Jewel Lynn Caples (June 12, 1968 – May 6, 2022), professionally known as Jewell (), was an American singer and songwriter best known for her work with Death Row Records in the 1990s, including collaborations with artists including Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Tupac Shakur, for which she was regarded the "First Lady of Death Row Records". As a solo artist, Jewell gained success on the Billboard Hot 100 charts with her 1994 cover of "Woman to Woman".
Career 1992–1997: Early career and breakthrough
From 1992 to 1997, Jewell provided vocals on albums from various Death Row artists such as Dr. Dre (The Chronic), Snoop Dogg (Doggystyle), and 2Pac (All Eyez on Me), in addition to motion picture soundtracks produced by the label. Her biggest solo success was her 1994 cover of Shirley Brown's song "Woman to Woman", which peaked at #72 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #16 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
1998–2022: Departure from Death Row, My Blood My Sweat My Tears and final years
Jewell was among many artists who departed Death Row between 1998 and 1999 due to financial and legal issues involving CEO Suge Knight, and her singing career wound down in the 2000s. In October 2011, she published the memoir My Blood My Sweat My Tears, in which she claimed that her past association with Knight prevented her from gaining another recording deal. An accompanying soundtrack to the book was released.
Health issues and death Caples was hospitalized in 2019 after she stopped breathing and collapsed while shopping at a Walmart, with the cause not made public. In an October 2021 interview, she said that she was given six months to live, and hurried to release her final album, Love + Pain = Musik, as a result. Caples was hospitalized twice in March 2022 due to a self-described "lung injury illness", during which she had eight pounds of fluid removed from her heart, legs and lungs. She died at age 53 on May 6, 2022.
Discography Studio albums Title Album details Peak chart positionsUS 200US R&BBlack DiamondReleased: November 22, 2011
Format: CD——JewellReleased: 2011
Format: CD——Love + Pain = MusikReleased: October 2021
Format: Digital download—— "—" denotes releases that did not chart or receive certification.
Compilation albums Title Album details Peak chart positionsUS 200US R&BMy Blood My Sweat My Tears:The SoundtrackReleased: October 25, 2011
Format: CD—— "—" denotes releases that did not chart or receive certification.
Singles As lead artist YearSingleChart positionsAlbumUSUS R&B1992 "Love or Lust"——Deep Cover1994 "Woman to Woman"7216Murder Was the Case "Gonna Give It To Ya"——Above the Rim "—" denotes releases that did not chart or receive certification.
As featured artist Title Year Album "For the Love of Money" 1991Are U Xperienced? "Let Me Ride" 1992The Chronic "Foe tha Love of $" 1994Creepin on ah Come Up "Thug Passion" 1996All Eyez on Me "Body and Soul" 1997Gridlock'd "Just Dippin'" 1999No Limit Top Dogg "I Love TNO" 2001No Better than This
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