Kem
Kem, born Kim Lamont Owens on July 23, 1967, in Nashville, Tennessee, is an acclaimed American R&B/soul singer, songwriter, and producer known for his smooth, heartfelt ballads. He moved to suburban Detroit at age 5 and grew up in Pontiac and Southfield, Michigan. He faced personal challenges, including struggles with addiction and homelessness, before turning his life around through music and spirituality.
Kem self-financed and released his debut album Kemistry in 2003 via Motown Records after singing covers in wedding bands and waiting tables. It went gold, featuring the hit "Love Calls." His follow-up Album II (2005) achieved platinum status with the #1 urban AC single "I Can't Stop Loving You," featuring Stevie Wonder.
He has released several successful albums, including Intimacy: Album III (2010, gold), Promise to Love (2014), and Love Always Wins (2020) with features like Toni Braxton. Recent works include the live album Anniversary – The Live Album (2023) and singles like "Rock with Me" (2025).
Married to Erica since 2019, Kem has seven children and announced an eighth on the way in December 2025. He's earned Grammy nominations, including for "Why Would You Stay" (2011) and "Nobody" (2014), plus a 2005 Billboard award.
Album II
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Brian Russell
Written-By – Kem
4:33
2 Heaven
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Brian Russell
Written-By – Kem
6:23
3 Into You
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Isaiah Abolin
Written-By – Kem
5:02
4 I Can't Stop Loving You
Bass – Fred Robinson
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Isaiah Abolin
Written-By – Kem
5:23
5 Without You
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Isaiah Abolin
Written-By – Kem
4:08
6 Set You Free
Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Eric Morgenson
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Isaiah Abolin
Guitar – Uncle Reggie McTaw
Written-By – Kem
4:26
7 I'm In Love
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Isaiah Abolin
Written-By – Kem
4:23
8 True Love
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Isaiah Abolin
Written-By – Kem
4:25
9 Each Other
Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Eric Morgenson
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Brian Russell
Written-By – Kem
3:44
10 You Might Win
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Isaiah Abolin
Harmonica – Stevie Wonder
Written-By – Kem
3:47
11 I Get Lifted
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Isaiah Abolin
Written-By – Harry Wayne Casey & Richard Finch
4:04
Label: Motown – B0004232-02
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 2005
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Neo Soul, Contemporary R&B
Anniversary... The Live Album
A2 Love Calls
A3 My Favorite Thing
A4 You're On My Mind
A5 Nobody
A6 Heaven
A7 Stuck On You
B1 Share My Life
B2 Why Would You Stay
B3 Lie To Me
B4 I Can't Stop Lovin' You
B5 Find Your Way (Back In My Life)
Label: Motown – B003796201
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 2023
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Contemporary R&B
Kemistry
4:41
2 Miss You
4:27
3 Say
5:41
4 Inside
4:49
5 I'm Missin' Your Love
4:14
6 Love Calls
5:12
7 Brotha Man
3:58
8 Cherish This Moment
4:13
9 This Place (Church Of Today)
4:07
10 You Are 5:51
All Songs Composed, Arranged and Produced By Kem
Label: Motown – 440 067 516-2
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 2003
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Neo Soul, Contemporary R&B
Kemistry (2002/2003) is the acclaimed debut studio album by R&B singer-songwriter Kem, featuring the hit single "Love Calls". It is characterized as a "modern gem" of Neo-Soul/Quiet Storm, celebrated for its smooth, intimate, and soul-stirring melodies that evoke a vintage, laid-back vibe. The album is highly regarded for its romantic themes, making it a standout, timeless R&B, "make love to" record.
The album features a "pre-hip-hop" sound, influenced by artists like Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder. Critics describe the album as "quiet background music" that features sparse, elegant arrangements with starlit keyboards and subtle guitar. It has been compared to the early works of Al Jarreau for its sophisticated, high-quality fusion of R&B and contemporary jazz.
Alongside the breakout hit "Love Calls," standout songs include "You Are" and "Share My Life," which are noted for their emotional, soulful, and romantic depth.
The album features sparse, elegant arrangements that prioritize, in a "bedroom whisper" style, Kem's smooth vocal delivery and piano playing.
Kemistry received high praise, with some reviews giving it a 5-star rating. It was initially released independently in 2002 before being re-released by Motown Records in 2003, later earning gold certification.
Overall, the album is described as a "masterpiece" for lovers of quiet, heartfelt soul music, offering a consistent and soothing listening experience from start to finish.
Love Always Wins
Written-By – K. Owens
4:20
2 Lonely
Featuring – Brian Culbertson
Written-By – K. Owens
5:04
3 With You In My Life
Written-By – K. Owens
3:40
4 Love
Written-By – K. Owens
4:35
5 Praise
Written-By – K. Owens
3:52
6 Lie To Me
Written-By – K. Owens
3:51
7 Live Out Your Love
Written-By – K. Owens
4:12
8 Love Always Wins
Written-By – D. Ritz, K. Owens
4:51
9 Friend Today
Written-By – K. Owens
3:03
10 Can't Stop Giving Love
Written-By – K. Owens
4:16
11 Live Out Your Love
Featuring – Toni Braxton
Written-By – K. Owens, T. Braxton
4:13
12 Love Always Wins
Featuring – Erica Campbell
Written-By – D. Ritz, K. Owens
4:51
Label: Motown
Format: 12 x File, AAC, Album, 256 kbps
Country: Worldwide
Released: 2020
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Contemporary R&B