Avant:

Hailed as the "new voice of ghetto soul" and acknowledged as the first act signed to NBA great Magic Johnson's Magic Johnson Music, Cleveland native Avant celebrated the MCA Records release of his debut album, My Thoughts, on May 2, 2000. Around the same time, the 22-year-old singer/songwriter was enjoying a Top Five Billboard R&B/hip-hop hit single, "Separated." The video for the song was getting massive play on cable channels BET and The Box. Avant's style of modern soul owes heavily to singer R. Kelly. Originally, Avant's manager, Eric Payton, released "Separated" in January 1998 on his Payton Entertainment label. The single began getting airplay on top-rated radio station WGCI in Chicago before eventually being included on the 1999 MCA compilation Summer Heat. The singer/songwriter wrote "Separated" based on his feelings following a failed romantic relationship. Avant felt that the Lord had blessed him enough for being allowed to put his sadness down on paper. Recorded in Chicago, My Thoughts was produced by accomplished multi-instrumentalist Steve Huff. Huff and Avant's overall high-quality musicianship gives My Thoughts a refreshing depth. The cover of René & Angela's 1983 R&B ballad classic "My First Love" stands out with a wonderfully swirling string arrangement by veteran Chicago arranger Tom Tom Washington (aka Tom Tom 84). The slammin' song "Reaction" contains a rhythm guitar sample from Issac Hayes' 1974 hit "Wonderful." In 2002, a new album again featuring production from Steve Huff, Ecstasy, was released on Johnson's subsidiary. Private Room followed in 2003 and Director in 2006; both albums spawned a clutch of Top 20 R&B singles. He then jumped to Capitol, which issued Avant's self-titled album in 2008. Upon its release, lead single "Break Ya Back" was also in the Top 20 of the R&B chart. ~ Ed Hogan, All Music Guide