Adina Howard

Adina Marie Howard was born on November 14, 1973, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and later relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. Her early exposure to music and performance inspired her to pursue a career in the industry. Her career launched in the mid-1990s when she gained the attention of manager-producer Livio Harris, leading to a record deal with Max Gousse through Mecca Don/EastWest Records.

Howard’s debut album, “Do You Wanna Ride?”, released in 1995, achieved significant commercial success, earning a Gold certification from the RIAA. The album featured the Platinum-certified single “Freak Like Me,” which became a defining track of her career, reaching number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. This was followed by other charting singles such as “My Up and Down” and “It’s All About You.” In 1996, she expanded her musical collaborations, working with Warren G on “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” for the “Police Story 3: Super Cop” soundtrack, which was a hit in both the U.S. and the UK. She also contributed to soundtracks for films such as “A Thin Line Between Love and Hate” and “Sunset Park.”

Beyond music, Howard ventured into acting with her debut in the independent film “High Freakquency.” Despite her second album, “Welcome to Fantasy Island,” being initially shelved by Elektra Records in 1997, its track “T-Shirt & Panties” with Jamie Foxx found its way onto the “Woo” soundtrack. Throughout the 2000s, Howard continued to release music, including “The Second Coming” in 2004 and “Private Show” in 2007, and collaborated with artists like Play-N-Skillz and Krayzie Bone on the hit single “Freaks.” In later years, she diversified her career by pursuing a Culinary Arts degree, with plans for a cookbook and a restaurant, and further explored acting in films like “The Relaxer.” Her career includes consistent television appearances on shows such as “Life After” and “Unsung,” sharing her personal and professional journey.