Jesse Powell

This article is about the American singer. For the singer's eponymous album, see Jesse Powell (album). For the American football player of the same name, see Jesse Powell (American football).

Jesse Powell
Born	(1971-09-12)September 12, 1971 Gary, Indiana, U.S.
Died	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	R&B Soul Blues
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1988–2003
Labels	MCA Riviera/Liquid 8
Associated acts	Trina & Tamara Tevin Campbell Tony Terry

Jesse Powell (September 12, 1971 – September 13, 2022) was an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter. Discovered by Louil Silas Jr., Powell was best known for his hit "You" which peaked at No. 2 R&B and No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Powell released four albums, and was the older brother of fellow contemporary R&B singers Trina & Tamara. Powell was credited with a four octave vocal range. He was a Grammy nominee.

Life and career

Powell was born in Gary, Indiana and raised with his siblings Trina, Tamara and Jacob. The family performed in local talent shows, and in 1993, he attracted the attention of producer Carl Roland in Kansas City. Following an artist showcase, Louil Silas signed him to his Silas Records imprint.

Three years later, he completed work on his debut album. His first single "All I Need" was written by Powell, Sam Salter and Laney Stewart and was released in March 1996, peaking at #32 on the Billboard R&B chart. His self-titled album was released on March 12, 1996, opening at #35 on the Billboard R&B and #32 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. The followup single, a remake of the 1976 Enchantment song "Gloria", reached #51 R&B.

Powell then began work on his second album, debuting the lead single "I Wasn't with It" in 1998, which became his first single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 (#85 US, #25 R&B). Bolstered by the success of the single, his second album 'Bout It was released on September 8, 1998, topping the Heatseekers chart. The album's second single. "You", was released in February 1999 and became his biggest hit, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart and #10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The record was certified gold by the RIAA, peaking at #15 on R&B and #63 on the Billboard 200.

Following Silas Records' merge into MCA Records, Powell's first release on the label was the single "If I" in 2000, which peaked at No. 58 on the R&B chart. His third studio album JP was released on March 27, 2001, opening at #18 R&B and #71 on the Billboard 200. A second single, "Something in the Past" (#67 R&B) followed, in addition to Powell doing some promotion for the release. In 2002, he left the label and signed with Riviera Records. His fourth studio album, Jesse, was released on October 14, 2003 and was supported by the singles "By the Way" (#99 R&B) and "Touching It Tonight" (#85 R&B).

Death

Powell died from cardiac arrest in his Los Angeles home on September 13, 2022, one day after his 51st birthday.

Discography

Studio albums

Title	Album details	Peak positions			Certifications
		US 200	US R&B	US Heat
Jesse Powell	Released: March 12, 1996 Label: Silas, MCA Formats: CD, cassette	35	32	—
'Bout It	Released: September 8, 1998 Label: Silas, MCA Formats: CD, cassette	63	15	1	US: Gold
JP	Released: March 27, 2001 Label: Silas, MCA Formats: CD, digital download	71	18	—
Jesse	Released: October 14, 2003 Label: D3, Monopoly, Riviera Formats: CD, digital download	—	85	—

Singles

Year	Title	Peak positions			Album
		US	US R&B	US CHR
1996	"All I Need"	—	32	—	Jesse Powell
	"Gloria"	—	51	—
	"I Like It"	—	—	—
1998	"I Wasn't with It"	85	25	—	'Bout It
1999	"You"	10	2	27
	"'Bout It, 'Bout It"	—	—	—
2000	"If I"	—	58	—	JP
2001	"Something in the Past"	—	67	—
	"I'm Leaving"	—	—	—
2003	"By the Way"	—	99	—	Jesse
	"Touching It Tonight"	—	—	—

External links

• Jesse Powell discography at Discogs