Shanice

Infobox musical artist
Name = Shanice


Img_capt =
Img_size =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Shanice Lorraine Wilson
Born = birth date and age|mf=yes|1973|5|14
Died =
Origin = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Instrument = Vocals
Genre = R&B
Occupation = Singer-songwriter
Years_active = 1986-present
Label = A&M (1986–1988)
Motown (1991–1995)
LaFace (1998–1999)
Imajah / PlayTyme (2005–present)
URL = http://www.shaniceonline.com

Shanice Lorraine Wilson (born May 14, 1973) is an American R&B singer. Credited usually as simply Shanice, she hit big on mainstream radio with her 1991 hit "I Love Your Smile" for the Motown label and also scored another Top 5 Billboard Hot 100 single in 1993 with "Saving Forever for You."

Biography

Early life

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wilson relocated to Los Angeles with her mother and aunt who were interested in pursuing careers in the music industry. At the age of eight, she starred in a KFC commercial with the legendary Ella Fitzgerald. In 1984, she appeared as a regular on "Kids Incorporated", and performed on "Star Search". Shortly after her appearance on "Star Search", she was signed to A&M Records.cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,309339,00.html|title=Faces to Watch: Shanice Wilson|date=1992-01-31|publisher=ew.com|accessdate=2008-08-07] [cite web|url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/shanice_1/bio.jhtml|title=Shanice Biography|last=Ankeny|first=Jason |publisher=vh1.com|accessdate=2008-08-07]

Music career

In 1987, Wilson released her debut album, "Discovery". The album produced two top ten R&B hits, "(Baby Tell Me) Can You Dance" and "No 1/2 Steppin'".cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.vnuArtistId=22525&model.vnuAlbumId=46032|title=Shanice: Singles Chart History|publisher=billboard.com|accessdate=2008-08-07]

Wilson went on to sign a record deal with Motown Records in 1991 and released "Inner Child", her first Motown effort later that year. The album included Wilson's hit single "I Love Your Smile", which reached number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks and number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The album also featured a cover of Minnie Riperton's 1974 hit "Lovin' You". Wilson's rendition brought attention to her five octave vocal range. [cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/309820/review/5943725/innerchild|title=Shance: "Inner Child" Album Review|last=Dyson|first=Michael Eric|date=1992-03-19|publisher=rollingstone.com|accessdate=2008-08-07]

After "Inner Child", Wilson continued to record albums, including "21… Ways to Grow" in 1994 and 1999's "Shanice". While she has not achieved significant commercial success with her later albums, she has contributed various tracks for films including "Boomerang" and "The Meteor Man". Wilson also found success with her top ten hit "Saving Forever For You", from the "Beverly Hills 90210" soundtrack.She also sings backup and does studio sessions and can be heard on Toni Braxton's song "Come On Over Here" and "Un-Break My Heart". [cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:pvem9j57krdt|title="Un-Break My Heart" Song Review|last=Hogan|first=Ed |publisher=allmusic.com]

After a five year hiatus, Wilson released her fifth studio album "Every Woman Dreams", on her own label. [cite web|url=http://www.imissthe80s.com/shanicewilsoninterview.htm|title=Shanice Wilson Interview|publisher=imissthe80s.com|accessdate=2008-08-07] The accompanying single of the same name peaked at #62 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.

In addition to singing, Wilson has also appeared on Broadway. In 1997. she played the role of Eponine in the musical "Les Misérables". [ibdb|id=83896] She has also lent her voice to the video game "The Bouncer".

Personal life

Wilson is married to actor Flex Alexander. [cite news|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20148271,00.html|title=Flex Appeal|last=Dougherty|first=Steve |date=2003-10-06|publisher="People"|accessdate=2008-08-07] They have two children. [cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_4_59/ai_112861722|title=10 hottest couples|date=2007-02|publisher="Ebony"|accessdate=2008-08-07]

Discography

Albums

*1987: "Discovery"
*1991: "Inner Child"
*1994: "21... Ways to Grow"
*1999: "Shanice"
*1999: "Ultimate Collection"
*2006: "Every Woman Dreams"
*2009: TBA

U.S. Top 100 singles

*1987: "(Baby Tell Me) Can You Dance"
*1988: "This Time" (with Kiara)
*1991: "I Love Your Smile"
*1992: "Silent Prayer"
*1992: "Saving Forever for You"
*1993: "It's for You"
*1999: "When I Close My Eyes"

Awards

*1993: Golden Lion Award for Best International Artist

References

External links

* [http://www.shaniceonline.com Official site]
*
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20030712035253/jayzee.de/en/index.html All about Shanice]
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Persondata
NAME=Shanice
ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Wilson, Shanice Lorraine
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Singer-songwriter
DATE OF BIRTH= May 14, 1973
PLACE OF BIRTH= Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=