Famed music producer/singer Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds is returning to overseeing the careers of singing sensations, with the launch of his new record label Sodapop Music.
News of Sodapop’s arrival comes years after Edmonds co-founded the iconic Hip-Hop/R&B label, LaFace Records, with fellow music mogul L. A. Reid.
During its heyday in the 1990’s LaFace introduced the public to revered Atlanta rap duo Outkast as well as fellow rappers Goodie Mob, Cee-Lo Green, Dolla and Youngbloodz and Petey Pablo.
The label’s golden touch extended into R&B with the arrival of TLC, Toni Braxton and Usher as well as Ciara, Pink, Donnell Jones and Tony Rich.
Edmonds and Reid parted ways with LaFace by the end of the ‘90s as Edmonds concentrated on his music career while producing fewer LaFace artists.
Reid followed suit in 2001 after he was appointed chairman/CEO of Arista Records, which had joined with BMG Records to acquire LaFace completely in 1999.
Reid currently serves as the chairman of Island Def Jam Music Group Edmonds hopes to repeat the success he had with LaFace at Sodapop Music, utilizing Island Def Jam’s newest artist, Kristinia Debarge.
The 19-year-old entertainer, who is the daughter of DeBarge keyboardist and founding member James DeBarge, is creating a buzz for her forthcoming debut album with the release of her new song, “Goodbye.”
Edmonds played an active role in the project’s creation by writing and producing many of the tracks featured on the album, including “Goodbye.”
In the coming weeks, Kristinia DeBarge will shoot a video for the single in Los Angeles.
The singer’s debut album is slated to hit stores in the summer.