She Got Soul: Faith Evans

Get ready for Faith to leave it all on the stage.

Her Roots - Faith was born in Florida and raised in Jersey, but she grew up with dreams of becoming an international star. Faith’s career as a singer began at the tender age of two, singing in her church choir. 

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Her Roots - Faith was born in Florida and raised in Jersey, but she grew up with dreams of becoming an international star. Faith’s career as a singer began at the tender age of two, singing in her church choir. 

The First Lady of Bad Boy - In 1993, after giving birth to her daughter, Chyna, and relocating to Los Angeles, the soprano songbird soon caught the attention of up-and-coming label executive Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs. After hearing her back-up vocals on R&B singer Al B Sure's records, he immediately signed the talented singer to his Bad Boy Records imprint. 

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The First Lady of Bad Boy - In 1993, after giving birth to her daughter, Chyna, and relocating to Los Angeles, the soprano songbird soon caught the attention of up-and-coming label executive Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs. After hearing her back-up vocals on R&B singer Al B Sure's records, he immediately signed the talented singer to his Bad Boy Records imprint. 

The Diva Debut  - Evans contributed backing vocals and writing skills to Mary J. Blige’s My Life (1994) and Usher’s self-titled debut album (1994) before dropping her own body of work in 1995. Faith featured production credits from Bad Boy’s very own The Hitmen, Chucky Thompson and Combs himself. With the help of chart-topping singles “You Used to Love Me” and “Soon As I Get Home,” the album peaked at No. 2 on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and eventually reached platinum sales. 

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The Diva Debut  - Evans contributed backing vocals and writing skills to Mary J. Blige’s My Life (1994) and Usher’s self-titled debut album (1994) before dropping her own body of work in 1995. Faith featured production credits from Bad Boy’s very own The Hitmen, Chucky Thompson and Combs himself. With the help of chart-topping singles “You Used to Love Me” and “Soon As I Get Home,” the album peaked at No. 2 on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and eventually reached platinum sales. 

Hip Hop Royalty - Evans married rapper and fellow label-mate Christopher “The Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace in 1994, instantly and widely becoming known as the first lady of hip hop. While married, the couple struggled through allegations of infidelity. In 1996, a year before the couple eventually separated, Faith gave birth to her second child, and first son, Christopher Wallace Jr. 

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Hip Hop Royalty - Evans married rapper and fellow label-mate Christopher “The Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace in 1994, instantly and widely becoming known as the first lady of hip hop. While married, the couple struggled through allegations of infidelity. In 1996, a year before the couple eventually separated, Faith gave birth to her second child, and first son, Christopher Wallace Jr. 

Heartbreak  - After Biggie’s tragic murder in 1997, Combs and Evans produced a tribute song titled “I’ll Be Missing You.” The song remained at No. 1 for eleven weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won Faith and Combs a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. The next year, she recevived two Grammy nods for “Heartbreak Hotel” – a collaboration with singers Kelly Price and Whitney Houston. 

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Heartbreak  - After Biggie’s tragic murder in 1997, Combs and Evans produced a tribute song titled “I’ll Be Missing You.” The song remained at No. 1 for eleven weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won Faith and Combs a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. The next year, she recevived two Grammy nods for “Heartbreak Hotel” – a collaboration with singers Kelly Price and Whitney Houston. 

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Platinum-Selling Siren - In ’98, Faith released her sophomore effort Keep the Faith, almost entirely written and produced her. The record produced top ten singles “Love Like This” and “All Night Long.” The entire project earned Faith another platinum certification. Faithfully (2001), Evans’ third studio album, yielded moderately successful singles, but still reached platinum status as well. Not long after the release, Faith split ways with Bad Boy Records. 

Breaking Records  - Evans and her husband, record company executive Todd Russaw, worked intently on the songbird’s fourth studio album, The First Lady (2005). Capitol Records helped to produce and distribute the record. Faith scored yet another visit to the Billboard 200. Her fourth studio release immediately became Evans’ best-charting album to date.

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Breaking Records  - Evans and her husband, record company executive Todd Russaw, worked intently on the songbird’s fourth studio album, The First Lady (2005). Capitol Records helped to produce and distribute the record. Faith scored yet another visit to the Billboard 200. Her fourth studio release immediately became Evans’ best-charting album to date.

Faith Evans - Faith ditches her red carpet duds for something sexier: cheetah-print jeans and a white blouse topped with a black blazer and smooth top knot.(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images For BET)

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Onward and Upward - In 2011, after the release of her fifth album Something About Faith, the mother of four split from husband Todd Russaw. A year later, she joined the cast of and also co-produced reality TV Show R&B Divas, featuring fellow singers Keke Wyatt and Monifah. 

Incomparable  - Though little has been revealed in regards to Faith’s sixth studio album, Incomparable, guest appearances are rumored to include Missy Elliot and Karen Clark Sheard (of The Clark Sisters). 

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Incomparable  - Though little has been revealed in regards to Faith’s sixth studio album, Incomparable, guest appearances are rumored to include Missy Elliot and Karen Clark Sheard (of The Clark Sisters).