LETOYA LUCKETT

'LeToya Nicole Luckett' (born in March 11 1981), known professionally as 'LeToya', is an American R&B singer, songwriter. She is a founding member of the R&B and world's best-selling female group of all time, Destiny's Child with whom she won two Grammy Awards and after prompting commercially successful releases with the group, she was forced to leave.^[1][2][3]
After signing a record deal with Capitol Records, she pursued a successful solo career. Her solo debut album, ''LeToya'' (2006), topped the U.S. ''Billboard'' 200 albums chart in July 2006 and was certified platinum by the RIAA in December 2006. The single, "Torn", achieved records on BET's top ten countdown show ''106 & Park''. She was also named "One of the Best New Artists of 2006" by AOL and the "Top Songwriter of 2006" by ASCAP.^[4] Luckett's second album, ''Lady Love'', is scheduled for a November 2007 release.^[5]

Contents

Early life

Destiny's Child

Life after Destiny's Child: Anjel

Lady L Boutique

Going solo

''LeToya'' era

Promotion and tours

Lady Love

Guest appearances

Discography

Albums

Singles

Awards and nominations

References

External links

Early life

Luckett was born and raised in Houston, Texas and grew up singing in her local Brentwood Baptist Church where she had vocal lessons to become an opera singer. Her father, who was also a singer, was very proud of his daughter's vocal talents and tried to promote her into the music business. Luckett is the eldest of two children; she has a younger brother Gavin.^[6] Luckett was given the the opportunity to sing her first church solo at the age of five. "The lady just gave me the mic one Sunday and I sang", she recalls.^[7] Shortly thereafter, she joined the children's choir and began performing in plays at her elementary school. One day, she walked to her desk in class to find a girl sitting on her seat. Luckett asked her teacher to remove the girl from her assigned seat, who turned out to be Beyoncé Knowles. Knowles and Luckett later became best friends and was invited to join Beyoncé's group.^[8] Her first name is a tribute to singer LaToya Jackson.

Destiny's Child

Main articles: Destiny's Child

In 1993, LeToya Luckett joined Beyoncé Knowles, LaTavia Roberson, and Kelly Rowland to complete the Houston-based R&B group, Destiny's Child. After being signed and later dropped by Elektra Records, the group eventually signed with Columbia Records in 1997, but not after signing with Mathew Knowles as their official manager. According to the E! Television Special, ''Boulevard of Broken Dreams'', Knowles forced the girls to sign with him before they could sign with the label. LeToya's mother requested the contracts to be reviewed by an attorney, but Knowles denied the request. However, Luckett eventually signed with him and joined the group.^[9]
After graduating from the Houston club scene, the group began opening for acts such as Dru Hill, SWV, and Immature, and released their 1998 self-titled debut album ''Destiny's Child''. The album spawned two singles: the platinum "No, No, No Part II" (featuring Wyclef Jean) and "With Me". The group was featured on the ''Why Do Fools Fall in Love'' soundtrack with the song "Get on the Bus" (featuring Timbaland), and later toured as an opening act on TLC's "Fanmail Tour" and Christina Aguilera's debut tour.
In 1999, the group released their second album, ''The Writing's on the Wall''. The album became one of the biggest selling albums released by a female group, and was certified eight times platinum in the USA. The album spawned four hit singles: "Bills, Bills, Bills", "Bug a Boo", "Say My Name" and "Jumpin' Jumpin'". In late 1999, in the midst of the group's rising success, Luckett and Roberson sent a letter to their management stating they wanted their own manager because of the increasing lack of communication from the group's manager Mathew Knowles (who is also Beyoncé Knowles' father). The pair said they never were in no way trying to fire the group's manager, but simply get secure outside management to represent them fairly. Soon after, Luckett and Roberson found themselves on the outs with Knowles family and the group they help create.^[10][11] When the "Say My Name" music video debuted in February 2000, they were shocked to find themselves replaced by two new members, Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin.
Luckett and Roberson filed a lawsuit against Mathew Knowles, Beyoncé Knowles and Kelly Rowland, charging them with breach of partnership and fiduciary duties, and sought unspecified damages. The case was eventually settled, with Luckett and Roberson continuing to receive royalties from their contributions as founding members of the group. When it seemed as if the drama had subsided, shortly following the release of Destiny's Child's, ''Survivor'', Luckett and Roberson filed another lawsuit against the group in March 2002. They claimed that the album's lead single, "Survivor", violated their previous settlement due to its lyrics which they believed to reference the ugly split.^[12]

Life after Destiny's Child: Anjel

Main articles: Anjel

^[13] After several auditions, Naty Quinones and Tiffany Beaudoin were selected as members. The group recorded a twenty-two-song demo in Atlanta, Georgia, with the help of R&B group Jagged Edge. Their production company (581 Entertainment) which handled the group fell through, and all the members of Anjel went on to pursue solo projects. However, most of the recorded tracks leaked onto the internet.

Lady L Boutique

In 2003, Luckett opened a successful clothing boutique in the Uptown Park shopping center in Houston, Texas called Lady L Boutique. The store is an upscale women's boutique featuring brands such as: Sky, Ed Hardy, Joe Jean's, and even Beyonce's clothing line, House of Dereon. The store has been open for over five years, and there are rumors of a second location opening in either Houston, Miami, or Atlanta. LeToya recently said through her official MySpace that she is thinking about opening her own clothing line.

Going solo

After the Anjel project fell through, Luckett joined with Noontime, an Atlanta-based management/production company. Along with Noontime, she recorded a five song demo and eventually signed with Capitol Records in 2003. Soon after, she began working on her debut solo album. The first promotional single, "You Got What I Need", was released in 2004, followed next year by "All Eyes on Me". She featured on "My Promise" with her label mate Houston on his debut album ''It's Already Written'', "What Love Can Do" on the ''Coach Carter'' soundtrack, and on "This Is My Life" with former boyfriend and rapper Slim Thug on his album ''Already Platinum''.
Over the next few months, several new LeToya records appeared online and on mixtapes and were even played on local radio stations in the USA and Europe. At the end of the year, Capitol Records released the ''What It Do!'' mixtape. It was hosted by LeToya, mixed by DJ Brandi Garcia, a Houston radio DJ, which included a few songs from her debut album, freestyles, and some of her favorite hip/hop records from Houston-based artists.

''LeToya'' era

LeToya's self-titled debut album, was released on July 2006 and debuted at number one on the U.S. ''Billboard'' 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, outselling the compilation ''Now That's What I Call Music!'' and Pharrel Williams's debut album. The album was certified gold after one month and as of December 2006, the album had been certified platinum. Luckett is the first member of Destiny's Child after Beyoncé Knowles to have an album debut at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200 and achieve platinum status.^[14][15][16]
With LeToya being marketed as "The H-Town Chick", the album featured hip-hop inspired R&B production. Producers on the album included Jermaine Dupri, Scott Storch, Teddy Bishop, B. Cox, and musical guests Slim Thug, Mike Jones, Paul Wall, and Bun B. "All Eyes on Me" was originally chosen as LeToya's debut single, but she selected "Torn" instead. She stated she "had to go against the grain" to get that single released, but it proved to be a good move. The ballad (produced by Teddy Bishop and a personal favorite of LeToya's) was released March 2006 and became an R&B hit. The song climbed the ''Billboard'' charts, peaking at number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and became the number one song on urban radio. The video became the "official summer video" on BET's ''106 & Park'' after spending a record breaking twenty-four days as the most requested video, making LeToya the first artist since 2003 (and first female since Aaliyah in 2001) to do so. The video was eventually retired from ''106 & Park'' at number two.
Although ''Torn'' was still receiving major airplay, her second single, "She Don't", was released to radio and the video premiered on BET's ''Access Granted'' in July 2006 featuring Letoya's ex-boyfriend, Slim Thug. The single received moderate success, reaching number seventeen on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart. In November 2006, "Obvious" was selected as the third single. According to ''Billboard'', the song had a 94% chance of becoming a hit, but due to the merger of Capitol Records and Virgin Records, all promotion and money was frozen, therefore the single was never officially released. ^[17]
At the end of 2006, "Torn" was ranked as the number four video on BET's ''Notorized'', which ranks the top 100 videos of the year. "She Don't" ranked at number seventy-four. LeToya was also named "One of the Best New Artists of 2006" by AOL Music, number two on ''Rap-Up'' magazines' Top 5 Breakthrough Artists of 2006, and had received multiple nominations from the NAACP, the Soul Train Music Awards, and the Nickelodeon's Teen Choice Awards. ^[18]

Promotion and tours

BET promoted LeToya heavily not only on ''106 & Park'', ''The Center'', and ''The Black Carpet'', but with a three-part reality series special called ''The H-Town Chick'', which aired from May to July 2006. The series chronicled LeToya's experiences during her summer promotional tour and insight on her life since Destiny's Child. BET also hosted a contest that gave fans the opportunity to decide the final outcome of the "Torn" video. Cingular hosted a Lip-Sync contest that awarded those who best performed "Torn" best in an online submitted video.^[19]
In addition to a nationwide radio tour, club performances, a brief European and Asia tour, LeToya was asked to participate in the 2006 Pantene Total You Tour, the Cingular Live in Concert series, and was personally invited by Mary J. Blige to join her summer tour, "The Breakthrough Experience Tour", as her opening act.^{[20][21]
[22]}

Lady Love

In March 2007, LeToya hosted the 21st Annual Soul Train Music Awards with Omarion and signed a publishing deal with Warner-Chappell in April 2007.^[23][24]
She remained busy by writing and recording for her second studio album, which is expected to be released around November/December 2007. Some of the producers she is collaborating with include her longtime writing-producing partner Teddy Bishop, Walter Milsap, Bryan Michael Cox, Dr. Dre, Rodney Jerkins, and Babyface.^[25][26] In July 13, she said through an interview for The Salinas Californian website, that her album will have a 1980's influence on her songs and during the event, LeToya announced that the album is officially going to be named ''Lady Love'', then she introduced two new songs "Lady Love" and "Don't Let Me Get Away", but no further details concerning the release date have been revealed.^[27] It is rumored she will release another mixtape in late Summer 2007, before releasing her next single, but nothing is confirmed.

Guest appearances

LeToya is featured on songs by artists including Diddy's "Diddy Rock", Mims' "Without You", Mike Jones' "Bonnie & Clyde", and Ali & Gipp's "Almost Made Ya", the latter of which was released in June 2007. R&B singer Jon B hopes to work with Luckett for his upcoming album. ^{[28] [29][30][31]}

Discography

Main articles: LeToya Luckett discography

Albums

★ 2006: ''LeToya''

★ 2007: ''Lady Love''

Singles

★ 2004: "You Got What I Need"

★ 2005: "All Eyes on Me"

★ 2006: "Torn"

★ 2006: "She Don't"

★ 2006: "Obvious"

★ 2007: "Almost Made Ya" (with Ali & Gipp)

★ 2007: "Diddy Rock (Remix)" (with Diddy)

★ 2007: "Lady Love" or "Don't Let Me Get Away"

Awards and nominations

'1998'

★ Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards

★
★ Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band or Duo: "No, No, No"

★
★ Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist: "No, No, No"

★
★ Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year: "Destiny's Child"
'2000'

★ Artist Direct Awards

★
★ Favorite Group: Urban/Hip-Hop: "The Writing's on the Wall"

★ Billboard Music Awards

★
★ Top Pop Artist: "The Writing's on the Wall"

★
★ Top Pop Artist - Duo/Group: "The Writing's on the Wall"

★
★ Top Hot 100 Artist: "The Writing's on the Wall"

★
★ Top Hot 100 Artist-Duo/Group: "The Writing's on the Wall"

★
★ Top Hot Dance Maxi-Single Sales Artist: "The Writing's on the Wall"

★
★ Top Hot Dance Maxi-Single Sales Artist-Duo/Group: "The Writing's on the Wall"

★ Grammy Awards

★
★ Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals: "Bills Bills Bills" (nominated)

★
★ Best R&B Song: "Bills Bills Bills" (nominated)

★ MTV Video Music Awards

★
★ Best R&B Video: "Say My Name"

★ NAACP Image Awards

★
★ Outstanding Duo or Group: "The Writing's on the Wall"

★ Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards

★
★ Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band or Duo: "Say My Name"

★
★ Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year: "The Writing's on the Wall"
'2001'

★ BMI Pop Awards

★
★ Most Performed Song of the Year: "Bills, Bills, Bills"

★
★ Most Performed Song of the Year by Duo or Group: "Say My Name"

★ Grammy Awards

★
★ Record of the Year: "Say My Name" (nominated)

★
★ Song of the Year: "Say My Name" (nominated)

★
★ Best R&B Song: "Say My Name"

★
★ Best R&B Vocal by Duo or Group: "Say My Name"
'2006'

★ Celebrities' Choice Award

★
★ Best Music Video: "Torn" (nominated)

★ Groovevolt Music Awards

★
★ Best R&B Female Performance: "Torn"

★ NAACP Image Awards

★
★ Outstanding New Artist (nominated)

★ Teen Choice Awards

★
★ Female Artist Breakout (nominated)
'2007'

★ ASCAP's Rhythm & Soul Awards

★
★ Top Songwriter or Publisher

★
★ Top Song: "Torn"

★ Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards

★
★ Best R&B/Soul Single, Female: "Torn" (nominated)

★ Urban Music Awards

★
★ Best Music Video: "Torn"

References

1. Destiny's Child Named The World's Best Selling Female Group of All Time!
2. Destiny's World Domination
3. Destiny's Child Ruled At World Music Awards
4. Awards: ASCAP’S Rhythm & Soul Awards
5. LeToya Album News
6. LeToya interview for E! Television series, Boulevard of Broken Dreams part referring to the Luckett's family
7. LeToya interview for E! Television series, Boulevard of Broken Dreams part referring to her first experience with a microphone
8. LeToya interview for E! Television series, Boulevard of Broken Dreams
9. LeToya interview for E! Television series, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, part referring to the Pam Luckett reviewing contracts
10. The Song Isn't Called 'Survivor' For Nothing
11. Where did it all go wrong?
12. Destiny's Child Settle With Ex-Members Over 'Survivor' Dis
13. Ex-Destiny's Child Members Say Their Name Is Angel
14. LeToya Rolls With Houston Hip-Hoppers
15. For The Record: Quick News On
16. News Room
17. Capitol Music Group Formed
18. LeToya No Longer Destiny's Step-Child
19. AllAccess
20. Pantene Total You Tour. [1]
21. LeToya Continues Summer Tour With Mary J. Blige
22. LeToya's 'Torn' No More: Singer Unleashes Second Single, Tours With Mary J.
23. LeToya host Soul Train Music Awards
24. Warner Music & LeToya hook up.
25. 'MAKING SURE THE SONGS ARE RIGHT'
26. LeToya Luckett Update
27. LeToya Update
28. Diddy: We invented the Remix Volume 2"
29. Video for the song "Almost Made Ya"
30. XXL Magazine Mike's Interview
31. That Is Hip Hop

External links

★ Official website

★ LeToya's Myspace

★ LeToya's Favorite Fansite

★ LeToya Fansite

★ Luckett's boutique, ''Lady L''

★ Allhiphop.com (May 2006)

★ Yahoo! Music (May 2006)

★ Sister 2 sister Interview