Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds is said to be returning to his roots as a starmaker. Allhiphop.com is reporting that he will be returning to overseeing the careers of rising talent, with the launch of his new record label Sodapop Music.
Edmonds co-founded the iconic Hip-Hop/R&B label, LaFace Records, with fellow music mogul L. A. Reid.
During its peak in the 1990’s LaFace introduced the public to revered Atlanta rap duo Outkast as well as fellow rappers Goodie Mob, Cee-Lo Green, Dolla and Youngbloodz and Petey Pablo.
The label also introduced the music world to TLC, Toni Braxton, Usher, Ciara, Pink, Donnell Jones and Tony Rich.
Edmonds and Reid parted ways with LaFace by the end of the ‘90s as Edmonds chose to focus on his career as a musician.
Reid left the label in 2001 after he was appointed chairman/CEO of Arista Records, which had joined with BMG Records to acquire LaFace completely in 1999.
Reid currently serves as the chairman of Island Def Jam Music Group.
Edmonds hopes to repeat the success he had with LaFace at Sodapop Music, utilizing Island Def Jam’s newest artist, Kristinia Debarge.
The 19-year-old entertainer, who is the daughter of DeBarge keyboardist and founding member James DeBarge, is creating a buzz for her forthcoming debut album with the release of her new song, “Goodbye.”
Edmonds played an active role in the project’s creation by writing and producing many of the tracks featured on the album, including “Goodbye.”
The singer’s debut album is slated to hit stores in the summer.
Information from Allhiphop.com contributed to this report.
