Miki Howard

Alicia Michelle "Miki" Howard (born 30 September 1960; Chicago, Illinois) is an American R&B and jazz vocalist and actress who defined the quiet storm era of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Renowned for her powerful, emotive contralto and seamless ability to bridge the gap between gospel-rooted soul and mainstream pop, Howard enjoyed a string of Top 10 hit songs including "Baby, Be Mine" (1987), "Come Share My Love" (1986), and the enduring ballad "Love Under New Management" (1990).

Her commercial dominance was further solidified by "Ain't Nobody Like You" (1992) and "Ain't Nuthin' in the World" (1989), both of which peaked at number one on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B Singles chart.

Early Life

Born into a rich musical lineage in Chicago, Howard is the daughter of two gospel legends: Josephine Howard of The Caravans and Clay Graham (1936–2018) of The Pilgrim Jubilees. Her childhood was steeped in the traditions of the church and the company of industry royalty; her mother frequently took her to visit stars such as Aretha Franklin and Mavis Staples.

At the age of nine, the family relocated to Los Angeles, where Josephine sang in a choir led by fellow Caravan member and arranger James Cleveland. The Howard residence became a hub for visiting icons, including Albertina Walker, Shirley Caesar, Billy Preston, and Fats Domino. While her foundation was gospel, Howard was deeply influenced by jazz greats like Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, and Nancy Wilson.

 As a teenager, she frequented Maverick's Flat, a popular Los Angeles nightclub that hosted acts such as Rufus and Chaka Khan and Earth, Wind & Fire, pivotal influences who inspired her pursuit of a professional singing career.

Career

Howard's professional journey began at age 16 when she performed in a teen pageant, catching the attention of Augie Johnson, leader of the R&B group Side Effect, who was in the audience. Johnson began working with her, eventually selecting her to replace Sylvia St. James as the group's vocalist in 1979.

Her tenure with Side Effect spanned several years, featuring on albums such as After The Rain (1980), Portraits, and All Aboard. While these projects saw moderate chart success, the group achieved minor R&B hits in 1983 and 1984 with "I Can't Play" and a cover of Toto's "Georgy Porgy". During this period, Howard also established herself as a session vocalist, recording background vocals for artists including Wayne Henderson, Roy Ayers, and Stanley Turrentine.

Launching her solo career in the mid-1980s, Howard signed with Atlantic Records, releasing her debut album Come Share My Love (1986), which yielded her first top-ten hit. She followed this with Love Confessions (1987) and Miki Howard (1989), the latter cementing her status as a chart-topper.

In 1992, she moved to Giant Records to release Femme Fatale, which featured her hit rendition of Billie Holiday's "Good Morning Heartache". Her affinity for Holiday extended to acting; she portrayed the jazz legend in Spike Lee's Malcolm X (1992) and appeared in John Singleton's Poetic Justice (1993). In later years, she continued to record, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Album for Three Wishes (2001) and releasing I Choose to Be Happy (2015).

Personal Life

Howard's personal life has often intersected with her musical journey. During her time with Side Effect, she entered a relationship with group leader Augie Johnson, with whom she had two children, including singer Brandon Howard.

She later had a highly publicised romance with R&B singer Gerald Levert, a partnership that produced the hit duet "That's What Love Is". Howard's life story was dramatised in the 2016 TV One biopic Love Under New Management: The Miki Howard Story, which broke ratings records for the network. She remains a resilient figure in the industry, openly sharing her triumphs and challenges to inspire the next generation of artists.

Current Activities

She remains a vibrant force on the live circuit, with a verified touring schedule for 2025 and 2026 that includes performances at premier venues such as City Winery in Chicago and New York, and the Keystone Korner in Baltimore.

She recently collaborated with the Grammy-nominated duo Helen Bruner & Terry Jones on the track "Together We're A Good Thing" and continues to celebrate her catalogue with "The Miki Howard 40th Anniversary Tour", bringing her classic hits to audiences across the United States.