Kelly Price (born April 4, 1973 in Queens, New York) is a Grammy nominated African American R&B and soul singer, the flagship female artist on the Def Soul label.
Price made a name for herself as a prominent background and guest vocalist, appearing on a number of hit singles such as Mariah Carey's "Fantasy" (1995, The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Mo Money Mo Problems", and Whitney Houston's "Heartbreak Hotel". She has also sung backgrounds for Faith Evans, Aretha Franklin, and Brian McKnight.
She issued her debut album, Soul of a Woman, in 1998 on Island Records, which contained the hit single "Friend of Mine". A popular "Friend of Mine" remix, also included on the album, features R. Kelly and Ronald Isley. Isley takes on the role of Price's uncle "Mr. Biggs", who takes Price's husband (played by R. Kelly) to task for cheating on Price with her best friend. The "Friend of Mine" Remix was a #1 hit on the US R&B charts.
Price became one of a number of popular full-figured R&B performers of the late-1990s, and received notable attention when she lost over 100 pounds to aid her health. She issued her second album, Mirror Mirror, in 2000 on the Def Soul imprint of Def Jam Records; Island and Def Jam had merged in 1999, with Price and labelmates Dru Hill being reassigned to Def Soul. Mirror Mirror featured the singles "You Should've Told Me" and the Grammy nominated "As We Lay", a cover of Shirley Murdock's 1983 hit. A remix of Mirror Mirror's "Love Sets You Free" was issued a single in 2000, produced by Teddy Riley and starring a number of fellow R&B performers, including Babyface, Tamar Braxton, Aaron Hall, Blackstreet, and Def Soul labelmates Dru Hill, Case, Montell Jordan, LovHer, and Kandice Love.
A Christmas album, One Family, was issued in 2001. Two years later, Price returned with her third regular studio album, Priceless.
Albums
1998: Soul of a Woman #15 US, (US Certification: Platinum)
2000: Mirror Mirror #5 US, (US Certification: Platinum)
2001: One Family: A Christmas Album #176 US
2003: Priceless #10 US, (US Certification: Gold)
Singles
1998: "Friend of Mine " (featuring Ronald Isley AKA "Mr. Biggs" and R. Kelly) (US #12)
1999: "It's Gonna Rain"
1999: "Secret Love" (US #99)
2000: "As We Lay" (US #64)
2000: "Love Sets You Free " (featuring Montell Jordan, Dru Hill, Case, LovHer, Kandice Love, Babyface, Tamar Braxton, Aaron Hall, and Blackstreet) (US #91)
2000: "You Should've Told Me" (US #64)
2002: "In Love At Christmas"
2003: "He Proposed"
