What is Babyface's Net Worth?
Babyface, born Kenneth Brian Edmonds, is an American R&B musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer with a net worth of $200 million. He is celebrated as one of the most prolific songwriters and producers in the music industry, with publications frequently ranking him among the top record producers of all time.
Edmonds, better known as Babyface, has made a lasting impact on R&B and pop music, thanks to his smooth vocals and ability to write deeply emotive and relatable lyrics.
In the 1980s, Babyface gained fame as a member of the R&B band The Deele, where he met Antonio 'L.A.' Reid. Together, they became one of the most successful production teams of the late 20th century. In 1989, they founded LaFace Records, a label that significantly shaped R&B and pop sounds in the 1990s and early 2000s.
As a songwriter and producer, Babyface has collaborated with many industry icons, including Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, and Toni Braxton. His ability to produce chart-topping tracks has resulted in numerous timeless classics characterized by emotional depth and melodic richness.
Babyface's solo career is equally impressive, featuring several successful albums that highlight his expressiveness and storytelling prowess. His work often delves into themes of love, relationships, and emotional vulnerability, resonating deeply with his audience. His talent has earned him numerous awards, including multiple Grammy Awards.
Divorce Settlement
Babyface's divorce from Tracey Edmonds, whom he married in 1992, was one of the most expensive celebrity divorces, reportedly costing him half of his net worth at around $100 million. Despite this setback, Babyface successfully rebuilt his fortune through his varied interests and continuous contributions to the music industry.
Early Life
Kenneth Brian Edmonds was born on April 10, 1958, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Marvin and Barbara Edmonds. The fifth of six sons, Babyface's father passed away from lung cancer while he was in eighth grade, prompting him to pursue a career in music. As a shy teenager, he began writing songs to express his feelings. He attended North Central High School in Indianapolis, and funk performer Bootsy Collins gave him the nickname 'Babyface' due to his youthful appearance.
Career
Babyface began his professional career as a guitarist in the group Manchild and later played keyboards for the light-funk and R&B group The Deele, alongside Antonio 'L.A.' Reid. His first major songwriting credit came with Midnight Star's 1983 hit 'Slow Jam.' Babyface and Reid left The Deele in 1988.
Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, Babyface wrote for many popular artists, including Bobby Brown, Pebbles, Karyn White, The Whispers, and Sheena Easton. His first U.S. number-one hit as a songwriter was Whitney Houston's 'I'm Your Baby Tonight.' He also wrote and produced the soundtrack for the 1995 film 'Waiting to Exhale,' which included Whitney Houston's hit 'Exhale (Shoop Shoop)'.
Babyface's debut studio album 'Lovers' was released in 1986. His 1989 album 'Tender Lover' reached number one on the U.S. R&B chart, and his 1993 album 'For the Cool in You' went triple platinum. He continued to release successful albums, including 'The Day' (1996), 'Christmas with Babyface' (1998), 'Face 2 Face' (2001), 'Grown & Sexy' (2005), 'Playlist' (2007), and 'Return of the Tender Lover' (2015).
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LaFace Records
In 1989, Babyface and L.A. Reid founded LaFace Records, signing artists like TLC, Toni Braxton, and Usher, who went on to achieve significant success. Babyface wrote many songs for Braxton's hit albums, 'Toni Braxton' (1993) and 'Secrets' (1996), and contributed to TLC's historic sales figures. LaFace also signed a young Usher, who sold 65 million records while with the label.
Personal Life
Babyface met Tracey McQuarn in 1990 during an audition for his music video 'Whip Appeal.' They married in September 1992 and had two sons, Brandon and Dylan. They divorced in October 2005 after 13 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.
In 2007, Babyface began dating Niko Pantenburg, one of his backup dancers, and their daughter was born in 2008. They married in May 2014.
In April 2020, Babyface revealed on Instagram that he and his family were recovering from COVID-19, reporting that they had all tested negative and were on their way to full recovery.
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Real Estate
In February 1998, Babyface purchased a plot of land in LA's Bel Air neighborhood for $825,000, where he later completed an 11,000-square-foot mansion in 2000. He listed it for sale at $8 million in May 2022, later reducing the price to $7.5 million.
In May 2004, he bought a five-bedroom, six-bathroom home in LA's Bel Air Crest neighborhood for $4.1 million.
In April 2004, just before announcing his split with Tracey, Babyface purchased an 8,245-square-foot mansion in Los Angeles's Mulholland Estates for $5.15 million. The property is now owned by his ex-wife Tracey Edmonds. Other properties include a 3,614-square-foot home in Rancho Cucamonga, California, and a Las Vegas home purchased in 1996 for $255,000. In 2012, he sold his Incline Village, Nevada home for $2.95 million.
