Lalah Hathaway facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lalah Hathaway
Hathaway in 2021
Background information
Birth name	Eulaulah Donyll Hathaway
Born	(1968-12-16) December 16, 1968 (age 56) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres	R&B jazz neo soul gospel
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter music producer
Instruments	Vocals keyboards
Years active	1987–present
Labels	Caroline E1 Stax Sanctuary Virgin SoNo Recording Group

Lalah Hathaway (born December 16, 1968) is an American singer, songwriter, and music producer. She is known for her unique voice and amazing talent. Many people call her the "First Daughter of Soul" because her father was the famous soul singer Donny Hathaway.

Lalah became popular in the 1990s with her first album, Lalah Hathaway (1990). Her song "Heaven Knows" was a big hit. She has released many albums and won several Grammy Awards for her music. She even received a special honorary degree from Berklee College of Music in 2022.

Early Life and Music Start

Eulaulah Donyll Hathaway was born on December 16, 1968, in Chicago, Illinois. Her mother, Eulaulah Hathaway, was a trained singer. Her father, Donny Hathaway, was a very famous musician and soul singer. Lalah's younger sister, Kenya Hathaway, is also a singer.

Lalah's father passed away when she was ten years old. She learned to play the piano at the American Conservatory of Music. She started writing her own songs while attending the Chicago Academy for the Arts. Later, she studied music at Berklee College of Music.

Music Career Highlights

Early Albums and Hits

Lalah Hathaway released her first single, "Inside the Beat," in 1987. Her first album, Lalah Hathaway, came out in June 1990. It did well on the R&B charts. The songs "Heaven Knows" and "Baby Don't Cry" were popular. Even though critics liked the album, it didn't become a huge commercial success.

In 1991, Lalah released a cover of Sly and the Family Stone's song "Family Affair." This song became a hit in the UK. She also sang on jazz saxophonist Grover Washington Jr.'s album Next Exit in 1992.

Her second album, A Moment, was released in May 1994. The song "Let Me Love You" was a hit from this album.

Collaborations and New Sounds

Hathaway worked with Joe Sample (pictured) on the album The Song Lives On

In 1999, Lalah teamed up with musician Joe Sample to release their album The Song Lives On. This album was very successful on the Jazz Albums chart. Its main song, "When Your Life Was Low," was also popular.

In 2004, Lalah released her fourth album, Outrun the Sky. The song "Forever, for Always, for Love" from this album became her first number-one song on the Adult R&B Songs chart. In 2005, she went on the Daughters of Soul Tour with other talented singers.

Stax Records and Grammy Nominations

Lalah signed with Stax Records in 2007. In 2008, she released her fifth album, Self Portrait. This album was her highest-charting album at the time. Her song "That Was Then" was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2010. This was her first Grammy nomination!

In 2010, she worked with musician Kirk Whalum on the song "He's Been Just that Good." This song was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2011. Her sixth album, Where It All Begins, came out in 2011. It also did very well on the charts.

Grammy Wins and Independent Music

Hathaway performing in 2018

Lalah Hathaway started winning Grammys in 2014. Her song "Something," with Snarky Puppy, won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance. In 2015, her song "Jesus Children" with Robert Glasper won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance.

In October 2015, she released a live album called Lalah Hathaway Live. This album was a huge success. Her cover of Anita Baker's song "Angel" became her second number-one song on the Adult R&B Songs chart. This live album and its songs won three Grammy Awards, including Grammy Award for Best R&B Album.

In 2017, Lalah released her seventh album, Honestly, on her own record label, Hathaway Entertainment. She continues to release new music, including her eighth album, Vantablack, in June 2024.

Her Unique Voice and Style

Lalah Hathaway has a special voice called a contralto. This means her voice is naturally deep and rich. Music critics say she has a wide vocal range and sings with lots of feeling.

She is also known for something called multiphonic singing. This is a rare skill where she can make her voice "split" and sing several notes at the same time! It's like her voice creates two different sounds at once.

Lalah's music mixes different styles like R&B, neo soul, funk, jazz, pop, and gospel. She can sing many types of songs, from smooth R&B to soulful jazz.

Musical Influences

Lalah Hathaway says her father, Donny Hathaway, is her biggest musical inspiration. She has covered many of his songs, like "Little Ghetto Boy" and "You Were Meant for Me." She even recorded a special version of "This Christmas" that included her father's voice from an old recording.

She also looks up to jazz legend Miles Davis. Lalah says she learned to improvise (make up music on the spot) from him. Other artists who have inspired her include Ella Fitzgerald, Prince, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, and Anita Baker.

Business and Giving Back

In 2015, Lalah Hathaway started her own company, Hathaway Entertainment. This company helps produce and release her music and videos. It has released her albums like Lalah Hathaway Live, Honestly, and Vantablack.

Lalah also cares about helping others. She was an ambassador for Susan G. Komen's Circle of Promise, an organization that helps educate the African-American community about breast cancer. She continues to encourage women to be aware of cancer. In 2022, she helped raise money for a new education center in Virginia that supports children and families.

Discography

Albums

• Lalah Hathaway (1990)
• A Moment (1994)
• The Song Lives On (with Joe Sample) (1999)
• Outrun the Sky (2004)
• Self Portrait (2008)
• Where It All Begins (2011)
• Honestly (2017)
• Vantablack (2024)

Awards and Nominations

Grammy Awards

Soul Train Music Awards

See also

In Spanish: Lalah Hathaway para niños