Cedric Hailey Net Worth

What is Cedric Hailey's Net Worth?

Cedric Hailey is an American singer and songwriter who has a net worth of $1 million.

Cedric Hailey is best known by his stage name K-Ci and as the raspy, gospel-powered lead singer of Jodeci and one half of the R&B duo K-Ci & JoJo. With his younger brother Joel "JoJo" Hailey, K-Ci first performed gospel music as part of Little Cedric and the Hailey Singers before becoming one of the most recognizable voices in 1990s R&B. As the emotional center of Jodeci, K-Ci sang lead on many of the group's biggest songs and helped define the sound of "Forever My Lady," "Come and Talk to Me," "Cry for You," "Feenin'," and "Freek'n You." After Jodeci went on hiatus, he and JoJo became major stars as a duo, scoring one of the biggest ballads of the decade with "All My Life." His voice, marked by grit, church phrasing, and raw emotion, made him one of the signature male R&B singers of his era.

Early Life

Cedric Renard Hailey was born on September 2, 1969, in Monroe, North Carolina, and was raised in a musical family. His parents, Cliff and Anita Hailey, were gospel singers, and Cedric began performing in church at a young age.

Before he became K-Ci, he was known professionally as Little Cedric. With his brother JoJo and other family members, he recorded gospel albums as Little Cedric and the Hailey Singers. Their releases included "I'm Alright Now," "Jesus Saves," and "God's Blessing." That gospel background shaped the intensity and phrasing that later made K-Ci such a powerful R&B vocalist.

Jodeci

K-Ci and JoJo eventually connected with brothers DeVante Swing and Mr. Dalvin, forming Jodeci. The group signed with Uptown Records and released "Forever My Lady" in 1991. The album became a landmark of 1990s R&B, driven by DeVante's production and K-Ci's emotionally explosive lead vocals.

K-Ci's voice was central to Jodeci's identity. He could sound tender, desperate, seductive, or anguished, often within the same song. His delivery helped separate Jodeci from smoother male vocal groups. While Boyz II Men represented polish and harmony, Jodeci brought grit, gospel shouting, hip-hop styling, and adult sensuality.

"Forever My Lady" produced #1 R&B hits including "Forever My Lady," "Stay," and "Come and Talk to Me." The group's next albums, "Diary of a Mad Band" and "The Show, the After Party, the Hotel," continued the success with songs such as "Cry for You," "Feenin'," "Love U 4 Life," and "Freek'n You."

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K-Ci & JoJo

As Jodeci slowed down in the mid-1990s, K-Ci and JoJo emerged as a duo. They appeared on 2Pac's "How Do U Want It," a major hit that expanded their audience beyond R&B. In 1997, they released their debut album as K-Ci & JoJo, "Love Always."

"Love Always" became a huge success and was certified 3x platinum. Its biggest single, "All My Life," topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and became one of the defining wedding and dedication ballads of the late 1990s. The song also earned Grammy nominations and became the duo's signature record.

K-Ci & JoJo followed with "It's Real" in 1999, which included the hit "Tell Me It's Real," and "X" in 2000, which included "Crazy" from the "Save the Last Dance" soundtrack. Both albums were certified platinum, extending the brothers' commercial run well beyond Jodeci.

Solo Work and Collaborations

K-Ci also recorded outside Jodeci and K-Ci & JoJo. In 1992, he appeared with Mary J. Blige on "I Don't Want to Do Anything" from her debut album "What's the 411?" Their chemistry became one of the early defining moments of Uptown Records' R&B universe.

In 1994, K-Ci recorded a cover of Bobby Womack's "If You Think You're Lonely Now" for the "Jason's Lyric" soundtrack. The song became a solo hit and showed that his voice could carry a record without either Jodeci or JoJo around him.

In 2006, K-Ci released his solo album "My Book." Although it did not match the commercial success of his group and duo work, it reflected his long-standing interest in gospel, soul, and autobiographical R&B.

Later Career

In 2010, TV One aired the reality series "K-Ci & JoJo… Come Clean," which followed the brothers as they addressed alcohol struggles, family tension, and attempts to rebuild their careers. The show gave fans a more personal look at the costs of fame and the challenges the brothers faced after their commercial peak.

K-Ci & JoJo released "My Brother's Keeper" in 2013, their first studio album in more than a decade. Jodeci also returned with "The Past, the Present, the Future" in 2015, bringing K-Ci back together with JoJo, DeVante, and Mr. Dalvin for the group's first album in 20 years.

Personal Life

K-Ci dated Mary J. Blige during the 1990s, a relationship that drew attention because both artists were major voices in Uptown Records' rise. He is the older brother of JoJo Hailey. Members of the extended Hailey family are related to several other well-known singers, including Fantasia Barrino, Dave Hollister, Calvin Richardson, and Stephanie Mills.

Cedric's son Devin Hailey has also pursued music.

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