R&B Artists Who Went Solo
When the band split these stars landed on their feet.
1 / 10
Kelly Rowland - As a member of the best-selling girl group of all time, it is no surprise that Kelly Rowland is still fabricating hits. The group’s 2005 break-up only gave Ms. Rowland “motivation” to jumpstart her solo career. With the success of her new single, "Motivation," we expect this star to shine on her own for years to come. (Photo: By David Livingston/Getty Images)
2 / 10
Beyoncé Knowles - Lady Bey was already a phenomenon while leading the female R&B pop trio Destiny’s Child, entrancing dance-floors worldwide with such smash singles as “Survivor” and “Bootylicious.” Taking her phenom status solo in 2003 with her debut disc Crazy in Love, which sold four million copies, Beyoncé went on to become what she is today: an iconic pop diva of epic proportions, married to arguably the best MC, Jay-Z, in hip hop history. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Photo By Christopher Polk/Getty Images
3 / 10
Teddy Pendergrass - Rising to fame as a member of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass instantly became an R&B favorite with his velvet voice. In 1977, the smooth crooner left the group due to monetary issues and conflict with fellow group member Harold Melvin. Pendergrass went on to sell millions of records and gain the title as one of the best singers to ever live. (Photo: By Retna UK /Landov)
Photo By Photo: Retna UK/Landov
4 / 10
Jeffrey Osborne - After leaving the R&B/Funk group L.T.D to pursue a solo career in 1982, Jeffrey Osborne made his mark as one of the smoothest balladeers around. With countless hits and millions sold, Osborne is known as a true legend. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
5 / 10
Diana Ross - Everyone knows this star began her career as part of the chart-topping girl-group, the Supremes. After years of planning a solo career, Ross finally made her break in 1970. For over 35 years, this diva has been serving us plates of soul and turning us upside down with her tenderness. (Photo: By Gregg DeGuirePictureGroup)
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6 / 10
Dawn Robinson - Throughout the ‘90s, Dawn Robinson was one fourth of the hit-making female singing quartet En Vogue, lending her voice to platinum (and multi-platinum) albums like Born to Sing and Funky Divas. She left the group for more vocally-adventurous terrain like briefly singing with neo-soul outfit Lucy Pearl before releasing her own solo disc Dawn in 2003. (Photo by George De Sota/Liaison)
7 / 10
Lionel Richie - This former Commodore went solo after experiencing success in a duet with R&B star Diana Ross. His 1982 self-titled debut sold millions and established him as a music icon. Still performing and lending his magnetizing vocals to projects, Richie's talent continues to shine. (Photo: By Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
8 / 10
Bobby Brown - As a member of the pre-cursor to New Kids on the Block, New Edition, Bobby Brown was the teenage bad boy who sang lead on hits like “Mr. Telephone Man.” Tired of the group’s squeaky-clean image and his usual role of background singer, Bobby split for solo-ville in 1987, releasing the 4 million-selling album Don’t Be Cruel. Bobby had teenage boys from the cities to the suburbs singing his gold single “My Prerogative.”(Photo: By Gaye Gerard/Getty Images)
9 / 10
Eddie Kendricks - The lead singer of the Temptations, Eddie Kendrick’s undeniable falsetto crooned such pop R&B classics as “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” “Just My Imagination” and “Get Ready.” When a host of issues strained his relationship with the group, Kendricks hit the solo trail. And in the early ‘70s he’d find his hit niche with the burgeoning disco sound, not only releasing mainstream hits like “Keep on Truckin,’” but iconic club tunes like “Girl You Need a Change of Mind” and “Goin’ Up in Smoke.”(Photo: By Charlie Gillett Collection/Redferns)
Photo By Photo: Charlie Gillett Collection/Redferns/Getty Images