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'Album II': Detroit R&B Crooner Kem Returns

Cover for Kem's sophomore CD, <i>Album II</i>
Cover for Kem's sophomore CD, Album II

Detroit-based musician Kem has hit the No. 1 spot on the Urban AC and R&B Adult Monitor charts with "I Can't Stop Loving You," a single song from his latest self-produced CD Album II. Ed Gordon talks to Kem about making jazz-influenced music on his own terms.

Album II is the highly-anticipated follow-up to the singer and musician's 2004 gold-plus debut Kemistry. Kem wrote, produced and financed the debut disc while waiting tables and singing Top 40 cover tunes in a wedding band. The Motown label later signed Kem to a deal in 2002, re-released the CD and sold more than 500,000 copies nationwide.

Like many of his songs, Kem's story is a journey of personal triumph: he was once homeless and struggled to support himself and his family, and that experience is part of his music. His lyrics also reflect his strong Christian faith.

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Ed Gordon
Hard hitting, intelligent, honest, and no-nonsense describe Ed Gordon's style and approach to reporting that have made the Emmy Award-winning broadcaster one of the most respected journalists in the business today. Known for his informative on-air interaction with newsmakers, from world leaders to celebrities, the name Ed Gordon has become synonymous with the "big" interview.