After 7 began their journey in Indianapolis in the late 80’s with brothers Kevon & Melvin
Edmonds. They were joined by friend, Keith Mitchell, and came together as a trio. With the
support and guidance of Kevon and Melvin’s younger brother, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds,
(who had begun to take the R&B charts by storm) and the talent of songwriter/producer L.A. Reid,
After 7 made an immediate rise in the R&B world climbing the charts.
In 1988, they signed with Virgin Records, and in1989, their debut self-titled album, “After 7,” was
certified Platinum and produced two #1 Billboard R&B singles: “Can’t Stop” and “Ready Or Not.”
The two singles subsequently reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 and were both certified
Gold.
The accolades for the group continued when in 1991 their single, “Kickin’ It,” reached # 6 on the
US R&B Charts, while their single, “Nights Like This,” reached #7 and the attention of Hollywood.
The song was selected as the lead single for the soundtrack of the 1991 motion picture, “The Five
Heartbeats.” It was another milestone a year later with a Top 10 Chart single, “Baby I’m For
Real/Natural High,” and their second album, Takin’ My Time, reaching #8 on the Billboard R&B
Albums chart and certified Gold.
With demands for their classic R&B signature sound from fans, Gold emerged once again for
After 7 in 1995, with their third album, Reflections, which also produced a #5 single chart hit, “Til
You Do Me Right.”
Following an astonishing six year run at Virgin Records, the group entered into a hiatus. A few
years later, they reunited – not in the studio but on countless stages- and over the past 15 years
performed nationally and internationally to thousands. Jason Edmonds, Melvin’s son, replaced his
father in the group bringing his genetic talent to the forefront. While absent on the radio waves,
After 7 continued to bring their signature sound, style, and live energetic performances to the
many fans who continued to welcome and embrace them.
In October 2015, with the undeniable talent of family member, Babyface, and Producer/Writer
Daryl Simmons, After 7 hit the airwaves with the amazing comeback single, “I Want You,”
featuring original member, Melvin Edmonds. It was followed by the trio’s November 2015 stellar
performance at the televised Centric Soul Train Awards – one of the most notable comebacks of
the coming year.
Climbing to a Top 10 spot on the Urban AC Charts, “I Want You,” has set the stage for fans to
embrace more of their classic sound when they release their upcoming 2016 album with the
voices of all four members, as Melvin rejoins them.
Along their musical journey, After 7 has shared the stage with such musical greats as Patti
LaBelle, Gladys Knight, The Whispers, Whitney Houston, Frankie Beverly and Maze, and a host
of others, as well as their family member, Babyface, a revered talent in the industry. They are
Grammy and American Music Award Nominees and recipients of the NAACP Image Award. Most
recently, they were named “Best Comeback of 2015” by SoulRnB magazine.