Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds has been R&B personified for nearly four decades. The songwriting crooner is behind some of the genre’s largest hits like Boyz II Men‘s “End of the Road” and Whitney Houston‘s “I’m Your Baby Tonight,” among countless other classics. His work as a producer has been pivotal to the music world as a whole as he has crafted mega works like the soundtracks to Waiting to Exhale, Soul Food and Boomerang. His seemingly effortless brand of musical success has spawned many careers, including Toni Braxton’s. His undisputed pen game has gifted the genre new life time and time again, lots of times in the form of woman-sung power ballads.
With his forthcoming album, Girls Night Out, set to be released on Oct. 21, Babyface is taking his support of women artists to new levels with a roster featuring some of our favorite femme singers like Kehlani, Muni Long, Ari Lennox, Ella Mai and Queen Naija. Unlike some of his past music with women artists, ‘Face worked hand-in-hand with the featured singers. He gave them the opportunity to craft the songs with him to come up with an album that is a purely collaborative night out for the ladies and a sign of showing up for Black women.
In honor of Girls Night Out, here are nine times Babyface showed up for Black women.
1. That time Toni Braxton wanted to quit singing
Babyface and Toni Braxton are a pair that music fans always love to see as the two singers are magic onstage together. However, before their 2014 album Love, Marriage & Divorce, they released just one duet “Give U My Heart” on the Boomerang soundtrack in 1992. That all changed when ‘Face received a phone call from Braxton’s sister, Towanda, who told him that she was ready to quit music altogether.
Highlighted in a 2013 episode of Braxton Family Values, ‘Face flew across the country and surprised her with a visit to her home to talk to her about how important her voice was to the world. He agreed to record her next album with her if she would agree to record at all. The product was Love, Marriage & Divorce and a non-retired Toni Braxton.
2. That time "Waiting to Exhale" happened
There might not be a bigger moment for women in R&B than the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack. The songs function as tiny pieces of soul emitting empathy among women. The album features ranges from soul royalty like Aretha Franklin to then-R&B newcomers like Brandy with sprinklings of Chante Moore and TLC.
According to Babyface, while he had full autonomy to create, it was actually Houston who had the final say on the artists included. To celebrate its 25th anniversary, ‘Face hosted an Instagram live listening session complete with fun facts and stories from working on the project.
3. That time he gave us a song for our mamas
Speaking of soundtracks, Babyface gave us the quintessential tune to celebrate our mamas via Boyz II Men on the Soul Food soundtrack. “A Song for Mama,” written solely by Babyface is a sweet tribute to mothers that has since functioned as the theme music for mother-son dances at weddings. In a tear-jerking moment, Boyz II Men sang the tune on Oprah, while their mothers along with Babyface’s mother, sat in attendance wiping tears from their eyes.
4. That time he slid a piece of activism in a post
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A brief pondering on watching his daughter attend virtual school at the top of the pandemic ended with a #SayHerName nod to Breonna Taylor.
“The other day I was watching my daughter on Zoom in her virtual school class and thought to myself, what a crazy and different world we live in today,” he wrote. “But as crazy and hectic as it is at least I am blessed that she is still in this world.
I wish I could say the same for Breonna Taylor…. 🖤 #sayhername“
5. That time he posted Yung Baby Tate amid a social media s**t storm
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Social media was incredibly unkind to Yung Baby Tate after she wore a revealing outfit for an Afro Punk performance in 2021. Amid her two-day clap-back spree, she had posted a photo with Babyface on her Instagram. With one simple reshare to his stories, Babyface showed the young emcee loads of love at a time when she might have needed it most.
6. That time he co-wrote "Superwoman"
Belting out the lyrics to “Superwoman” is soul-saving. The irony of that song that resonates with women being written by a man is not lost on anyone. The big thing, though, is that it changed singer Karyn White‘s life.
“That was my blessing,” White told journalist Justin Kantor. “I had nothing to do with it. It’s something that L.A. & ‘Face saw in me. They could’ve given that song to anybody. Everybody wanted to work with them at that time. So, for them to see in me that strength and that I could really carry that song was brilliant.
“Besides, Babyface is one of the most prolific writers of the century. For him to have that sensibility of what a woman really feels, he just gets it. And L.A. really worked with me vocally. He had to really get me upset. We spent a lot of time on that vocal because I was too young. I hadn’t lived life for real to know all that stuff. I wasn’t married and didn’t have kids. My focus was all on making it. A ‘superwoman’ is a person who endures all of that and rises above it. So, today when I sing it, I kill it!”
7. That time he rented out a theatre to host "The Woman King"
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A common theme of the past few years is to ensure that movies with a predominately Black cast do big numbers at the box office. Celebrities often buy out theaters to help this process along. Babyface joined the ranks of such celebrities by renting out an opening weekend screening of the film The Woman King starring Viola Davis.
“Thank you @Babyface! ❤🙏🏿” Davis replied.
The film opened with a $19 million weekend.
8. That time he helped his daughter with her homework
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Major cheat code here, but isn’t a Black girl a Black woman-in-the-making?
When his daughter Peyton needed to produce a video for a class project, she knew just who to call on to help her. The result is a stunning visual of her performing a Billie Eilish song alongside her dad and classmate. Bonus points to ‘Face for not just showing up for a mini Black woman, but also showing up as a dad.
9. That time he ended his show with a tribute to Whitney Houston
Before COVID-19, Babyface concerts would often end with the veteran singer running about the theater or stadium to share brief interactions with fans as he sang “End of the Road.” Following his own bout with the coronavirus and returning to the stage post-pandemic shutdowns, the legend embarked on a new way to interact with fans. He now ends his shows with a medley of songs he wrote for women artists, closing out with a touching tribute to his late friend, Whitney Houston.
Babyface has proven over time his dedication to Black women. Girls Night Out is sure to present a new generation with these same great vibes and appreciation.
