Manuel Seal facts for kids

Manuel Lonnie Seal, Jr. (born September 26, 1960) is an American music expert. He plays many instruments and helps create hit songs. He is a record producer, songwriter, and vocal coach. This means he helps artists make their music sound great.

Manuel Seal has worked with many famous singers. These include Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Usher, and Destiny's Child. He has won a Grammy Award and been nominated 13 times.

Manuel Seal's Early Life

Manuel Seal was born in Chicago, Illinois, USA. His parents were Manuel and Betty Seal. He also has two younger sisters. When Manuel was three, his family moved to Freeport, Illinois.

Both of his parents loved music. Manuel started piano lessons when he was just five years old. His father played in a band and sang. His mother sang in the church choir.

When Manuel was 10, his father moved back to Chicago. His mother was a school teacher. She worked very hard to buy a home for her children. Manuel and his sisters still share this home today.

In high school, Manuel wanted to learn more instruments. He started playing the flute because his school did not offer guitar. He was already very good at the piano. By high school, he had started his own band. They traveled to nearby towns to perform. He even played in bars, even though he was underage. He became very popular in the Midwest. He traveled a lot, performing and getting better at his music.

Manuel Seal's Music Career

Manuel Seal was discovered by a manager. This happened while he was working with singer Ann Nesby. Manuel and Ann had known each other for many years. His manager set up meetings for him in Los Angeles. He worked there for three months. Then he moved back to Freeport.

Soon after, his manager arranged meetings in Atlanta, Georgia. One night, Manuel was playing piano and singing in a hotel lobby. A large crowd gathered to listen. Jermaine Dupri, a famous music producer, heard him. Jermaine signed him right away.

Manuel began working with jazz artist Al Jarreau. His first big success came with the group Xscape. Manuel wrote, produced, and arranged their first album. It was called Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha (1993). He wrote two songs that became number one hits on that album. One surprise hit was "Understanding." Manuel wrote it in his hotel room one night.

His next big success was with Da Brat's album Funkdafied (1994). Manuel sang on the main song, "Funkdafied." He also created all the music for the album. This album was special because it was the first time a female rapper sold over a million copies.

Manuel also worked on TLC's album CrazySexyCool (1994). This album sold 23 million copies around the world! Manuel wrote three songs on it. He also wrote seven of the ten songs on Usher's My Way album (1997). This album sold seven million copies. Some of the songs he wrote were "You Make Me Wanna," "My Way," and "Nice and Slow."

Manuel also helped with Mariah Carey's Daydream album (1995). This album sold 25 million copies worldwide. It is one of the best-selling albums ever. Manuel wrote "Always Be My Baby" and other songs on it. He went on to write many more hits for artists like Jagged Edge, Aretha Franklin, Destiny's Child, and Mary J. Blige.

A major success was the song "My Boo." This song was on Usher's Confessions album (2004, Special Edition). The album sold over 10 million copies in America. Manuel also won a Grammy Award for his work on Mariah Carey's song "We Belong Together." This song was from her album The Emancipation of Mimi (2005).

He continued to work with Mariah Carey on her next album, E=MC² (2008). He also worked on Usher's Here I Stand (2008). Manuel also helped with Janet Jackson's albums 20 Y.O. (2006) and Discipline (2008).