Stephanie Mills, After 7, and Karyn White

Stephanie Mills was in the music business from a very young age, performing in the Broadway play, “Maggie Flynn,” at the age of nine. That same year, she won first prize at New York’s Apollo Theater at the ‘Amateur Hour’ competition, which led to her being chosen as the opening act for the Isley Brothers. Her debut album, “Moving in the Right Direction,” for ABC Records was released in 1974. Her rich, soulful voice won her the role as Dorothy in the hit Broadway production, “The Wiz,” in 1975, whom she performed with for a number of years.

Mills moved to Motown in 1976, releasing her second album, “For the First Time,” which was written and produced by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. The album was full of sweet, tender songs showcasing her emotive voice. In 1978, Mills moved labels again to 20th Century Records, releasing “Watcha Gonna Do with my Lovin’” which went Gold and peaked at number 12 in the R&B charts and number 22 in the Billboard 200 in 1979. Her next releases, “Sweet Sensation” and “Stephanie” kept Mills’ music in the Top 40, receiving significant airplay with tracks such as “Two Hearts,” a duet with Teddy Pendergrass and “Don’t Stop Doin’ What Cha Do.”

Mills continued to have hit albums and singles throughout the 80s, having moved to MCA Records in 1983. Hits include “I have Learned to Respect the Power of love” (1985) spent two weeks at the R&B chart’s top spot, whereas “I Feel Good All Over” (1987) bettered that record with three weeks spent at number one. In the 90s, her recorded output lessened and also moved towards a more gospel-influenced sound, with her 1995 record, “Personal Inspirations.” Mills made a comeback in 2008, having recorded songs with BeBe Winans and DMX, as well as her independently released record, “Born For This” in 2004. She was also given the opportunity to display her talents to Pope Benedict XVI in 2008, when she performed in front of him at the Yankee Stadium in New York, USA. In 2012, she released a Christmas themed single, “So In Love This Christmas,” available as a download on ITunes.