Corey Latif Williams, known professionally as Latif, is an American R&B singer and Grammy nominated songwriter.Grammy Nominations: Best R&B Song Accessed December 11, 2008 He was the winner of Teen People's Who's Next contest. He was a mentee of Teddy Pendergrass. He was once signed to Universal Motown Records.
Biography Latif was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His early passion for music came mainly from his parents, who, ironically, were not musically inclined. This passion for music developed into an interest in singing. A close friend of Latif's family, Teddy Pendergrass, served as a mentor for the young budding artist. It was this mentorship that taught Latif how to "deliver" songs. This relationship was nurtured by Latif being taken along with Teddy to various interviews and appearances. It was this that led to Latif being noticed by the daughter of a label executive. Which brought about his first recording contract with Sony/550.
Latif was given a demo deal, which helped him hone his writing skills, and gave him knowledge about the recording process. Latif's vocals were featured in a highly popular commercial for a local bank.
In 2001, the buzz from winning the competition was enough to draw the eye of Kedar Massenburg. This actually worked out well for Latif, because the "taste of spotlight" from the performance convinced him to tell his parents that he did not want to go back to Berklee College of Music. He wanted work on his music full-time. His mother gave him one semester to prove himself, or he had to go back to school. Massenburg became interested in Latif, and signed him to Universal Motown Records.
Latif's debut album on Universal Motown was called Love in the First. Only one single, "I Don't Wanna Hurt You" was released. It was mainly written by Latif, with production by Ryan Leslie, Bryan-Michael Cox, Adonis Shropshire, Greg Charley, Andy C, Teddy Bishop, Mechalie Jamison, D "French" Spencer, and Sean Garrett.
Latif is no longer signed to Universal Motown Records. He has garnered a large fanbase overseas. One song that may be attributed to his international popularity is "U Think U Know". He has also continued to write for other artists, such as JoJo, Cassie, The Roots, Jim Jones, Joey Bada$$, Usher, Trey Songz, Chris Brown, Faith Evans, and Musiq Soulchild to name a few. He has signed a co-publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG). In 2017, he teamed with friend and fellow writer-producer Aaron Kleinstaub to form duo Lo Boii. The band is signed to London-based label AWAL. Its first single "Floor Seats" dropped in April 2019.
Discography Albums + List of studio albums, with selected details Title Album details Peak positions USR&B Love in the First Released: September 23, 2003 Label: Motown Formats: CD, digital download 67 Love Is Love Released: March 9, 2010 Label: H.U.R.L. Formats: CD, digital download — Love Life Released: August 31, 2011 Label: H.U.R.L. Formats: CD, digital download — IV Love Released: January 9, 2013 Label: H.U.R.L. Formats: CD, digital download — Love Language Released: November 20, 2015 Label: Manhattan Formats: CD, digital download —
EPs + List of extended plays, with selected details Title Extended play details Philadelphia Healing Released: June 11, 2015 Label: H.U.R.L. Formats: Digital download
Mixtapes Breath of Fresh Air (2010) LATIF – The Leaks – H.U.R.L. & Love Songs Vol. 1 (2011)
Singles "I Don't Wanna Hurt You" (2003) "Think U Know" (2006) "Promise Me" (2010) "Without You" (2003) "Don't Wanna Be" (2010) "One Kiss" (2011) "Crazy Love" (2011) "Above & Beyond" (2012) "Deejay" (2015) "More Than Perfect" (2016)
Features – * hooks written by Latif Title Artist Album/Mixtape Released My Life* Memphis Bleek M.A.D.E. 2003 Why (What's Goin On?)* The Roots The Tipping Point 2004 Lil' Daddy* Young City (aka Chopper) Hustle & Flow OST2005 Honey Dip* Jim Jones Harlem: Diary of a Summer Babygirl SunN.Y. Overnight Celebrity Paper Touchin* Red Cafe Non-album single 2007 I Want You More* Akay Comfort Zone2008 Strippin in the Club DJ Diamond Kuts (Feat. Nicki Minaj & Ron Browz) Her-Story in the Making 2009 What Should I Do* Young Chris The Network 22010 Dream Me There* Audio Push The Backstage Pass (Hosted by DJ ill Will & DJ Rockstar) We Keep It Rockin* Maino (Feat. Swizz Beatz, Jadakiss, Jim Jones & Joell Ortiz) Keep It Rockin' EP2011 One Two Many* Sir Michael Rocks The Rocks Report S.S.* Sir Michael Rocks The Rocks Report Antidote* Sir Michael Rocks Premier Politics 1.52012 Where's Summer?* Brandun Deshay Reebok Classics 2012 Expensive Taste* Beanie Sigel This Time Christmas in Compton (Theme Song)* Kumasi Simmons Christmas in Compton – Movie
Selected Co-Writer Credits Title Artist Album Released My Life Memphis Bleek M.A.D.E.2003 I Don't Wanna Hurt You Latif Love in the First Why (What's Goin On?) The Roots The Tipping Point2004 Lil' Daddy Young City (aka Chopper) Hustle & Flow OST2005 Honey Dip Jim Jones Harlem: Diary of a Summer I Love You Cheri Dennis In and Out of Love2006 Like That JoJo The High Road Ditto Cassie Cassie G-S*** (Hook) Lil Scrappy Bred 2 Die Born 2 Live Teach Me Musiq Soulchild Luvanmusiq2007 Rewind Musiq Soulchild Luvanmusiq Damage Chris Brown Exclusive Pretend Cheri Dennis In and Out of Love Laid Back & Chill Tiffany Evans Tiffany Evans2008 Homework Prima J Prima J Deserveumore Musiq Soulchild OnMyRadio Qu'est-Ce Qu'on Attend Sheryfa Luna Vénus Someday Elliott Yamin Fight for Love2009 Il Y A Des Jours Sheryfa Luna Si tu me vois2010 For The Sake Of Love Trey Songz Love King (Mixtape) Gone Already Faith Evans Something About Faith Promise Me Latif Love is Love (Japan) I Don't Wanna Be Latif Love Is Love (Japan) One Kiss Latif Love Life (Japan)2011 Crazy Love LatifLove Life (Japan) Expensive Taste Beanie Sigel This Time2012 Christmas in Compton (Theme Song) Kumasi Simmons "Christmas in Compton" Movie Above & Beyond Latif IV Love (Japan) Can't Say Love Glenn Lewis Moment of Truth2013 Complicated Raheem Devaughn A Place Called Loveland Bad Thing Feat. Joey Bada$$ Kiesza Sound of a Woman2014 After I Met U Snakehips Non-album single Teach Me Feat. Kiesza Joey Bada$$ B4.Da.$$2015 Deejay Latif Love Language (Japan)2016 More Than Perfect Latif Love Language (Japan) Crash Usher Hard II Love One More Try (Featuring Boyz II Men) Bell Biv Devoe Three Stripes2017 10,000 Hours Jule Vera Waiting on the Sun Running Jule Vera Waiting on the Sun Obsession The XI God Bless the Internet Saint Jhn Collection One2018 Hurt People Two Feet A 20 Something Fuck (Part 1) Young & Rude Abir MINT For Ya Abir MINT Floor Seats Lo Boii Sex Doesn't Sell... Anymore2019 Sweeter Lo Boii Sex Doesn't Sell... Anymore Chakra Lo Boii Sex Doesn't Sell... Anymore Open Mind Wonho Love Synonym Pt. 1: Right for Me2020 Save Us Lo Boii TBA Maybe Lo Boii TBA Love Paradox Lo Boii TBA2021 Too Attached Lo Boii TBA I Forgive You Lo Boii TBA2022 Nothing Without You J. Brown (American singer) Chapter & Verse Treat Me Right Camryn Levert My Oasis2023 Requiem Khamari A Brief Nirvana Mesmerized Calico Dê Parker TBA Harrison Ford Calico Dê Parker TBA Lo Boii Suite No.13 in C Major:All Night Lo Boii TBA2024 sins and smiles geographics TBA2025 9 to 6 geographics TBA
Grammy Awards And nominations The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States. Latif has received 2 nominations.
| rowspan="1"| || Teachme || Best R&B Song || |- | || Gone Already || Best Female R&B Vocal Performance ||
References
External links
Corey "Latif" Williams interview for SoulRnB.com