Born in New York, 1957,
Stephanie Mills first won acclaim when she triumphed in the legendary
Harlem Apollo amateur talent contests six weeks running; her reward
being a tour spot in support of the Isley Brothers. She returned home,
aged 17, to a Broadway role in The wiz, a musical based on The wizard
of oz, and a deal with Paramount Records that produced a first 45,
I knew it was love. One album for Motown sparked little interest,
but three more for 20th Century, produced by the Mtume/Lucas team,
established her on the charts. What'cha gonna do with my lovin' and
Put your body in it were both fair-sized club hits, but were surpassed
by the international success of Never knew love like this before in
'80. She also married Jeffrey Daniels of Shalamar fame, but they stayed
together only just over a year. The early '80s saw Stephanie on Casablanca
records, her biggest hit being The medicine song from the 1984 album
I've got the cure. From '85 Mills signed to MCA, and a series of albums
installed her among the top-selling and most artistically-respected
of female vocalists. If I were your woman in 1987, featuring I feel
good all over and (You're puttin') A rush on me, is generally regarded
as her finest work, though Home runs it close. She also recorded a
couple of duets with Robert Brookins,
including a version of Where is the love. Recently she released a
gospel album, Personal inspirations, and her final album for MCA before
being dropped in '94 was Something real.
