After 7

After 7 officially formed in 1987 in Indianapolis, Indiana, by brothers Melvin and Kevon Edmonds, and their friend Keith Mitchell. The Edmonds brothers are older siblings to Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, who played a significant role in their early career. Kevon Edmonds and Keith Mitchell initially met at Indiana University Bloomington in the late 1970s, where they participated in the Indiana University Soul Revue. While pursuing music as a hobby, members held professional careers: Kevon worked at Eli Lilly and Company, Keith at John Hancock in Chicago, and Melvin at Chrysler Corp. in Indianapolis. Their younger brother, Babyface, by then a successful singer, songwriter, and producer, invited them to Los Angeles, named the group “After 7,” and helped secure a record deal with Virgin Records in 1988.

The group released their self-titled debut album in August 1989. This platinum-selling album featured significant contributions from Babyface and L.A. Reid, yielding three successful singles: “Heat of the Moment,” “Ready or Not,” and “Can’t Stop.” “Ready or Not” and “Can’t Stop” both reached No. 1 on the R&B charts and entered the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Can’t Stop” also received a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group. In 1990, After 7 toured with MC Hammer and earned an NAACP Image Award for Best New Male Artist or Group. They continued their success with a top 10 R&B hit, “Nights Like This,” for “The Five Heartbeats” movie soundtrack in 1991, and later opened for Whitney Houston on her “I’m Your Baby Tonight World Tour.”

Their second album, “Takin’ My Time,” released in August 1992, also achieved platinum status. This album diversified their sound with production from Daryl Simmons, Kayo, Randy Ran, and Dallas Austin, resulting in a distinct new jack swing influence. Key singles included “Kickin’ It” and a medley of “Baby I’m for Real” / “Natural High.” The group’s third album, “Reflections” (1995), marked their return to collaboration with Babyface and L.A. Reid, featuring the R&B top 5 hit “‘Til You Do Me Right.” After 7 disbanded in 1997, with Melvin Edmonds initially departing the group. After a period of touring with Melvin’s son, Jason Edmonds, the original lineup, including Melvin, reunited for the 2016 comeback album “Timeless,” which produced three Adult R&B top 10 hits: “Runnin’ Out,” “I Want You,” and “Let Me Know.” Melvin Edmonds passed away in 2019, leading to further member changes with Daniel McClain (2019) and later Wil Robinson and Jeremy Keith joining the group.