Net Worth Ranker
What Is Perri “Pebbles” Reid’s Net Worth
Perri “Pebbles” Reid, also known as Sister Perri, boasts a net worth of $20 million. This financial standing is primarily attributed to her successful career as a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and producer in the pop and R&B genres, as well as her entrepreneurial ventures through her production company, Pebbitone. Furthermore, her contributions to gospel music have supplemented her income, showcasing her versatility across different musical genres. Despite her achievements, Reid has faced financial and legal challenges, particularly related to her management of the girl group TLC.
Sources of Pebbles Reid’s $20 Million Net Worth
A significant portion of Perri “Pebbles” Reid’s wealth originates from her musical career. Her debut album, “Pebbles,” released in 1987, achieved Platinum certification in the United States, indicating sales of at least one million copies. This album reached #14 on the Billboard 200 chart and #5 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album featured hit singles such as “Girlfriend” and “Mercedes Boy,” both of which peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and reached #5 and #2, respectively, on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Her second album, “Always,” released in 1990, also achieved Platinum status in the U.S., further solidifying her success in the music industry. This album reached #37 on the Billboard 200 chart and #12 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Notable singles from “Always” include “Giving You the Benefit” and “Love Makes Things Happen” (featuring Babyface), both of which topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The single “Backyard” (featuring Salt-n-Pepa) also reached #4 on the same chart.
Beyond album sales, Reid has also earned income through songwriting and production royalties. As the founder of Pebbitone, she was responsible for discovering and developing the girl group TLC in the early 1990s. While TLC achieved phenomenal success with estimated sales of 65 million albums worldwide, disputes arose regarding Reid’s management and financial arrangements, leading to legal battles and bankruptcy filings by TLC. These disputes, while impactful, occurred after she had already established herself in the industry.
In 1980, at the age of 16, Reid began her music career, singing back-up for the band Con Funk Shun and the band leader/percussionist Bill Summers. She co-wrote the Con Funk Shun song ‘Body Lovers.” Although the specific income earned during this early stage of her career is not publicly available, it contributed to her initial entry into the music industry.
Pebbitone and TLC Controversy
In 1989, Reid established Pebbitone, an Atlanta-based production company, and Savvy Records. In early 1991, TLC signed management, publishing, and production deals with Pebbitone, with Reid acting as the band’s manager. TLC’s signing with LaFace Records, owned by Reid’s then-husband L.A. Reid, further intertwined their professional relationship. The group consisted of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, and Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins.
The financial dispute between TLC and Pebbles became a significant point of contention. TLC filed for bankruptcy in the mid-1990s, alleging financial mismanagement by Reid. The band members claimed that despite selling 11 million copies of their album “CrazySexyCool,” each member received only $50,000. This discrepancy fueled the conflict and ultimately damaged the marriage between Perri and L.A. Reid. Pebbitone subsequently filed a $10 million lawsuit against LaFace Records.
The 2013 VH1 biopic “CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story” further exacerbated tensions. Reid, dissatisfied with her portrayal, initially threatened a $40 million lawsuit against Viacom, alleging that the film falsely depicted her as a dishonest businesswoman who exploited TLC. The lawsuit claimed the series falsely portrayed her “as a conniving and dishonest business woman who hoodwinked three innocent girls and exploited their talent for her own personal gain.” The two parties reached a settlement for an undisclosed amount in late 2020. The financial impact of this settlement on Reid’s net worth is not publicly disclosed.
Career as Sister Perri and Other Ventures
Following a religious conversion in 1997, Perri Reid adopted the stage name “Sister Perri” and founded Women of God Changing Lives Ministries. This ministry, described as focused on “deliverance, healing, teaching, and training,” holds weekly services. Reid’s transition to gospel music and ministry work led to the release of the album “Prophetic Flows Vol I & II” in 1998, which reached #12 on the Billboard Gospel Album Chart. However, it is important to note that the financial returns from gospel music and ministry work typically differ significantly from those in mainstream pop and R&B.
In 2011, Perri was announced as the host and executive producer of the talent competition “Essence & Pebbles present: R&B star.” Details regarding her financial compensation for this role are not publicly available.
Reid also produced the 2021 TV movie “Whitney Houston & Bobbi Kristina: Didn’t We Almost Have It All.” Details regarding her financial compensation for this role are not publicly available.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Perri Arlette McKissack, born on August 29, 1964, in Oakland, California, is the daughter of mixed African-American parents who divorced during her childhood. Growing up, her mother worked as a housekeeper and waitress to support Perri and her three siblings. Perri is a cousin of R&B singer and songwriter Cherrelle, known for hits like “I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On.” Cherrelle was featured on Perri’s 1991 song “Always.” Specific financial details related to her early life are unavailable.
In 1980, Reid commenced her music career at the age of 16, providing backing vocals for the band Con Funk Shun and percussionist Bill Summers. She also contributed to the songwriting process, co-writing Con Funk Shun’s song “Body Lovers.” While the exact amount of income earned during this period is not publicly known, it marked her initial foray into the music industry.
Reid entered into a production deal with a local musician; however, the arrangement fell through following her pregnancy with her first child. Subsequently, while employed at a real estate office, she met her second husband, George L. Smith, who invested $80,000 in recording a demo tape and video for the song “Mercedes Boy.” This investment facilitated her securing a record deal with MCA. This is the most specific financial detail available regarding the launch of her solo career.
Personal Life and Marital History
Perri “Pebbles” Reid has been married five times. She gave birth to her daughter, Ashley Victoria Winzer, in early 1982 and married Ashley’s father soon after. The couple divorced in 1983. Later that year, Reid married contractor George L. Smith, with whom she separated in 1987. In 1989, she married record executive Antonio “L.A.” Reid, and they had a son, Aaron, in 1990. Perri and L.A. divorced in 1995. From 2000 to 2004, she was married to former MLB player Otis Nixon. In 2012, Reid married administrative law judge Excel Sharieff. The financial implications of these marriages and divorces, in terms of settlements or asset divisions, are not publicly known.
Award Nominations
Perri “Pebbles” Reid has received two Grammy nominations for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, for “Girlfriend” in 1989 and “Giving You The Benefit” in 1991. “Girlfriend” also earned her an American Music Award nomination for Favorite Soul/R&B Song. While these nominations did not result in wins, they contributed to her recognition and visibility in the music industry, potentially increasing her earning power.
