Jaheim

Jaheim Hoagland (born May 26, 1978) is an American R&B singer better known by his stage name of Jaheim. He was signed by Naughty by Nature's Kaygee to Divine Mill Records in 2000, and released his debut album Ghetto Love in 2001. His second effort, Still Ghetto (2002), contains the hit "Put That Woman First" (2003), both of which achieved platinum success. Jaheim's third album, Ghetto Classics, was released on February 14, 2006, debuting at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200, and selling over 153,000 copies in its first week.

Early life

Jaheim was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and was raised in the city's now-defunct Memorial Parkway Homes public housing project. His father died in 1981, when he was only three years old. His grandfather sang with many top groups, including The Drifters, and their family reunions were big songfests. Singing at family reunions and local talent shows preceded a successful tryout at the Apollo Theater's talent show. He won the contest three times when he was fifteen.

Music career

Two years later, he experienced tragedy when his mother died. Four years after her death, he recorded a tape that led to a deal with Divine Mill Records (a division of Warner Bros. Records). Hoagland received good reactions from two singles, "Could It Be" and "Lil' Nigga Ain't Mine" on BET video shows. Appearing with Hoagland on his first album were RL (from Next), Blackstreet, and Darren and Cliff Lighty. His second album, Still Ghetto, was released on November 5, 2002. Another Top Ten hit, it placed two singles in the Top 40, "Fabulous" and "Anything" (released November 13, 2001). Ghetto Personal life

Jaheim is a resident of Hillsborough Township, New Jersey. Jaheim is the grandson of the late 1960s soul singer Hoagy Lands.