Who Was Melvin Edmonds? Meet the Brother of Babyface

Melvin Edmonds was an American R&B singer, a founding member of After 7, and the older brother of Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds. His voice helped give the group its distinctive sound on songs such as “Ready or Not,” “Can’t Stop,” and “Heat of the Moment.”

Babyface became famous for writing and producing hits, while Melvin built his reputation through singing. His slightly gritty delivery brought a different texture to After 7’s smooth harmonies, making him an important part of the group’s identity.

His career also stretched across generations. He performed alongside his brother Kevon, worked on recordings shaped by Babyface, and eventually returned to After 7 with his son Jason in the lineup. Behind those connections stood a singer whose contribution deserves its own attention.

Quick Info About Melvin Edmonds

Melvin Edmonds’ Early Life

Melvin Edmonds was born on November 2, 1953, and grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was the second of six sons, placing him among the older children in a family that would later produce several professional musicians.

His early life preceded the recording contracts and national recognition that eventually followed. Indianapolis remained an important part of his story, connecting his family background with the musicians who helped establish After 7.

Although his brothers’ careers often overlap in accounts of the family, they followed different paths. Melvin’s most significant professional partnership developed with Kevon and their friend Keith Mitchell. Together, they created the group that introduced his voice to a much wider audience.

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His Mother, Barbara Jean Edmonds

Melvin’s mother, Barbara Jean Edmonds, had her own connection to music. Born in Indianapolis in 1932, she sang in a church trio with two of her siblings and took leading roles in school plays.

Barbara graduated from Crispus Attucks High School at 16 and attended Indiana University. Her working life included helping at her family’s restaurant, selling encyclopedias, substitute teaching, and spending 22 years at pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly before retiring in 1991.

Those details give the Edmonds family story a foundation beyond the entertainment industry. Barbara combined work, education, and raising her children long before several of her sons became recording artists.

She died on September 23, 2012, at age 80. Her family obituary remembered her pride in her sons and their accomplishments.

His Father and Five Brothers

Melvin’s father was Marvin Dallas Edmonds Sr. He and Barbara married before starting their family, welcoming their first son, Marvin Jr., in 1952. Melvin followed, then Michael, Kevon, Kenneth, and Derek.

Marvin Sr. died in 1972. Melvin was 18 that year, while several of his younger brothers were still children.

The brothers’ later careers brought particular attention to Melvin, Kevon, and Kenneth. Melvin and Kevon became founding members of After 7, while Kenneth achieved international success under the name Babyface.

Their relationship also became a professional collaboration. Babyface helped write and produce After 7’s recordings, allowing the brothers to contribute to the same music in different ways.

How After 7 Came Together

Melvin Edmonds, Kevon Edmonds, and Keith Mitchell formed After 7 in 1987. The trio combined individual lead voices with close harmonies, giving the group a sound that suited both romantic ballads and energetic R&B songs.

Their opportunity expanded when Babyface and Antonio “L.A.” Reid helped bring them to Virgin Records. The group signed with the label in 1988 and released its debut album the following year.

The production partnership supplied strong material, but the singers gave those songs their character. Melvin’s textured voice worked alongside Kevon’s smoother delivery, while Mitchell helped complete the group’s harmonies.

That combination became central to After 7’s appeal. Listeners could hear distinct personalities within a unified vocal sound.

The Breakthrough With “Ready or Not” and “Can’t Stop”

After 7 released its self-titled debut album in 1989. “Heat of the Moment” helped introduce the trio, followed by the major success of “Ready or Not” and “Can’t Stop.”

Both “Ready or Not” and “Can’t Stop” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B chart. The album earned platinum certification, turning the group’s first release into a major career breakthrough.

The songs also showed its range. “Ready or Not” gave the singers space for a patient, emotional performance, while “Can’t Stop” demonstrated their ability to deliver a brighter, more rhythmic track.

Their success brought awards recognition. “Can’t Stop” received a nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 1991 Grammy Awards. After 7 earned the nomination but did not win the award.

For Melvin, these recordings established the role he would occupy throughout his career: a recognizable voice within a successful vocal partnership.

More Albums and His Work as a Songwriter

After 7 followed its debut with Takin’ My Time in 1992. Songs including “Kickin’ It” and its interpretation of “Baby, I’m for Real” helped maintain the group’s presence on R&B radio. The album earned gold certification.

Its third album, Reflections, arrived in 1995. Among its best-known tracks was “‘Til You Do Me Right,” which Melvin co-wrote with Kevon and Babyface.

That writing credit adds an important detail to his biography. Melvin contributed to the songs themselves as well as their vocal performances.

Across these releases, After 7 developed a catalog that extended beyond its first hits. The group also recorded music associated with film and television, including “Nights Like This” for The Five Heartbeats and “Not Enough Hours in the Night” for Beverly Hills, 90210.

Melvin Edmonds in Milestone and Soul Food

In 1997, Melvin joined another family-centered musical project: Milestone. The five-member group brought together Melvin, Kevon, Babyface, and brothers K-Ci and JoJo.

Created for the film Soul Food, Milestone performed “I Care ’Bout You,” which also appeared on the soundtrack. The collaboration placed three Edmonds brothers alongside two members of Jodeci.

The song gave each singer room within a shared performance, making the combination of voices its main attraction. It remains one of Melvin’s most recognizable recordings outside After 7.

He also appeared in Soul Food, credited as Band Member #3. This was a small screen role connected to his musical work, rather than a separate, extensive acting career.

His Children and Jason’s Place in After 7

Melvin Edmonds had four children: Melvin Jr., Jason, Chris, and Courtney. Jason became particularly familiar to After 7 listeners when he joined the group during his father’s absence.

His involvement created an unusual connection between the original lineup and its next chapter. Jason performed with his uncle Kevon and founding member Keith Mitchell, continuing a group his father had helped establish.

When Melvin later returned to recording with After 7, father and son participated in the same project.

Melvin’s public story focused mainly on music and family. His personal net worth was never publicly disclosed, so the specific figures that circulate online should not be treated as established facts.

Health Problems and the Return With Timeless

Melvin experienced significant health problems, including a stroke in 2011. Those difficulties became part of his later career, but he eventually returned to After 7 for its 2016 album, Timeless.

The release ended a gap of roughly two decades between the group’s studio albums. With Jason also participating, After 7 recorded as a quartet.

Babyface and Daryl Simmons worked with the singers on the project. Tracks included “Runnin’ Out,” “I Want You,” and “Let Me Know,” bringing new material to listeners who remembered the group’s earlier recordings.

“I Want You,” written by Babyface, reached No. 6 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Songs chart. The album demonstrated that After 7 could reconnect with its audience through new songs while retaining its familiar vocal approach.

For Melvin, Timeless became the final After 7 studio album released during his lifetime.

Melvin Edmonds’ Death and Musical Legacy

Melvin Edmonds died on May 18, 2019, at age 65. After 7 announced his death, and his family also confirmed the news.

Reports described a short illness and noted his previous health difficulties. However, contemporary coverage did not disclose an official cause of death, so his earlier stroke should not be presented as a confirmed explanation.

Keith Mitchell remembered Melvin as the “soul” of After 7. The description reflected his importance to the group’s vocal identity and the affection of someone who had performed beside him for years.

His recordings preserve that contribution. From the early success of “Ready or Not” to the later material on Timeless, listeners can follow a career built around expressive singing and collaboration.

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Final Thoughts

Melvin Edmonds holds his own place in the Edmonds family’s musical history. He helped establish After 7, contributed to its successful recordings, shared a songwriting credit with his brothers, and returned for an album that included his son.

His connection to Babyface introduces many readers to his name. His work with After 7 and Milestone explains why that name belongs in the story of American R&B.

FAQs About Melvin Edmonds

Who was Melvin Edmonds?

Melvin Edmonds was an American R&B singer and songwriter best known as a founding member of After 7.

Was Melvin Edmonds related to Babyface?

Yes. Melvin was the older brother of singer, songwriter, and producer Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds.

When was Melvin Edmonds born?

Melvin Edmonds was born on November 2, 1953. He grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Who were the original members of After 7?

The original members were Melvin Edmonds, his brother Kevon Edmonds, and their friend Keith Mitchell. They formed the group in 1987.

Did Melvin Edmonds have children?

Yes. He had four children: Melvin Jr., Jason, Chris, and Courtney. His son Jason also performed with After 7.

What were Melvin Edmonds’ most famous songs?

His best-known recordings include “Ready or Not,” “Can’t Stop,” “Heat of the Moment,” and “‘Til You Do Me Right” with After 7, plus “I Care ’Bout You” with Milestone.

When did Melvin Edmonds die?

Melvin Edmonds died on May 18, 2019, at age 65. Contemporary reports did not disclose an official cause of death.