Jaheim Hoagland (born May 26, 1978) is an American R&B singer and former rapper, better known by his stage name of Jaheim. He was signed by Naughty by Nature’s Kaygee to Divine Mill Records in 2000, and released his debut album Ghetto Love in 2001. His second effort, Still Ghetto (2002), contains the hit «Put That Woman First» (2003), both of which achieved platinum success. Jaheim’s third album, Ghetto Classics, was released on February 14, 2006, debuting at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200, and selling over 153,000 copies in its first week.
He is currently attending St. Johns University, having earlier dropped out of Lock Haven University.
Early life and career:
Jaheim grew up in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in the 176 Memorial Parkway Homes public housing project. His father died in 1981, when he was only three years old. His grandfather sang with many top groups, including The Drifters, and their family reunions were big songfests. Singing at family reunions and local talent shows preceded a successful tryout at the Apollo Theater’s talent show. He won the contest three times when he was fifteen.
Two years later, he experienced more tragedy when his mother died. Four years after her death, he recorded a tape that led to a deal with Divine Mill Records (a division of Warner Bros. Records).
Hoagland received good reactions from two singles «Could It Be» and «Lil’ Nigga Ain’t Mine» on BET video shows. Appearing with Hoagland on his first album was RL (from Next), Blackstreet, and Darren and Cliff Lighty. His second album, Still Ghetto, was released on November 5, 2002. Another Top Ten hit, it placed two singles in the Top 40, «Fabulous» and «Anything» (released November 13, 2001). Ghetto Classics followed in early 2006 and became his first number one album. The Makings of a Man was released in December 2007. In late 2009 the single «Ain’t Leavin Without You» preceded his 2010 album Another Round.
