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.
Latif | |
|---|---|
 Williams in 2007 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Corey Latif Williams |
| Genres | Soul, R&B, hip hop, pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, record producer, actor, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, piano |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | Universal Motown Records |
Biography
editLatif 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
editSingles
edit- "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
edit- – * 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
edit| 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
editThe 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
edit- ^ Grammy Nominations: Best R&B Song Archived December 8, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Accessed December 11, 2008
- ^ a b "Latif 'Love in the First' album - MusicRemedy". www.musicremedy.com. Archived from the original on December 17, 2006. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
External links
edit- Latif on Twitter
- (in French) Corey "Latif" Williams interview for SoulRnB.com
