Case Woodard, born on October 4, 1971, in New York City, is an acclaimed American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor who rose to fame in the 1990s. Known mononymously as Case, he achieved significant success with hits such as "Touch Me, Tease Me," "Happily Ever After," and collaborations like "The Best Man I Can Be" alongside Ginuwine, R.L., and Tyrese. His early 2000s hits, "Missing You" and "Livin' It Up" with Ja Rule, earned him two Grammy Award nominations, solidifying his place in the R&B genre.
Case's musical journey began with stints in the R&B group Future and the duo Black, where he honed his craft by co-writing and providing background vocals for notable artists, including Usher, Christopher Williams, and Al B. Sure. His breakthrough came when Faith Evans introduced him to Russell Simmons, who subsequently signed Case to Def Jam Records.
Case's solo career took off in 1996 with the release of "Touch Me, Tease Me," featuring Foxy Brown and Mary J. Blige. The track, featured on the soundtrack for The Nutty Professor, quickly went gold, reaching #4 on the R&B Songs chart and #14 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also achieved international success, peaking at #26 on the UK Singles Chart. His self-titled debut album, released by Def Jam Records in August 1996, featured contributions from Mary J. Blige and Faith Evans. Although the album performed moderately on the charts, peaking at #42 on the Billboard 200 and #7 on the R&B Albums chart, Case later expressed mixed feelings about it due to limited creative control and unfavorable business deals at the time.
In 1999, Case released his second album, Personal Conversation, featuring hits like "Happily Ever After" and "Faded Pictures" with Joe. Both tracks reached the top 10 on the R&B charts and top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, with "Happily Ever After" featuring a then-17-year-old Beyoncé in the music video. Despite the album's success, its third single, "Think Of You," did not perform as well.
In 2001, Case released his third album, Open Letter, under the Def Soul imprint. The album featured the hit single "Missing You," which topped the R&B charts and peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. This success earned Case his first two Grammy nominations for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. He also appeared on Ja Rule's hit "Livin' It Up," further solidifying his status in the industry.
Case's music frequently appeared on movie soundtracks, with tracks like "Touch Me, Tease Me" (The Nutty Professor), "Faded Pictures" (Rush Hour), "The Best Man I Can Be" (The Best Man), and "Missing You" (Nutty Professor II: The Klumps). His single "Shoulda Known Betta," featuring Ghostface, reached #87 on the R&B charts and was included on the Johnson Family Vacation soundtrack.
After a brief hiatus, Case returned in 2008 with "Face to Face," a duet with Coko for the Tyler Perry film Meet the Browns. He released his fourth studio album, The Rose Experience, in 2009 under his indie label, Indigo Blue, followed by Here, My Love in 2010, which peaked at #58 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart.
In 2014, Def Jam released a Best Of compilation, and Case signed with eOne to work on his sixth studio album, Heaven's Door, released in 2015. A compilation EP, Case: Relocked, Reloaded, Revisited (Re-Recordings), followed in 2016. His career was profiled on TVOne's Unsung series in 2017, leading to the release of the Valentine's Day EP, Love Jones Vol. 1.
In 2018, Case signed with X-Ray Records and announced his next album, Therapy, which was released on September 21, 2018. The album's lead single, "Make Love," featured Teddy Riley and Tank, further showcasing Case's enduring talent and relevance in the music industry.
Case's journey through the music industry has been marked by notable hits, collaborations, and personal evolution. His ability to create timeless R&B music has earned him a loyal fan base and critical acclaim, cementing his legacy as a significant figure in the genre. As he continues to tour and produce new music, Case remains a testament to the enduring power of authentic artistry.
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