For years, Al B. Sure has always been a humble dude, who’s also remained one of the most underrated songwriters and producers in music game. Sure, we all know him as the 80’s/90’s R&B legend, who sold millions of albums of his own (most of which he wrote and produced by the way). What many don’t know though, is that Al B. is responsible for the careers of many of our favorite artists, yet he gets very little credit for his musical contributions and generosity. Welp, now ALL of that is changing and he’s now speaking out to get his just due.
Al B. Sure Calls Out Jodeci & Others With “Selective Amnesia”
A few days prior to his 50th b-day on June 4, 2018, Al B. Sure celebrated the 27th anniversary for a debut album of the group he’s hugely responsible for bringing to the limelight- Jodeci. For decades, most of us knew that Jodeci’s Devante Swing produced the group. However, many never knew Al B. Sure co-executive produced Jodeci (with DeVante) and also co-wrote one of their biggest breakthrough hits, “Forever My Lady.”
Al B. also helped shape the sound of Jodeci and all of this is why he’s understandably bothered by the fact that he’s being ignored for an upcoming Jodeci biopic that’s reportedly in the works. Here’s what Al B. said to his fans on Instagram (press play and swipe left on his IG post):
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjZ7pXBlnTY/
“Thank you for the Love & Light you’ve all shown this week RE the 27th Anniversary release of the Multi-Platinum group #JODECI’s 1991 debut album #ForeverMyLady which populated FIVE (5) No.1 R&B @Billboard Songs thanks to YOU! The @Uptown_Records_ Album Written & Produced by #DeVanteSwing & Al B. Sure!… Exec Producers @OfficialAlBSure @AndreHarrell & Diddy. Note 📝 to self. It’s amazing when I hear👂🏼in the wind that there is a JODECI “Life Story” slated to be produced for a major network (i.e. the brilliantly produced #TheNewEditionStory @BET prod by @jessecollinsent) I haven’t heard a peep from the writers or producers to date. Note 📝 You will NOT have the accurate story or history if you don’t speak with yours truly. If you’ve rocked w/ me over the years you know I stay silent and let the work speak for itself. I only mention this after being quietly silent for so long and seeing so many inaccurate TV Docs or Film productions when mentioning the group JODECI & how it all came to fruition… 📝 This is my new “I’m turning 50” purging correcting all of this #SelectiveAmnesia people seem to have in the entertainment industry as time passes Lol…”
Other Artists Most Never Knew Al B. Sure Helped
In addition to Jodeci, Al B. was Quincy Jones’ protege.’ That opportunity allowed him to go on to either write hit songs for, produce, or discover other major artists, including, Timbaland, Usher, Dave Hollister, Tevin Campbell, Case, Faith Evans and more.
Old School fun fact: Faith Evans attended church with Al B.’s mother back in the day and that’s how he met her. So, before Faith Evans was on Diddy’s Bad Boy Records, it was actually Al B. Sure who gave her a start in the music game. After becoming THE Al B. Sure, he used to pay Faith a “significant” amount of money everyday to sing the demo versions of the songs he wrote and/or produced for other artists. The opportunity Al B. granted her, combined with his connections and popularity in the music game, is what introduced Faith and her beautiful voice to the heavyweights in the industry…and the rest is history.
Hopefully, they’ll add Al B. Sure to that reported Jodeci biopic though…that’s only right.
