Club Nouveau

Grammy Award-winning R&B group Club Nouveau achieved widespread acclaim with chart-topping hits and an influential sound. Formed in 1986, the group, initially comprised of Jay King, Valerie Watson, Samuelle Prater, Denzil Foster, and Thomas McElroy, secured a Warner Bros. Records deal that same year. Their debut album, ‘Life, Love & Pain’ (1986), was an immediate success, yielding prominent singles including ‘Jealousy,’ ‘Situation #9,’ ‘Why You Treat Me So Bad,’ and their iconic rendition of Bill Withers’ ‘Lean on Me.’ The latter soared to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1987, earning a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song and a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year.

In 1987, ‘Jealousy’ featured on the ‘Modern Girls’ soundtrack, while ‘Step By Step’ appeared on Madonna’s multi-platinum ‘Who’s That Girl’ soundtrack. Following their breakthrough, Club Nouveau experienced internal shifts. Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy departed for their own production team, and Samuelle Prater pursued a solo career before rejoining in 2009. Despite these changes, the group maintained prolific output, showcasing an evolving social consciousness.

As of 2015, the group’s core lineup includes original members Jay King, Valerie Watson, and Samuelle Prater. With a career spanning decades, Club Nouveau remains actively engaged in the music scene, performing timeless hits and evolving sound for audiences. They are also involved in projects offering fans previously unreleased versions of early, iconic recordings, further enriching their celebrated catalog. Their consistent output, critical accolades, and enduring appeal solidify Club Nouveau’s status as an influential force in R&B music.