UB Celebrates: The 20th Anniversary of Jagged Edge’s ‘J.E. Heartbreak’

In 1997, Jermaine Dupri and So So Def, introduced Grammy Nominated R&B hit-makers Jagged Edge to the world. With the group’s debut album, “A Jagged Era.”

How it all started; After relocating to the southeast’s most flourishing music town from their native Hartford, Connecticut, Brian and Brandon quickly connected with the local church community, where they instantly aligned themselves with the local vocalists. After a chance meeting with Kyle, then a member of another group, Brain and Brandon teamed up with Kyle and two other vocalists, doing what they now refer to as a “R&B meets hip-hop/Take 6 kind of thing.” After a slight line-up change, Brian, Brandon, Kyle and a fourth member formed Twin AK, a group which caught the attention of star-making Michael Bivens and his Biv 10 label. When music industry red tape threatened to slow the pace of their recording career, the group’s fourth member opted out, just as the remaining members had inked the Biv 10 deal. Enter in label-mate at the time, member of Xscape Kandi Burruss who suggested Richard Wingo, a past schoolmate of hers, to be a part of the group. Finally feeling as if they had the right chemistry, the foursome recorded a demo (financed by the twins’ father) they could shop; Kandi subsequently put the Jagged Edge demo into the hands of a close associate of Jermaine Dupri‘s. An a capella performance at JD‘s home made it a “done deal.”

Jagged Edge debuted with a cross-pollinating soothing old school soul harmonies and textures with thoroughly rugged ’90s sensibilities on their RIAA Gold-certified debut album, “A Jagged Era.” The four Atlanta natives brought an earthy quality back to modern R&B.; Though they could stay in beat with the best of ’em — as was evident on their disc single, “The Way That You Talk” (featuring JD and Da Brat) and the sensitive “Gotta Be” went on to become what some may refer to as “the people’s hit.” The most successful ballad of that year.

“A Jagged Era,” spent nine weeks at #1 on Billboards Heatseekers.

Today is the 20th Anniversary of Jagged Edge‘s breakthrough sophomore release “J.E. Heartbreak.” Released January 18th, 2000. The album achieved RIAA double platinum status. The album is a tribute to New Edition, named after their double platinum release “Heart Break”

“J.E. Heartbreak” for many of us, was the soundtrack to our first time falling in and out of love. Like “Heart Break” was to those coming of age in 1989.

When speaking on the title to VIBE Magazine, Wingo stated; “When you think of the 80s, you think of New Edition and Michael Jackson. When you think of the 2000s, we want you to think of Jagged Edge. Like we was the best that did it at that time.”

While paying homage to one of R&B‘s legendary groups was just a small part of their choice of title, there’s also a much more personal significance to it. “The other reason why we named this album J.E. Heartbreak,” Brian said at the time, “is the fact that in this past year, we felt a lot of heartbreak — individually and collectively. It was something that we felt we should talk about, so we decided to write about it.”

J.E. Heartbreak is a mostly self-written collection of songs running the gamut from straight-up street head-nodders to those heart-wrenching soul ballads. Indeed, many of their experiences resulted in an emotional well of personalized material. Though not every scenario was necessarily autobiographical.

With producers Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, Gary “Gizzo” Smith and Teddy Bishop on board, J.E. Heartbreak created an honest reflection of where these young men were coming from.

The album’s lead single “He Can’t Love U,” a song about wooing the object of their affections away from an unworthy lover. Was a hit from the gate, going Gold in January 2000.

“J.E. Heartbreak” debuted at #1 on the R&B Chart and in the Top 10 on the Billboard Top 200. The album went platinum in May of 2000.

A year-and-a-half after its release, the album was still on the Billboard 200 album chart.

The next releases from the album, sealed the deal. They pledged devotion despite “what others may say” on the sensitive, soothing “Promise.” The song reached #1 on the R&B charts and #9 on the Hot 100. And they made the ultimate proposal, singing “meet me at the altar in your white dress” on “Let’s Get Married.” The single was a huge #1 R&B hit and JD later released a hot remix featuring Hip Hop legends RUN-D.M.C.

One of the albums highlights, is when they acknowledge that sometimes it’s the young lady who’s not ready for real commitment on the track “True Man,” a smoldering, to-the-point ballad. ‘True Man‘ is saying, “You say you want this now; but you can’t even handle it. I gave you all of that; but that’s not really what you want.” Brian explained.

“J.E. Heartbreak” is an R&B masterpiece, of original penned songs, under great vocals with substance.

Over the years, we’ve spoken to JE; Here are some of our favorite quotes.

UrbanBridgez.com: What keeps JE together when so many groups don’t make it together with all original members?
Jagged Edge (Kyle): The love for what we do! We love music & we love each other. We’ve been together before the music happened and we’ll be together when the music is over. At the end of the day we always planned to be that group! I mean we came up and wanted to be around like The O’Jays and groups who have been together 20 and 30 years. We plan to do that by keep making good music for your guys for years to come.

UrbanBridgez.com: Do you guys ever feel under-rated? I mean you have received many accolades from being nominated for almost every major award to selling millions of albums. It just seems like you guys don’t get the credit you deserve?
Jagged Edge (Wingo): We definitely feel that way, but you know what you gotta keep pushing! You can’t fight something that’s not your battle. Every battle is not yours to fight and we can sit here blue in the face, cross our arms and stomp our feet, and be like we’re not getting the love we deserve. In our earlier years we was feeling that way and sometimes now it still crosses our minds. I remember I think it was Brian who said it, one day we’re going to get that award and we’re going to be on that show and people are going to recognize what we’ve done for the R&B industry. When he said that God gave me a premonition of us just sitting down in the front row and them saying the Trumpet award goes to Jagged Edge for the years they’ve put in and people will recognize. But one thing we know the power of God, ain’t nothing going to happen, til it happens!

Jagged Edge (Brandon): I also want to add to what he said that yeah, it’s on Gods time not ours. But it’s all about perspective and all about the way you look at it. For along time I did have those issues, feeling like well damn *N-Sync they let these white dudes do everything. And we gotta struggle for every little thing. Because people gotta realize that we’ve been around that long. And then again you gotta look at it like 13 years later there is no *N-Sync. Even though they were big and bad and everywhere at one time and point, Jagged Edge we’ve stood the test of time. We still have alot more doors that we’re trying to open, we got alot more things that we want to do and we’re going to stay here as long as it takes to accomplish that! So again it’s all about perspective, we’re still winning everyday. Everyday we’re here, we’re still winning somebody’s respect. Everybody is going to turn their head and look at us even if it’s for one brief moment!
Jagged Edge (Kyle): I hope it’s one day soon! (everybody laughs).

Take a Trip Down Memory Lane and Celebrate 20 Years of “J.E. Heartbreak.”