Babyface Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Babyface’s Net Worth?

Born Kenneth Brian Edmonds, Babyface is an American R&B musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer with a net worth of $200 million. He is considered one of the most prolific songwriters and producers in the music industry and has been lauded by several publications as one of the best record producers of all time.

Renowned in the music industry, Kenneth Brian Edmonds, more widely known as Babyface, has made a significant impact as a singer, songwriter, and producer. His career, which spans several decades, has significantly influenced R&B and pop music. With a silky-smooth vocal delivery and the ability to write emotive, relatable lyrics, Babyface has become a household name.

Babyface’s ascent to fame began during the 1980s when he was part of the R&B band The Deele. It was here that he met Antonio “L.A.” Reid, who would become a future collaborator. Together, they established one of the late 20th century’s most successful production teams, L.A. Reid and Babyface. Their collaboration led to the creation of LaFace Records in 1989, a label that played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of R&B and pop during the 1990s and early 2000s.

As a songwriter and producer, Babyface has collaborated with an array of music industry titans, such as Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, and Toni Braxton. His golden touch has resulted in numerous hits, many of which are regarded as timeless classics. He is especially recognized for his emotional ballads and smooth R&B tracks, which often possess rich melodies and deep emotional resonance.

Equally impressive is Babyface’s solo career, which includes multiple successful album releases highlighting his soft, expressive vocal abilities and storytelling prowess through music. His works typically delve into themes of love, relationships, and vulnerability, striking a chord with audiences. His extensive contributions to the music industry have earned him multiple awards and accolades, including several Grammy Awards.

Divorce Settlement

The divorce between Babyface and his wife Tracey Edmonds, which lasted from 1992 to 2005, garnered significant media attention when reports indicated it cost Babyface half of his net worth, potentially as much as $100 million. This event marks one of the costliest celebrity divorces in history. However, his diverse interests enabled him to focus on rebuilding his financial status.

Early Life

Born on April 10, 1958, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Babyface is the fifth of six sons of Marvin and Barbara Edmonds. His mother worked as a production operator in a pharmaceutical plant, while his father passed away from lung cancer when he was in the eighth grade. This loss motivated him to pursue music as a career. A shy child, he turned to songwriting as a means of channeling his emotions. He attended North Central High School in Indianapolis, where he acquired his stage name from funk performer Bootsy Collins during his teenage years, a reference to his youthful appearance.

Career

Babyface embarked on his musical path in the late 1970s as a member of the funk band Manchild. He later joined the R&B group The Deele in the early 1980s, achieving moderate success in that realm. Importantly, one of his bandmates in The Deele was future business partner Antonio “L.A.” Reid.

During these formative years, Babyface developed his skills as a songwriter and producer, working behind the scenes for various artists. His significant breakthrough occurred in 1983 with the co-writing of the hit song “Slow Jam” for the group Midnight Star. Both he and Reid departed The Deele in 1988.

By the end of the 1980s, Babyface’s reputation as a prolific hitmaker was firmly established. He continued to write and produce songsfor prominent R&B artists such as The Whispers, Pebbles, and Bobby Brown. His work on Bobby Brown’s 1988 album “Don’t Be Cruel” was notably impactful, yielding several chart-topping singles and solidifying his reputation as one of the most in-demand producers in the music scene.

As the 1990s began, Babyface’s career soared to new levels. He kicked off his solo career with the 1989 album “Tender Lover,” which produced hits like “It’s No Crime” and “Whip Appeal.” His next album, “For the Cool in You,” released in 1993, achieved even greater success, featuring the renowned ballad “When Can I See You” and attaining triple platinum status. In 1996, he put out the tremendously successful album “The Day,” along with “Christmas with Babyface” in 1998, “Face 2 Face” in 2001, “Grown & Sexy” in 2005, “Playlist” in 2007, and “Return of the Tender Lover” in 2015.

Throughout the 1990s, Babyface maintained his dominance both as a solo artist and producer. He was instrumental in writing and producing hits for artists like Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, Toni Braxton, and many others. His contributions significantly shaped the soundscape of 90s R&B and pop, earning him numerous Grammy Awards and reinforcing his position as a key figure in popular music history.

Babyface penned Whitney Houston’s 1990 chart-topping hit “I’m Your Baby Tonight,” marking his first U.S. #1. Additionally, he wrote the 1994 Boyz II Men hit “I’ll Make Love to You,” which also achieved #1 status. He produced the 1995 soundtrack for “Waiting to Exhale,” which featured the #1 hit “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” by Whitney Houston. Brandy and Mary J. Blige also found success on the same soundtrack.

LaFace Records

Babyface’s true rise in the entertainment industry began when he co-established LaFace Records in 1989 alongside L.A. Reid. The label swiftly signed artists such as TLC, Toni Braxton, and Usher, who all achieved significant success. Babyface composed most of the songs on Braxton’s first two hit records, “Toni Braxton” (1993) and “Secrets” (1996). He played a vital role in assisting TLC in selling over 75 million albums, with their second album “CrazySexyCool” becoming the best-selling album ever by an American girl group. LaFace also signed Usher when he was just 16, leading to his sales of 65 million records during his time with the label.

Personal Life

Babyface encountered Tracey McQuarn in 1990 when she auditioned for the “Whip Appeal” music video. They tied the knot in September 1992 and have two sons, Brandon and Dylan. They divorced in October 2005, citing irreconcilable differences after 13 years together.

In 2007, Babyface began a relationship with Niko Pantenburg, one of his backup dancers, and their daughter was born in 2008. They married in May 2014.

In mid-April 2020, Babyface shared on his Instagram that he and his whole family were recovering from COVID-19. He reported their successful recovery, stating, “I am happy to report we have now tested negative and are on our way back to full health.”

Real Estate

In February 1998, Babyface purchased a plot of land in LA’s Bel Air neighborhood for $825,000. By 2000, he had completed the construction of an 11,000 square foot mansion. This property was put on the market in May 2022 with an asking price of $8 million, which he later reduced to $7.5 million in November 2022. A video tour of the home can be found here:

In May 2004, Babyface acquired a five-bedroom, six-bathroom home measuring 7,508 square feet in LA’s Bel Air Crest neighborhood for $4.1 million.

Shortly before announcing his split from then-wife Tracey in April 2004, Babyface invested $5.15 million in a mansion spanning 8,245 square feet located in the guarded Mulholland Estates community of Los Angeles. This house, situated near the residences of Paris Hilton and Charlie Sheen, is currently owned by his ex-wife Tracey Edmonds.

Additionally, Babyface possesses a 3,614 square-foot mock-Mediterranean home in a gated community in Rancho Cucamonga, California, which he purchased in February 2008 for $780,000. He also acquired a standard Las Vegas tract house in June 1996 for $255,000.

In 2012, he sold his residence in Incline Village, Nevada, for $2.95 million. This 7,344 square foot home features seven bedrooms and six bathrooms, nestled on a wooded hillside overlooking Lake Tahoe. Babyface bought the house in March 1995 with then-wife Tracey for $1.9 million.