Lalah Hathaway is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter born on December 16, 1968, in Chicago, Illinois. She is the daughter of legendary soul musician Donny Hathaway and Eulaulah Hathaway. Over her three-decade career, she has become a pivotal figure in contemporary R&B and jazz, renowned for her unique voice and ability to cross genres.
Hailing from a musically rich lineage, music was a "first language" in the Hathaway household. Lalah attended Chicago's Performing Arts High School and later graduated from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. Her childhood was marked by the tragic loss of her father to suicide when she was just ten years old.
Lalah Hathaway's musical journey took off during her high school years. She recorded her debut album, "Lalah Hathaway," while she was still a student at Berklee, and it was released in 1990 under Virgin Records. The album showcased her talent and included the hit single "Heaven Only Knows," which received critical acclaim.
Lalah Hathaway's vocal style has often been likened to that of her father, with her compelling contralto voice that seamlessly blends R&B, jazz, and pop. Her musical influences span a range of iconic artists, including Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Dolly Parton, and Joni Mitchell.
Throughout her career, Lalah Hathaway has released an impressive array of studio albums, which include:
In addition, she released a live album, Lalah Hathaway Live!, in 2015.
Throughout her extensive career, Hathaway has collaborated with a wide range of distinguished artists, including Marcus Miller, Mary J. Blige, Esperanza Spalding, Grover Washington Jr., and Herbie Hancock. Her contributions extend to over 100 recordings and performances by other artists.
A testament to her phenomenal talent, Lalah Hathaway has garnered multiple Grammy Awards, such as:
Further honoring her contributions to music, she received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music in 2022.
Lalah Hathaway's performances have been a significant highlight of her career. She participated in the Daughters of Soul Tour alongside other notable artists, and in 2015, she recorded a memorable show at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, resulting in the album Lalah Hathaway Live.
In addition to her vocal prowess, Hathaway is also an accomplished songwriter and producer. She has co-written and co-produced a number of her songs, including "On Your Own" and "Little Girl."
Beyond her musical contributions, Hathaway is active in social causes, particularly in raising awareness and fighting against breast cancer, stressing its high incidence among black women.
In 2024, she released her latest album, VANTABLACK, through her independent label, Hathaway Entertainment, further showcasing her evolution as an artist.
Lalah Hathaway's legacy is characterized by her powerful vocal expression and her adeptness in musical storytelling, maintaining her relevance and prestige in the music industry.
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