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. 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." (source)
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,Sun-Times) 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,Sun-Times)
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. It hurt me."(Hoekstra,Sun-Times)
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 People Reclaiming Ourselves (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,Sun-Times) As Chico continues his own personal growth into acceptance and responsibility, his great music and artistry will continue to flourish. As of 2011, Chico is actively performing, as well as working on a book of poetry, and possible autobiography to be released in the coming years.
Listen to ::::Oh No::::
Purchase Chico DeBarge Music:
« Buy Chico's CD Long time No See on Amazon.com
« Buy Chico's CD The Game on Amazon.com
« Buy Chico's CD Free on Amazon.com
« Buy Chico's CD Addiction on Amazon.com
Music Videos by Chico Debarge:
1987 Talk to me
1987 Girl Next Door
1997 Iggin' Me
1998 Virgin
1998 No Gaurantee
1999 Give You What You Want (Fa Sho)
1999 Listen to Your Man
2000 Playa Hater
Other songs Chico DeBarge has contributed to through vocals, writing, and/or production:
(links lead to audio or video of attached song)
•A Fine Mess (Soundtrack),1986 Motown - "Easier Said Than Done"(lead vocals)
•Bobby DeBarge, It's Not Over, 1995 (drums, background vocals)
•Donell Jones, My Heart, 1996 LaFace (background vocals)
•Hav Plenty (Soundtrack), 1997 - "Any Other Night" (lead vocals)
•Hoodlum (Soundtrack), 1997 Interscope - "No Gaurantee"
•Woo (Soundtrack), 1998 Epic - "Superman"
•Noreaga,Penalty, 1998 - "The Way We Live"
•Tatyana Ali, Kiss the Sky, 1998 MJJ - "Yesterday" (duet w/ Chico)
•Grenique, Black Butterfly, 1999 Universal - (co-producer, background vocals, keyboard, vocal arrangements & drum programming)
•The 24 Hour Woman (Soundtrack) 1999, "Ms. Wonderful"
•Marvin is 60: A Tribute Album, 1999 Motown - "Til' Tomorrow" (lead vocals)
•A+, Heamstead High, 1999 Kedar Entertainment- "It's On You" (feat. Chico)
•Heavy D, Heavy, - Universal - 1999 - "Ask Heaven"
•Profyle, Whispers in the Dark , 1999 Motown- "Make Sure You're Home" (Feat. Chico Debarge and Joe)
•Calvin Richardson,Country Boy, 1999 Universal- "True Love" (feat. Chico)
•Trever Nelson, Incredible Sound of Trevor Nelson,1999 Universal (producer, vocals)
•Suave House: Off Da Chain Vol 1., 2000 Suave House- "Shake It Off"
•The Original Kings of Comedy (Soundtrack), 2000 Universal - "NaNa" (duet)
•Urban Renewal: The Songs of Phil Collins, 2001 WEA - "Long Long Way to Go"
•Queen Pen, Conversations with Queen, 2001 Motown- (background vocals)
•Jim Jones, On My Way to Church, 2004 Koch - "Spanish Fly" (Feat. Chico)
•Inspectah Deck, The Resident Patient, 2006 Urban Icon- "No Love" (feat. Chico Debarge and Carlton Fisk)
