NEW YORK (Universal/ Motown Records) - Motown Record's critically-acclaimed singer/songwriter KEM is storming up the albums chart with his sophomore CD, KEM Album II. The album bows at No 5 on the Pop Albums chart and No 1 on the R&B Albums chart this week putting the talented newcomer in the company of Mariah Carey,
Toby Keith and other top-notch artists. His unprecedented sales streak proves that listeners have embraced his soulful talent, sensual lyrics, and contagious beats and melodies.
People Magazine joins the chorus of praise for Album II, awarding 3 out of 4 stars to the record: "Kem displays vocal versatility from his scat skills to a creamy, gender-bending falsetto." In describing Kem's smash hit single, the publication raves: "The ultra-romantic 'I Can't Stop Loving You' [is] tailor-made for a night of lovemaking."
KEM Album II was self-produced by the multi-talented artist, and is the highly-anticipated follow-up to Kem's 2004 certified gold debut, Kemistry, which delivered the sleeper hit, "Love Calls." The single stayed in the Top 20 of radio airplay for more than a year and USA Today hailed his first album as a "Motown classic."
Motown's new President (and Executive Vice President of Universal Records), Sylvia Rhone, who spear-headed the promotion and marketing campaign for this project states, "This is only the tip of the iceberg for Kem. His success is a testament to his dedication to his craft, and his willingness to go beyond any preconceived boundaries of what an R&B singer can be."
Although the Detroit native rose to national attention with his poignant love songs, his personal story is one of victory and triumph: Kem was once homeless, struggling to support himself and his family by waiting tables and singing Top 40 cover songs for weddings. Once on his feet, he independently financed and released his first album before signing with Motown Records in 2002. The story of Kem inspires audiences in the same moving way his sultry music does. Kem represents a shift in the R&B paradigm and fans are taking to it at an astonishingly fast pace.
KEM's new album features 11 mesmerizing songs, including "Find Your Way," "Into You," and "You Might Win," featuring the legendary Stevie Wonder on harmonica.
He will be performing songs from both KEM Album II and Kemistry when he headlines a 20-city "Find Your Way Tour" featuring American Idol winner Fantasia as the opening act. The "Find Your Way Tour" kicks off in St. Louis, MO on June 8. In addition to the tour dates, fans can catch KEM's performances on The Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage Cruise, May 29 - June 5, and on the main stage at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans on July 3rd.
Fans can also catch Kem performing his current song on Jimmy Kimmel Live on June 6th and on The View on June 22nd.
