Nicci Gilbert facts for kids

Nicci Gilbert is an American R&B singer. She is best known as the lead singer of the R&B girl group Brownstone. The group became famous in the mid-1990s. Their hit song "If You Love Me" was even nominated for a Grammy Award. Other popular songs by Brownstone included "Grapevyne" and "Pass the Lovin'". They also made a well-known version of "I Can't Tell You Why", a song first sung by The Eagles.

After Brownstone broke up in 1997, Nicci Gilbert started acting. She appeared in the movie Woo in 1998. After a five-year break from music, she returned as a solo artist. Her first album, Grown Folks Music, came out in 2003. In 2012, she starred in and helped produce the TV show R&B Divas: Atlanta. This show followed the lives of five R&B singers from the 1990s. Nicci was on the show for two seasons. She also performed with Brownstone at big events like the Essence Music Festival.

Early Life and Music Dreams

Nicci Gilbert was born in Detroit, Michigan. Her parents were African-American. Nicci grew up in Detroit, where her mother, Helene, was a jazz singer. Her mom really helped her love for music grow. When Nicci was in high school, she sang Madonna's "Crazy for You" in a talent show.

After high school, Nicci studied music and drama at Eastern Michigan University. But she left after two years. She wanted to move to Los Angeles with a friend. This would put her closer to the music industry. It was a risky choice, but it worked out for her. At first, Nicci had a tough time. She performed in many talent shows. She also worked "day jobs" like at Taco Bell to pay her bills. Things got better in 1993. That's when she formed the first lineup of Brownstone with Monica Doby and Charmayne Maxwell.

Music Career Highlights

1993–1997: Rising with Brownstone

In 1994, Brownstone signed a record deal. They joined MJJ Music, a label owned by superstar Michael Jackson. Their first song, "Pass the Lovin'", came out in the United States on August 2, 1994. This song did not make it onto the main Billboard chart. However, it reached number fifty-eight on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It also hit number forty-two on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart.

Their first album, From the Bottom Up, was released on January 10, 1995. It reached number twenty-nine on the Billboard album chart. Their next song, "If You Love Me", was a huge hit. It reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. It also hit number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart in the U.S. "Grapevyne" and "I Can't Tell You Why" were released next. They were not as successful as "If You Love Me". They charted at numbers forty-nine and fifty-four on the Billboard Hot 100. The album From the Bottom Up also had Brownstone's popular remake of the Eagles' song "I Can't Tell You Why". This song was originally pop/rock. But Nicci and her group gave it a new R&B sound.

Band member Monica Doby left the group. Kina Cosper took her place. In 1997, Brownstone released their second album, Still Climbing. This was on June 24, 1997. It turned out to be their last album. Two songs, "5 Miles to Empty" and "Kiss and Tell", were released to promote the album. "5 Miles to Empty" reached number thirty-nine on the Billboard Hot 100. But the second song did not make it onto the Hot 100 chart. Sadly for fans, the group broke up that year.

1996–1998: Acting on TV and Film

In 1996, Nicci Gilbert started acting. She had roles on different TV shows. These included Martin and Living Single. She played "Alesha" in the "Martin, I Want to Sing" episode of Martin. She also played Helen Robinson on Living Single in the episode "School's Out Forever".

In 1998, Nicci appeared on Sister, Sister. She played Nurse Shelley in the episode "In Sickness and in Health". A few months later, Nicci made her first movie appearance. It was in the romantic comedy Woo. She played a character named Crayola. The movie received many negative reviews from both viewers and critics.

2002–2005: Solo Music and Stage Debut

After a five-year break, Nicci Gilbert returned to music. She signed with MCA Records in 2002. Her first solo song, "My Side of the Story", was released. It was meant to be the title track for an album. The album's name was later changed to Grown Folks Music. The song was sent to radio stations on October 28, 2002. In 2003, the record label closed down. This meant the album was put on hold.

In a 2011 interview, Nicci talked about her album. She said, "this was around the time where things pretty much ended for MCA. I asked for my masters and they gave them to me. I own the masters to the album and it's available on iTunes." The album was later released on its own on March 8, 2005. But it did not make it onto the music charts in the United States. In 2004, Nicci starred in Tyler Perry's play Meet the Browns. She played Vera Brown. The play was released on DVD on June 28, 2005.

2010–Present: New Projects and TV Shows

On October 11, 2010, a preview for the musical Soul Kittens Cabaret was released. Nicci Gilbert directed this musical. It featured R&B singers like Faith Evans, Fantasia Barrino, Monifah, Syleena Johnson, and Nicci herself. The musical was released on DVD on January 11, 2011.

In 2012, Nicci was an executive producer for TV One's R&B Divas. She also starred in the show. Other singers included Faith Evans, Keke Wyatt, Monifah, and Syleena Johnson. The show followed the singers living in Atlanta, Georgia. They worked on restarting their music careers. Nicci appeared in seasons one and two of the show. She became one of the most talked-about people on the show. The first episode aired on August 20, 2012.

During the show, the R&B Divas singers worked together on a charity album. It honored the life of Whitney Houston. The album included the song "Love Yourself", which was also in the show's opening. Money from the album helped groups that work to improve women's lives. In 2015, Nicci teamed up with Queen Latifah. They produced a series for BET Networks called From The Bottom Up. Nicci created and executive produced this series for two seasons.

On April 7, 2017, Nicci Gilbert released a new song called "Fly". It was released through Brownstone Records. In July 2022, Nicci Gilbert became an honorary member of the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority.

Discography

Albums

• Grown Folks Music (2005)

Filmography

Films

Television

Plays