Net Worth Ranker
What Is El DeBarge’s Net Worth?
El DeBarge, the American R&B singer renowned for his captivating falsetto and significant contributions to the music industry, has accumulated a net worth of approximately $400,000. This valuation reflects his multifaceted career, encompassing his pivotal role as the lead vocalist of the family group DeBarge during the 1980s, as well as his accomplishments as a solo artist. His earnings have been derived from album sales, royalties, collaborations, and live performances, spanning several decades of musical engagement.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Eldra Patrick DeBarge was born on June 4, 1961, in Detroit, Michigan, the sixth child of Robert and Etterlene DeBarge. His early life was marked by instability, with accounts of domestic turmoil and the eventual divorce of his parents when he was 13. Growing up, El’s passion for music was evident through his participation in the local church choir and his aptitude for playing the piano. The family’s relocation to Grand Rapids, Michigan, paved the way for the formation of a family music group, which frequently performed at their uncle’s Pentecostal church.
In 1977, driven by his aspirations in music, DeBarge decided to leave high school to focus entirely on performing. He collaborated with his elder brothers and sister, performing at various clubs and venues throughout Michigan. In 1979, a significant opportunity arose when they secured a deal with Source Records, leading them to Los Angeles. There, they had the chance to perform for Motown CEO Berry Gordy, who was so impressed that he immediately signed the group, then known as The DeBarges, to the Motown label.
Under the mentorship of Motown’s experienced staff, The DeBarges gained valuable insights and opportunities. They collaborated with the group Switch, contributing to their 1980 albums “This Is My Dream” and “Reaching for Tomorrow.” Notably, El DeBarge was featured as a backup vocalist on the 1979 Switch hit, “I Call Your Name.” In 1981, the family group released their debut album, “The DeBarges,” officially adopting the name DeBarge. All four family members in the group contributed to the writing and production of the tracks. Their second album, “All This Love,” was released in 1982, with El DeBarge assuming the role of primary producer and arranger for all subsequent releases under the Motown label.
In 1983, the group released “In a Special Way,” which included the hits “Time Will Reveal” and “Love Me in a Special Way.” In 1984, the band began touring with Luther Vandross. This elevated their popularity and grew their fanbase. However, tensions were rising within the group as Motown was pushing for El alone to be elevated to the star of the group, while his brothers opposed this idea. Due to this tension, it was primarily El who worked on the production of the group’s next album, “Rhythm of the Night,” without much help from his siblings. The album became the group’s best-selling album ever. The title track became a top-five track in several countries and later became El’s signature song.
Solo Career and Musical Collaborations
In 1986, El DeBarge embarked on a solo career, releasing his self-titled debut album, which featured the hits “Who’s Johnny” and “Love Always.” Three years later, he released his second album, “Gemini,” which spawned the popular tracks “Real Love” and “Somebody Loves You.” In 1990, after his contract with Motown ended, he signed with Warner Bros. His third album, “In the Storm,” was released in 1992 and included a duet with Chante Moore titled “You Know What I Like.” In 1994, he released his next album, “Heart, Mind and Soul,” co-produced with Babyface, which produced moderate hits such as “Slide” and “Where is My Love.”
From 1994 to 2009, El DeBarge did not release any solo music but continued to collaborate with other artists. He worked with his brother Chico and rapper DJ Quik. After a 16-year hiatus, he released “Second Chance.” Leading up to the release, he had begun performing again and making high-profile appearances, including a performance at the 2010 BET Awards. The album included the singles “Second Change” and the song “Lay With You,” a duet he recorded with Faith Evans. The latter track and the album were nominated for a total of three Grammy Awards: Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Song, and Best R&B Album.
In 2022, he performed a Tiny Desk Concert for NPR Music at his home. The series is a popular online live music show. He played the keyboard and sang.
Personal Life and Challenges
In 1978, at the age of 16, DeBarge fathered his first child. He eventually went on to father a total of 12 children. DeBarge has had a history of drug abuse and legal problems. He has publicly stated that his addiction problems began after he was prescribed strong medication to deal with tooth pain by a dentist. Throughout the late 1990s and into the early 2000s, DeBarge’s addiction issues caused a number of problems in his personal life and also were at least partially responsible for why his career took a rather sudden downturn in 1994. After a number of arrests and having to spend over a year in prison, DeBarge announced his sobriety in 2010. However, while on tour promoting his 2010 album, he had to cancel a number of public appearances and performances following a relapse. He again sought treatment at a rehab facility. He did complete the program and was able to appear at the 54th Grammy Awards in February of 2012.
While specific details regarding El DeBarge’s assets, such as real estate holdings, vehicles, or investment portfolios, are not publicly documented, his reported net worth of $400,000 reflects his earnings from a lengthy and diverse music career. The calculation of his net worth takes into account his earnings from album sales, royalties, touring, collaborations, and other music-related endeavors. However, deductions for expenses, taxes, and personal spending also play a significant role in the final determination of his financial standing. Factors such as record sales, streaming revenue, and performance fees contribute to the income side, while expenses, legal issues, and personal habits impact the asset side of the equation. Given the fluctuations inherent in the music industry and the challenges faced in his personal life, El DeBarge’s net worth should be viewed within the context of his overall career trajectory and life circumstances.
