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Latif (singer)

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Latif
Williams in 2007
Williams in 2007
Background information
Birth nameCorey Latif Williams
GenresSoul, R&B, hip hop, pop
Occupation(s)Singer, record producer, actor, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano
Years active2003–present
LabelsUniversal Motown Records

Corey Latif Williams, known professionally as Latif, is an American R&B singer and Grammy nominated songwriter.[1] He was the winner of Teen People's Who's Next contest. He was a mentee of Teddy Pendergrass. He was once signed to Universal Motown Records.

Biography

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Latif was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His early passion for music came mainly from his parents, who, ironically, were not musically-inclined. This passion for music developed into an interest in singing. A close friend of Latif's family, Teddy Pendergrass, served as a mentor for the young budding artist. It was this mentorship that taught Latif how to "deliver" songs. This relationship was nurtured by Latif being taken along with Teddy to various interviews and appearances. It was this that led to Latif being noticed by the daughter of a label executive. Which brought about his first recording contract with Sony/550.[2]

Latif was given a demo deal, which helped him hone his writing skills, and gave him knowledge about the recording process. Latif's vocals were featured in a highly popular commercial for a local bank.

In 2001, the buzz from winning the competition was enough to draw the eye of Kedar Massenburg. This actually worked out well for Latif, because the "taste of spotlight" from the performance convinced him to tell his parents that he did not want to go back to Berklee College of Music. He wanted work on his music full-time. His mother gave him one semester to prove himself, or he had to go back to school. Massenburg became interested in Latif, and signed him to Universal Motown Records.[2]

Latif's debut album on Universal Motown was called Love in the First. Only one single, "I Don't Wanna Hurt You" was released. It was mainly written by Latif, with production by Ryan Leslie, Bryan-Michael Cox, Adonis Shropshire, Greg Charley, Andy C, Teddy Bishop, Mechalie Jamison, D "French" Spencer, and Sean Garrett.

Latif is no longer signed to Universal Motown Records. He has garnered a large fanbase overseas. One song that may be attributed to his international popularity is "U Think U Know". He has also continued to write for other artists, such as JoJo, Cassie, The Roots, Jim Jones, Joey Bada$$, Usher, Trey Songz, Chris Brown, Faith Evans, and Musiq Soulchild to name a few. He has signed a co-publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG). In 2017, he teamed with friend and fellow writer-producer Aaron Kleinstaub to form duo Lo Boii. The band is signed to London-based label AWAL. Its first single "Floor Seats" dropped in April 2019.

Discography

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Singles

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  • "I Don't Wanna Hurt You" (2003)
  • "Think U Know" (2006)
  • "Promise Me" (2010)
  • "Without You" (2003)
  • "Don't Wanna Be" (2010)
  • "One Kiss" (2011)
  • "Crazy Love" (2011)
  • "Above & Beyond" (2012)
  • "Deejay" (2015)
  • "More Than Perfect" (2016)
Albums
  • Love in the First (2003)
  • Love Is Love (2010)
  • Love Life (2011)
  • IV Love (2013)
  • Love Language (2016)
EPs
  • Philadelphia Healing (2012)
  • Dealing Wit Life (TBA)
Mixtapes
  • Breath of Fresh Air (2010)
  • LATIF – The Leaks – H.U.R.L. & Love Songs Vol. 1 (2011)

Features

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  • – * hooks written by Latif
Title Artist Album/Mixtape Released
My Life* Memphis Bleek M.A.D.E. 2003
Why (What's Goin On?)* The Roots The Tipping Point 2004
Lil' Daddy* Young City (aka Chopper) Hustle & Flow OST 2005
Honey Dip* Jim Jones Harlem: Diary of a Summer
Babygirl SunN.Y. Overnight Celebrity
Paper Touchin* Red Cafe Non-album single 2007
I Want You More* Akay Comfort Zone 2008
Strippin in the Club DJ Diamond Kuts (Feat. Nicki Minaj & Ron Browz) Her-Story in the Making 2009
What Should I Do* Young Chris The Network 2 2010
Dream Me There* Audio Push The Backstage Pass (Hosted by DJ ill Will & DJ Rockstar)
We Keep It Rockin* Maino (Feat. Swizz Beatz, Jadakiss, Jim Jones & Joell Ortiz) Keep It Rockin' EP 2011
One Two Many* Sir Michael Rocks The Rocks Report
S.S.* Sir Michael Rocks The Rocks Report
Antidote* Sir Michael Rocks Premier Politics 1.5 2012
Where's Summer?* Brandun Deshay Reebok Classics 2012
Expensive Taste* Beanie Sigel This Time
Christmas in Compton (Theme Song)* Kumasi Simmons Christmas in Compton – Movie

Selected Co-Writer Credits

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Title Artist Album Released
My Life Memphis Bleek M.A.D.E. 2003
I Don't Wanna Hurt You Latif Love in the First
Why (What's Goin On?) The Roots The Tipping Point 2004
Lil' Daddy Young City (aka Chopper) Hustle & Flow OST 2005
Honey Dip Jim Jones Harlem: Diary of a Summer
I Love You Cheri Dennis In and Out of Love 2006
Like That JoJo The High Road
Ditto Cassie Cassie
G-S*** (Hook) Lil Scrappy Bred 2 Die Born 2 Live
Teach Me Musiq Soulchild Luvanmusiq 2007
Rewind Musiq Soulchild Luvanmusiq
Damage Chris Brown Exclusive
Pretend Cheri Dennis In and Out of Love
Laid Back & Chill Tiffany Evans Tiffany Evans 2008
Homework Prima J Prima J
Deserveumore Musiq Soulchild OnMyRadio
Qu'est-Ce Qu'on Attend Sheryfa Luna Vénus
Someday Elliott Yamin Fight for Love 2009
Il Y A Des Jours Sheryfa Luna Si tu me vois 2010
For The Sake Of Love Trey Songz Love King (Mixtape)
Gone Already Faith Evans Something About Faith
Promise Me Latif Love is Love (Japan)
I Don't Wanna Be Latif Love Is Love (Japan)
One Kiss Latif Love Life (Japan) 2011
Crazy Love Latif Love Life (Japan)
Expensive Taste Beanie Sigel This Time 2012
Christmas in Compton (Theme Song) Kumasi Simmons "Christmas in Compton" Movie
Above & Beyond Latif IV Love (Japan)
Can't Say Love Glenn Lewis Moment of Truth 2013
Complicated Raheem Devaughn A Place Called Loveland
Bad Thing Feat. Joey Bada$$ Kiesza Sound of a Woman 2014
After I Met U Snakehips Non-album single
Teach Me Feat. Kiesza Joey Bada$$ B4.Da.$$ 2015
Deejay Latif Love Language (Japan) 2016
More Than Perfect Latif Love Language (Japan)
Crash Usher Hard II Love
One More Try (Featuring Boyz II Men) Bell Biv Devoe Three Stripes 2017
10,000 Hours Jule Vera Waiting on the Sun
Running Jule Vera Waiting on the Sun
Obsession The XI
God Bless the Internet Saint Jhn Collection One 2018
Hurt People Two Feet A 20 Something Fuck (Part 1)
Young & Rude Abir MINT
For Ya Abir MINT
Floor Seats Lo Boii Sex Doesn't Sell... Anymore 2019
Sweeter Lo Boii Sex Doesn't Sell... Anymore
Chakra Lo Boii Sex Doesn't Sell... Anymore
Open Mind Wonho Love Synonym Pt. 1: Right for Me 2020
Save Us Lo Boii TBA
Maybe Lo Boii TBA
Love Paradox Lo Boii TBA 2021
Too Attached Lo Boii TBA
I Forgive You Lo Boii TBA 2022
Nothing Without You J. Brown (American singer) Chapter & Verse
Treat Me Right Camryn Levert My Oasis 2023
Requiem Khamari A Brief Nirvana
Mesmerized Calico Dê Parker TBA
Harrison Ford Calico Dê Parker TBA
Lo Boii Suite No.13 in C Major:All Night Lo Boii TBA 2024

Grammy Awards And nominations

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The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States. Latif has received 2 nominations.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2008 Teachme Best R&B Song Nominated
2011 Gone Already Best Female R&B Vocal Performance Nominated

References

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  1. ^ Grammy Nominations: Best R&B Song Archived December 8, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Accessed December 11, 2008
  2. ^ a b "Latif 'Love in the First' album - MusicRemedy". www.musicremedy.com. Archived from the original on December 17, 2006. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
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