BABYFACE SONGS OF MY LIFE

THE PROLIFIC SONGWRITER ON THE MUSIC THAT INSPIRED HIM AND THE HITS THAT CHANGED HIS LIFE

- BRENTON BLANCHET

Sprinkled throughout every Babyface live show is a medley of hits he’s written and produced for other artists during his 40-plus-year career. He has dozens to chose from: Bobby Brown’s “Every Little Step,” Brandy’s “Sittin’ Up in My Room” and Boyz II Men’s “Water Runs Dry” are just a few of them. “I’m surprised myself when I look at it,” Babyface, 67, says of his massive list of credits. “I say, ‘What was I doing? Did I not have a life?’”

His Babies' Faces "They're still discovering me," Babyface says of his kids (from left) Dylan, Peyton and Brandon (in 2022).

The man born Kenneth Edmonds has indeed amassed an impressive songwriting catalog, and it’s also stocked with his own hits, like “Whip Appeal” and “When Can I See You.” Now the legendary hitmaker, who says he’s “just Dad” to his adult sons Brandon and Dylan and 16-year-old daughter Peyton, will be hitting the road in August with fellow R&B vets Charlie Wilson, K-Ci Hailey and El DeBarge. And yes, he’s bringing the hits. “I’m excited about being able to be in front of that audience, because they know what they’re coming for. They know what they’re going to get.” Here Babyface dives into the songs—including a few he didn’t write—that shaped him.

‘I WANT YOU BACK’ THE JACKSON 5