Guide Note: Casely is a Florida born R&B singer. He first hit the scene in 2005 with his debut album I'll Be. He was signed to Epic Records in 2007 after catching the eye of the Diaz brothers. In 2008 he will release his second album 1985. The first single from this record, "Emotional" was released in February of 2008 and quickly appeared on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Casely attended the world renowned Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship. Besides being a classically trained pianist, he has also played the lead roles in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jekyll & Hyde, Pippin, and many other roles that are not traditionally performed by actors of color.
People often wonder why a 22 year old R&B artist would title his album 1985. Besides being the year of Casely's birth it is also the year he says most influenced him. He sums up his title choice by saying "1985 was the pinnacle of originality. It was in to be different. The 80s in general had a lot of melodically driven music. Big hooks, simple but effective lyrics, catchy phrases, all of the things that we need in good music today. But don't get me wrong, 1985 is not an 80s album, it's definitely an R&B album."
Fast Facts:
- Birth Name: Jean Carlos Casely
- Origin: Miami, Florida
- Years Active: 2005-Present
- Wrote the song "Unsung Heroes" for the victims of Hurricane Katrina
- Performer at Justin Timberlake's N'Sync Celebrity Charity Challenge in 2005
- Opening act for Ruben Studdard
- His musical influences include Michael Jackson, Usher, Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway
- Record Label: Epic Records
- Discography
