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Marva King
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In a nutshell
Marva King, who last summer performed 21 sold-out shows with Prince at the O2 Arena in London, is a true vocal superstar. And with her afro and incredible good looks, she sizzles when she's on stage!
Since Marva King started recording in the early 80's, she has been featured as vocalist on many tracks with notables like Prince, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Lionel Richie and Phil Collins, just to name a few.
But apart from those collaborations she also released a couple of albums either as Marva King or as part of a band, like Madagascar's 1981 album “Spirit of the Street” (on Arista, featuring the UK hit “Rainbow”), her 1981 first solo album titled “Feels Right” (on Planet Records, produced by Richard Perry), Answered Questions' 1990 album “Happiness is…” (on EMI, co-produced by Marva King), her 2004 album “Light of Day” (on her own Marvalous Works Entertainment label) and her 2006 critically acclaimed – largely self produced & arranged - album “Soul Sistah” (also released on her own Marvalous Works Entertainment label, and licensed to Expansion Records in Europe).
Marva King now has a new CD - to be released soon - entitled "Grown & Sexy", which she will promote by touring the globe.
Biography
Born in Flint, Michigan, Marva King is most known for her starring role in the multimillion dollar-grossing stage production/DVD, “Diary of a Mad Black Woman”. In Diary, King plays the spurned, attractive, feisty and vengeful housewife, Helen. Now, however, the Prince and New Power Generation singer is back again, currently preparing for the release of her current CD “Grown & Sexy”.
Despite the massive success of her stage debut, King has far more to her stellar resume than just Diary. King started her career very early on, performing since the age of four, and became accomplished at quite a young age. She is heard on albums by Tupac Shakur, Prince, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Cliff, Chaka Khan, Lionel Richie and Phil Collins, just to name a few. She co-wrote the Whispers' single, “Innocent”, which debuted at #4 on the Billboard Hot Singles Chart. She has performed with artists like Lenny Kravitz and has toured with the likes of Stevie Wonder and Prince. Marva released a neo-soul and R&B CD, “Soul Sistah” in 2006. Fans world-wide relished its dynamic Funky, soulful offerings which include a variety of musical samplings. King's release provoked universal love from audiences around the world and surely gave it back. Now King is focused on the release of her new CD Grown & Sexy, and 1 st single “Afro”. Already being deemed a commercial “CLUB HIT” by some of the most respected radio, and record industry execs. The most tantalizing numbers on her anxiously-awaited CD include “Chocolate”, “Holla”, “Share” and one of Marva's personal favorites, “Sistah”. Listeners will also be thrilled by tracks such as “Grown & Sexy”, “Misty” and “If you say so”. King, who also composed or co-composed all of its other tracks, produced the album.
Marva is beyond any stereotype or genre. Larger than such limitations, her recordings include music that is R&B, hip hop, soul, and pop. Her mesmerizing delivery inspired Larry Flick to write in Billboard, “Marva King is a supreme diva, and her name will go down in history as one of the best.
In 1997 Prince took her on the road, under his wing, and made her a member of his group, New Power Generation (NPG). Marva performed on most of the songs on his “New Power Soul” album, and demonstrated her immense talent as well when she performed live onstage with Prince. Their memorable remakes of Shania Twain's “Still the One” and Joan Osbourne's “What If God Was One of Us?”. “I worked with him [Prince] for two years initially,” King explains, adding, “It was intense. I have never worked that hard in my life. I was exhausted the entire time, but it was so much fun. I learned a lot about performing and business from Prince,” she notes. I recorded on his “Planet Earth” CD, and started back on the road with him again in June, 2007.” It is as though I never skipped a beat”. Marva recently returned from the UK performing live at SOLD OUT venues for both she, and Prince. Audiences embraced Marva who debuted her Grown & Sexy CD with an awesome UK band. “The reception was inspirational!” Marva notes, and adds “I am truly looking forward to releasing this CD very soon”.
“I come from gospel and R&B roots” which I performed rather conservatively at one time. Prince broke those chains and barriers, she reveals. King still refers to working with him as “School.” King recalls “He always encourages me and gives me his support.” The angels are always watching over her and she continues to attract new fans.
Marva, who is also heard on Michael Jackson's “Bad” album, states of the iconic pop star, “I used to visit and sometimes travel with him although I did not perform on the tours. I spent a lot of time with him and his family.”
Stevie Wonder hired Marva as a teenager. I toured with him, and did a live album with him that was recorded live in Osaka and Tel Aviv in the mid 90's, which is his double album, “Natural Wonder” featuring the song, “Master Blaster”. This show premiered on VH1 June 2007. Marva thanks American Idol's Randy Jackson for her first production job at Sony in the early ‘90s making Marva one of the few female producers in the music industry. Marva is very excited about piercing the international, and national airwaves again next year! Her CD “Grown & Sexy” has been given rave reviews, by British journalists. Her last CD “Soul Sistah” entered top 30 UK Soul charts at #5. By the next week at the #2 position, it quickly surpassed several familiar soul artists like India Arie, Teena Marie, The Isley Brothers, and Donnell Jones to name a few.
Ms King is optimistically embarking upon a career in the film industry. She will start filming the first of three movies this December 07. All feature roles for Marva! If that isn't impressive enough, she's currently training in martial arts under a World Champion Grand Master to prepare for a future in action movies. King played a feature role as J.R. Richard's confidante—sportscaster Cindy Young—in the 2005 film release of “Resurrection: The J.R. Richards Story”. Marva has formed, and produced an all girl group called 3Gs. “I have always wanted to be a part of a commercially successful girl group”. These ladies, are not only extremely lovely, but multitalented as well! “This will be a dream come true” quotes King.
Marva's sultry calendars sizzled from February 2004, until January 2007. It was a huge success. Fans are asking that she does a “3peat”. Marva has her sights set on a 2008-9 calendar for 3Gs. Aiyiyi!! She has written and will publish a book (her first) of interesting, current behind-the-scenes experiences in the entertainment industry.
Last but not least, Marva is being commissioned to do a soulful nutritional/entertainment cooking show, as well as a music related show for television. “The cooking show will allow me to demonstrate my cooking skills and express my nutritional concerns for our soulful Sisters and Brothers here and abroad. “It is a given that I Love to entertain” Marva adds. There is no doubt that the Mega-talented, comedic, progressive minded humanitarian Marva King will be a HIT in the world of reality shows. It should also prove to be a very rewarding challenge for this lady!
2008 is being orchestrated on high for Marva King!
(source: Marva King)
