Biografia
The 1990s not only gave rise to one of the greatest eras in R&B music but also introduced some of the most unforgettable artists of our generation, including Grand Rapids, Michigan native, international multi-platinum, award-winning R&B icon Adina Howard.
1995 marked a pivotal year for Adina. Signed to Mecca Don/EastWest Records, she achieved certified gold and platinum success with her bold debut album "Do You Wanna Ride?" and her #2 Billboard Hot 100 hit single "Freak Like Me." That year, Adina Howard became a globally recognized name.
Howard is celebrated as an early trailblazer of sexual expression for women of color. Her major hits "Freak Like Me" and "T-shirt and Panties" were more than just chart-topping tracks—they became anthems of sexual liberation.
Despite widespread criticism for her daring lyrics and provocative image, Adina remained unapologetically confident. Believing that if men could express themselves boldly, so could she, Howard paved the way for future urban female artists to embrace and creatively express their sensuality freely.
In 1996, she teamed up with Warren G for the "Police Story 3: Super Cop" soundtrack on the single "What's Love Got to Do with It," which sampled the Tina Turner classic. The track became another hit, reaching #2 on the UK charts.
While working on her second album, Howard collaborated with actor/comedian Jamie Foxx on the provocatively titled song "T-shirt and Panties." As a risk-taker, she wanted this energetic track to lead her forthcoming album "Welcome to Fantasy Island," but it was deemed too risqué for radio, and the label hesitated to promote it. The song eventually found a place on the soundtrack for the film "Woo," starring Jada Pinkett Smith, and later appeared on her third album, "The Second Coming." Over time, it became an R&B classic and a signature performance piece for Adina.
In 1997, she prepared to release her sophomore album "Welcome to Fantasy Island," which received critical acclaim and produced a moderate hit with the lead single "(Freak) And U Know It." However, Elektra Records shelved the album due to conflicts of interest. Years later, the album leaked online, with promotional copies selling for hundreds of dollars on eBay.
Adina released her third studio album, "The Second Coming," in 2004. Hampered by label issues, the album's success was left to chance. In 2007, after multiple delays, her fourth studio album "Private Show" was released, but limited resources meant the album did not receive the promotional support needed to gain widespread attention.
In January 2010, Adina enrolled in culinary school, temporarily pausing her music career to pursue her passion for cooking. While earning her Associate's degree in Culinary Arts, she worked as a line cook at a Triple-A Four Diamond Resort in Chandler, Arizona. By August 2011, she proudly added the title of chef to her accomplishments.
Returning to music in 2013, Adina released the single "Switch," intended as the lead from her fifth studio album, "The Switch Up." The track received positive reviews and won "Best Dance/Club Single of the Year" at the 2013 UB Honors, an award voted on by the public.
Beyond singing and songwriting, Adina has acted in independent films such as "Casanova's Demise," "Poke the Sleeping Bear" (winner of Best Short at the 2008 Solstice Film Festival), and "The Relaxer." She has also appeared in stage productions including "Man of God," "Do You Trust Your Best Friend," and the stage reading "For All My Girls."
Despite her many achievements, Adina continues to find time to record and create new music. In August 2015, she independently released the upbeat single "Bad 4 Me," a contemporary urban doo-wop-inspired track that marked a departure from the sound that originally made her famous.
Adina Howard has grown both as a woman and an artist. Her journey and evolution are reflected in her album "Resurrection," which was released digitally in March 2018.
The album's socially conscious lead single, "Blasphemy," weaves the nostalgic cadence of "Lift Every Voice and Sing," the Black American National Anthem, into its melody. This urban anthem encourages listeners to awaken and recognize the divine within themselves. "Blasphemy" perfectly showcases Adina's vocal prowess while delivering an empowering message to inspire the soul of her devoted fans.
