El DeBarge enjoys successful Comeback

By The Music Scoop
JR Staff Writer

The DeBarge family had been forgotten by most as the 2000s came to an end. In 2008, TV One premiered their series, "Unsung," and featured the family's tragic music career. During the 1980s, as the popular Jacksons were getting older, the media wanted a new family to replace them. The DeBarges were chosen to do this.

By the mid-1980s, the group was a success and El DeBarge was the standout. Berry Gordy convinced him to leave the family group and work with him on a solo career. His first single peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, but the album did not sell well. By 1989, El DeBarge was on Motown and had released another album.

After again failing to acheive the commercial success intended for him, El DeBarge was released from Motown Records. Eventually, he would sign with Warner Bros. Records and release two albums with them. Still, El DeBarge could not land a hit or album sales. After 1994, it appeared as if he had decided to leave the game for good.

Sixteen years later, El DeBarge decided he would try the music business one more time. This past March, El appeared on "The Brian McKnight Show" and discussed a possible comeback. For the next three months, most of El DeBarge's time was spent in the studio. He resurfaced at the 2010 BET Awards and had a very well-received performance. Following his string of independent success, El DeBarge convinced powerhouse label, Interscope Records to sign him.

In the time since signing with Interscope Records, El DeBarge has two hit singles out. Not only does he have collaborations with 50 Cent and other big names, but El DeBarge also made the crowd move at the 2010 Soul Train Awards. During the 1980s and the 1990s, El DeBarge tried as hard as he could to become one of the well-known hitmakers. He wanted to make a mark in the music industry before he became too old to do so. But, at 49-years-old, El DeBarge is one of the hottest names out, better late than never.