Joe N Little III (born July 14, 1968) is an American singer, songwriter and producer who is best known as the lead singer of the 90s R&B group, Rude Boys, who had two No. 1 R&B singles, "

Written All Over Your Face "Written All Over Your Face" is a song by American R&B group The Rude Boys, released as the second single from their debut album ''Rude Awakening''. The song was written and produced by group member Larry Marcus with additional production from se ...

" and " Are You Lonely For Me", on

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

R&B/Hip Hop Chart. They received a Billboard Award for "Written All Over Your Face", as the No. 1 R&B song of 1991.

Early life

Little was born on July 14, 1968 in Cleveland, Ohio to parents Joe Little Jr., and Patricia Ann Little.

Career

Rude Boys

In 1987, Little along with friends Edward Lee Banks, Larry Marcus, and Melvin Sephus (Rude Boys) was discovered by R&B singer Gerald Levert who got them a record contract with Atlantic Records. In 1990, Rude Boys released their debut album entitled, "Rude Awakening" releasing 4 singles, "Heaven", "Come Let's Do This", and their two Billboard top charting No.1 R&B hits, "Written All Over Your Face" a top 20 on Billboard's Top 100 chart, and "Are You Lonely For Me". They released two more albums: "Rude House" in 1992 and "Rude As Ever" in 1997.

Writing and producing

Through the 90s and 2000s Little collaborated with other artists, producing and songwriting. In 1998, he co-wrote and produced two singles, "It's Your Turn" and "No Mans Land", for Levert's RIAA Platinum album "

Love & Consequences ''Love & Consequences'' is the third studio album by the American R&B singer Gerald Levert. It was released on July 21, 1998, on East West Records. In addition to his longtime collaborator, Edwin "Tony" Nicholas, Levert worked with more writers ...

" In 2000, Little and Levert co-wrote and produced the singles "Selfish Reasons" and "Proven and True" for The Temptations' album "

Ear-Resistible ''Ear-Resistible'' is the 57th studio album by American vocal group the Temptations. It was released by Motown on May 16, 2000. Featuring the Top 20 Urban Adult Contemporary singles "I'm Here", which peaked at #3, and "Selfish Reasons", which peak ...

", which won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Album.

Solo projects

In 1994, as solo artist, Little released his debut album entitled, "Puttin' It Down" on Atlantic Records under the name J. Little. four singles, "When I Think Of You", "Beautiful", "Holiday Song" and "All Of Me" on his own label, Brother 2 Brother International.

Other work

In 2010, Little opened a coffee shop in Cleveland, Ohio where he grew up named, Urbean Joe Coffee House on St. Clair Avenue near 152nd Street. He opened a second location in May 2011 at Larchmere Boulevard near Shaker Square.

Discography

Rude Boys

Albums *Rude Awakening - 1990 *Rude House - 1992 *Rude As Ever - 1997 Singles *Come On Let's Do It - 1990 *Written All Over Your Face - 1990 *Are You Lonely For Me - 1991 *Heaven - 1991 *My Kind Of Girl - 1993 *Go Ahead And Cry - 1993 *Nothing To One - 1997

Solo

Albums *Puttin' It Down - 1994 Singles *When I Think Of You - 2019 *Beautiful - 2020 *Holiday Song - 2021 *All Of Me - 2021

References

External links

*
Little III All Music CreditsYouTube Joe Little All Of MeJoe Little Writing & Producing Discogs CreditsRude Boys Written All Over Your Face
{{DEFAULTSORT:Little III, Joe Living people 1968 births American male singer-songwriters