In recent news, memories of the IT guy who urged putting women first are resurfacing. The artist in question is Jahiem, an R&B sensation born on May 26th, 1978, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Jahiem’s early life was marked by tragedy, losing his father at the age of three and his mother to spinal meningitis at 17. Despite a challenging start in the Memorial Parkway public housing project, music ran in his blood, with his granddad being an R&B crooner in the 60s.

Growing up in the tough Project Life environment, Jahiem, with dreams beyond the ghetto, faced street life troubles leading to periodic incarcerations. However, his voice became his solace and paved the way for success. Winning at the Apollo Music Theater’s talent competition at 15, Jahiem’s life took a turn when he lost his mother, but he channeled his heartache into crafting a demo that would change his life.

Jahiem’s demo, accidentally dropped in a Newark clothing store owned by Naughty by Nature, caught the attention of KG, a band member, leading to a call on April 1st, 2000, discussing a potential record deal. A year later, he released his debut album, “Ghetto Love,” selling over 880,000 copies in its first week, propelling him to fame.

Despite his rough exterior not aligning with the typical R&B image, Jahiem’s success continued with albums like “Still Ghetto” in 2002, featuring hit singles like “Put That Woman First” and “Fabulous.” However, legal troubles arose in 2004, with drug-related accusations, resulting in Jahiem facing challenges, though eventually, the charges were invalidated.

Jahiem’s journey in the music industry continued with albums like “Ghetto Classics” in 2006 and “The Makings of a Man” in 2007. His popularity waned slightly, but he rebounded with the 2010 album “Another Round,” featuring the emotional track “Finding My Way Back.” Despite not reaching the same heights, Jahiem garnered Grammy nominations.

In 2011, he earned Grammy and American Music Award nominations, showcasing his enduring impact on the R&B scene. Jahiem, with over 5 million records sold worldwide, experienced both successes and challenges, including legal troubles and rumors of drug abuse. His last album, “Struggle Love,” was released in 2016.

Recent controversies include animal cruelty charges in September 2021, where 15 dogs were found in squalor at his New Jersey residence. Fans, despite the tumultuous headlines, continue to express nostalgia for Jahiem’s soulful tunes, hoping for his return to the music scene. Rumors persist about his battles with drug abuse, but the artist himself remains silent. At 45, fans are eager for a Jahiem comeback, anticipating the return of his soulful voice to the music stage.

Jaheim on the current state of R&B

R&B singer Jaheim may have been out of the limelight for while, but that doesn’t mean he’s stopped keeping tabs on the R&B world.

“I think that the current state of R&B is between a nail and a hard rock because the rock is not as solid as it used to be but the nail is wearing us down,” the singer told Page Six at last week’s seventh annual gala for Soledad O’Brien’s PowHERful Foundation, where he performed.

While he may no longer be at the same level he once was, the 39-year-old is fine with his current position in the industry. The three-time Grammy nominee, who runs the label Julie’s Dream, enjoys having more control over his music.

“I have been in the game for 22 years so I cannot say that I am underrated but I am not with the major industry anymore,” he said. “I am still playing the game. I am the boss now. I am wearing the coat and paying my own bills and dues.”

Jaheim is proud of the career he’s forged, but two-plus decades in the business haven’t been without their drawbacks. Of course, those negatives have also taught him exactly how to not treat people.

“Without everything I have been through I would not be where I am today,” he explained. “I love the business I just don’t like certain people in the business. Certain people just do not know how to treat people and conduct business. We are all equal regardless of who we are. I treat everybody like a star.”

Mary opens up about her life and career, recalling her dark early days when writing music was her only escape. She, like Usher, reflects on the challenging times during the Making the Band days with Diddy, emphasizing that being associated with him was detrimental. Usher previously mentioned that being with Diddy was the worst time of his life.

Mary J. Blige acknowledges the hardships she faced, including hard drugs, bad business deals, sex, sleeping around, and wild parties. These revelations seem to confirm the mysteries surrounding Mary J. Blige that people have been trying to piece together for years. After various documentaries and events in her life, it appears that Diddy was the source of much of the chaos.

In an interview, Danny Boy sheds light on the atmosphere surrounding Suge Knight, describing him as a powerful figure who attracted many. He mentions encounters with Mary J. Blige, Misa, and other women connected to Diddy and the music industry. Danny Boy hints at a group of women associated with Diddy who seemed willing to engage in certain activities, suggesting a connection between these women and the darker aspects of the industry.

The narrative expands to include Diddy’s influence on women in his circle, insinuating that they had to be willing to partake in specific behaviors to advance in the industry. Mary J. Blige is mentioned alongside other women connected to Diddy, with references to their involvement with KC, Tupac, and Danny Boy himself.

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MARY J. BLIGE SAYS SHE USED TO BE ‘AFRAID’ TO LISTEN TO HER OWN MUSIC

Mary J. Blige has one of the smoothest voices in music. But for her, listening to her own songs hasn’t always been so easy.

On an episode of TODAY With Hoda and Jenna from Wednesdsay (March 8), the R&B/Soul icon revealed some surprising thoughts about her own music.

“I used to hate everything about me. The sound of my voice, the sound of my speaking voice. And I used to just be afraid to hear any music back,” she said.

Check out the clip below, which begins at about the seven minute mark.

Though Blige struggled to get over this self-loathing, she revealed that these bad feelings eventually went away.

She said: “We grow up thinking we couldn’t boast or brag or love on ourselves, and now I’m doing all that…I have so much fun with myself. I’m like, ‘Girl, you look so good. I’m so proud of you. Oh, that looks nice on you.’ And I’m by myself a lot, so I’m always like, ‘Oh Mary, I love that! Let’s wear this tonight. That’s gonna be hot!’”

Earlier this week, while promoting her Strength of a Woman Summit, Mary J. also stopped by CBS Mornings and made an exciting announcement about her love life.

Blige said that she manifested the love she deserves and has been relishing the good relationship she has after going through it with her ex-husband, Martin “Kendu” Isaacs.

“I am in love. I believe I deserve a good relationship,” she said. “With myself. With a partner. When you believe it, it comes to you.

“I’m able to be my own company because I believe in love for myself, I’m not going to give up on love. I’m not going to let a bad relationship or a bad marriage stop me from having a good life and having romance and getting the hugs that I want and the desire and kisses.”

The “Family Affair” singer has been very vocal about her struggles in the music industry.

Last year, the superstar singer opened up about her journey in her cover story for Glamour. The magazine dubbed the Yonkers native ‘Woman of the Year,’ and while diving into her success, Mary had to also reflect on the ride it took to get there.

“This is not an overnight success,” she said. “This is not an easy thing, this new me, this new Mary. This is hard work. When you’re happy and you’re strong, and you’ve been…[as] miserable as I’ve been in life and went through as much hell, it’s easy to revert back to the residue. It’s easy to revert back to the past because that’s what you knew. Because you know the pain of the past will always try to pull you back.”