From Classy to Classics: Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds

Respect this musical gangster!

From Classy to Classics: Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds - Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds has had a whirlwind, spectacular career. Here we take a small glimpse at the reach of his influence on the R&B/Urban music genre. (Photo: PG/Splash News/Corbis)

1 / 8

From Classy to Classics: Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds - Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds has had a whirlwind, spectacular career. Here we take a small glimpse at the reach of his influence on the R&B/Urban music genre. (Photo: PG/Splash News/Corbis)

The Music Man - Babyface's talent knows no bounds. Last year the musician got honored by BMI, making for a total of 58 BMI Awards wins including BMI Songwriter of the Year (seven times). (Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage)

2 / 8

The Music Man - Babyface's talent knows no bounds. Last year the musician got honored by BMI, making for a total of 58 BMI Awards wins including BMI Songwriter of the Year (seven times). (Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage)

Beating Statistics - Let's just jot down some stats. Babyface has more than 125 Top 10 R&B and pop hits (51 Top Pop hits, 16 of which were #1's). In addition, he has 11 solo albums under his belt and is a 10-time Grammy Award-winning musician.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

3 / 8

Beating Statistics - Let's just jot down some stats. Babyface has more than 125 Top 10 R&B and pop hits (51 Top Pop hits, 16 of which were #1's). In addition, he has 11 solo albums under his belt and is a 10-time Grammy Award-winning musician.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Operating in Excellence - For his humanitarian work, Babyface has earned numerous awards, but probably one of the most meaningful was being recognized by his own people with the Essence Magazine Essence Awards for Excellence.  (Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NATAS)

4 / 8

Operating in Excellence - For his humanitarian work, Babyface has earned numerous awards, but probably one of the most meaningful was being recognized by his own people with the Essence Magazine Essence Awards for Excellence.  (Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NATAS)

Ultimate Fame - Just over two years ago Babyface was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, receiving the 2,058th star. (Photo: Marc Baptiste/LaFace Records)

5 / 8

Ultimate Fame - Just over two years ago Babyface was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, receiving the 2,058th star. (Photo: Marc Baptiste/LaFace Records)

ADVERTISEMENT
Back to Basics - We all rejoiced when Toni Braxton and Babyface reunited with a full-length collab album. The album debuted at number four on the Billboard charts and was nominated for World's Best Album at the 2014 World Music Awards. Say what? (Photo: Motown)

6 / 8

Back to Basics - We all rejoiced when Toni Braxton and Babyface reunited with a full-length collab album. The album debuted at number four on the Billboard charts and was nominated for World's Best Album at the 2014 World Music Awards. Say what? (Photo: Motown)

Lending a Musical Hand - In 2008, Edmonds combined his musical prowess with his charitable efforts, co-writing and producing the song “Just Stand Up” with longtime friend and collaborator Antonio “L.A.” Reid, which served as the backbone of a multi-purpose breast cancer awareness special. (Photo: Moses Robinson/Getty Images for Neighborhood Awards)

7 / 8

Lending a Musical Hand - In 2008, Edmonds combined his musical prowess with his charitable efforts, co-writing and producing the song “Just Stand Up” with longtime friend and collaborator Antonio “L.A.” Reid, which served as the backbone of a multi-purpose breast cancer awareness special. (Photo: Moses Robinson/Getty Images for Neighborhood Awards)

Watch a Legend Work - Don't forget to watch Babyface kill it on the Soul Train Awards stage and remind everyone why he's a legend.  (Photo: Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images)

8 / 8

Watch a Legend Work - Don't forget to watch Babyface kill it on the Soul Train Awards stage and remind everyone why he's a legend.  (Photo: Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images)