the encyclopedic entry of Ginuwine

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Ginuwine

Elgin Baylor Lumpkin (born October 15, 1975), better known by his stage name Ginuwine, is an American R&B singer and an occasional actor. Signed to Epic Records since the mid-1990s, Ginuwine has released a number of multi-platinum and platinum-selling albums and singles, becoming one of R&B's top artists during the '90s heyday of hip-hop soul.

Biography

Personal life

Ginuwine was born on October 15, 1975 in Washington D.C., United States. He is named after NBA legend Elgin Baylor. In 1989, he graduated from Forestville High School in Forestville, Maryland and later graduated from Prince Georges Community College in Largo, Maryland with a paralegal degree. Soon afterwards broke into the music industry, becoming a part of Jodeci member Devante Swing's Swing Mob collective in the early 1990s.

In June 1999, he met Solé and they began dating in October 1999. . They married on 8 september 2003 in the Caribbean. They live in Georgia and Maryland. They have two daughters together and a total of five children: Story (29 March 01), Dream Sarae Lumpkin(1 November 02), Elgin Jr (1992) (Ginuwine's son from previous relationship), De'jan (9 March 1991) (Solé's previous relationship), and Cypress (9 January 1994) (Solé's previous relationship). At present, they live together at their home in Brandywine, Maryland.

Music career

Ginuwine can be spotted in one of Jodeci's videos. There, he met rapper Missy Elliott and producer Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley, who became his main collaborators through the 1990s. Ginuwine's first single, 1996's "Pony" from Ginuwine...The Bachelor, showcased his smooth vocals and Timbaland's innovative production style, and the two became a hit-making duo. The song "Pony" was used in a "karaoke" scene from the box office smash "Wild Hogs" in 2007 and again used in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV in 2008. Ginuwine and Aaliyah covered Prince's "When Doves Cry" single from the movie soundtrack to Purple Rain". Ginuwine's version was released but Aaliyah's version was not.

After his second album, 1999's 100% Ginuwine, Ginuwine and Timbaland grew apart, and producers such as R. Kelly have crafted hits for him since then. In 2001, Ginuwine had a number-four hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with the single "Differences", which also peaked at number-one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. Within a year, Ginuwine lost both of his parents. He later wrote a song which is featured on his album The Life entitled "Two Reasons I Cry".

In 2002, Ginuwine was a feature artist on P. Diddy's number-one hit "I Need a Girl (Part II)". Later that year, Ginuwine started his own label, Bag Entertainment. The label would feature artists like Jose Cenquentez (who appeared on The Senior) and Knight.

Ginuwine's fifth album, Back II Da Basics, was released on November 15, 2005. The album debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200, selling close to 100,000 copies.

In May 2007, an album entitled I Apologize was released in stores. Although attributed to Ginuwine, the release was an unauthorized album only includes three Ginuwine songs - apparently from stolen masters - and ten songs by other artists. Ginuwine spoke against the unofficial release on both his MySpace page and through YouTube.

In 2007, Ginuwine also collaborated with Canadian hip-hop artist Belly in the latter's debut solo song "Pressure" which was featured in Belly's debut album the Revoultion, released in June 2007.

Recent Events

Ginuwine has also formed a group with Tank and Tyrese named TGT. Their first single was a remix of Tank's "Please Don't Go". They were supposed to tour but plans fells apart due to conflicting schedules .

Ginuwine Announced on his Myspace Blog on August 21, 2008 that Due to label and legal issues They will not be able to release an official TGT album.

Ginuwine is currently working on his 6th album, The New Beginning. He is also the founder and CEO of LoveSong Incorporated after completing his contract with 550 Music/Epic.

Ginuwine also Announced on his Myspace Blog on August 21, 2008 that he signed a Major Label deal with Notifi Records/ Warner Brothers.

Ginuwine introduced rapper Young Knight a.k.a. Knightron on the Back 2 Da Basics Album. Knightron is working on his own album with Ginuwines label BAG ENT. Album will be out soon. Knightron teamed up with Ginuwine for the song I Apologize.

Film career

Ginuwine was originally cast in the 2004 film "You Got Served". Ultimately R&B artist Marques Houston was cast in his place. The writer of the movie kept Ginuwine's real name "Elgin" as the name for one the lead characters.

Trivia

Jay-Z references Ginuwine in a guest rap verse on Beyoncé's #1 song "Crazy in Love" released in 2003.

Legendary rap group EPMD references Ginuwine, his signature hit "Pony" and his single "Only When Ur Lonely" in their single "Joint" that appears on the 1997 album release "Back In Business"

Ginuwine stood in for Devante Swing in the music video for Father MC's single "Everything's Going To Be Alright" featuring Jodeci. Swing decided not to show up for the video shoot and Ginuwine was asked to appear in the video in Devante's absence so it would appear that the entire group was featured in the video.

Ginuwine's very first music video appearance ever was as an extra in the video for popular DC area DJ/Rapper DJ Kool's regional hit single "Reggae Dance". This 1988 single was a bonafide radio hit in the Washington DC area.

Ginuwine's very first appearance with P. Diddy in a music video was not for Diddy's #1 hit single "I Need A Girl (Part II)" but for Jodeci's "Let's Go Through The Motions" which served as the first video and single off the motion picture soundtrack for the 1993 comedy film Who's the Man? starring Ed Lover and Doctor Dre. Diddy and Ginuwine were extras in this music video and this would mark the first time Ginuwine and Diddy appeared in a music video together. Ginuwine also contributed background vocals for this single.

Discography

Albums

Sales certifications courtesy of The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)

Year	Album Title	RIAA Certification	U.S. Billboard 200
1996	Ginuwine...The Bachelor	RIAA Certifed 2x Platinum (3/6/1999) CRIA Certified Gold (Canada) (4/30/1997)	26
1999	100% Ginuwine	RIAA Certified 2x Platinum (8/2/2000)	3
2001	The Life	RIAA Certified Platinum (10/5/2001)	3
2003	The Senior	RIAA Certified Gold (5/8/2003)	6
2005	Back II Da Basics	RIAA Certified None	12
2006	Greatest Hits		-
2008	Playlist: The Very Best of Ginuwine		-
2009	The New Beginning		-

Singles

Year	Title	Chart Positions			Album
Year	Title	U.S. Hot 100	U.S. R&B	UK	Album
1996	"Pony"	6	1	16	Ginuwine...The Bachelor
1997	"Tell Me Do U Wanna"	-	-	16
	"When Doves Cry"	-	-	10
	"I'll Do Anything/I'm Sorry" ²	-	16	-
1998	"Only When Ur Lonely" ²	-	60	-
	"Holler" ¹	-	-	13
	"Same Ol' G"	67	11	-	Dr. Dolittle Soundtrack
1999	"What's So Different"	49	21	10	100% Ginuwine
	"So Anxious"	16	2	-
	"None of Ur Friends Business"	48	7	-
	"The Best Man I Can Be" (with Case, Tyrese, & R.L.)	67	15	-	The Best Man (Soundtrack)
2000	"You Owe Me" (Nas featuring Ginuwine)	59	13	-	Nastradamus (by Nas)
2001	"There It Is"	66	18	-	The Life
	"Differences"	4	1	-
	"Just Because" ¹	-	-	-
2002	"Tribute to a Woman"	-	61	-
	"Stingy"	33	7	-	The Senior

"Crush Tonight" (Fat Joe featuring Ginuwine)	-	-	42
2003	"Hell Yeah" (featuring Baby)	17	16	27	The Senior
	"In Those Jeans"	8	3	-
	"Love You More"	78	28	-
2005	"When We Make Love"	-	51	-	Back II Da Basics
2006	"I'm in Love"	-	69	-	Back II Da Basics

¹ Not released in the U.S.

In late 2007, early 2008, the song 'Baby' by Ginuwine was leaked on to the Internet via various blogs. The track was featured on Steve Clarke's ' Street Heat' radio show on London-based station Choice FM 'Baby' is produced by and is featuring ' Shayal' who is an Indian/R&B producer / vocalist, living in London. The track is believed to be taken from Ginuwine's new album, however this is unconfirmed.