Stokley Williams (born July 15, 1967) also known simply as Stokley, is an American singer, record producer, and percussionist. Williams is best known as the lead singer and studio drummer of the band

Mint Condition Mint condition is an expression used to denote the quality of a pre-owned good as displaying virtually no imperfections and being in pristine condition relative to its original production state. Originally, the phrase related to the way collect ...

Career

In 2011, he was featured on

Kelly Price Kelly Cherelle Price (born April 4, 1973) is an American R&B and gospel singer. She started her singing career in 1992. Price originally garnered attention by singing backing vocals for Mariah Carey on multiple songs, including her ''Billboa ...

's song "Not My Daddy" from her album ''

Kelly Kelly may refer to: Art and entertainment * Kelly (Kelly Price album) * Kelly (Andrea Faustini album) * ''Kelly'' (musical), a 1965 musical by Mark Charlap * "Kelly" (song), a 2018 single by Kelly Rowland * ''Kelly'' (film), a 1981 Canadi ...

'' which earned him his first Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance. In 2017 Williams joined The Revolution on tour, to pay tribute to

Prince A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. Th ...

. Also in 2017, Williams released his Bluraffe/Concord Records solo debut ''Introducing Stokley'', with production by himself as well as Philadelphia production team

Carvin & Ivan Carvin & Ivan are a production duo from Philadelphia consisting of producer and songwriters Ivan "Orthodox" Barias and Carvin "Ransum" Haggins. Initially starting out as solo hip hop artists, Haggins and Barias moved into production and songwriti ...

. In 2019, Jam & Lewis' did a joint venture with Bluraffe ent /Perspective Records to release his second solo album, ''Sankofa''. In March 2020, Stokley earned his first #1 solo hit, with "She..." going number #1 on the Adult R&B Chart (Billboard) for two consecutive weeks.

Influences

Williams has declared his main influences as being Cliff Alexis Sr.,

, and

Maurice White Maurice White (December 19, 1941 – February 4, 2016) was an American singer, musician, songwriter, and record producer. He was best known as the founder, leader, main songwriter, and producer of the band Earth, Wind & Fire, and served as the ...

Discography as a session musician

'' The Boys - The Boys'' (1990) * "

Got to Be There ''Got to Be There'' is the debut solo studio album by American singer Michael Jackson, released by Motown on January 24, 1972, four weeks after the Jackson 5's ''Greatest Hits (The Jackson 5 album), Greatest Hits'' (1971). It includes the Got to ...

" (drums) ''

Sounds of Blackness Sounds of Blackness is a vocal and instrumental ensemble from Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota who perform music from several genres music including gospel, R&B, soul, and jazz. The group scored several hits on the ''Billboard'' R&B and Hot Dan ...

–

The Evolution of Gospel ''The Evolution of Gospel'' is the debut studio album by Sounds of Blackness, released May 7, 1991, on A&M Records. In 1992, the album received the Grammy Award for Grammy Award for Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album, Best Gospel Choir or Chorus ...

'' (1991) * "Optimistic" (handclaps) * "The Pressure Pt. 1" (background vocals) * "The Pressure Pt. 2" (background vocals) ''

Karyn White Karyn Layvonne White (born October 14, 1965) is an American singer who was popular during the late 1980s and early 1990s. She is known for several hit singles including "Superwoman" (1988), " Secret Rendezvous" (1989), " The Way You Love Me" (19 ...

– Ritual of Love'' (1991) * "Ritual of Love" (percussion) * "Love That's Mine" (background vocals) * "Do Unto Me" (drummer) * "Hard To Say Goodbye" (drum programming, percussion, background vocals) ''

Mo' Money ''Mo' Money'' is a 1992 American comedy -drama film directed by Peter Macdonald, and written by Damon Wayans, who also starred in the film. The film co-stars Stacey Dash, Joe Santos, John Diehl, Harry Lennix, Bernie Mac (in his film debut), and ...

– Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'' (1992) * The Harlem Yacht Club- "Brother Will" (drummer) ''

Janet Jackson Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreog ...

– janet.'' (1993) * "What'll I Do" (drummer) * "The Body That Loves You" (percussion) ''

Johnny Gill Johnny Gill Jr. (born May 22, 1966) is an American singer and actor. He is the sixth and final member of the R&B/ pop group New Edition and was also a member of the supergroup called LSG, with Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat. Gill has released ...

– Provocative'' (1993) * " The Floor" (background vocals) * "Where No Man Has Gone Before" (background vocals) * "Mastersuite" (drummer, percussion) * "Quiet Time To Play" (percussion) * "I Know Where I Stand" (percussion) ''

Color Me Badd ''Color'' Me Badd is an American contemporary R&B group that was formed in 1985 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma by lead singer Bryan Abrams (born November 16, 1969), tenor Mark Calderon (born September 27, 1970), second tenor Sam Watters (born July 23 ...

– Time and Chance'' (1993) * "The Bells" (drummer) ''

Jason's Lyric ''Jason's Lyric'' is a 1994 American erotic romantic psychological drama film, written by Bobby Smith Jr., directed by Doug McHenry, who co-produced the film with George Jackson and Marilla Lane Ross, and starring Allen Payne, Jada Pinkett, B ...

– Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'' (1994) *

Black Men United Black Men United (B.M.U.) was a collaboration of many African-American male contemporary R&B, R&B, neo soul and soul music artists. Their only song "U Will Know", written by a young D'Angelo, was released in 1994. It was featured in the film ''Jas ...

– "U Will Know" (lead vocals, background vocals) ''Karyn White –

Make Him Do Right ''Make Him Do Right'' is the third album by the American singer Karyn White, released in 1994. Its first single was "Hungah". Critical reception The '' Knoxville News Sentinel'' deemed the album "a lifeless recording overloaded with braindead bal ...

'' (1994) * "One Minute" (drummer, percussion) ''Sounds of Blackness – Africa to America: The Journey of the Drum'' (1994) * "The Lord Will Make A Way" (drummer, percussion) * "The Drum (Africa To America)" (percussion) ''J. Spencer – Blue Moon'' (1995) * "U Should Be Mine" (lead vocals) ''

Solo Solo or SOLO may refer to: Arts and entertainment Comics * ''Solo'' (DC Comics), a DC comics series * Solo, a 1996 mini-series from Dark Horse Comics Characters * Han Solo, a ''Star Wars'' character * Jacen Solo, a Jedi in the non-canonical ''S ...

– Solo'' (1995) * " A Change Is Gonna Come" (drummer) ''Soultry – Soultry'' (1995) * "Where Do Broken Hearts Belong" (writer, producer, drummer, percussion, bass synthesizer) * "I Knew All Along" (writer, producer, drummer) * "Can I Get To Know You" (producer) ''Janet Jackson – Design of a Decade: 1986–1996'' (1995) * "

Twenty Foreplay "Twenty Foreplay" is a song by American singer-songwriter Janet Jackson from her first greatest hits album, '' Design of a Decade: 1986–1996'' (1995). Written and produced by Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis as one of the two new songs on ...

" (drummer) ''

New Edition New Edition is an American R&B/Pop group from the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1978 by Bobby Brown. Their name is taken to mean a 'new edition' of the Jackson 5. The group reached its height of popularity in the 198 ...

– Home Again'' (1996) * "One More Day" (percussion) ''

Ann Nesby Ann Nesby (born Lula Ann Bennett; July 24, 1955) is an American R&B, gospel and dance music singer and actress. She is the former lead singer of Sounds of Blackness; a songwriter with credits including hits sung by Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knigh ...

– I'm Here For You'' (1996) * "I'm Still Wearing Your Name" (drummer) * "(What A) Lovely Evening" (drummer) * "Thrill Me" (drummer) * "This Weekend" (drummer) * "Let Old Memories Be" (drummer) ''

Jesse Powell Jesse Powell (September 12, 1971 – September 13, 2022) was an American R&B and soul singer. Discovered by Louil Silas Jr., Powell was best known for his hit "You", which peaked at No. 2 on the R&B chart and No. 10 on the ''Billboard'' Hot ...

'' * "All Alone" (writer, producer, background vocals, drummer) ''4.0 – 4.0'' (1997) * "Oh Baby" (drummer) ''

Luther Vandross Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr. (April 20, 1951 – July 1, 2005) was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Known for his sweet and soulful vocals, Vandross has sold over 40 million records worldwide. He achieved eleven consecutive P ...

– One Night with You: The Best of Love, Volume 2'' (1997) * "I Won't Let You Do That To Me" (percussion) ''

Jon Secada Juan Francisco Secada Ramírez (born October 4, 1961), better known as Jon Secada, is a Cuban-born American singer. He has won two Grammy Awards and sold 15 million records, making him one of the best-selling Latin music artists. His music fus ...

– Secada'' (1997) * "Too Late, Too Soon" (percussion) ''Sounds of Blackness – Time for Healing'' (1997) * "The Blackness Blues" (drummer) ''

How Stella Got Her Groove Back ''How Stella Got Her Groove Back'' is a 1998 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan, adapted from Terry McMillan's best-selling 1996 novel of the same title. The film stars Angela Bassett, Taye Diggs (in his film ...

'' (1998) *

K-Ci & JoJo K-Ci & JoJo is an American R&B duo, consisting of brothers Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey (born September 2, 1969) and Joel "JoJo" Hailey (born June 10, 1971). Natives of Monroe, North Carolina, they are also the lead singers of the chart-topping R&B g ...

– "Never Say Never Again" (drummer) Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida'' (1999) *

Elton John Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is a British singer, pianist and composer. Commonly nicknamed the "Rocket Man" after his 1972 hit single of the same name, John has led a commercially successful career a ...

& Janet Jackson – "I Know The Truth" (drummer) ''

Jordan Knight Jordan Nathaniel Marcel Knight (born May 17, 1970) is an American singer-songwriter and actor. He is a singer in the boy band New Kids on the Block (NKOTB), who rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s, using a falsetto style of singing influenced by ...

–

'' (1999) * "Finally Finding Out" (percussion) ''

Yolanda Adams Yolanda Yvette Adams (born August 27, 1961) is an American gospel singer, actress, and host of her own nationally syndicated morning gospel show. She is one of the best-selling gospel artists of all time, having sold over 10 million album ...

– Mountain High...Valley Low'' (1999) * "

Open My Heart "Open My Heart" is a song by Yolanda Adams released in 2000. The song gained Adams great popularity in the secular audiences. Being the most groundbreaking single of her career, she won several awards for this song. "Open My Heart" helped her 199 ...

" (drummer) '' Usher – 8701'' (2001) * "Twork It Out" (drummer) * "How Do I Say" (drummer) ''

Blu Cantrell Blu Cantrell (born Tiffany Cobb; March 16, 1976) is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter. Cantrell rose to fame in 2001, with the release of her debut single, " Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!)", which peaked at number two on the US ''Billboa ...

– So Blu'' (2001) * "I'll Find A Way" (drummer) ''

Deborah Cox Deborah Cox (born July 13, 1974) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. Born and raised in Toronto, she began performing on television commercials at age 12, and entered various talent shows in her teenage years before ...

– The Morning After'' (2002) * Hurt So Much" (drummer) ''

Toni Braxton Toni Michele Braxton (born October 7, 1967) is an American Contemporary R&B, R&B singer, songwriter, actress and television personality. She has sold over 70 million records worldwide and is one of the best-selling female artists in history. ...

– More Than a Woman'' (2002) * "Lies, Lies, Lies" (acoustic guitar, guitar solo) ''Ann Nesby – Put It on Paper'' (2002) * "I'm Your Friend" (featuring Big Jim Wright) (drummer) ''

Ali Shaheed Muhammad Ali Shaheed Muhammad (born August 11, 1970) is an American hip hop DJ, record producer, and rapper, best known as a member of A Tribe Called Quest. With Q-Tip and Phife Dawg (and sometimes Jarobi White), the group released five studio albums ...

– Shaheedullah and Stereotypes'' (2004) * "Put Me On" (vocals) * "Banga" (background vocals) ''

–

Musicology Musicology (from Greek μουσική ''mousikē'' 'music' and -λογια ''-logia'', 'domain of study') is the scholarly analysis and research-based study of music. Musicology departments traditionally belong to the humanities, although some mu ...

'' (2004) * "Call My Name" (background vocals) '' Jill Scott- The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3'' (2007) * "How It Make You Feel" (producer, bass, guitar, drum programming, keyboards) ''

Brother Ali Ali Douglas Newman (born Jason Douglas Newman, July 30, 1977), better known by his stage name Brother Ali, is an American rapper, community activist, and member of the Rhymesayers Entertainment hip hop collective. He has released seven albums, ...

– Us'' (2009) * "Brothers And Sisters" (background vocals) * "Us" (background vocals) ''

Tech N9ne Aaron Dontez Yates (born November 8, 1971), better known by his stage name Tech N9ne (pronounced "tech nine"), is an American rapper. In 1999, he and business partner Travis O'Guin founded the record label Strange Music. He has sold over two m ...

–

All 6's and 7's ''All 6's and 7's'' is the eleventh studio album by American rapper Tech N9ne. It was released on June 7, 2011, through Strange Music. The album was released to universal acclaim by music critics, and peaked at number four on the ''Billboard 200 ...

'' (2011) * "The Boogieman" (background vocals) ''

–

'' (2011)
''

– 7...'' (2011) * "Not My Daddy" (co-vocals, co-producer, drummer, keyboards, bass) ''

Elzhi Jason Powers (born May 12, 1978), better known by his stage name Elzhi (stylized as eLZhi), is an American Rapping, rapper from Detroit, Michigan. He is a former member of Slum Village and now records as a solo artist. In his youth, he made nume ...

– Elmatic'' (2011) * "Life's A Bitch" (additional vocals) ''Brother Ali – The Bite Marked Heart'' (2012) * "I'll Be Around" (background vocals) ''

The World Famous Tony Williams Antony Von Williams, known professionally as the World Famous Tony Williams, is an American singer and songwriter from Oklahoma City. Williams is perhaps best known for his vocals on his first cousin Kanye West's debut album, ''The College Drop ...

- King or the Fool'' (2012) * "Mr. Safety" (additional vocals) '' The Robert Glasper Experiment – Black Radio'' (2012) * "Why Do We Try" (lead vocals, percussion) ''U-Nam & Friends – Weekend in L.A (A Tribute To

George Benson George Washington Benson (born March 22, 1943) is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He began his professional career at the age of 19 as a jazz guitarist. A former child prodigy, Benson first came to prominence in the 1960s, pla ...

)'' (2012) * "Nature Boy" (lead vocals) ''

Brian Culbertson Brian Culbertson (born January 12, 1973) is an American smooth jazz/ R&B/ funk musician and producer. His instruments include the synthesizer, piano and trombone. Early life and career Culbertson was born in Decatur, Illinois. As a child, he ...

– Dreams'' (2012) * "No Limits" (lead vocals) '' Wale – The Gifted'' (2013) * "The Curse of the Gifted" (uncredited background vocals) * "LoveHate Thing" (featuring Sam Dew) (co-producer, guitar, bass, keyboards, drum programming) * "Sunshine" (co-producer, keyboards, drums, percussion, background vocals) * "Heaven's Afternoon" (featuring

Meek Mill Robert Rihmeek Williams (born May 6, 1987), known professionally as Meek Mill, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he embarked on his music career as a battle rapper, and later formed a short-lived rap group, ...

) (co-producer, keyboards, guitar, background vocals) * "Gullible" (featuring

Cee-Lo Green Thomas DeCarlo Callaway - Burton (born May 30, 1975), known professionally as CeeLo Green (or Cee Lo Green), is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer and actor. He is known for his work in hip hop and R&B, including the Gnarls ...

) (producer, drum programming, guitar) * "Black Heroes" (co-producer, guitar, background vocals) '' Lil' John Roberts – The Heartbeat'' (2014) * "Space" (additional vocals) ''Wale –

The Album About Nothing ''The Album About Nothing'' is the fourth studio album by American rapper Wale. It was released on March 31, 2015, by Maybach Music Group, Allido Records and Atlantic Records. The album serves as a continuation of Wale's '' Seinfeld''-themed mi ...

'' (2015) * "The Intro About Nothing" (additional vocals) * "The Bloom (AG3)" (background vocals, additional production) ''

Boney James Boney James (born James Oppenheim September 1, 1961) is an American saxophonist (tenor, alto and soprano), songwriter, record producer and recording artist. He is a four-time Grammy Award nominee (Best Pop Instrumental Album, 2001, 2004, 2014 an ...

– futuresoul'' (2015) * "Either Way" (vocals) ''

Maysa Maysa Figueira Monjardim (June 6, 1936 – January 22, 1977), better known as Maysa Matarazzo, was a Brazilian singer-songwriter, performer and actress. She is also associated with Bossa nova music but is widely known as a torch song (''fossa' ...

- Back 2 Love'' (2015) * "Keep It Movin'" (producer, additional vocals) ''

PJ Morton P.J. Morton (born Paul Morton Jr.; March 29, 1981) is an American Grammy winning musician, singer, songwriter and record producer. Since 2012, he has been one of the keyboardists, alongside Jesse Carmichael, for the pop rock band Maroon 5. Mort ...

- Christmas with PJ Morton'' (2018) * " All I Want for Christmas is You" (additional vocals) ''Zo! - FourFront'' (2019) * "Sweat" (vocals) ''

After 7 After 7 is an American R&B group founded in 1987 by brothers Melvin and Kevon Edmonds, and their friend Keith Mitchell. The Edmonds brothers are the older siblings of pop/R&B singer-songwriter and record producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, w ...

- Unfinished Business'' (2021) * "The Day" (additional vocals, writer, producer, drum programming, keyboards, acoustic guitar) * "Sum Of A Woman" (writer, producer, drum programming, guitar, keyboards)

Discography as a group member

with Mint Condition ''

Meant to Be Mint ''Meant to Be Mint'' is the debut studio album of R&B band Mint Condition. The album was released on June 11, 1991, on Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis' A&M imprint Perspective Records. ''Meant to Be Mint'' reached to no. 13 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop ...

'' (1991)
''

From the Mint Factory ''From the Mint Factory'' is the second studio album by American R&B band Mint Condition. The album was released on October 5, 1993 on Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis' record label Perspective Records. The album peaked and charted at number 104 on the B ...

'' (1993)
''

Definition of a Band ''Definition of a Band'' is the third studio album by the R&B band Mint Condition. It was released on September 24, 1996, on Perspective Records. ''Definition of a Band'' was Mint Condition's most successful recording to date, yielding two hit s ...

'' (1996)
''The Collection (1991–1998)'' (1998)
'' Life's Aquarium'' (1999)
'' Livin' the Luxury Brown'' (2005)
''Live from the 9:30 Club'' (2006)
''

E-Life Elvis de Oliveira, better known as E-Life, is a rapper from Rotterdam, Netherlands. He is also a DJ for radio station Juize FM. E-Life started his music career with rap crew Dope Syndicate. DJ Raw Deal's move to the United States in 1995 pro ...

'' (2008)
'' 7...'' (2011)
'' Music @ the Speed of Life'' (2012)
'' Healing Season'' (2015) with Ursus Minor ''Nucular'' (2007)
''Zugzwang'' (2010)
''I Will Not Take "But" for an Answer'' (2010)
''What Matters Now'' (2016) Solo album ''Introducing Stokley'' (2017)
''Sankofa'' (2021)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Stokley African-American male singer-songwriters African-American drummers American contemporary R&B singers Living people American tenors Midwest hip hop musicians Place of birth missing (living people) 1967 births 20th-century American drummers American male drummers American neo soul singers Shanachie Records artists Concord Records artists Elektra Records artists Perspective Records artists 20th-century African-American male singers 21st-century African-American male singers