Net Worth Ranker
What Is Babyface’s Net Worth?
Kenneth Brian Edmonds, most famously known as Babyface, boasts a net worth of $200 million. This substantial figure reflects his multifaceted career as an R&B musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer. His financial success stems from a combination of album sales, songwriting royalties, production credits, and strategic business ventures.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on April 10, 1958, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Babyface’s journey began with humble roots. He grew up as one of six sons to Marvin and Barbara Edmonds. His mother, Barbara, worked as a production operator at a pharmaceutical plant. The loss of his father to lung cancer when Babyface was in eighth grade served as a pivotal moment, solidifying his resolve to pursue a career in music. As a teenager, his youthful appearance earned him the nickname “Babyface” from funk legend Bootsy Collins, while performing together. He honed his musical talents while attending North Central High School in Indianapolis.
His musical career officially took off in the late 1970s as a member of the funk band Manchild. In the early 1980s, he became part of the R&B group The Deele. This period marked a crucial phase in his development as a songwriter and producer, laying the foundation for his future success. In 1983, Babyface co-wrote “Slow Jam” for Midnight Star.
Rise to Fame and LaFace Records
Babyface’s ascent to stardom accelerated in the late 1980s. He co-founded LaFace Records in 1989 with Antonio “L.A.” Reid. LaFace Records became a launching pad for artists like TLC, Toni Braxton, and Usher. LaFace played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of R&B and pop music in the 1990s and early 2000s. Babyface wrote most of the songs on Braxton’s first two records, 1993’s “Toni Braxton” and 1996’s “Secrets,” which were massive successes. TLC sold more than 75 million albums.
His 1989 solo debut, “Tender Lover,” produced hits like “It’s No Crime” and “Whip Appeal.” His 1993 album “For the Cool in You” featured “When Can I See You.” He also released “The Day” in 1996.
The label signed Usher when he was 16, who sold 65 million records.
Songwriting and Production Successes
Babyface’s reputation as a hitmaker solidified throughout the 1980s. He penned and produced tracks for R&B stars such as The Whispers, Pebbles, and Bobby Brown. His work on Bobby Brown’s “Don’t Be Cruel” album in 1988 was a career turning point, yielding several chart-topping hits. He wrote Whitney Houston’s 1990 hit “I’m Your Baby Tonight,” his first U.S. #1 hit. He also wrote Boyz II Men’s 1994 hit “I’ll Make Love to You.” Babyface produced the soundtrack for the 1995 film “Waiting to Exhale,” which included Whitney Houston’s #1 hit “Exhale (Shoop Shoop).”
As a songwriter and producer, Babyface has collaborated with iconic figures in the music industry, including Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, and Toni Braxton. His solo albums include “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.
Real Estate Holdings
Babyface’s real estate portfolio reflects his financial success. In February 1998, he acquired a plot of land in Bel Air, Los Angeles, for $825,000. He completed construction on an 11,000-square-foot mansion on the property in 2000, and listed it for sale in May 2022 for $8 million. In May 2004, Babyface purchased a 7,508-square-foot home in Bel Air Crest for $4.1 million. A few months prior, 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. He also owns a 3,614-square-foot tract house in Rancho Cucamonga, California, bought in February 2008 for $780,000, and a house in Las Vegas bought in June 1996 for $255,000. In 2012, Babyface sold his 7,344-square-foot home in Incline Village, Nevada, for $2.95 million, which he bought in March 1995 with Tracey for $1.9 million.
Divorce Settlement
Babyface’s divorce from Tracey Edmonds in 2005 reportedly cost him half of his total net worth, amounting to around $100 million. This settlement ranks among the most expensive celebrity divorces in history. While this event undoubtedly impacted his financial standing, his diverse interests and business acumen enabled him to rebuild his personal fortune. While the exact details of the settlement remain private, it’s evident that the financial implications were substantial.
Personal Life
Babyface’s personal life has also been a subject of public interest. He married Tracey McQuarn in September 1992, after meeting her in 1990 during an audition for his “Whip Appeal” music video. They have two sons, Brandon and Dylan, and divorced in October 2005. In 2007, he began a relationship with Niko Pantenburg, one of his backup dancers, and their daughter was born in 2008. They married in May 2014. In April 2020, Babyface revealed that he and his family had recovered from COVID-19.
