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| El DeBarge | |
|---|---|
| Name | El DeBarge |
| Birth name | Eldra Patrick DeBarge |
| Birth date | 4 June 1961 |
| Birth place | Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, musician, actor |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Labels | Motown, Warner Bros., Giant |
| Associated acts | DeBarge, Switch, Prince, Quincy Jones |
El DeBarge is an American singer, songwriter, and actor known for his distinctive falsetto, lead role in the family group DeBarge, and solo R&B hits in the 1980s and 1990s. Born in Detroit and raised in Grand Rapids, he rose to prominence with songs that blended soul, R&B, and pop, achieving commercial success on Billboard charts and influencing contemporaries across Motown and Warner Bros.. His career spans recording, touring, collaborations, and occasional acting appearances.
El DeBarge was born Eldra Patrick DeBarge in Detroit to Irene (née Knight) and Robert DeBarge Sr., joining a large family that later became the nucleus of the family group DeBarge. The DeBarge siblings moved to Grand Rapids and performed in church choirs associated with Pentecostalism congregations before entering professional music; family influences included exposure to Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and The Jackson 5. Early connections linked the family to Detroit scenes where artists like Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordy, and acts signed to Motown were prominent. El's formative years intersected with regional acts such as Isley Brothers, Parliament-Funkadelic, and The Temptations.
Before leading DeBarge, El worked with the band Switch, which had ties to Jermaine Jackson and Barry White's protégés; Switch recorded for Gordy Records and toured with artists like Ray Charles and James Brown. Connections with Ivy Jo Hunter-era Detroit producers and relationships with executives at Motown facilitated the transition that led to DeBarge signing with Motown in the late 1970s and early 1980s. During this period El performed alongside contemporaries such as Lionel Richie, The Commodores, Kool & the Gang, and shared stages with Chaka Khan, Anita Baker, and Gladys Knight on package tours.
El DeBarge's solo breakthrough was marked by the album "El DeBarge" released on Giant and singles that charted on Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. Signature recordings include the ballad "Who's Johnny" tied to the film "Short Circuit", and the hit "Love Always" alongside songs produced with collaborators like Quincy Jones, Maurice White, and Babyface. His vocal style drew comparisons to Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and Prince, and his material was remixed by producers associated with New jack swing, house and contemporary R&B. El's recordings received attention from institutions such as MTV, BET, and radio programmers at KISS-FM and influenced airplay on Urban contemporary radio formats.
El DeBarge expanded into acting with appearances in projects connected to the entertainment networks like NBC, ABC, and film producers behind titles such as "Short Circuit". He collaborated with a wide array of artists including Tupac Shakur, Krayzie Bone, DMX, Usher, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, Nas, Faith Evans, TLC, Monica, Fergie, R. Kelly, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Angela Winbush, Johnny Gill, D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Seal, and producers like Timbaland, Dr. Dre, Swizz Beatz, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Rod Temperton, and David Foster. As a songwriter he contributed to sessions linked to Motown's catalog and worked with publishing companies tied to ASCAP and BMI.
El's personal life has involved high-profile relationships and family matters, with ties to siblings who are public figures including Bunny DeBarge, Randy DeBarge, Mark DeBarge, Bobby DeBarge, and James DeBarge. He faced publicized struggles with substance use and legal challenges including arrests that involved jurisdictions like Los Angeles County, Riverside County, and Las Vegas, and encounters with law enforcement agencies such as local Sheriff's offices and state courts. Court proceedings referenced criminal statutes under California Penal Code provisions and resulted in mandated programs similar to those offered by Drug courts and rehabilitation centers associated with organizations like Narconon-linked facilities and treatment centers endorsed by SAMHSA. El has discussed recovery in interviews with outlets like Rolling Stone, Billboard, Jet, Ebony, People, and The New York Times.
El DeBarge's style combines falsetto-driven soul melodies, pop sensibilities, and gospel-inflected phrasing rooted in performances similar to Stevie Wonder, Prince, and Michael Jackson. His influence is evident in later artists including Maxwell, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Bruno Mars, The Weeknd, Ne-Yo, Miguel, Chris Brown, Frank Ocean, Anderson .Paak, Daniel Caesar, SZA, H.E.R., Summer Walker, Jhene Aiko, and producers across hip hop and R&B who sample or cite DeBarge-era recordings. His recordings have been sampled by acts such as Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Nas, Common, and remain part of playlists curated by institutions like Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Recording Academy, and archivists at Library of Congress collections focused on popular music. El DeBarge's body of work endures through reissues on labels like Motown and tributes performed at events hosted by BET Awards, Soul Train Music Awards, and ceremonies honoring artists at Hollywood Walk of Fame functions.
Category:American male singers Category:People from Detroit