With the release of his sophomore album, Personal Conversation, Case established himself as a major music star. Yet Case箂 smooth voice belies his years as a struggling artist in New York City in the years before he aimed success. Born in the South Bronx, Case was interested in sports before music, even though, as a child, his own five-year-old voice could capture the attention of his family and friends. Growing up in a strict household with two younger sisters, Case箂 interest in music was first sparked in his late teenage years and became a way for him and his musically-minded father to connect. His mother, however, objected to her son箂 uncertain career choice, so Case moved out of his home and onto the streets of New York City. Seventeen and virtually homeless, Case was willing to risk sleeping in the coldest winters because he wanted to sing so bad that [he] was willing to leave everything behind.
Tired of the hard life, Case, at the age of nineteen, decided to return ho me and get a job his mother would approve of: an employee of the New York City Housing Authority. But, while holding a steady job during the day, Case continued to record demos at night and work behind the scenes as a co-writer and background singer for artists including Usher, Christopher Williams and Al B. Sure. Soon, Case箂 first hit occurred with the release of T ouch Me, Tease Me, which appeared on The Nutty Professor soundtrack and sold more than 1,000,000 copies. For another film, The Best Man, Case worked with Tyrese, Ginuwine, and RL of the group Next.
Personal Conversation, Case箂 second album, created a more complete picture of Case as a man and an artist. [Personal Conversation] is the story of a young Black man in love, out of love, in lust. It箂 the version of Case, says Joseph JoJo Brimm, A&R Director at Def Jam Records. While paying tribute to multiple styles in the album, Case included several creative renditions of Chaka Khan and Steve Wonder classics. Case箂 third album, the recently released Open Letter, is a compilation of songs that speak intimately to specific people in Case箂 life. Although he declines to identify these people, the song lyrics convey Case箂 very personal feelings regarding his subject matter. It is my best work so far, Case says, I hope all those who listen to this new album can really get into the meaning behind each song and relate it to their own situations.
Source: http://www.americantalentagency.com/artist/case.html