CeCe Peniston

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Biography

CeCe Peniston (born Cecilia Veronica Peniston ; September 6, 1969 in Dayton, Ohio )

is an African American recording artist and former beauty queen.

At the beginning of the nineties, she was considered to be one of the most successful dance club artists in the history of the Hot Dance Club Songs|U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play , scoring five major number one hits in the chart within three years.

Her signature song “ Finally (CeCe Peniston song)|Finally ” (#5 in the Hot 100 and #2 in UK Top 75
) became one of the biggest dance singles, selling three million copies worldwide.

Among those who have requested Peniston at private engagements are Aretha Franklin at her private birthday party in Detroit, Michigan , the Pope John Paul II in Rome at the Holy See|Vatican (as a member of the gospel band Sisters of Glory ) and the 42nd President of the United States , Bill Clinton , during both of his inauguration ceremonies in Washington, D.C.
She was the first foreign female entertainer to perform in post- aparthied South Africa .

On February 4, 2011, Peniston signed a record deal with West Swagg Music Group / Bungalo Records , with full distribution through Universal Music Group Distribution , and declared to release a new solo album after fifteen years since her last studio set ('' I'm Movin' On (CeCe Peniston album)|I'm Movin' On from 1996 on A& M Records ) was recorded.
By the end of 2011, three digital singles were issued eventually. Apart from a new song called " Stoopid! " and released on April 26,
two remixed versions of her older hits, such as " Keep On Walkin' (song)#Keep On Flossing|Keep On Walkin' " and " Finally (CeCe Peniston song)#Finally 2011|Finally " followed on August 9, respectively on October 3, 2011.

Biography

1969–1990: Early life

Peniston was born in Dayton, Ohio , in United States , but she would spend the majority of her formative years in Phoenix, Arizona , where she was raised since the age of nine. As a daughter of an ex-military father, Ronald Peniston (born 1934, married Barbara Anne in 1960), she started singing at church
and doing plays and musicals such as H.M.S. Pinafore in the 6th grade. She participated in local karaoke contests and singing talent shows, while taking piano lessons.

She attended Trevor G. Browne High School , class of 1987, in Phoenix,
and landed a part in a local theater group’s production of ''Bubblin' Brown Sugar, (playing the young Sweet Georgia Brown ). After earning her diploma, she would continue to study liberal arts at the Phoenix College where she got involved in athletics, and took entering beauty pageants. She was crowned Miss Black Arizona in 1989 and, eventually, Miss Galaxy in 1990.

Peniston began writing pop lyrics already at school. The words of her international hit " Finally (CeCe Peniston song)|Finally " were purportedly penned during a chemistry class, while thinking about dating in college.

1990–1991: Female Preacher

Her music career began in January 1991, when Felipe Delgado|Felipe "DJ Wax Dawg" Delgado , her friend and a record producer based also in Phoenix, asked Peniston to record back-up vocals for Tonya Davis , a black female rapper known after her childhood nickname as Overweight Pooch .

Davis, headed in a direction of a "new" Monie Love , was searching for a singer to add vocals to the title track of her album Female Preacher , which was to be released on A& M Records that summer. She would remember meeting at a talent show a woman named Malaika (singer)|Malaika LeRae Sallard , but when it came time to get Sallard into the studio, the rapper found she'd lost her future label mate's number. When Delgado, who'd preferred Peniston instead, brought his favorite in to do background part, the response from everyone would be immediate, but would not move the Pooch to invite Peniston back for more vocals – unless she was successful to locate Sallard.

Later on, as it became clear that the singer was leaping from the Overweight Pooch's album to the top of the charts, rumor had it the Pooch was stewing over Peniston's using Female Preacher as her springboard. Tonya Davis, pregnant at the time of recording her album, would swear though, she harbored no Peniston envy. "''There's no jealousy, because she has a voice. I gave her the chance, but I didn't give her a voice, " the rapper insisted for Phoenix New Times in July 1992, and Peniston, interviewed by the same newspaper in the meantime, reacted by her own words. "I feel like anything's possible and I know one thing. If I wasn't at this spot, I still would be achieving to get to this spot." Ironically enough, Sallard would eventually throw in a few back-up vocals for Peniston on a song with a significant title, "You Win, I Win, We Lose", while Peniston, who in return played an agent to get a record deal also for Malaika (whose album Sugar Time'' scored in 1993 two Top 5 hits on the US Dance chart, including the No.1 single " Gotta Know (Your Name) ") would mention the Pooch's name on her own debut album in addition, leaving Davis a note saying "thanks for letting me be a part of Female Preacher .

Besides the Peniston's vocal performance on three tracks in total, of which " I Like It (Overweight Pooch song)|I Like It " would be released as a single with a moderate success (at #16 in US Dance
and #58 in UK Top 75 the following January), she was eventually given also a credit for co-writing two of those, "Kickin’ Da Blues" and the title's, "Female Preacher". But the Overweight Pooch’s album flopped on the market, and A& M was the first major label for Delgado himself, who was facing contractual disputes with the record company. After Manny Lehman (a Deejay|DJ , then A& M Art Director and one of the executive producer s of Female Preacher ) also noticed the powerful voice of a still back-up vocalist, he would offer Delgado a second chance, and commissioned him to produce a track for Peniston herself as a solo artist. Not looking to lose his major deal connections, Delgado called on a hometown friend and music producer too, Rodney K. Jackson (they two met through mutual friends in Arizona), who was brought then to A& M family to help co-produce the Peniston’s single, which was soon to be recognized as “ Finally (CeCe Peniston song)|Finally ”.

Despite an initial label's resistance to sign Peniston to more than a one-off single deal, the “Finally” session would after the final approval of A& M's Vice President , Mark Mazzetti,
result in recording her own debut album, and discovering the Peniston's legend that established her as one of the paramount artists of the early 90's.

1991–1992: Finally

Peniston was 22 years old when her debut single " Finally (CeCe Peniston song)|Finally " was successfully released. The song burst on to the US club scene in the fall of 1991, where became an instant dance anthem peaking, in October, at the top of the Hot Dance Club Songs| Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play for two weeks, while achieving a respectful starting position (at No.#29) overseas. Within three months of "Finally", the US sale of the single reached over 500,000 copies,
and over 3 million worldwide.

After her first song climbed the international charts, Peniston was headed into the studio to record a full length album. However, she " had two months to pull the whole album together " and " didn’t realize the impact the record was having until it reached the top five ". She also described how difficult it was to begin her career at such an extreme pace, but the result was a solidly produced ten track collection entitled Finally (CeCe Peniston album)|Finally , issued in January of the following year.

Both, the single and album entered the Billboard Hot 100|US Hot 100 , as well as the UK Top 75 chart (at No.#5 and No.#2 for single, respectively at No.#70 and at No.#10 for album release), and ultimately earned Peniston a gold, or silver certification in both countries. By the end of 1992 her debut (in Europe re-released in 1997 with a bonus remix " Finally '97 ") sold over 540,000 in United States.

" We Got a Love Thang ", the second single (co-written by Chantay Savage ), with a videoclip in heavy rotation on TV music channels skyrocketed to No.#1 in the US Dance chart in February (No.#20 in the Hot 100), and in England (where "Finally" would skip to No.#2 eventually) "We Got a Love Thang" peaked at No.#6. Might the only controversional question regarding the title remains who'd provided backgroung vocals on the record. While on her album Finally Donell Rush|Darnnel Rush was credited, on its single release the name of Kym Sims (who was a co-writer of " Keep On Walkin' (song)|Keep On Walkin' ") appeared as one of back-up vocalists actually.

With another hit record on the charts, the singer began a year of touring clubs and small theaters in the USA in support of her album. Her travels would start with a series of shows in Philippines, Japan, United Kingdom Germany, Spain and Italy, and after her return back to the USA,
Peniston would continue with such R& B acts as Joe Public (band)|Joe Public , the Cover Girls , R. Kelly or Levert .
While on tour, "Keep On Walkin'", a hip-hop swinging composition, joined the list of Peniston's three consecutively running hits, bringing the singer in June her third No.1 in the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart (No.#15 in the Hot 100), and another Top 10 hit in UK. Later in August, that would be also her highest outing in the Hot R& B/Hip-Hop Songs|US R& B chart, scoring at No.#3.

On October 17, Billboard (magazine)|Billboard magazine announced that Peniston was the leading nominee in the Billboard Music Awards, being nominated in four categories. Three times in the dance category with "Finally" (Best New Artist, Best Female Artist and Best Director), and one in the R& B/Rap category (Best Female Artist) for her urban hit Keep On Walkin'.
Ultimately the song won two awards, and three of her singles released in 1992 would be listed also within the Top 100 songs of the Billboard Year-End chart (at No.#20 with "Finally", at No.#61 with "Keep On Walkin'", and at No.#97 with "We Got a Love Thang"
). In UK Peniston would be listed as the 20th of Top Selling Singles Artists in 1992.

Additional songs taken from album Finally achieved the Top 40 status at least on the Hip-Hop/R& B field. The grieving lyrics of her percolating ballad " Inside That I Cried ", co-written by the Peniston's then-husband, Malik Byrd (who appeared also in its video), and produced in conjunction with Anita Baker 's cohort, Steve Lindsey, peaked at No.#10 in the US R& B (No.#94 in the Hot 100 and No.#42 in UK Top 75). The fifth single, a midtempo, " Crazy Love (CeCe Peniston song)|Crazy Love ", climbed to No.#31 (No.#97 in the Hot 100 and No.#44 in UK).

By the end of the year, the singer would receive several awards for her achievements in the music industry for 1992. Among them, one Billboard Music Award (as Best New Artist – Dance, the second went to the video director Claude Borenzweig), three ASCAP Awards (for Song of The Year, Most Performed Song of The Year, and Pop Songwriter of The Year), another three awards (as Best New Dance Artist, Best Dance Solo Artist, and for Best 12" Dance Record) at the Winter Music Conference|Annual Winter Music Conference , and the Broadcast Music Incorporated|BMI Urban Award of Achievement . The album itself was nominated on a 1993 Soul Train Music Awards|Soul Train Music Award '93 in the Soul Train Music Award for Best R& B/Soul Album, Female|Best R& B/Soul Album – Female category.

1993–1995: ''Thought 'Ya Knew

Within a year, Peniston was back in the studios to record her sophomore release, and the particular challenge for the vocalist would be not getting pigeonholed into the dance genre. For that reason, several ballads would be arranged to appear on the final set (in the front with "Forever In My Heart", produced by Brian McKnight ), of which, however, none would be chosen for a single release. This time around, Peniston co-authorized three of thirteen tracks ("Whatever It Is", "Give What I’m Givin" and "Maybe It's The Way", a ballad about her father), and along with Manny Lehman and Damon Jones, who would become the singer's manager, she was also credited as an executive producer of her scheduled album release, '' Thought 'Ya Knew . Apart from others, also fellow Ohio-born singer Norma Jean Wright joined the session.

After a certain level of hesitation over the first single, " I'm in the Mood " (originally produced by Soulshock & Karlin ) was picked to be the final leader—though as support for " Searchin' (CeCe Peniston song)|Searchin' ", which would be separately delivered on vinyl only to DJs. "I'm in the Mood" did well by itself, and with a video accompanied by a hip-hop remix from M-Doc & Jere M.C. (better known as In Da Soul) the title was on singles reproduced by David Morales for the dance floor. The song spawned Peniston's forth No. 1 (dethroning from the top of the US Dance chart Aretha Franklin 's "A Deeper Love") and peaked at No. 16 in UK (#32 in the Hot 100).

On January 25, 1994, the album ''Thought 'Ya Knew'', which was to represent the singer's musical zenith at that time, arrived on all available formats, including digital compact cassette s. However, as the record promptly entered the music charts, it was soon to be evident ''Thought 'Ya Knew was not enjoying the high-profile success of her previous set Finally . After its progress had stalled in the Billboard 200| Billboard 200 at No. 96, Thought 'Ya Knew climbed to No. 31 in UK, but the album would chart for only two short weeks in England.

Not certain about the second single either, " Keep Givin' Me Your Love " was accepted to become the British follow-up. But the track, remixed by Eddie Gordon 's West End production team, had no supporting music video, and after peaking at No. 36 in April in UK, an alternative title (" I'm Not Over You ") was chosen for the US market as the second cut from the ''Thought 'Ya Knew album.

"I'm Not Over You" (written by Steve Hurley , Jamie Principle , and M-Doc) might have missed the highest position of the US Dance chart, but only by about one point (at No. 2), and the single would be later classified in the overall Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart as the ninth most successful track of 1994 (leaving " I'm in the Mood " far behind, at #44). However, although the song had sealed the Top 10 of the US R& B chart, it did not succeed in the Hot 100 that much, failing to crack Top 40 (No.# 41).
Considering that expectations of A& M Records company must have been bigger than a club play sale of the singer's singles, "I'm Not Over You" was released in UK only on B-side of the " Hit by Love " release.

"Hit by Love" was to be the third song taken from the album. As with her previous releases, the song (with additional remixes by David Morales) became Peniston's next US Dance hit in a line of her No. 1s, but while on the top of the chart "Hit by Love" would stay for another week, the single stuck at No.# 33 in the UK Top 75, as well as on the bottom positions of the American Hot 100 chart (at No.# 90).

Along with "Hit by Love" in the charts, A& M issued a rare compilation, Remix Collection (CeCe Peniston album)|Remix Collection , in Japan with nine alternate versions of her songs previously available only on vinyl, which tracked Peniston's music career since the "Keep On Walkin'" release. A similar remixed collection, however, consisted of only two singles ("Finally" and "We Got a Love Thang") was earlier issued in Japan as a Extended play|remix EP album under the title Finally/We Got a Love Thang: Remix Collection featuring overall eight remixed versions.

At the end of the year Peniston was named the No. 1 Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play Artist, summarizing all her songs released in 1994 ("I'm Not Over You" #9, "Hit by Love" #24, and I'm in the Mood" #44). While A& M would be listed as the sixth best dance label in the Billboard Year-End chart, the singer was also rated as the 5th Top R& B Singles Female Artist (behind Janet Jackson , Tony Braxton , Aaliyah and Mariah Carey ).

In addition, a remix of "Keep Givin' Me Your Love" was popularized on the original motion picture soundtrack of the Prêt-à-Porter|Prêt-à-Porter (Ready To Wear) film, and released in the U.S. after a one-year delay, scoring No. 4 in the US Dance charts in March 1995. "Keep Givin' Me Your Love" became Peniston's first song not to enter the Hot 100 chart (No.#101), possibly as the result of appearing as a B-side on her previous release, and sharing its sales with the single "Hit by Love".

;The Sisters of Glory
Between releases, Peniston made a jazzy cameo "Don't Forget the Love" with words and music by a Grammy Award -nominated composer, Jeff Lorber , and Eric Benet (also a later Grammy Award nominee) for his album West Side Stories . The title of the Lorber's album was his response to residing the West Los Angeles, Los Angeles|West Side of L.A. (not his adaptation of songs from the West Side Story (Original Broadway Cast)|Broadway musical or West Side Story (film)|West Side Story film), and after its issue in November 1994, the studio record peaked at No.#5 in the ''Billboard's list of Top Contemporary Jazz albums.

As a member of the gospel quintet called Sisters of Glory|The Sisters of Glory , which included Thelma Houston , Phoebe Snow , Lois Walden, Albertina Walker , and herself, Peniston would also record a spiritual album, Good News in Hard Times , that featured two solo traditionals (" How I Got Over " and " Precious Memories (hymn)|Precious Memories ") performed by the singer, four standards with her solo part ("Rough Side of the Mountain", " He's Got the Whole World in His Hands ", "I Won't Be Back No More" and " Oh Happy Day "), as well as her chorus vocals on additional nine tracks. Good News in Hard Times (produced by Jennifer Cohen and Lois Walden) was released in August 1995 on Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros , and the album brought Peniston an entry also in the Billboard Top Gospel Albums list, where it reached in October No.#29, remaining in the chart for 6 weeks.

1996–1998: ''I'm Movin' On and The Best Of album

In February 1996, the Billboard (magazine)|Billboard posted information that singer was putting the finishing touches to her new studio album, '' I'm Movin' On (CeCe Peniston album)|I'm Movin' On , slated for its release in May. Judging from the magazine’s earlier preview of several cuts, the Billboard published that Peniston was about to explore more mature jeep-soul fare a la Faith Evans , and that she has never sounded so assured and convincingly soulful.
Though, ''I'm Movin' On with a noticeably slimmed-down Peniston adorning its cover would not be out before September, a similarly sleek sound marked its title single delivered to the radio stations on July 17, while hitting music stores one week later.

" Movin' On (CeCe Peniston song)|Movin' On ", the song considered as the strongest track to reach core R& B listeners with potential across several genres, was produced by Dave Hall (record producer)|Dave "Jam" Hall , the hit maker behind Mariah Carey 's " Dreamlover (song)|Dreamlover ", whose earlier work included also the Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna 's Bedtime Stories (Madonna album)|Bedtime Stories album. The song cracked the Top 40 on the US R& B/Hip Hop at No.#29, but failed to show up in the UK chart, while scoring at weak No.#83 in the Hot 100.

On September 9, ''I'm Movin' On'', the record with evident absence of her ever dependable club workouts finally arrived. Peniston contributed to the set with three songs she co-wrote (except the title's track, the ballad "The Last To Know" and a club potential, "Don't Know What To Do", that would not be promoted). After peaking at No.#48 on the US R& B, the album passed by the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart, and soon largely felt victim to mismarketing.

Despite insistence from the Peniston's management to release " Somebody Else's Guy " as a follow-up, A& M label preferred an alternate composition, " Before I Lay ", which featured the singer’s then-beau JoJo Hailey (of K-Ci and JoJo ) who was supposed to help establish Peniston as an R& B artist. But the duet reached its top in the US R& B already at No.#52, with no entry in the Hot 100 chart (No.#121) or in England.

However, Peniston herself seemed to be not worried about losing her audience, when interviewed at the time of ''I'm Movin' On release by Billboard: "When you're first coming out as an artist, many times label executives have their own vision for you. But as you move forward, it's only fair that you begin determining your own direction. People will make the change with you as long as you’re honest about your craft and display a comfort for what it is that you’re doing,"
two years later the singer would actually confirm her doubts, after questioned by the magazine: "I can speak about this firsthand, believe me. Sometimes doing what you feel isn’t always accepted by the public. You’ve got to choose where you want to go and be consistent,"
(said by the artist at the 5th annual Billboard Dance Music Summit that urged members of the dance music community to work together toward greater credibility, visibility and sales for the genre, held July 8–10 in 1998).
After only two singles released from her R& B set, A& M did not decide to select a song that would cater to another music format, and capitulated to progress with ''I'm Movin' On'' album that Peniston would promote also during the Bill Clinton 's election campaign, on which she performed several track from the set.
Clinton would comment her performance on November 4, 1996 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota , mentioning: "I want to thank CeCe Peniston for singing so beautifully."

Following her dismissal, Peniston took playing as Glinda the Good Witch in a theatrical production of musical play The Wiz . The staged concert was opened at Paramount Theatre (Oakland, California)|Oakland's Paramount Theatre for a five-day run on June 11, 1997, and besides herself, Grace Jones and Peabo Bryson appeared to act.

In September, A& M re-released the single "Finally" that successfully entered the UK Top 75 back again (No.#26), and in addition also her debut album on CD enhanced with the new remix, Finally '97|Finally (Classic Funk Radio Mix) , both re-issued only in the overseas.

In February 1998, a David Morales' remix of "Somebody Else's Guy", originally popularized by Jocelyn Brown and recorded for the album ''I'm Movin' On , became a surprising hit in Europe, where it reached No.#13 in the UK Top 75 (as her last entry to date in England), as well as in April No.#26 in Japan, after being picked to promote the singer’s import greatest hits collection simply entitled The Best of CeCe Peniston . The black and white photographs for its booklet were done by Daniela Federici, whose art work was noticed already on I'm Movin' On release, and later also on album and single covers of other female recording artists, such as Céline Dion , Toni Braxton , or Pink (singer)|Pink .

After her departure from A& M Peniston contributed with two songs to the MC Magic 's compilation of various Phoenix-based artists called Desert Funk: Soundtrack that was issued on Nastyboy Records. The first title, " I Know You Want Me (Nastyboy Klick song)|I Know You Want Me ", was a hip-hop duet recorded in common with Nastyboy Klick (#109 on the US R& B
), while the second, a Latino hip-hop ballad, "When I'm with You" was her own solo track also produced by MC Magic|Marcus Cardenas .

1998–2000: Cancelled album

Rumors about the singer working in Chicago on a new album with Steve "Silk" Hurley sprung up after " Nobody Else (CeCe Peniston song)|Nobody Else ", a gospel-infused sirene and her debut on the producer's label, saw its official release in 1998. However apart from the Billboard , the inlay details of "Nobody Else"
would also inform her fan base a studio album with the same title was due that fall,
this information seemed to be rather optional than reality that followed the artist's future, while she had been signed to the Silk Entertainment company.

To make things surrounding her potential comeback even worse, ferocious house groove "Nobody Else", which was premiered at the 5th Annual Billboard Dance Music Summit on the stage at the Green Dolphin Street , failed to enter the music charts, despite favorable reviews of the Billboard that rated the song ''"among the artist's strongest recordings", "a sure to-thrill die hards,"
and as "a triumphant return to clubland" commenting in addition her summit live performance.

In 1999, " He Loves Me 2 (CeCe Peniston song)|He Loves Me 2 ", co-written by M-Doc (known for a remix production for such major artists as Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna , Janet Jackson or Keitha Sweat) to whom singer would return his favor providing background vocals on "Keep It Real", a song recorded for his own album Young, Black, Rich and Famous , might seemed to bring more competitive results than her previous endeavor, reaching No.#24 on the Hot Dance Club Play.

But the Peniston's next single “ My Boo (CeCe Peniston song)|My Boo ” with then already Grammy Award|Grammy Award-nominee Hurley (apart from other five remixes for another artists, also for his own 'Silk's 12" Mix' of "He Loves Me 2",
eventually lost in favor of Peter Rauhofer alias Club 69 , who became the Grammy Award for Remixer of the Year, Non-Classical|Remixer of the Year, Non-Classical , in 2000
) happened to become disappointing again for both actually, and the last act distributed through the producer's record company. The song contained a sample of "The Bottle" by Gil Scott-Heron , one of the most important progenitors of rap music, at that time imprisoned for one to three years following series of drug possession charges.

2000–2010: Singles Decade

;"Lifetime to Love"
While looking for alternative options for the cancelled production of her album, Peniston decided to make a step back and record a cover version of " Lifetime to Love ", written by Steven Nikolas and Brendon Sibley, for her ex-major label producer and the Manny Lehman's compilation Circuit Sessions 00.1 (Manny Lehman compilation)|Circuit Sessions 00.1 . The composition would almost revive the singer's No.1 status in February 2001, returning the singer back into the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play list, and delivering her a Top 3 entry also in the millennium (No.#2). Although, the song was at the end of the year classified as the 30th most successful US Dance track of 2001,
it did not enter the official Hot 100 chart.

The digital version of "Lifetime to Love" was to be offered, along with photos and other information regarding the singer, for free of charge download via Napster ,
an online music file sharing service. Timing prevented the deal's followthrough in, unfortunately, and singer would leave 4 Play label afterwards.

;"Reminiscin"
Following the millennium Peniston, not longer part of the mainstream that brought her success in the early '90s, would spend the first decade by supporting numerous recording artists of various musical styles and influences who would keep her in music industry and in the eye of public mostly as a guest, but prominent vocalist.

In 2001, she collaborated with Ella Mae Saison , a singer from Philippines, on a common track. The duet partially mixed in France, and partially in N.Y.C., was sponsored by a multiple world champion boxer, Evander Holyfield , and released on his record label, named after his nickname Real Deal Records|Real Deal in April. After its slow start, while being classified as the Billboard Hot Dance Breakout No.#1 for Hot Dance Singles Sales|Maxi-Singles Sales category,
the song hit No.#30 in US Dance chart eventually on August 18, under title " Reminiscin " and with Peniston being credited as a featuring artist.

The singer would later comment her recording with Saison as follows: "I had the pleasure of working with a very talented and inspiring artist by the name of Saison. Last January 2001, we collaborated on a duet, Reminiscin. I was fortunate to witness the warmth of a beautiful personality and the great talent of a rising star. I hope the world will be allowed to share in this experience too."

;"For My Baby" and Colour of My Soul
Accompanied by a line-up of seven other female vocalists coming from both sides of the Atlantic, diva herself joined Full Flava|Rob Derbyshire and Full Flava|Paul 'Solomon' Mullings , the Birmingham ’s R& B production duo known as Full Flava , to record lead vocals for their album Colour of My Soul . The modern soul set was to be made in England, released on Dôme Records in 2003, and one of the compositions performed by Peniston, " For My Baby ", was later given also a treatment for the dance floor with stand-out house mixes from The Str8jackets|Dave "Leggz" Longmore and Sam Junior Bromfield known as Ruff ’N’ Tumble, and the English Midlands|Midlands duo KT & C.

"For My Baby" did not succeed on the music charts, however Ruf N Tumble's dance remixes of the song were based on a sample of the Delegation (band)|Delegation hit single "Heartache No. 9" (that scored at number fifty-seven in US Dance in 1980
). Her second solo number on the Full Flava's compilation Colour of My Soul was entitled "I Think about Him", and it was a mid-tempo that Peniston co-wrote with Derbyshire and Mullings.

;"Eternal Lover"
Her next steps afterwards led to Better Days Studios in Paris where, for a change, singer was supposed to work with a French producer, Fréderic Tharreau alias BIBI, on exclusively import single " Eternal Lover ". In addition to being released in France on RLPMix Records, the song was also issued in Australia and New Zealand on the domestic premier dance label, Vinyl Pusher Records, in 2004.

; Gimme the Mike! and Hit Me, Baby, One More Time
Back to the States on 2 June 2005, Peniston appeared on the NBC network as a contestant of the summer's Reality television|TV reality show Hit Me Baby One More Time .

During each program five former pop stars would sing their biggest hit plus a cover version of one contemporary hit, and every week the winner, picked by the studio audience, would get a donation of $20,000 in their name to a charity of free choice. Peniston competed on the show performing “Finally” plus a Faith Hill 's song, " There You'll Be ", in favor of a hip-hop group, Arrested Development (band)|Arrested Development (the final winner of the program that night). When two years later asked, while being interviewed by the Say What News online magazine, the singer would not confirm to record "There You'll Be" also in the studio.

; Pastor Jones and ''Don't Touch if You Ain't Prayed
In the first half of 2005, the singer wrapped up shooting an independent film called '' . Her character was a forty year old Christian woman saving herself for marriage, and the film featured gospel music performed by herself. In addition, Peniston would take a small part in another urban Gospel film appealing to Christian market, .

On September 19, 2005, Peniston was invited to appear at Manhattan Center , Grand Ballroom, NYC, to be present at the 2nd Annual Dance Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, along with Wanda Dee (of KLF), Nile Rodgers , Freddie Jackson , and Kathy Sledge .
The Dance Music Hall of Fame, created by veteran John Parker in 2003, was supposed to recognize the contributions of those, who have had a significant impact on the evolution and development of dance music, and celebrate the history and significance of the genre. An awards ceremony announcing the inductees in the event would take place annually at a formal dinner event in New York, but due to financial differences among the Board members, the Dance Music Hall of Fame ceased operations after its second ceremony (in 2005).

;"Deeper Love"
The singer's following music project was a common duet with David Longoria , a trumpet player whose work was previously noticed on records of for example Sting (musician)|Sting or George Michael . The union would show up to be successful, when a composition combining jazz and dance music, " Deeper Love ", written by Longoria, after six weeks on the chart climbed to No.#14 in the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play (on November 19),
returning the singer lost dance chart positions since another duet number ("Reminiscin") from 2001. The single was released with the copywright owned by Del Oro Music , and included eleven remixes from Junior Vasquez , Ryan Humphries, L.E.X., and Richard Earnshaw. According to the David Longoria's official web-site, the newest radio version of " Deeper Love#Deeper Love 2010|Deeper Love 2010 " is directed at Rhythmic Radio and to be issued in the fall of 2010.

;"You Are the Universe" and Music Is Our Way of Life
Interviewed by 5 Chicago magazine in June 2006, singer would state that she was, " working on another album, " with George Jackson (a former manager of the Silk Entertainment label), Tre , and Ron Carroll , and expressed her wish to work with Steve Hurley as well back again. She would even go further then, and calculated to be done " within the next three or four months " with her studio record.
Instead, Peniston co-wrote with Jackson single "It’s Alright" for RaShaan Houston,
and took part in another proto-D’vas project, produced by Full Flava, to which she contributed with a Brand New Heavies 's hit from 1997 (No.#21 in UK
), " You Are the Universe (DJ Hasebe Remix)|You Are the Universe ". Her cover version was attached to the Full Flava’s retro album, Music Is Our Way of Life , which reconstructed eleven dancefloor classics in total, and the compilation was released on Dôme. The Peniston’s track would be remixed by a Japanese producer, DJ Hasebe, to be featured in his disco medley entitled after the song, and for the purpose of a limited edition single available only in Japan on vinyl.

;"EP Live" and Divas of Disco
On April 25 in 2007, her icon stood on the stage of Avalon, Hollywood on the occasion of a five star concert Divas of Disco: Live , which included Thelma Houston , Linda Clifford , A Taste of Honey (band)|A Taste of Honey , France Joli and herself. Each diva performed overall three songs as a solo artist, while Peniston was the main star closing the night.
Her performances of "Keep On Walkin'", the Donna Summer 's cover version of " Last Dance (song)|Last Dance ", and "Finally" would be released as a digital CeCe Peniston (EP Live)|live EP on One Media Publishing the following year. The whole concert entitled Divas of Disco was available in Europe on DVD on ZYX Music in 2008, as well as on CD in 2010, while in U.S. only its DVD release followed (on RSM Records in 2009).

;"I'm Feelin' U"
In 2007, Peniston teamed up with US house DJ Ron Carroll for a funky bomb, " I'm Feelin' U ", which was released in May on the Soulfuric Recordings label. The song caught an attention in the European clublands (No.#2 in the DJ House chart)
The four track single included also additional mixes from a French, DJ Fudge, and Soulfuric Recordings|Brian Tappert , but as with her previous Japanese release ("You Are the Universe"), "I'm Feelin' U" was available for sale exclusively on vinyl, or as a digital single to be directly downloaded.

;"Shame Shame Shame"
The singer's following promotional single, " Shame Shame Shame (Soulshaker and CeCe Peniston song)|Shame Shame Shame " released in UK in June 2007 was co-written by Soulshaker|Matt and Soulshaker|Warren Meyers , and Soulshaker|Kelly Mueller , better recognized as Soulshaker (alias The Soul Shakers). The British music producers' team produced for Peniston a catchy composition, which would by the end of the year achieve several No.#1 statuses within specialized UK magazine charts (including No.#1 Music Week Pop Tip Chart, No.#1 Music Week Club Chart, and No.#1 DJ Mag Hype Chart
). While in England Shame Shame Shame" was issued on the All Around the World (record label)|AATW label, in the States the title was released on Trackworks Records in several promo editions.

On August 26, 2007, one year after her interview for 5 Chicago Mag , the singer would mention again her plans regarding a new album project also for Say What News , however she would not go further this time. When asked, with whom from the industry she would like to once collaborate, she named the winner of twenty-two Grammy Awards, Stevie Wonder .

;"Still I"
Originally, the potential release of an R& B song after a lengthy absence, " Still I ", was to be cancelled, but the final record actually leaked out after Rodney K. Jackson , one of the producers, allowed the Adrenaline Music company to distribute the song.

Behind the song's production would be soon recognized the singer's former folks from Arizona, Felipe Delgado and Jackson (both in charge of her initial hit, “Finally”, from 1991) who reunited in 2005 to form a new production crew, collectively known as SandWorx, altogether with Nick "Cello" Valentine (which joined them in the spring of the following year). Though Peniston herself, who supported the trio by performing live in the Next In club in Scottsdale, Arizona , did not consider the record as a strong enough to be offered for sale, "Still I" was eventually released as a four track virtual single in September 2007, and the session that was supposed to rejoin the former producers with the singer ended up with an apparent contradiction.
The rest of to date unreleased recordings are songs entitled "Wonder Woman", "Next to Me" and "".

;"Above Horizons"
However, the year of 2008 would also pass with no significant news regarding her new solo studio project, the following June Peniston released " Above Horizons ", a national Parent-Teacher Association|PTA anthem as a tribute to the families, teachers and communities who help children reach their dreams through the PTA, Parent Teacher Association, which resulted from her role being a National Ambassador of the US largest volunteer child advocacy organization. The ballad was written by Byron V. Garrett, Peniston, Erric Carrington, Essej and Marcus L. Barnum, and the CD promo release, issued on National PTA Recordings , included overall four versions. Among others, also two mixes from a Detroit house music producer and DJ, Aaron-Carl Ragland , who would list one of the singer's compositions ("Nobody Else" from 1998) as one of his musical influences.

On June 17, 2009, Chicago Defender interviewed the artist, who would declare that after over a decade she was about to finish recording her comeback album. Although, she did not concrete its release date, Peniston revealed that she was working with such likes as Track Kingz West, Vudu, Status ("Above Horizons"), David Givens, Montell Jordan (on their common duet "He Say, She Say"), Mateo (singer)|Mateo (on "Piece of That"), Isalene Elliot, and Ragland. “Once I reach an agreement and sign with a record company, the album will drop,” she added. One month later, Peniston would confirm information regarding her new studio album live as a guest of the Wendy Williams (media personality)|Wendy Williams birthday show, during which she performed "Finally". Subsequently, the diva allowed to prelisten a few of her brand new recordings to her community via her web-site at myspace.com . Among them, the song " Runway (CeCe Peniston song)|Runway " met with instant positive feedback due to its hip-hop/dance sound comparable to the Timbaland 's production. After a New York correspondent, Kenya Thomas, questioned Peniston for Skinny , she wished to subtitle the album CeCe (album)|CeCe .
Her long-waited record would not be out even by the end of 2010.

;"In Love with a DJ"
In June 2010, Hip-Hop Press posted information about Ron Carroll launching his own independent record label called Electricity, which is to be part of One Entertainment company that will specialize in marketing and promoting concerts, fashion shows and club events all over the world, and signing Electronic, Hip-Hop/R& B and gospel artists. According to the producer himself, Carroll's goal with the label (which has a major distribution deal with Universal Music Group|Universal ) is to focus on artist development, music education and ensuring that Electricity creates a solid foundation for the music industry in the City of Chicago .
Following this announcement, a house/groove, " In Love with a DJ ", with Peniston as its lead vocalist was released in July, including four remixes. In an interview for Great British Life , Carroll would say that he " wanted to make a song that gives the perspective of a woman groovin’ to my music, and loving me enough make her night complete. ”

2011–present: CeCe

;"Make Me Say Oh", "Stoopid!" and "Celebrate"
On February 4, 2011, Peniston signed a recording contract with the independent label West Swagg Music Group (WWMG), established by Lupe Rose in 2010. The company currently has a deal with Bungalo Records , which is exclusively distributed by Universal Music Group Distribution . The singer's first single on the label, " Stoopid! " was officially released on April 26 as a download single . One month prior to that, Peniston contributed to the March-issued various artists digital compilation entitled Miami 2011 with "Make Me Say Oh", which is her fourth track recorded in collaboration with Ron Carroll (their previous works included songs " My Boo (CeCe Peniston song)|My Boo ", " I'm Feelin' U " and " In Love with a DJ "). On August 9, WWMG released " Keep On Walkin' (song)#Keep On Flossing|Keep On Flossing " (a remixed version of her Keep On Walkin' (song)|former single from 90s) recorded as a duet with her fellow rapper Lavon Collins (aka L.C.) While on October 3, a new version of " Finally (CeCe Peniston song)#Finally 2011|Finally " by Paul Oakenfold followed. Her new track called " Celebrate (CeCe Peniston song)|Celebrate " has been slated for its release on March 27.

Discography

; Studio albums:

1992: Finally (CeCe Peniston album)|Finally

1994: '' Thought 'Ya Knew

1995: Good News in Hard Times with Sisters of Glory|The Sisters of Glory

1996: '' I'm Movin' On (CeCe Peniston album)|I'm Movin' On

Filmography

Peniston has acted in theatrical productions such gospel plays as The Wiz , Treat Her Like a Lady or ''When a Woman's Fed Up , and later also wrapped up shooting two independent films of the same genre (both released on Maverick Spirit in 2005). The first of them, Don't Touch if You Ain't Prayed , featured gospel music performed by the singer herself,
while the second, Pastor Jones , was another urban film appealing to the Christian market.
The most currently, Peniston was attached to the cast in the horror film Thorns from a Rose
by A 22 Seventeen production. The story about a poorly treated and improperly diagnosed mental patient, seeking revenge upon his doctor and
former fellow patients who abused him, is to be directed by Bryce Prevatte, and Peniston should reportedly make a cameo appearance as the character of Laura Lee May in the thriller.

Film
Year	Title	Role	Notes
2005		cameo	DVD, directed by Jean-Claude La Marre
2005	''	Pamela Matthews	Larry "Flash" Jenkins
2011	Thorns from a Rose , in production	Laura Lee May	directed by Bryce Prevatte
Television
1992	Top of the Pops	Herself	TV series, aired 16 January
	Top of the Pops		TV series, aired 19 March
	'' It's Showtime at the Apollo		TV series, aired 25 April
	Top of the Pops		TV series, aired 28 May
	The Tonight Show with Jay Leno		TV series, aired 29 September
	Ebony/ Jet Showcase		TV series, aired 9 October
	Soul Train (Season 22)		TV series documentary, episode 3, aired 10 October
1993	7th Annual Soul Train Music Awards	Herself/ performer	TV special, 9 March
1994	Top of the Pops	Herself	TV series, aired 13 January
	The Tonight Show with Jay Leno		TV series, aired 2 March
	Soul Train (Season 23)		TV series documentary, episode 22, aired 19 March
1995	Ghostwriter (TV series)>Ghostwriter	Herself/ uncredited	TV series, episode "Attack of the Slime Monster: Part 3", aired 5 February
1996	'' The Rosie O'Donnell Show	Herself	TV series, aired 30 September
1996	Soul Train (Season 26)		TV series documentary, episode 9, aired 21 December
2002	Where Are They Now? (Season 3)		TV series documentary, episode 17 "Dance", aired 7 October
2004	IMDbTitle:1058654	Herself/ judge	TV reality show, "Audition Highlights", aired 16 June
			TV reality show, "Semi Finals: Week 2", aired 30 June
			TV reality show, "Semi Finals: Week 3", aired 7 July
			TV reality show, "Semi Finals: Week 4", aired 14 July
			TV reality show, "Semi Finals: Week 5", aired 21 July
			TV reality show, "Grand Finale", aired 4 August
2005	Hit Me, Baby, One More Time	Herself/ contestant	TV reality show, aired 2 June
2009	The Good American	Herself	Documentary
	The Wendy Williams Show	Herself/ performer	TV series, aired 17 July
	20 to 1	Herself/ archive footage	TV series documentary
2011	'' The Mo'Nique Show	Herself	TV series, aired 31 May

Personal life

In 1992, subsequent to the release of the debut album Finally , Peniston was shortly married to Malik Byrd, who co-wrote "Inside That I Cried" and appeared by her side also in its video.
In 2004, the singer married a three years younger, real estate professional named Frank Martin Jr. from Halifax, Massachusetts ,
whom she divorced in 2011.

While the singer's mother, Barbara Anne Quick (born August 25, 1938 in Brooklyn, New York ), was also her manager, one of the Peniston's brothers, Gregory Dereck Peniston (born in 1972) is a behavior coach for children ages five to seventeen and a model, who tried to record several songs himself. He was involved in her co-production as a road manager, as well as in her charity work.

She has also a sister, Linda.

Peniston is childless, sharing her home in Glendale, Arizona , with two pit bulls and a chihuahua.

Controversies

;Overweight and plastic surgery
With the exception of her formative years when she was crowned a beauty queen, Peniston was struggling with being overweight constantly. "When I first got in this business, I was actually heavier and I was comfortable with who I was, but that was an issue for the record company," she disclossed in 2006. ''"But see in this day and age where I'm at, it wouldn't be a problem for the record company, I'm going to make sure that it's not. But for somebody who's getting into the business, realize that you're a commodity, and if the record company's investing in you, make sure you that you invest in yourself. Look is important because people see the physical first," she was advising up comers in the 5 Magazine interview.

However three years later, in November 2009, Peniston herself was spotted in Culver City, California posing for Inside Edition (produced daily at the CBS Broadcast Center in N.Y.C.), which first revealed details about her radical physical makeover and tumescent liposuction she, reportedly, got recommended by her new record executives.

In addition, she was featured in several national celebrity news and fashion magazines, including the National US Weekly ,
which tracked her progress as she sought to lose weight through plastic surgery. The surgery was a “hit” for Peniston, who then claimed to "feel great" after having liposuction, a tummy tuck, fat removed from her neck and a host of other procedures at the Infini Cosmetic Associates clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona.

;Monica versus CeCe
In August 2008, Necole Bitchie interviewed American R& B singer Monica (singer)|Monica , whose first two singles made her the youngest recording act to ever have two consecutive chart-topping hits on the U.S. Billboard Top R& B Singles chart in 1995. The younger singer outspokenly talked about her professional life, upcoming wedding as well as her past relationships. During the interview she also highlighted a devastating moment she had with Peniston when she was a child:

"I remember years ago when I was like 10, I went to an expo and my manager-cousin Melinda asked CeCe Peniston, who was huge at that time, if I could sing for her. She did everything she possibly could while I sang and I remember her being so rude. She was so horrible to me that I was devastated and I never forgot that" ,
said Monica.

A friend of Peniston had brought the article to her attention later, and she would respond to Monica via the social networking website MySpace.com :

After Monica reached the Peniston’s comment on the issue, she would react as follows:

"CeCe, with all my heart I believe what you are saying. I was only 11 years old and it had an affect on me in a positive way, especially as an artist. It was great for me because to fans I don’t say no to things that are fair or within my reach. But only a REAL woman would care about the story after all the years have passed. I never told the story with the intent of hurting you. I’m nothing like some of these messy chicks that recklessly speak and then back down, but I did it to make a point to the many new artists that I meet who clearly feel they owe fans nothing and clearly, CeCe, you don’t feel that way to have even addressed it after 17 years. So thank you, CeCe, at 28years old it still meant a lot to me that you addressed ME directly, and at this point I feel that story should never be told again because the second greatest point this ENTIRE story makes is that artist is still human. Thank you very much for even caring about my feelings. All my love, Monica and my entire family (who were all there that day) say we thank you and love you."

Charity work

;LOTS alias CeCe Peniston Youth Foundation
Originally in 1997, singer, along with her friend Heather, founded the CeCe Peniston Youth Foundation to help raise funds for many other organizations, particularly those concerned with HIV/AIDS, women and children in need, hunger and the equality of mankind. After the September 11, 2001 tragedy, Michael Jackson requested her presence for his "United We Stand" concert to benefit the families of 9/11 . She has also blazed two tracks (" The Christmas Song " and " What a Wonderful World ) on the albums Merry Arizona II: Desert Stars Shine at Christmas|Merry Arizona II and Merry Arizona 97: Desert Stars Shine at Christmas|Merry Arizona 97 , with proceeds going to Multiple Sclerosis . She had been requested to perform for U.S. troops on the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1993, and has continued to travel to entertain the U.S. troops overseas since.

Later in 2006, the foundation was to be re-named as the LOTS Foundation (Lifting Others To Succeed), after her statement in the interview for 5 Mag in June the same year, and she was planning doing a benefit for cancer research, because of her father, a cancer survivor.

;National PTA Ambassador
In October 2008, singer was along with Dara Torres named a Ambassador|National Ambassador for the Parent Teacher Association , which is the largest volunteer child advocacy organization with more than 5 million members. In her new role, she would visit with hundreds of children across the country to reinforce the importance of an arts education and pursuing their dreams. She would also join parents and educators to work toward improving the lives of children, as well as urging families to be more involved.

Following this announcement, Peniston started to record the official PTA anthem, " Above Horizons ", which was released on the organization's recording label, National PTA Recordings in June 2009, as its first music release. The single was available in three different mixes ("Original Mix", "Status Mix" and "Aaron-Carl Mix") at www.PTAmusic.org,
and its release coincided with PTA’s unofficial announcement of Downloadfundraiser.com as a PTA National Member Benefits Provider, and the "category exclusive" digital music retailer for National PTA.

Copyright Citations

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CeCe Peniston

Biography

Biography

1969–1990: Early life

1990–1991: Female Preacher

1991–1992: Finally

1993–1995: ''Thought 'Ya Knew

1996–1998: ''I'm Movin' On and The Best Of album

1998–2000: Cancelled album

2000–2010: Singles Decade

2011–present: CeCe

Discography

Filmography

Personal life

Controversies

Charity work

See also

References

External links

Copyright Citations