Johnny Kemp facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Johnny Kemp
Background information
Birth name	Jonathan Kemp
Born	(1959-08-02)August 2, 1959 Nassau, Bahamas
Died	April 16, 2015(2015-04-16) (aged 55) Montego Bay, Jamaica
Genres	R&B, new jack swing
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, producer
Instruments	Vocals, keyboards, bass synthesizer
Years active	1979–2015
Labels	Columbia
Associated acts	Keith Sweat, Teddy Riley, Change, Luther Vandross, Chic, Kashif

Johnny Kemp was a talented singer, songwriter, and music producer from the Bahamas. He was born on August 2, 1959, and passed away on April 16, 2015. Johnny started his music journey as a songwriter in 1979. He became very famous for his own songs, especially "Just Got Paid" from 1988. This song was so popular that it was even nominated for a Grammy Award in 1989!

About Johnny Kemp's Life and Music

How Did Johnny Kemp Start His Career?

Johnny Kemp began singing in nightclubs in the Bahamas when he was just 13 years old. In 1979, he moved to Harlem, New York, with a band called Kinky Fox.

In the early 1980s, Johnny became a successful session musician and songwriter. This means he helped other artists by singing backup or writing songs for them. For example, he sang backup for the B. B. & Q. Band and for the group Change. He also helped write some of their songs.

Johnny Kemp's Solo Music Career

Johnny Kemp signed a solo recording contract with Columbia Records. He released his first album, named Johnny Kemp, in 1986. This album did well on the U.S. Billboard Top Black Albums chart, reaching number 36.

He had a smaller hit song from this album called "Just Another Lover." It reached number 14 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart. It also did well on the dance charts.

Johnny found even greater success with his next album, Secrets of Flying, released in 1987. This album included two very popular songs on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart: "Dancin' with Myself" and "Just Got Paid." "Just Got Paid" became a number one hit!

"Just Got Paid" also reached number 10 on the main Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1988. Over a million copies of the song were sold in the United States. It also topped the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. His only other song to reach the Hot 100 was "Birthday Suit" from the movie Sing (1989).

Johnny Kemp's Later Music Work

Later in his career, Johnny Kemp appeared on Keith Sweat's live DVD, Sweat Hotel Live (2007). This show brought together many R&B and new jack swing artists from the late 1980s. Johnny performed his hit song "Just Got Paid" during the "all-star finale."

It's interesting to know that Keith Sweat had actually heard the music for "Just Got Paid" first, but he didn't use it. Johnny Kemp heard it, added his own lyrics, and that's how the famous song was created!

Johnny also sang a version of the popular Reading Rainbow theme song for the PBS TV series. He performed at an event in New York City in 2007 that celebrated 20 years of new jack swing music. In the 1990s, Johnny Kemp was also a lead singer for a children's cover band called Sugar Beats.

When Did Johnny Kemp Pass Away?

Johnny Kemp was found deceased on April 16, 2015, near Montego Bay, Jamaica. He was 55 years old. He had been a passenger on a cruise ship that had stopped in Montego Bay. Police believed he was walking on some rocks, lost his balance, fell, hit his head, and then drowned.

He was supposed to perform on the Fantastic Voyage cruise, hosted by the Tom Joyner Foundation, but he did not board the ship. Johnny Kemp left behind his wife, Deirdre Fisher-Kemp, and their two sons. One of his sons, Jared Kemp, is an actor.

Johnny Kemp's Music Albums

Studio Albums

Compilation Albums

• Just Got Paid (2004)

Hit Songs (Singles)

See also

• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. dance chart
• List of Billboard number-one dance hits