30 Years: The Legacy of Al B. Sure!

Once upon a time, he was a star football player. Denied a scholarship to pursue a music career. Today he is known for being one of R&B’s biggest stars during the late 80’s new jack swing era. He started when he won a talent showcase and was hand picked by Quincy Jones as the winner and then got offered a deal with Warner Bros. Records by Benny Medina. He worked with Quincy Jones on “The Secret Garden”, he sang background for Heavy D. & The Boyz and then finally started working on his debut album, which took only 6 months to do. With a little bit of direction and production from Teddy Riley, his debut album was finally completed. With the first single called “Nite And Day”, his popularity quickly rose and on May 3rd, 1988, Al B. Sure! released his debut album called “In Effect Mode.” Besides “Nite And Day”, “If I’m Not Your Lover” and “Off On Your Own (Girl)” were also the singles released from the album. The album sold more than 2 million copies and it was Top Billboard smash hit. Winning Grammy’s, American Music Awards, and a Best New Artist award, Al was the fresh new guy on the R&B scene that drove the ladies wild. With an album that only had 8 songs, Al had a soft, high pitch, smooth voice that drove the ladies insane. An 8 track album that was filled with love and party/dance songs and a Spanish version of “Nite And Day” included. Al B. Sure! is also responsible for writing and producing for others and even helped the careers of Faith Evans, Usher, Dave Hollister, Jodeci, Tevin Campbell, and Case. 30 years later, “In Effect Mode” is still appreciated and loved by true R&B/New Jack Swing fans around the world. Timeless music that still makes people feel so good about love and life.