• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Clinical Trials Resource Center
    • Wellness on the Yard
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Immunocompromised Care
    • Top Blacks in Healthcare
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Lifestyle / Celebrity Health / Remembering “Just Got Paid” Singer, Johnny Kemp

Remembering “Just Got Paid” Singer, Johnny Kemp

Johnny Kemp, the man behind the club hit classic played on many Friday nights, “Just Got Paid,” has died at 55. The Bahamas Weekly reported that Kemp passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2015.

Many call “Just Got Paid” their “payday classic song” or the song that “made Friday night special.”

Kemp started his U.S. career in Harlem with a group called Kinky Fox. He eventually developed a forte in writing songs for other artists. In addition, he performed backup vocals for groups such as the B. B. & Q. Band and Change. Columbia Records gave him a record deal in 1985 and, through them, he released his first album, Johnny Kemp, in 1986. The album was a minor success that produced hit singles like “Just Another Lover,” “Can’t Get Enough,” and “Cover Girl.”

Kemp’s second album, Secrets of Flying (1987), produced his biggest hit, “Just Got Paid,” which reached as high as no. 10 on the U.S. Billboard charts and was his only 1 million-selling record. Columbia initially offered the instrumental base for the song to Keith Sweat, who passed on it. Kemp listened to the track, wrote lyrics for it, and produced the hit track.

You May Also Like
When Your Pudge Just Won't Budge! What to Do When Belly Fat Won't Go Away

Kemp’s last single in the Hot 100 was “Birthday Suit,” a song featured in the Sing movie soundtrack in 1989. However, the single only reached no. 36 in the U.S. Following the release of his second album, Kemp’s visibility in the music industry waned. In the 1990s, he was a lead singer for Sugar Beats, a popular children’s band.

In memory of his legacy, watch the video below, it’ll take you down memory lane:

The Reading Rainbow series on PBS featured its theme song sung by Kemp for a few years. He appeared in Keith Sweat’s Sweat Hotel Live – a album featuring numerous R&B and New Jack Swing artists from the late 1980s – where he sang a rendition of “Just Got Paid.” He also performed “Just Got Paid” at the New Jack Swing 4ever (NJS4E) event on September 8, 2007, in New York City. It was a celebration of R&B’s New Jack Swing era hosted in the Ashford and Simpson-owned Sugar Bar nightclub.

MUST READ: Charlie Wilson Breaks Down In Front of Steve Harvey

You May Also Like
9 Foods You Should NEVER Eat after Age 30

Our sources told us that Kemp was scheduled to perform with Teddy Riley on the cruise that same year he died, however, he was not on the ship due to him not feeling well.

Samuel L. Jackson and MC Hammer were among others who shared condolences, calling him

Continue Reading

The Latest In Celebrity Health

Hip-Hop Legend of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony in ICU

Legendary hip-hop group, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, who brought us hits like "First of the Month, are coming togethr, not just for concert performances, but to surround one of their members whose facing critical life-threatening health issues. Founding member and rapper, born read more about Hip-Hop Legend of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony in ICU

Bronny James, LeBron James’ Son, Has a Congenital Heart Defect

Bronny James, the 18-year-old 6-foot-3 son of LeBron James, is attending classes as a USC freshman and is doing “extremely well” after he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in July, according to his coach Andy Enfield. “I think everybody is read more about Bronny James, LeBron James’ Son, Has a Congenital Heart Defect
Kevin Hart

Kevin Hart in Wheelchair After Racing NFL Star

Ouch! Comedian Kevin Hart referred to himself as the “stupidest man alive” and that he is in a wheelchair after he attempted to race former NFL star, Stevan Ridley. In a post on his Instagram account on Wednesday, Hart, 44, read more about Kevin Hart in Wheelchair After Racing NFL Star

Raven-Symone’ Reveals She had Two Plastic Surgeries Before 18

Former child star Raven-Symoné is best known by one generation as the cute and loveable Olivia from The Cosby Show. She's known by another generation as the role of Raven Baxter on the Disney Channel television hit series That's So read more about Raven-Symone’ Reveals She had Two Plastic Surgeries Before 18
wellness influencers

Now Following: The Top Black Wellness Influencers of 2023

There are TONS of wellness gurus that have entered our social media timelines in 2023. A lot of us are focused on bettering our physical and mental health. We want to eat better, feel better, and live better! But knowing read more about Now Following: The Top Black Wellness Influencers of 2023
Issa Rae

Issa Rae Admits She Didn’t Think Her Body Was ‘Barbie Ready’

Recently, Issa Rae revealed that she didn't feel like her body was "Barbie Ready", despite the excitement surrounding the new Barbie movie. In a recent interview with Glamour, the actress who portrayed President Barbie in Greta Gerwig's production shared that read more about Issa Rae Admits She Didn’t Think Her Body Was ‘Barbie Ready’

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

The 14 Different Types Of Headaches: Which One You’re Experiencing?

The 14 Different Types Of Headaches: Which One You’re Experiencing?

6 Things In Your Home That Can Cause Cancer

things that cause cancer

5 Amazing Things Salt Water Can Cure

salt water benefits

5 Exercise Moves That Never Work

exercise moves

5 Items You Need In Your Lupus Flare Up Kit

lupus flare up
Find a Culturally Sensitive Doctor

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2023, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.