Marva King is most known for her
starring role in Tyler Perry’s multi-million dollar grossing faith based DVD,
“Diary Of A Mad Black Woman.” In “Diary,” King played the spurned, attractive,
feisty and vengeful housewife, Helen. Twentieth Century Fox and Lions Gate
Entertainment have licensed the DVD rights to this hot property. Now, the former
Prince and the New Power Generation singer is back again, currently in the
studio, recording her very own album.
Despite the massive success of her
stage debut, King, has far more to her stellar resume than just her diary. As
the daughter of performers, King always appreciated music and began performing
gospel at 13 with the Clarke Sisters and Andre Crouch. She worked with Stevie
Wonder when she was still a teenager, sang on Michael Jackson’s “Bad”, and
toured and recorded with Prince as a member of the New Power Generation, as well
as Lenny Kravitz. She is also heard on albums by
Tupac
Marva King
Shakur, Jimmy Cliff, Chaka
Khan, Lionel Richie and Phil Collins, just to name a few. She co-wrote the
Whispers’ single, “Innocent,” which debuted at #4 on the “Billboard” Hot Singles
Chart. Her own music has crossed several genres and includes a CD, Soul of
Brazil, which has already been released in that country and is being released
this year by You/Warner Bros. Records in the United States.
Holed up in the studio, the prolific vocalist with the four-octave range is
currently recording her upcoming neo-soul and R&B CD, Soul Sistah which has
tracks that explore all forms of soul music. When asked to pick her own
favorites, King could not choose just one. She likes “Mellow,” a track that has
the power to ease her mood. She also enjoys “Sistah,” featuring violists Karen
Briggs a track destined to be an anthem. “Know You,” which has been called one
of several “tantalizing” tracks on the CD, also made her list. It’s
understandable that she would have a hard time choosing a single favorite. King
has received “Universal Love” from audiences around the world, and surely gives
it back in her track of the same name. Listeners will also be interested to know
that Soul Sistah includes a version of Minnie Ripperton’s “Baby This Love”
featuring George Duke and Stanley Clarke.
The fact that Marva King has her own calendar for sale may be the only way that
fans can keep up with all of this Flint, Michigan native’s projects. It starts
in August of this year and goes through January of 2007. Sultry yet tasteful
photographs of King and lyrics from her music adorn its pages. In addition to
being in the studio working on her latest CD, Soul Sistah, she also has a
featured part in Resurrection: The J. R. Richard Story, an award-winning film
set for distribution this year. Resurrection: The J. R.
Richard Story is a biopic about the ups and downs of former Houston Astros
pitcher, J. R. Richard. The film has already garnered attention on the festival
circuit, showing around the country and in international venues and winning a
Gold Remi award at the WorldFest. Marva King plays Cindy Young, a reporter who
maintained a connection with Richard after his career-ending stroke. King says
she appreciated being able to play “a character who remained supportive” of
Richard. The film is due out late this year.
King has also published her first book, Diary of a Black Woman: Madea and Me,
which chronicles her time playing the lead in the stage production of the Tyler
Perry play. From the moment the book opens, King doesn’t mince words. She makes
it clear that from the beginning. The part of Helen in “Diary Of A Mad Black
Woman” was author Marva King’s first featured role in a live theatrical
production. For Marva, the stage was already a familiar platform – as a
singer. Acting in Diary proved to be a challenging yet rewarding experience.
After performing in Diary across the U.S. for six months and filming the play
for release on DVD, Marva realized that her role opposite Madea (Tyler Perry)
and the chemistry between the cast and the audience had resulted in a runway
hit. Never had Marva imagined she would hear her name or see her face along
side Madea’s everywhere she turned, or that this dramatic/comedic theatrical
baby would grow into a mega giant. Letters and emails continue to pour in from
Marva’s fans with compliments, concerns, and questions, questions, questions…
While on the road, Marva King kept a journal. “Diary Of A Mad Black Woman:”
Madea and Me is an intelligent, candid, and vividly humorous collection of
onstage and behind-the-scenes memories of life on the Diary Tour.
The album was
premiered by
Andreas Hellingh
in his radio
show for Starpoint Radio.
Courtesy of Glenn and Clarence O. Smith of You
Entertainment/co-founder of
Essence magazine.
*
'De'valicious' is a
15-track demo
album with
unreleased
recordings from a variaty of artists, all produced and
co-written by Steve Harvey, except 'Stay With Me'.
The single
'What You Deserve' was
recorded by the group Answered Questions featuring core members; Marva
King and Morris Renties. Produced by Morris Rentie II. Co-Produced by
Marva King.
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