Lalah Hathaway's Musical Magic In The Best Man

Lalah Hathaway is an American singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the 1990s with her self-titled debut album. She is the daughter of acclaimed soul musician Donny Hathaway and has since released several albums, including A Moment and Outrun the Sky. In 2014, she won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance for her song Something.

The Best Man is a 1999 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Malcolm D. Lee, starring Taye Diggs and Nia Long. The film follows a group of friends as they attend the wedding of Lance Sullivan, a professional athlete, and Mia Morgan.

So, did Lalah Hathaway sing in The Best Man?

Lalah Hathaway's career

Eulaulah Donyll "Lalah" Hathaway is an American singer-songwriter. She is the daughter of the acclaimed soul musician Donny Hathaway and was born on December 16, 1968. Hathaway gained prominence in the 1990s with the release of her self-titled debut album, "Lalah Hathaway", in 1990. The album's lead single, "Heaven Knows", peaked in the top five on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Her follow-up album, "A Moment" (1994), failed to make a commercial impact, and she was released from her recording contract with Virgin Records. However, she re-emerged in 1999 with her third album, "The Song Lives On", a collaboration with musician Joe Sample. This became her second appearance on the Billboard Hot 200 and later charted on the Top R&B Album Chart.

Hathaway has since released several more albums, including "Outrun the Sky" (2004), "Self Portrait" (2008), and "Where It All Begins" (2011) on Stax Records. She has also collaborated with established musicians such as Mary J. Blige, Marcus Miller, Take 6, and The Winans, writing, producing, and providing background vocals. In 2014, Hathaway won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance for "Something", featured on Snarky Puppy's album "Family Dinner – Volume 1". She has gone on to win several more Grammys for her subsequent releases.

In addition to her musical career, Hathaway received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music in 2022.

Lalah Hathaway's awards

Lalah Hathaway is an American singer-songwriter and daughter of acclaimed soul musician Donny Hathaway. She gained prominence in the 1990s with the release of her self-titled debut album, which peaked in the Top 20 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The single "Heaven Knows" from the album reached No. 3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Hathaway has won several Grammy Awards throughout her career. She earned her first Grammy in 2013 for Best R&B Performance for "Something" with Snarky Puppy. The following three years, she won Best Traditional R&B Performance Grammys for "Jesus Children" (2014), "Little Ghetto Boy" (2015), and "Angel" (2016). In 2015, her live album Lalah Hathaway Live landed at No. 2 on the R&B Albums chart and won a Grammy for Best R&B Album.

In addition to her Grammy Awards, Hathaway has also received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music in 2022. She has been recognised with awards from the NAACP Image Awards, Black Reel Awards, and Soul Train Awards.

Lalah Hathaway's family

Lalah Hathaway, born Eulaulah Donyll Hathaway, is the daughter of acclaimed soul musician Donny Hathaway and Eulaulah Vann Hathaway. Lalah Hathaway was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1968. Her parents met while attending Howard University, where they were both studying music. Lalah Hathaway has a sister, Kenya Canc'Libra, who is a session singer and one of the three backing vocalists on the hit TV program "American Idol". Both sisters are graduates of the Berklee College of Music.

Lalah Hathaway's father, Donny Hathaway, was an American soul singer, keyboardist, songwriter, backing vocalist, and arranger. He was born in 1945 in Chicago, Illinois, and was raised by his grandmother, Martha Pitts, a professional gospel singer, in the Carr Square housing project of St. Louis, Missouri. Donny Hathaway began singing in the church choir with his grandmother at the age of three and started studying piano. He graduated from Vashon High School in 1963 and went on to study music at Howard University on a fine arts scholarship. At Howard, he met his roommate and drummer, Ric Powell, who launched Donny's musical career as a member of "The Ric Powell Trio". Donny Hathaway worked as a songwriter, session musician, and producer for Curtis Mayfield's Curtom Records in Chicago. He collaborated with various artists, including Roberta Flack, with whom he recorded the album "Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway", which included the hit song "Where Is the Love". Donny Hathaway struggled with mental health issues and was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 1971. He passed away in 1979, with his death ruled as a suicide.

Lalah Hathaway's mother, Eulaulah Vann Hathaway, attended Howard University, where she studied music and met Donny Hathaway. She pursued a career in music and has performed as a singer.

Lalah Hathaway's live performances

Lalah Hathaway is an American singer-songwriter, often referred to as the 'first daughter of soul'. She is the daughter of acclaimed soul musician Donny Hathaway.

Hathaway's live performances are highly acclaimed, with her vocal prowess and dynamic stage presence leaving audiences captivated. She has mastered a rare type of multiphonic singing, allowing her to sing several notes at the same time.

Hathaway embarked on the Self Portrait Tour in 2008, with 10 tour dates across America. She has also performed at various venues and festivals, including the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre in Detroit, the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, the City Winery in New York, the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in Memphis, and the Capital Jazz Festival.

Reviews of Hathaway's live performances have been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising her powerful vocals, stage presence, and ability to connect with the audience on a personal level. One review described her as "the most beautiful, personable person I've ever had the opportunity to be in the company of". Another review highlighted the intimate and captivating nature of her performance, noting how her "short stature commanded attention".

Hathaway has also received criticism for the length of her performances, with some feeling that her sets were too short, leaving them wanting more. There have also been technical issues at some of her shows, with sound problems affecting the overall experience for both the artist and the audience.

Despite some minor setbacks, Lalah Hathaway's live performances continue to showcase her exceptional talent and versatility as a vocalist, solidifying her place as one of the finest singers of her generation.

The Best Man's plot

The Best Man is a 1999 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Malcolm D. Lee. The film stars an ensemble cast led by Taye Diggs, Nia Long, and the debut of Regina Hall.

The plot centres on Harper Stewart, an up-and-coming author from Chicago, whose debut novel, Unfinished Business, has been selected by Oprah's Book Club. Harper is a committed bachelor with a devoted girlfriend, Robyn, who is frustrated by his unwillingness to commit to her. Harper travels to New York City to spend the weekend with old college friends before they all attend the wedding of his friend, Lance Sullivan, to Mia Morgan. Harper is the best man at the wedding and reunites with his friends Julian "Murch" Murchison and Jordan Armstrong. Jordan has passed an advance copy of Unfinished Business around their inner circle of friends, upon whom the book is based.

Harper worries that Lance will discover that he and Mia had a one-night stand in college. Jordan, Harper's ex-flame, admits she wants to sleep with him before Robyn arrives for the wedding, and they share a kiss. Lance confronts Harper about their friendship but does not learn the truth about Mia. As the groomsmen depart for the bachelor party, Jordan invites Harper to meet her later, and he accepts.

At the party, Harper steals Lance's copy of Unfinished Business, but Lance finds the book in Harper's coat and reads it, discovering the truth about Mia. Enraged, he attacks Harper, almost throwing him off the balcony, but his friends intervene, and Lance calls off the wedding. Harper arrives at Jordan's apartment, badly beaten, and blames her for circulating the book. The next day, Harper meets Robyn at the airport, confesses what happened, and she agrees to help him save the wedding.

Arriving at the church, Murch breaks up with his domineering girlfriend, Shelby, and Lance arrives, intending to call off the wedding. Harper, who doesn't share Lance's religious devotion, asks him to pray, and after much difficulty, Harper reasons with Lance and assures him of his and Mia's love. A tearful Lance proceeds with the wedding, and Harper gives a heartfelt speech that visibly moves the couple, earning Lance's forgiveness. On the dance floor, Harper asks Robyn to marry him, and she says yes. The film ends as everyone dances to "Candy" by Cameo.

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