UB Celebrates: ’35th Anniversary of Karyn White’s Debut Album

This week we celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the debut album of one of our favorites, Karyn White.

In 1986, Karyn was featured as a vocalist on a Jeff Lorber album called “Facts Of Love” — that began a buzz that led to her inevitable solo success.

In the summer of 1988, Karyn White‘s debut single was released to radio and BET, “The Way You love Me.” The gold single reached #1 on the R&B and dance charts and top 10 Hot 100.

On September 6th, 1988, Karyn White‘s self-titled debut album established her as a leading female voice in contemporary R&B music. The album was produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface and was certified Platinum while reaching #1 on the Billboard R&B charts for seven weeks.

“Karyn White is anything but a mediocre singer. She can sing her behind off. But in the end, it’s still about the right place, right songs and the right artist. That’s what this business has always been about. That’s why I’m so keyed up about WB today. Finally there is a truly talented team of Black people working here with major Black artists.” – Benny Medina

The second single from the album, “Superwoman” was an instant ladies anthem. Overall charting wise, the single peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, #12 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart, and became Karyn‘s second #1 R&B hit, topping the charts for 3 weeks in January of 1989, staying on the chart for 24 weeks. In the U.K., the song peaked at #11 on the U.K. Singles chart, staying on the chart for 13 weeks.

The debut album released five singles, with three #1 songs on various Billboard charts; “Superwoman,” “The Way You Love Me,” “Secret Rendezvous”, “Love Saw It,” and “Slow Down.” She became the first female artist to have her first three solo releases hit #1.

The Los Angeles native who has literally been singing her entire life was nominated twice for Grammy Awards (Best Female R&B Vocal Performance), and earned a trio of Soul Train Award nominations, along with a coveted NAACP Image Award for Best New Artist in 1989.

In one of our archived interviews, we spoke with Karyn about the success of “Superwoman.”
“Let me first say this! The incredible L.A. Reid, Babyface and Darryl Simmons presented me with the song. It was an honor, people have to understand L.A. was married to Pebbles and there was a lot of competition in that era. I mean there was Anita Baker, Vanessa Williams, Jody Watley, Janet Jackson, so this song really separated me from all of those artists. So looking back now, I’m really happy they thought that I could pull it off. They were so hot, everybody wanted to work with them. I don’t feel special but I do feel special, because they could have given the song to someone else. So in hindsight I’m glad they saw the strength in me that I could pull it off. To be able to deliver the song, for me I pulled from my mother. Because I was so young, I didn’t really understand what saying I’m not your Superwoman really meant. I was just a baby Superwoman, I had not had children or really lived. I had not gone through the heartaches and tough times. So now when I sing that song, it’s so funny because it’s so dramatic for me because I always find myself going to church (laughs). I’ll be like can I sing “Love Saw It” or “Secret Rendezvous?”

Aries from UB spoke to Karyn White about her debut album in our 2020 interview!

Take A Trip Down Memory Lane with the Debut Album from Karyn White!