'Faithfully', a more uptempo record that received her strongest reviews to date. It also produced hit singles in 'You Gets No Love' and 'I Love You', plus her duet with Carl Thomas on 'Can't Believe' was nominated for a Grammy. However, it would be her last Bad Boy album. 'The First Lady', released on Capitol in 2005, missed the top spot of the Billboard 200 by one position. Singles-wise, it didn't perform nearly as well. After a fi ve-year hiatus from recording, during which time she penned the African American Literary Award- winning memoir 'Keep the Faith', Evans released 'Something About Faith' on the independent eOne label. It topped Billboard's Independent Albums chart, went Top Five R&B/Hip-Hop and debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200. Its fi rst single, 'Gone Already', was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. After appearing on El DeBarge's 'Lay With You' and Rahsaan Patterson's 'Crazy (Baby)', she starred on the 2012 TV One reality series 'R&B Divas' beside Nicci Gilbert, Monifah, Syleena Johnson and Keke Wyatt. A tie-in compilation for the show was released by eOne that October with its proceeds going to the Whitney E. Houston Academy. In September 2014, 'I Deserve It', featuring Missy Elliott and Sharaya J, was released as the fi rst single from 'Incomparable', which followed two months later. ~ Steve Huey & Andy Kellman FAITH EVANS AND NOTORIOUS B.I.G. - THE KING & I IS OUT 19TH MAY. 22