Glenn Lewis

Glennon Ricketts Jr.[1][2] (born March 13, 1975), professionally known as Glenn Lewis, is a Canadian neo soul singer–songwriter. Lewis earned a Grammy Award nomination in 2004 and has also won a Juno Award, with a sum of six nominations.[3][4][5]

This article is about the singer. For the visual artist, see Glenn Lewis (artist).
Glenn Lewis
Background information
Birth nameGlennon Ricketts Jr.
Born (1975-03-13) March 13, 1975
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
OriginToronto, Ontario, Canada
GenresNeo soul
Occupation(s)Singer–songwriter
Years active1995–present
LabelsSanctuary Records, Ruffhouse Records, Capitol Records, Epic Records
Associated actsStanley Clarke, Kardinal Offishall, Melanie Fiona, Amel Larrieux

Early life

Lewis was born in Kitchener, Ontario and raised in Toronto by a Trinidadian mother and Jamaican father, Glennon "Glen" Ricketts Sr.[6][7] Both of his parents were musicians;[8] his father was the lead singer of Crack of Dawn in the 1970s, was a protege of the late Donny Hathaway, and had a solo career under the stage name "Glen Ricks".[8] From the age of eight to fourteen, Lewis lived in Trinidad before moving back to Toronto.[9] Originally planning to pursue a career in animation as a teenager, Lewis instead decided to focus on music. After moving back to the city, he attended high school at Eastern Commerce Collegiate Institute, where he won a talent contest by covering Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called to Say I Love You".[4] Lewis has cited Wonder as his biggest inspiration, and he's often been compared to him due to the similarities in their tones.[9] After high school, Lewis began recording demos with musician Alex Greggs and performing at nightclubs, eventually becoming a respected act in the city.[4]

Career

Early success

Lewis parlayed his Toronto success into the release of his first single, "The Thing to Do", in 1997 on Beat Factory/BMG Music Canada. The song earned him a Juno Award nomination for Best R&B/Soul Recording. His second single, "Bout Your Love", was released in 1998 and garnered a second consecutive Juno nomination. That year, he also appeared on the remix of Maestro's single "Stick to Your Vision". In 1999, he was featured on the track "Whatever It Takes", which appeared on fellow Canadian singer Jazmin's debut album Better Be Good. The following year, Lewis was featured on Baby Blue Soundcrew's single "Only Be in Love", from their compilation album Private Party Collectors Edition, earning him his third consecutive Juno nomination. This exposure eventually landed him a deal with Epic Records.

World Outside My Window

Lewis' debut album on Epic Records, World Outside My Window, was released on March 19, 2002. Fueled by the hit single "Don't You Forget It", the album peaked at #4 on the Billboard charts. The single earned him a Juno for Best R&B/Soul Recording. He promoted the album by touring with Alicia Keys and Tweet, among others.[10] The album spawned a second single, "It's Not Fair" which peaked at Number 90 on the R&B chart.

In 2002, Lewis recorded a cover version of "Superstition" for the tribute album, Conception: An Interpretation of Stevie Wonder's Songs. He also made an appearance in the 2002 film Maid in Manhattan starring Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes. He contributed the song "Fall Again" to the film's soundtrack. "Fall Again" was originally written by Walter Afanasieff and Robin Thicke for Michael Jackson's Invincible album, but it did not make it onto the track list. However, a demo of the song by Michael Jackson was later released on the Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection CD set.[11] Later that year, he released his first concert DVD, Glenn Lewis Live.

2003–2009

In 2003, Lewis began work on his sophomore album Back for More. The first single, also titled "Back for More", and featuring rapper Kardinal Offishall, was released to radio and a video began to air.[12] However, the album was later shelved by his label.

Later that year, Lewis netted a Grammy nomination for his contribution to Stanley Clarke's "Where Is the Love", a duet also featuring Amel Larrieux. Lewis was also the recipient of an International Achievement Award for the song "Don't You Forget It" at the SOCAN Awards in Toronto.[13]

In 2006, he signed with Underdog Entertainment and began work on an album with The Underdogs titled, Remember Me which was to be released in 2007. He premiered the song "Storm" in October 2006 which created a huge viral buzz in the underground soul music world.[14] Shortly thereafter in 2007, Lewis parted ways with The Underdogs.[15]

During this time Lewis performed frequently overseas, particularly in London where he developed a strong following.

Moment of Truth

Lewis reconnected with Andre Harris and Vidal Davis "Dre & Vidal", the producers of his first album, "World Outside My Window" in 2009. On December 14, 2010 a popular soul music website leaked the song "Good One" leading Lewis to officially release the song the following week.[16] He released the official music video in September 2011. On November 9, 2011, Lewis signed with Ruffhouse Entertainment with his upcoming album project distributed through Capitol/Caroline.

On April 29, 2013 Lewis debuted his single "Can't Say Love" which was #2 most added at Urban AC Radio and hit #25 on BDS.[17]

His album Moment of Truth was released October 15, 2013 and features production from Grammy Award winning duo Dre & Vidal, DJ Camper, Carvin Haggins & Ivan Barias, Certifyd and up-and-coming producers Matrax as well as a duet with Roc Nation vocalist Melanie Fiona.[18]

Chasing Goosebumps

In 2017, he collaborated with DJ Jazzy Jeff on a concept album with ThePLAYLIST called Chasing Goosebumps which was recorded and mixed in 7 days.[19]

Discography

Albums

Singles
Year Single Chart positions[20] Album
U.S. U.S. R&B U.S. Adult R&B
1997 "The Thing to Do" — — — GROOVEssentials Volume One
1998 "Bout Your Love" — — — Rudimental 2k
2001 "Don't You Forget It" 30 10 — World Outside My Window
2002 "It's Not Fair" — 90 —
2003 "Back for More" (feat. Kardinal Offishall) — 76 — non-album single
2010 "Good One" — — —
2013 "Can't Say Love" — — 21 Moment of Truth
2014 "Closer" — — —

References
  1. Busted! Glennon Ricketts Mugshots BustedMugshots.com. Accessed on August 1, 2018.
  2. About Glen Ricketts Official Site. Accessed on August 1, 2018.
  3. "Glenn Lewis". junoawards.ca.
  4. "Glenn Lewis". Allmusic.com.
  5. "Glenn Lewis". grammy.com.
  6. Gadd, Jane. "Singer being tried on assault charges". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  7. Glen Ricketts "Jamaica’s Hidden Treasure" Riddim-Don Magazine. Accessed on August 1, 2018.
  8. "MTV Biography". MTV.com. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  9. "USATODAY.com - Glenn Lewis, a Stevie Wonder kind". usatoday30.usatoday.com.
  10. Easlea, Daryl. "BBC - Music - Review of Glenn Lewis - World Outside My Window".
  11. "Michael Jackson's 'Fall Again (Demo 1999)' - Discover the Original Song". WhoSampled.
  12. "Glenn Lewis - Back For More ft. Kardinal Offishall (video+lyrics)". slack-time.com.
  13. "2003 SOCAN AWARDS - SOCAN". www.socan.ca. Archived from the original on 2016-10-12. Retrieved 2016-11-01.
  14. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2013-09-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. "Glenn Lewis Finishing New Album, Will Be Reminiscent of His Previous Work (Exclusive) - YouKnowIGotSoul.com". 23 August 2012.
  16. "Music: Glenn Lewis - Good One [New Single] - ThisisRnB.com - New R&B Music". 17 December 2010.
  17. "Glenn Lewis - Can't Say Love [PREMIERE] - Singersroom.com". singersroom.com.
  18. "glenn lewis - ThisisRnB.com - New R&B Music". ThisisRnB.com - New R&B Music.
  19. "DJ Jazzy Jeff & The PLAYlist Are 'Chasing Goosebumps' On New Project with SiR, Masego & More".
  20. Artist Chart History - Glenn Lewis
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