R&B Bridgez: Celebrating the Superwoman Karyn White

This R&B Bridgez celebrates one of our absolute favorites, Karyn White.

Karyn White‘s birthday is this week, born October 14th, 1965 in Los Angeles, California.

Karyn White is an award-winning, twice Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling, internationally-acclaimed music artist and R&B singer.

Karyn Layvonne White was born in Los Angeles and is the youngest of a family of five children.

She sang for her church choir during her formative years, where her mother served as choir director.

“I used to sing in church when I was five or six. That was when I knew I had the ability to entertain because I saw the reaction of the people in the crowd. After that, I started participating in (beauty) pageants, which became a way for me to express my talent at a young age. I was able to compete and learn how to deal with other people that were also involved in music.”

Karyn White eventually attended a school to better her talents and prepare her for the success she was about to encounter. “I went to a school, sort of like on the television show. Fame, it was called the Ebony Showcase Theatre. It was a school where you had to audition in order to be accepted. I attended every summer and had to study dance, acting and singing. I always knew that I wanted to sing and had a passion for it. I felt really comfortable on stage and really enjoyed performing—not just singing, but entertaining people.”

Karyn White performed her debut on Jeff Lorber 1986 album “Private Passion,” where she appeared on the song “Facts of Love” and collaborated on the single “Back in Love” with Michael Jeffries.

“Facts of Love” turned into a success on pop and R&B radio, which won her a deal with Lorber‘s then-label Warner Bros. Records in 1986.

Karyn White stated that record was part of a master plan. “Michael Jeffries and I both signed with Warners with the option that if things went well, we’d become solo acts. Michael got signed as a solo act too, but it just happened that ‘Facts Of Love’ was the first single from Jeff’s album, and it established me. I’m grateful to Jeff. I mean, there I was, with a hit single and my face in a video, all on his artist budget.”

For several-months, while “Facts Of Love” was on the charts, Karyn White was managed by Los Angeles-based Left Bank, which handled Jeff and pop/rocker Richard Marx; soon after, she enlisted the services of record executive-turned manager Larkin Arnold, who also managed Midnight Star, and Ralph Tresvant.

“He was suggested to me by Rochelle Fields, who works for Warner music. I met with him when I was five songs into my album,” stated Karyn White. “I’d talked to other people, but his vision, along with his experience and knowledge, sold me. Whereas Left Bank saw me as this sex kitten, Larkin wanted to get me out of the trendy female singer thing. He immediately offered a valuable tip, which was for me to use my alto to attract a more mature audience. We still use the voice that earned my audience in the first place, but the alto is a refreshing change.”

Her project with Jeff Lorber was a huge success, introducing this new, young voice to the world and eventually the Warner Bros. A&R department.

“At this time, Warner Bros, was able to say, ‘Wow! This song did fairly well, we’ll give her a shot” Karyn stated. “I think Jeff was responsible for my having a record deal, and I’m really, really, really grateful for that.”

“I started singing professionally after I finished school. I went on the road performing with O’Bryan on Cameo’s 1984 tour. After that, artists began to hire me to record background vocals for them.” Karyn continued; “But it was later in my career, when I auditioned for a well-respected jazz artist named Jeff Lorber, that I really got a taste of the recording industry. Working with Jeff gave me credibility in the music business because I was able to work on his album and bring something new to his project—a song titled ‘Facts Of Love.’”

In fact, her first recognition in the music industry, even before making it as a vocalist, was for co-writing the Stephanie Mills hit song “Automatic Passion” in 1985 with the late Robert Brookings and lyricist Tony Haynes.

The songwriting prowess of Karyn White includes her work with industry icons Burt Bacharach and Carol Bayer Sager, as well as her co-writing the hit “Til You Come Back To Me” in 1992, for Rachelle Ferrell.

Karyn White performed more session work for the likes of Ray Parker Jr., the Commodores, Richard Marx, and Shanice before she scored her Warner Bros. solo deal in 1987.

In 1988, Karyn White released her self-titled, debut solo album, but did not expect the reaction it got.

Included on her album was her first solo hit, the R&B/pop-influenced, “The Way You Love Me,” which was produced by the famed L.A. Reid and Babyface.

Soon to follow was the Billboard #1 hit, “Superwoman,” that, to many, served as the icing on the cake.

Karyn told UB in 2012, how honored she was to record the song; “Oh my God, 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 alot 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.”

“Love Saw It,” her duet with Babyface reached #1 on Billboard’s R&B chart.

“Secret Rendezvous” was a Top 10 hit on the Billboard R&B, Hot 100 and Dance charts.

It was her first big hit, and at the end of the “Secret Rendezvous” video, she winks to her fans as if to say “thank you.”

“Love Saw It”, a duet with Babyface from the same album became her third consecutive song to top the Billboard Hot Black Singles Chart.

By the time the album’s last single was released, Karyn White had managed to sell over two million copies.

Karyn White said she learned quite a bit from working with the L.A. & Babyface team. “Babyface told me the most important thing to remember with vocals is the emotion – not always singing every run you can, but making the listener feel what you’re singing about. He said those elements are what make the Stevie Wonders and Michael Jacksons great, and he’s right, but it took me 10 hours to do one song. On `Superwoman’ I sang one line about 30 times before they felt it was right. Working with them taught me things I’ll use in my own development as a producer.”

Karyn White was the first female R&B performer to have her first three singles top the charts in history.

Half of her debut album was penned and produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface.

Evan Rogers (who later discovered Rihanna with Jay Z), Arnie Roman, Carl Stergen and Steve Harvey also contributed to the album.

Karyn White was released on September 6th 1988.

In 1989, Karyn White’s album was nominated for two Grammys (one was in the category Pop/R&B for the single “The Way You Love Me”).

She also achieved nominations and wins at the American Music Awards including Soul Train Music Awards.

That same year, Karyn joined her friend Michael Jeffries on his lead single “Not Thru Being With You.”

In 1990 Karyn White joined friend Pebbles, along with Babyface, Johnny Gill, Cherrelle and Kevon Edmonds on “Say a Prayer for Me.” One of the highlights from Pebbles sophomore Gold album release “Always.”

Karyn White‘s signature song “Superwoman” was covered by legends Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick and Patti LaBelle in 1991.

The song is a women’s anthem that stresses the importance of not being taken for granted, and reminds men that they need to nurture their relationships.

That same year Karyn White released her sophomore Gold album release “Ritual of Love.”

“I learned early on that this is a business,'” stated Karyn White. “When I did my first solo tour, I learned the importance of having a good team around you.”

Karyn White was asked how this album compares to her previous one. “I looked at the second album as more of a creative challenge for me to stretch out,” Karyn White explained.

“I wanted to let this album be more of what I really feel, and what I’m about. That’s why I was really involved with it this time around. On this album there are 12 songs, and I co-wrote 10 of them (including ‘Romantic,’ which she co-wrote and produced with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis). People were asking me where was I all this time. Actually, I’ve been recording and working with Jam and Lewis as well as some new and unknown producers who allowed me to interject my ideas. To me, being in the music industry, especially as a female, is tough. It’s society. A lot of people will read the book by its cover. It’s that reason why it’s important for me to be involved in every angle of my career, from how I’m perceived in a video to what picture I’m in, especially at this point in my career. There are more people looking and listening to me due to my success. I think being a woman in the industry makes it important for me to take things seriously and have the right management teams, attorneys and producers.”

The lead single “Romantic” was a smash out the box, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Later ranked by the publication as the #28 “60 Sexiest Songs of All Time.”

The album worked hard to make a personal distinction. Karyn not only co-wrote ten of the 12 songs, but she co-produced as well, working closely with Jimmy Jam and her new husband at the time, Terry Lewis.

The result, according to Karyn, “is what my life right now would sound like.”

Karyn‘s mission for album #2, was to write more of the material; “I got together with Benny Medina and he agreed that the record should reflect me. When I started writing, I’d just fallen in love and got married and I wanted to express all of that.”

For the first time, Jam and Lewis worked with other writers and producers outside of Flyte Tyme on a album project.

One of those songs, is an album highlight “Tears Of Joy,” a ballad co-written by Jam and Lewis with Michael Powell (Anita Baker, Gladys Knight).

Another one, the funky “Walkin the Dog” included credits by Karyn, Tony Haynes, Phillip Stewart and Terry, which he shared on the song with Laney Stewart, who laid the track, normally Jam‘s position.

“I think that shows that they (Jam and Lewis) are open. A lot of the songs started out as jam sessions. The other writers and producers were honored to work with Jam and Lewis and J&L’s attitude was like, ‘Hey if it works, let’s do it.’ They weren’t even supposed to do as much as they did on the record, but they heard things and got excited. They listed to my ideas and let me get involved all the way, which I appreciate.”

Karyn went on to say; “I think I’m a better singer on this album as well; I’ve learned from people like Luther Vandross that it’s more about feel, instead of all those ‘star searchin’ notes. I’m proud of what we came up with.”

Karyn, who left Los Angeles for Minneapolis to live with Terry Lewis and his two children, said life in her so-called “show-biz marriage” was sane. “People may perceive us as one thing, but we’re actually pretty boring!” she laughed. “It’s funny; when Terry and I aren’t working, we don’t even discuss music. I’ve learned a lot from the experiences he’s shared with me, but when we can, we leave business at the office. We don’t even listen to the car radio because we end up critiquing the songs. Family is important to us, and that’s one of the things that first attracted me to Terry. I noticed he took care of business and his family. He’s got two kids, which makes me a step-mom, and they lived with him. He was raising them. That impressed me. Now our life is fairly tame. We live in the country and it’s a long way from the music business.”

Record sales or not. Karyn White was still pleased just to know that her songs have been a positive influence on a lot of people and their relationships. “I would have to say that ‘Superwoman’ was the most successful song taken off that album. I’ve had many people come up to me and tell me that my song actually saved their relationships. I would like for people to get into my music, that’s why I recorded songs like ‘Tears Of Joy’ and ‘Superwoman.’ It feels good to know that my music means something to the people who listen to it.”

In 1994, Karyn White released the album “Make Him Do Right” and had international success with the highly catchy song “Hungah.”

She created the lyrics while taking a shower. She wanted for this song the same aura than the classic “Love to love you baby” by Donna Summer.

“On the first album, we recorded what we thought was right for me,” stated Karyn at the time. “With the second album, we thought we knew what the public wanted, so we recorded that.

The results were disappointing to her. However “Ritual Of Love” did reach #7 on the Billboard R&B Albumschart and was certified Gold.

For her album, “Make Him Do Right,” Karyn went back to her original creative method. “It’s back to trusting our gut,” she said. “We recorded what we felt was best, and didn’t play the guessing game.”

Karyn White acknowledged that her previous release was unfocused, largely because she was trying to second-guess her audience. “I was in too many places, because I was thinking about the fans, radio-everyone but what it was that I wanted,” she stated.

Karyn White also agreed with Warner executives that image was a problem with the second album. “Her image this time will be more down to earth,” stated Carolyn Baker, VP of A&R development for Warner/Reprise at the time. “You’ll see a much more comfortable-looking Karyn. Last time, her image was diva-like, and that’s not who she is. Photographers tend to want to glamorize her because she’s so beautiful and sophisticated. But we think this look is more honest and right for her.”

As for content, Karyn described “Make Him Do Right,” as being mostly midtempo ballads, with some tracks more up. Theme-wise, the album was coming more from a woman’s point of view.

Karyn White co-produced seven songs and wrote a lot of the material for “Make Him Do Right.”

Joining her in production duties were Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Babyface.

The first single from “Make Him Do Right” was the rhythmically seductive “Hungah.”

Karyn White said the song was a good re-introduction to the public. “It sounds like me and is dance oriented, sensuous, and deals with male/female relationships.”

The second single was “Can I Stay with You” was written & produced by Babyface.

The song reached #10 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart. That single was her last Billboard R&B Top 10.

Other album highlights include, the third single “I’d Rather Be Alone,” a song Karyn co-wrote and another Babyface penned ballad “Here Comes the Pain Again.”

Karyn told UB her favorites from that album in our 2012 interview; ‘”I’m Your Woman,” I like that one. What else…man I can’t even remember that one too much (laughs). That was kind of a tough time for me, emotionally. Oh I like ‘Nobody But My Baby’ and ‘Simple Pleasures.’”

After releasing her 1994 album “Make Him Do Right,” she focused her energy on motherhood by raising Ashley, the daughter of herself and producer Terry Lewis, Karyn‘s former husband.

Karyn White and Terry married in 1992 and she adopted his son Branden.

They divorced in 1999. During the same period, Karyn White also loss her mother who was her rock.

The singer found her strength in God.

Throughout the years, Karyn White built her successful interior design and real estate business.

Ashley Lewis graduated from Howard University.

UB is proud to have Ashley Lewis as former alumni. As she was a journalist and reporter for UB, while on breaks from Howard.

Ashley has went on to become a TV News Reporter for WTVR, as well as a Digital Host & Brand Ambassador.

Karyn White did not limit herself to the artistic field.

After she left the music industry in the 90s to raise her daughter, Ashley, she gained success in real estate.

Karyn told UB in 2012 how she got into real estate; “I moved to Sacramento, it was such a growing area. So I started buying homes and fixing them up and selling them. So I became a realtor and started branching out into commercial. It was great because I got to see how money works from another side.”

She went on to say; “Of course with the money I made from the music industry I was able to use it in a way with real estate, which is very common. The interior design part of it is where I just love to be creative. When you’re building a home from like Victorian style or Tudor style. It’s like writing a song, I got to see something from dirt to finish and then sell it (laughs). And with that I got to see my daughter and be involved.”

She sold million dollar homes in California in her real estate business.

Karyn White also got involved with a school in L.A. to help underprivileged teenagers learn about financial literacy.

In 2011, Karyn‘s knowledge of the entertainment industry and entrepreneurial spirit led her to launch Karyn White Enterprises (KWE), a dynamic multi-platform media company offering diverse, uplifting entertainment across the broad media landscapes of music, TV and film.

Beyond being known as a soul music icon, is Karyn’s superstar talent, creativity, and business acumen that continue to build her legacy.

After 18 years out of the music business, her highly anticipated come-back album “Carpe Diem” was released in March 2012.

The lead single “Sista Sista,” was another K Dub female anthem.

The album also features the highlight, “Unbreakable” and a cover of legendary Cyndi Lauper’s classic “True Colors.”

Karyn White’s stepson Branden Lewis contributed as a songwriter on her comeback album.

UB was honored to conduct Karyn White‘s roll-out interview for the project.

The interview, is still to some one of the best UB interviews ever!

In 2017, Karyn White landed a recurring role on the BET Centric series “Beauty and the Baller.”

That year she also released her first feature film “Gale and the Storm,” directed by Derrick Muhammad.

A story loosely based on Karyn‘s life and Jay King, of Grammy Award Winning group Club Nouveau.

The movie’s synopsis revolves around a revolutionary music producer who links up with a legendary soul singer and tries to convince her to sing again.

Karyn White executive produced, co-wrote and starred in the film.

“Gale and the Storm” also came with a new Karyn White album as the soundtrack. The soundtrack was nominated for a UB Honor for “Best Independent R&B Album.”

Since that time Karyn White has toured in Africa.

Karyn’s music continues to inspire audiences across the world, with South Africa holding a special place in her heart.

Karyn, who garnered a Billboard Music Award and NAACP Imagine Award amongst her career accolades, also received the 2022 Black Music Honors ‘Soul Music Icon‘ Award.

This month Karyn White returned with the new single “You’re Gonna Want Me Back.” Produced by Derrick “DOA” Allen.

Throughout her career she has performed with diverse artists such as Jeff Lorber, Michael Jeffries, Bobby Brown, Cherelle, Tevin Campbell, Babyface and Johnny Gill.

An electrifying performer, born with a voice that’s strong, vibrant and full of emotion.

Karyn possesses one of the most distinctive voices in popular music.

Karyn White is often referred to as “The Queen of New Jack Swing.”

She continues to tour worldwide, captivating audiences with her powerful voice, iconic catalog, and commanding stage presence.

Check Out “You’re Gonna Want Me Back” + Take A Trip Down Memory Lane with Karyn White!

ReVisit The Karyn White UB Interviews!

UB Exclusive: The Return of Karyn White: The Re-Introduction