Karyn Layvonne White (born October 14, 1965) is an American singer who was popular during the late 1980s and early 1990s. She is known for several hit singles including "Superwoman" (1988), "Secret Rendezvous" (1989), "The Way You Love Me" (1988), and the U.S. Hot 100 No. 1 single "Romantic" (1991).

Early life

White was born in Los Angeles to Vivian and Clarence White. She is the youngest of five children. She sang in a church choir and worked as a backing singer, then sang on Jeff Lorber's 1986 Private Passion singles "Facts of Love", "True Confessions", and "Back in Love" before signing to Warner Bros. Records.

Career

White's self-titled debut album Karyn White was released in 1988. The album featured the singles "Sista, Sista" and "Unbreakable," both of which received music videos.

In 2017, White landed a recurring role on the BET Centric television series Beauty and the Baller as trophy wife Kym Banks. She also returned with new music and her first feature film role, in Gale and the Storm directed by Derrick Muhammad. The soundtrack for the film was released on September 4 and included her latest single "Blind Man Walking". The film made its premiere on October 12, 2017.

She earned a 2017 UB Honors nomination for the Gale and the Storm soundtrack in the "Best Independent R&B Album Release" category.

Personal life

White married Terry Lewis in 1992 and together they had a daughter, Ashley Nicole, and adopted their son Brandon. Lewis brought to the marriage his children Trey and Chloe. The couple eventually divorced in 1999. White was later married to producer/musician Bobby G from 2007–09. She then started a relationship with musician Al B. Sure! in 2012.

White resided in Rocklin, California, a suburb of Sacramento, and ran a successful interior design and real estate business.

Discography

;Studio albums

  • Karyn White (1988)
  • Ritual of Love (1991)
  • Make Him Do Right (1994)
  • Carpe Diem (2012)

Awards and nominations

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! Year !! Award

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| 1989 || American Music Award nomination for Favorite Soul/R&B New Artist

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| 1989 || Soul Train Music Award nomination for Best New Artist, Best R&B/Urban Contemporary Single, Female and Best R&B/Urban Contemporary Album, Female

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| 1989 || Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance ("The Way You Love Me").

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| 1990 || Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance ("Superwoman")

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| 1990 || American Music Award nomination for Favorite Soul/R&B Album (Karyn White)

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| 2017 || UB Honors nomination for Best Independent R&B Album Release (Gale and the Storm – Soundtrack)

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See also

  • List of Billboard number-one singles
  • List of artists who reached number one in the United States
  • List of Billboard number-one dance club songs
  • List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart

References

  • Official website
  • Karyn White at VH1