Jonathan Arthur 'Chico' DeBarge never appeared with the family group but became a solo star in his own right. 'My first time being exposed to music.we were in church.I remember just the rhythm, and everybody was just moving, dancing, and praising God. Just clapping, singing, and harmonies. Then I remember my sister dancing, how she used to dance to Rufus and Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, you know.
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This was in the 70’s, when I was a little boy, little baby. I was my sister’s baby. She was the oldest. She was like my mother, my nanny, you know.
And I was with her all the time. She put me in the crib, and she would sing and, you know, dance to me, act like I was her audience and all that type of stuff. Music seemed like it filled the air every day in my life, growing up. We grew up in Michigan, so you know the music scene then was real, real strong.
Groups were big.' In 1986 he released his first self titled album which contained hit songs such as 'Talk to Me' and 'Cross That Line'. In 1988 he released hsi second album, 'Kiss Serious', but unfortunately its success was cut short after Chico was arrested by the police. 'I went to prison because I had a friend that I introduced to another friend and they made a drug transaction.I knew what they were doing.
I didn't want to say 'no' because I wouldn't look cool. One of them was a cousin of mine'.(Hoekstra,) Chico spent close to 6 years in prison where he wrote music to keep him self focused.
'Once I had my freedom taken from me, I treasured it,' he said. 'I treasured the music business and who I was. I wanted to be that again. I didn't need to come out and be successful in terms of obtaining fame. I just wanted to come out and be significant to someone. I wrote and honed my craft.'
(Hoekstra,)Listen to::::Cross That Line::::In 1997, a few years after his release from jail, Chico began working on a new album in which he colaborated on several songs with his brother El.Chico stated, 'El is a genius of innovation, and I’m not just saying that because he’s my older brother.El was the master and I was the student, but never once did he try to overshadow me.' While El joked, 'It's going to sound like grape kool-aide with a slice of lemon.'
El went on to say that in all DeBarge music they 'try to create something that's pure.something with heart'(source, Vibe), and that is exactly what was accomplished with the release of 'Long Time No See'.Listen to::::Ms. Wonderful::::The Source magazine proclaimed that '.Long Time No See is a woefully seductive collection of gospel-drenched sonnets that traces Chico's return to the outside world.Unlike the growing sea of neo-soul contemporaries, Chico is a student approaching his art with the wisdom of a master.' (12/97, p.194) Some even deemed Chico's work as reminiscent of Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway. After his successful comeback with 'Long Time No See', Chico went on to release 2 more albums 'The Game' (1999) and 'Free'(2003) before his life took an unexpected turn.In 2003, Chico was stabbed outside a South Philadelphia nightclub by mob associate John 'Johnny Gongs' Casasanto.
He was given OxyContin for the pain. 'I got addicted and it progressed to the street,' he said. 'Every street of every city I was in. It progressed to heroin. It's like you get caught in a hurricane and you can't change the wind. I isolated myself.
I didn't want to be a letdown to everyone, especially my mother. I was pretty much the last man standing. My mom looked at me as her sober son and one that got it together. And here I had fallen. (Hoekstra,)2009 Chico brought forth his most recent cd titled 'Addiction'. 'Addiction is the affliction.(the cd has) songs that reflect not just my issue with addiction but my issue with people who have addiction.It is not telling a sad story. It is hopeful as well.'
A short time before his CD latest CD release Chico made a move to the city of Chicago and became a board member for a new Chicago-based non-profit organization (PRO). PRO provides former convicts with resources to re-enter society, something Chico knows about first hand and shares his knowledge with others. 'I wasn't honest with myself about a lot of mistakes I made.
I wanted to blame society. I wanted to blame my upbringing.A man becomes a man when (he)accepts (his) responsibilities.' (Hoekstra,) As Chico continues his own personal growth into acceptance and responsibility, his great music and artistry will continue to flourish.
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