The Evolution of Kem

See the Evolution of R&B singer Kem.

Mr. Owens - R&B singer Kem was born as Kim Owens in Nashville, Tennessee, but he was raised in Detroit Michigan. At the age of 5, he began playing the piano.\r(Photo by Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup)

1 / 11

Mr. Owens - R&B singer Kem was born as Kim Owens in Nashville, Tennessee, but he was raised in Detroit Michigan. At the age of 5, he began playing the piano.\r(Photo by Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup)

Troubled Youth - Kem speaks about his struggles: "I left my parents' home when I was 19. And I left as a teenager who was lost, depressed, insecure, full of fear, and trying to mask all of that with alcohol and drugs."\r(Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images)

2 / 11

Troubled Youth - Kem speaks about his struggles: "I left my parents' home when I was 19. And I left as a teenager who was lost, depressed, insecure, full of fear, and trying to mask all of that with alcohol and drugs."\r(Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images)

Turning Point - Kem turned his life around and joined Renaissance Unity Church in Detroit in the early 1990s. He also started to play music again and landed a job.\r(Photo by Mark Davis/PictureGroup)

3 / 11

Turning Point - Kem turned his life around and joined Renaissance Unity Church in Detroit in the early 1990s. He also started to play music again and landed a job.\r(Photo by Mark Davis/PictureGroup)

Photo By Photo by Mark Davis/PictureGroup

Music Only - After overcoming his addictions, Kem quit his day job to focus on making music in 2001.\r(Photo by Quantrell Colbert/Getty Images)

4 / 11

Music Only - After overcoming his addictions, Kem quit his day job to focus on making music in 2001.\r(Photo by Quantrell Colbert/Getty Images)

Do It Yourself - Kem financed his debut album, which he also wrote and produced, with his American Express Card and money he made from singing with a wedding band and waiting tables.\r(Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

5 / 11

Do It Yourself - Kem financed his debut album, which he also wrote and produced, with his American Express Card and money he made from singing with a wedding band and waiting tables.\r(Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

ADVERTISEMENT
Album 1, Round 2 - In 2001, he gained the attention of Motown, who signed him and re-released Kem’s debut album, Kemistry. The lead single, "Love Calls," became an adult contemporary hit and the album was certified gold.\r(Photo by Kristian Dowling/PictureGroup)

6 / 11

Album 1, Round 2 - In 2001, he gained the attention of Motown, who signed him and re-released Kem’s debut album, Kemistry. The lead single, "Love Calls," became an adult contemporary hit and the album was certified gold.\r(Photo by Kristian Dowling/PictureGroup)

Albums II & III - Kem followed his debut with Album II  in 2005, which also went gold. After taking a small break, he released Intamicy: Album III in 2010.\r(Photo by Albert L. Ortega/PictureGroup)

7 / 11

Albums II & III - Kem followed his debut with Album II  in 2005, which also went gold. After taking a small break, he released Intamicy: Album III in 2010.\r(Photo by Albert L. Ortega/PictureGroup)

Song Writer - Kem doesn't have a particular method for making his music. "I think songwriting is just a gift, and I write about anything. I really don’t have concepts for songs. Once I have established a melody, I may sing a little bit of something; it really just creates itself."\r(Photo by Paul Abell/PictureGroup)

8 / 11

Song Writer - Kem doesn't have a particular method for making his music. "I think songwriting is just a gift, and I write about anything. I really don’t have concepts for songs. Once I have established a melody, I may sing a little bit of something; it really just creates itself."\r(Photo by Paul Abell/PictureGroup)

Influences - Kem cites many artists as influences, including Stevie Wonder, Prince, Anita Baker and Michael Jackson.\r(Photo by Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images)

9 / 11

Influences - Kem cites many artists as influences, including Stevie Wonder, Prince, Anita Baker and Michael Jackson.\r(Photo by Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images)

Intimacy: Album III - Kem calls the record "a collection of songs, which reflect a man’s desire to go deeper in his relationship. Recognizing that there are deeper levels of relationships with family and friends. It is not just about the intimacy between a man and a woman. It could be the relationship between you and your family and the closeness that you are building with one another."\r(Photo by Paul Abell/PictureGroup)

10 / 11

Intimacy: Album III - Kem calls the record "a collection of songs, which reflect a man’s desire to go deeper in his relationship. Recognizing that there are deeper levels of relationships with family and friends. It is not just about the intimacy between a man and a woman. It could be the relationship between you and your family and the closeness that you are building with one another."\r(Photo by Paul Abell/PictureGroup)

Spiritual Connection - "My career didn't take off until I connected with my spirituality. That's why I take time onstage and on the album to administer spirituality to people. That's one of the things that I am most proud of."\r(Photo by Ben Rose/PictureGroup)

11 / 11

Spiritual Connection - "My career didn't take off until I connected with my spirituality. That's why I take time onstage and on the album to administer spirituality to people. That's one of the things that I am most proud of."\r(Photo by Ben Rose/PictureGroup)