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Chico DeBargeAmerican rhythm and blues singer
Date of Birth: 23.06.1966
Country:  USA |
Content:
Chico DeBarge: The Voice of Motown Soul
Early Life and CareerJonathan Arthur "Chico" DeBarge was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 23, 1966. Unlike his brothers, who sang in falsetto, Chico became known for his rich tenor vocals. He began his music career with Motown Records in the mid-1980s.
His debut album, "Chico DeBarge," featured the hit single "Talk to Me," which reached number 90 on the Billboard 200 chart. After the release of his second album, "Kiss Serious," DeBarge was incarcerated for drug trafficking.
Return to Music
In the mid-1990s, upon his release, DeBarge reunited with Motown Records and resumed his career under the guidance of producer Kedar Massenberg and his neo-soul label, Kedar Entertainment. He later signed with Koch Records and released the 14-track album "Free" in 2003, which charted at number 43 on the Top Independent Albums chart.
Personal Struggles and Addiction
In 2003, DeBarge was reportedly stabbed in a nightclub outside Philadelphia by an alleged Italian mobster after an altercation over a racial slur. The incident led to a downward spiral of pain medication abuse and eventually heroin addiction. DeBarge later documented his struggles with addiction on his CD.
Personal Life
DeBarge is a father of six children. He is currently in the midst of a divorce from Andrea Bordenave, who filed in mid-2009. He is also a former boyfriend of singer and actress Nona Gaye.
