Kim Lamont Owens (born July 23, 1967), known professionally as Kem, is an American R&B/soul singer-songwriter and producer.
Biography Kim Lamont Owens was born on July 23, 1967 in Nashville, Tennessee. He moved to suburban Detroit at age 5 and was raised in both Pontiac and Southfield, Michigan.
Kem wrote, produced, and financed his self-released debut album, Kemistry, with his American Express card and by singing top 40 cover tunes in a wedding band and waiting tables. He was signed by Motown Records in November 2001, which re-released the album on February 25, 2003. It sold more than 500,000 copies nationwide and was certified Gold by the RIAA. The album's only official single is "Love Calls".
His second album, Album II, was released on May 17, 2005, and was certified Platinum by the RIAA. It includes the single "I Can't Stop Loving You", a #1 song at urban adult contemporary radio, and the song "You Might Win" featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica. His third album, Intimacy: Album III, was released on August 17, 2010, and was certified Gold by the RIAA.
In 2013, Kem was featured on "My Favorite Thing", with American recording artist Ronald Isley who Kem wrote and produced for. The song is the second single from Isley's album This Song Is For You.
On August 25, 2014, Kem released his fourth studio album, Promise to Love. He performed the Grammy-nominated song "Nobody" from the album on the syndicated daytime talk show Steve Harvey (which series also features a theme song by Kem) during the fourth season. On August 28, 2020, he released his fifth studio album, Love Always Wins, which includes the singles "Lie To Me" and "Live Out Your Love" featuring Toni Braxton.
Personal life Owens married his wife Erica in 2019. They have seven children and announced in December 2025 they are expecting their eighth.
Discography Studio albums Title Album details Peak positions CertificationsUSUS R&BKemistryReleased: February 25, 2003 Label: Motown Format: CD, digital download9014 RIAA: GoldAlbum IIReleased: May 17, 2005 Label: Motown Format: CD, digital download51RIAA: PlatinumIntimacy: Album IIIReleased: August 17, 2010 Label: Universal Motown Format: CD, digital download22RIAA: GoldWhat Christmas MeansReleased: October 16, 2012 Label: Kemistry, Motown Format: CD, digital download649Promise to LoveReleased: August 25, 2014 Label: Kemistry, Motown Format: CD, digital download31Love Always WinsReleased: August 28, 2020 Label: Motown Format: CD, digital download 124 15
Live albums Title Album detailsAnniversary – The Live AlbumReleased: April 4, 2023 Label: Motown Format: CD, LP, digital download
Extended plays Title EP detailsFull CircleReleased: July 22, 2022 Label: Motown Format: CD, digital downloadBe Mine for ChristmasReleased: November 17, 2023 Label: uDiscover Format: Digital download
Singles Title Year Chart Positions Album US US R&B US Adult R&B "Love Calls" 2003 106 25 1Kemistry "Matter of Time" — — 24 "I Can't Stop Loving You" 2005 84 20 1Album II "Find Your Way (Back in My Life)" — 37 4 "Into You" — 79 17 "Why Would You Stay" 2010 102 17 1Intimacy: Album III"Share My Life" — 25 5 "If It's Love" (solo or featuring Chrisette Michele) 2011 — 24 3 "You're On My Mind" 2012 — 25 4 "A Christmas Song for You" — — 19What Christmas Means "Be Mine for Christmas" (featuring Ledisi) 2013 — — 35 "Jesus" (featuring Patti LaBelle & Ronald Isley) — — 25 "My Favorite Thing" (with Ronald Isley) — — 5Promise to Love "It's You"2014 — 49 1 "Nobody" — — 1 "Promise to Love"2015 — — 5 "Lie to Me" (solo or featuring Wiz Khalifa)2020 — — 1Love Always Wins "Live Out Your Love" (featuring Toni Braxton) — — 1 "Stuck on You" 2022 — — 1Full Circle "Right on Time" (featuring Rick Ross) — — 12 "Give My Love" 2025 — — — rowspan="2" "Rock with Me" — — 1
Awards and nominations 2005: Billboard Music Award win for Top Adult R&B Single of the Year, "I Can't Stop Loving You" 2005: Billboard Music Award nomination for Top Adult R&B Artist of the Year (lost to Fantasia). 2011: 53rd Grammy Awards, Best R&B Male Performance, “Why Would You Stay” (Nomination) 2011: 53rd Grammy Awards, Best R&B Song, "Why Would You Stay" (Nomination) 2014: 57th Grammy Awards, Best Traditional R&B Performance, "Nobody" (Nomination)
References
External links MusicByKEM.com – Official website