Net Worth Ranker
What Is Babyface’s Net Worth?
Kenneth Brian Edmonds, more famously known as Babyface, has cultivated a substantial net worth of $200 million, reflecting his prolific career as an American R&B musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer. This financial achievement stems from decades of contributions to the music industry, marked by numerous hit songs, successful albums, and impactful collaborations with other prominent artists.
Babyface’s Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on April 10, 1958, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Kenneth Brian Edmonds grew up in a family of six sons. His mother, Barbara Edmonds, worked as a production operator at a pharmaceutical plant. The loss of his father, Marvin Edmonds, to lung cancer when Babyface was in eighth grade was a pivotal moment, solidifying his decision to pursue a career in music. During his teenage years, while performing with funk musician Bootsy Collins, he earned the nickname “Babyface,” a nod to his youthful appearance. His formal education includes attending North Central High School in Indianapolis. Babyface’s musical journey started in the late 1970s with the funk band Manchild. In the early 1980s, he joined the R&B group The Deele, where he met Antonio “L.A.” Reid, who would later become his business partner. Both Babyface and Reid departed from The Deele in 1988.
Rise to Prominence and LaFace Records
Babyface’s breakthrough came in 1983 when he co-wrote “Slow Jam” for Midnight Star. His reputation grew throughout the 1980s, producing hits for acts like The Whispers, Pebbles, and Bobby Brown. His work on Bobby Brown’s “Don’t Be Cruel” album in 1988 was particularly successful. In 1989, Babyface co-founded LaFace Records with L.A. Reid. LaFace signed artists like TLC, Toni Braxton, and Usher. Babyface wrote many songs on Toni Braxton’s first two albums, 1993’s “Toni Braxton” and 1996’s “Secrets.” Babyface played a role in TLC selling over 75 million albums. TLC’s second album, “CrazySexyCool,” became the best-selling album of all time by an American girl group. Usher, also signed to LaFace at the age of 16, sold 65 million records under the label.
Babyface’s Solo Career and Hit Songs
In 1989, Babyface released his solo album “Tender Lover,” which featured hits like “It’s No Crime” and “Whip Appeal.” His 1993 album “For the Cool in You” included the hit ballad “When Can I See You” and went triple platinum. Babyface released “The Day” in 1996, “Christmas with Babyface” in 1998, “Face 2 Face” in 2001, “Grown & Sexy” in 2005, “Playlist” in 2007, and “Return of the Tender Lover” in 2015. Babyface wrote Whitney Houston’s 1990 hit “I’m Your Baby Tonight,” his first U.S. #1 hit. He also wrote the 1994 Boyz II Men hit “I’ll Make Love to You.” Babyface produced the soundtrack for the 1995 movie “Waiting to Exhale,” which included the #1 hit “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” by Whitney Houston. Brandy and Mary J. Blige also had hits on the soundtrack.
Collaborations and Production Highlights
Babyface has collaborated with numerous artists throughout his career, writing and producing hits for Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, Boyz II Men, and many others. These collaborations have contributed significantly to his net worth, with royalties and production fees accumulating over the years. His ability to craft emotive and relatable lyrics has made him a household name, and his production work has defined the sound of 90s R&B and pop. For instance, his work on the “Waiting to Exhale” soundtrack not only earned critical acclaim but also generated substantial revenue through sales and licensing. The exact figures for these collaborations are proprietary, but their impact on his overall financial status is substantial.
Real Estate Investments
Babyface has invested in real estate, including a plot of land in Bel Air, Los Angeles, purchased in February 1998 for $825,000. In 2000, he completed construction on an 11,000 square foot mansion on this property. He listed this home for sale in May 2022 for $8 million, later reducing the price to $7.5 million in November 2022. In May 2004, Babyface purchased a five-bedroom, six-bathroom 7,508 square foot home in Bel Air Crest for $4.1 million. In April 2004, he acquired an 8,245-square-foot mansion in Mulholland Estates for $5.15 million, which is now owned by his ex-wife Tracey Edmonds. Babyface also owns a 3,614 square-foot house in Rancho Cucamonga, California, purchased in February 2008 for $780,000, and a house in Las Vegas bought in June 1996 for $255,000. In 2012, he sold his home in Incline Village, Nevada, for $2.95 million, a 7,344 square foot home with seven bedrooms and six bathrooms on a wooded hillside above Lake Tahoe. He and Tracey bought the home in March 1995 for $1.9 million.
Divorce Settlement
Babyface’s divorce from Tracey Edmonds in 2005 reportedly cost him half of his net worth, potentially as much as $100 million. This settlement included a significant portion of his assets, impacting his financial standing at the time. The exact details of the settlement are confidential, but it is considered one of the most expensive celebrity divorces.
Personal Life Details
Babyface met Tracey McQuarn in 1990, marrying her in September 1992. They have two sons, Brandon and Dylan. They divorced in October 2005 after 13 years of marriage. In 2007, Babyface began dating Niko Pantenburg, one of his backup dancers. Their daughter was born in 2008, and they married in May 2014. In April 2020, Babyface revealed that he and his family recovered from COVID-19.
