Joe (singer)

Joseph Lewis Thomas (born July 5, 1973), better known by his stage name, Joe, is an American R&B singer-songwriter and record producer.

Early life

Joe was born in Columbus, Georgia and was the child of evangelist preachers. He later moved to Opelika, Alabama during his formative years and graduated from Opelika High School in 1990.

Career

1990s

Joe graduated from Opelika High School and continued to sing and write music while working at occasional temporary jobs. Finally, he traveled to New Jersey, hoping to make connections in the music industry. While working at a gospel record store and continuing his music education through a local church, he met producer Vincent Herbert and recorded a three-song demo tape. He signed to Mercury Records in 1992 and released his debut album, Everything the next year. This album produced a minor hit, "I'm In Luv", for him and he was subsequently released from his contract. Joe also had a song called "All the Things (Your Man Won't Do)" that appeared on the soundtrack to the Wayans Brothers film Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood. Joe then signed to Jive Records for his 1997 album, All That I Am. This proved to be his breakthrough album, reaching #13 on the Billboard 200 chart, and number 4 on the US Billboard R&B chart. Another hit single from the album "Don't Wanna Be a Player", was also featured on the Booty Call soundtrack. All That I Am eventually went platinum in the US. Joe remixed a duet by Barry White and Tina Turner called "Never in Your Wildest Dreams" and wrote and produced on albums by Ideal, Xscape and Hi-Five in the 1990s. Joe also sang on the remix of Big Punisher's "Still Not a Player", produced by Knobody, which interpolated Joe's "Don't Wanna Be a Player". Joe sang the background vocals on Brandy's track "Angel in Disguise" on her second album, Never Say Never.