* En anglais uniquement
One of the most refined contemporary R&B vocal groups,
After 7 arrived near the end of the 1980s and hit the Top Ten of Billboard's R&B/hip-hop chart with their first four albums, led by the platinum
After 7 (1989) and gold follow-up Takin' My Time (1992). While
After 7's hot start occurred during the new jack swing era, the singers' easy harmonies and continued songwriting and production assistance from
Babyface and
L.A. Reid -- the duo behind "Ready or Not" and the Grammy-nominated "Can't Stop," both Top Ten pop hits -- enabled them to make a smooth transition with
Reflections (1995). After a subsequent split, the group reconvened in the mid-2000s to perform, and added to their discography the next decade with
Timeless (2016). Originally consisting of
Melvin Edmonds,
Kevon Edmonds, and Keith Mitchell -- the Edmondses are
Babyface's brothers --
After 7 has changed lineups over the decades. Since the death of
Melvin Edmonds, the lineup features
Kevon Edmonds and Keith Mitchell with Danny McClain. Their new chapter has started with
Unfinished Business (2021).
Formed in 1987 at Indiana University by Indianapolis natives
Kevon and
Melvin Edmonds and Keith Mitchell,
After 7 quickly landed a deal with major label Virgin and were an instant success with their debut single, "Heat of the Moment." Written and produced by
Babyface and
L.A. Reid (with co-production from
Daryl Simmons and Kevin "Kayo" Robertson), the single entered the Billboard R&B chart in July 1989 and eventually reached number five.
After 7, their first album, followed shortly thereafter and went platinum after subsequent singles "Ready or Not" and "Can't Stop" -- both of which were also
Babyface/
L.A. Reid collaborations -- topped the R&B chart. Once the album ran its course,
After 7 recorded "Nights Like This" for the soundtrack for
The Five Heartbeats. The
Jesse Johnson production likewise peaked within the R&B Top Ten. "Can't Stop" was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
The group's 1992 follow-up, Takin' My Time, involved less input from
Babyface and
Reid, more from
Daryl Simmons and Kevin Roberson, and added the likes of
Dallas Austin and
Randy Ran to their gang of studio associates. "Kickin' It" and an update of
the Originals' "Baby, I'm for Real" maintained the trio's chart run.
Reflections was issued three years later and was highlighted by "'Til You Do Me Right," a song written by
Kevon,
Melvin, and
Babyface. Takin' My Time and
Reflections were both certified gold by the time the group temporarily split.
Although they didn't record for another two decades,
After 7 resumed touring in the mid-2000s, and
Melvin was replaced with his son
Jason.
Melvin eventually returned, and the quartet worked again with
Babyface and
Simmons on
Timeless, their fourth straight Top Ten R&B/hip-hop album, released in 2016. Following
Melvin's death in 2019,
Kevon Edmonds and Keith Mitchell were joined by new member Danny McClain, and in 2021 offered
Unfinished Business, featuring the
Babyface collaboration "Tomorrow Can Wait." ~ Andy Kellman