Faith Evans, born in Lakeland, Florida and raised in Newark, is an R&B singer, songwriter, and producer closely tied to hip-hop history. The first woman signed to Bad Boy Records, she became an R&B star in the 1990s and was married to the Notorious B.I.G. at the time of his death.
Key Facts
- Origin: Newark, NJ (b. Lakeland, FL)
- Role: R&B singer, songwriter, producer
- Label: First woman signed to Bad Boy Records
- Known for: 1990s R&B; widow of Notorious B.I.G.
The Soulful Journey of Faith Evans: From Church Choir to R&B Royalty
Faith Evans is a name that resonates with soul, passion, and a deep connection to the hip-hop community. With her powerful, honeyed soprano voice and prowess in songwriting and record production, Faith has firmly established herself as one of R&B’s all-time greats. Yet, her story is one intertwined with both triumph and tragedy.
Humble Beginnings: A Star Is Born
Faith’s journey began in Lakeland, Florida, on June 10, 1973. Born to a musical African American mother and a Caucasian father, she moved to Newark before her first birthday. As a toddler, her love for singing was evident, and by age three, she was captivating audiences. In her 2008 memoir, Keep the Faith, she recalls her first public performance of “Let the Sunshine In” from the musical Hair at Emanuel Baptist Church in Newark.
Faith and Bad Boy Records: The Golden Era
In 1994, Faith caught the eye of Sean “Puffy” Combs and was signed to Bad Boy Records. That same year, she married Christopher Wallace, a.k.a. the Notorious B.I.G. Their union thrust her into the limelight and the East Coast/West Coast rap rivalry, which would later claim the lives of her husband and Tupac Shakur.
A Tribute to Love: “I’ll Be Missing You”
The death of the Notorious B.I.G. was a monumental loss for Faith, but she channeled her grief into her music. Teaming up with Combs and 112, she released the Grammy-winning tribute “I’ll Be Missing You.” Over the years, Faith continued to produce beautiful music, releasing six solo albums, including Incomparable in 2014.
New Beginnings and Collaborations
In 2017, she released The King and I, an album of duets with the Notorious B.I.G. featuring collaborators like Lil Cease, Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, and Lil Kim. In 2018, Faith married record producer Stevie J. in Las Vegas and announced plans to release a joint single, “A Minute.”
