Johnny Kemp born August 2, 1959

Johnny Kemp (August 2, 1959 – April 16, 2015) was a Bahamian singer, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a songwriter in late 1979 and is perhaps best known for his solo work, including his single "Just Got Paid" (1988), which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1989. His distinctive voice and rhythmic style helped him stand out in a crowded field of R and B performers during the 1980s, a decade known for its fusion of funk, soul, and emerging electronic production styles.

Kinky Foxx

Jonathan Kemp was born in Nassau, Bahamas. He began singing in nightclubs in the Bahamas at age 13. He moved to Harlem, New York with the band Kinky Foxx from 1979-1981. After going solo he developed a forte in writing songs for other artists and performed backup vocals for the B. B. & Q. Band on their 1982 album All Night Long (on which he co-wrote several tracks) and for Change on their 1982 album Sharing Your Love (on which he co-wrote "Take You To Heaven"). He also appeared on the obscure Network LP I Need You in 1984, where he had lead vocals on the song "Cover Girl", later re-recorded for his self-titled debut solo album.

                                       

Columbia Records gave him a record deal in 1985 and, through them, he released his first album, Johnny Kemp, in 1986. The album charted in the U.S. on Billboard's Top Black Albums chart, reaching No. 36 on June 28 of that year. It produced hit singles like “Just Another Lover,” “Can’t Get Enough,” and “Cover Girl.” Greater success came the following year with the release of his Secrets of Flying (1987) album, which contained a pair of Top 5 hits on Billboard′s Hot Black Singles chart, "Dancin' with Myself" and "Just Got Paid", the latter hitting No. 1. "Just Got Paid" hit No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1988, and sold over a million singles in the United States. 

It topped the Hot Dance Music/Club Play and provided his only UK Singles Chart entry, peaking at No. 68 in August 1988. Columbia initially offered the instrumental base for the song to Keith Sweat, who passed on it. Kemp listened to the track, wrote lyrics for it, and produced the hit track. His only other Hot 100 entry was "Birthday Suit", a tune from the soundtrack to the movie, Sing (1989), which climbed to No. 36 in 1989.

Following the release of his second album, Kemp’s visibility in the music industry waned. In the 90s Johnny Kemp and Sherry Goffin Kondor, the daughter of Carole King were the lead singers for the popular children's cover band Sugar Beats. The Sugar Beats featured The Broadway Kids members and Les Miserables (musical) stars Crysta Macalush Winton and Erin Rakow. Former Dream Street member and Summerland (TV series) star Jesse McCartney was a member of the Sugar Beats.  The Reading Rainbow series on PBS featured its theme song sung by Kemp for a few years. After releasing "80s Greaties" the Sugar Beats broke up in 2009.

Sadly, Kemp died in a tragic accident in April of 2015, with his body being found off the coast of Montego Bay. He had been a passenger on a cruise ship that docked there, and he was scheduled to perform on the Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage Cruise. According to the St. James Police, it’s believed Kemp lost his balance while walking on some rocks, fell, hit his head, and ultimately drowned. He left behind a wife, Deirdre Fisher-Kemp, and their two sons, one of whom, Jared Kemp, is an actor. Ultimately, Johnny Kemp’s passing marked the end of a life, but not the end of his musical impact. Through Just Got Paid, his voice continues to echo across generations, ensuring that his contribution to R and B and pop music history remains recognized and appreciated.

(Edited from BlackPast, Wikipedia & Singers Room)