Eldra Patrick DeBarge, known professionally as El DeBarge, born June 4, 1961, in Detroit, Michigan, United States, is an American soul and R&B singer. DeBarge rose to prominence as the lead vocalist of the family group DeBarge before launching a solo career. DeBarge made his first professional recording appearance in 1979 as a background vocalist on Switch's single “I Call Your Name”. DeBarge achieved commercial success with the group DeBarge on the studio albums All This Love in 1982, In a Special Way in 1983, featuring the single “Time Will Reveal”, and Rhythm of the Night in 1985, which produced the top 5 singles “Rhythm of the Night” and “Who's Holding Donna Now”. In 1986, DeBarge left the group and released his self-titled debut solo studio album, El DeBarge, featuring the singles “Who's Johnny” and “Love Always”. DeBarge subsequently released the solo studio albums Gemini in 1989, In the Storm in 1992, and Heart, Mind & Soul in 1994, collaborating with artists including Babyface, Quincy Jones, and Fourplay. Following a 16-year hiatus, DeBarge released Second Chance in 2010, which earned three Grammy Award nominations. In 2022, DeBarge performed an NPR Tiny Desk Concert celebrating Black History Month.
