K-Ci (Little Cedric) is a singer-songwriter known as one of the members of Jodeci, K-Ci & JoJo, and Little Cedric and the Hailey Singers. He was one of the top-grossing R&B singers in the 1980s.
He started his music career in the church, singing in his father’s quartet group, Little Cedric and the Hailey Singers, consisting of other family members. The group released three albums on the AIR (Atlanta International Records) label. The albums are ‘I’m Alright Now’ in 1983, ‘Jesus Saves’ in 1984, and ‘God’s Blessing’ in 1985.
His rise to musical fame came when he became the lead singer of Jodeci, an R&B group formed initially by DeVante DeGrate and his brother Joel Hailey in 1988.
K-Ci was also part of the successful K-Ci & JoJo R&B singing group.
K-Ci Net Worth
K-Ci has amassed his fair share of wealth, being part of many successful groups and projects.
As a member of Jodeci, they started their performances in the 1990s and dropped their first major hit with 2Pac in 1996.
In 1997, K-Ci and his group released their first album, “Love Always,” whose third single, “All My Life,” was a chart-smashing hit, sitting atop the Hot 100 for three straight weeks. During his time with Jodeci, they sold over 20 million records worldwide. These were the times before music streaming.
In 2014, Complex magazine ranked the group 1st on their “1990s Male R&B Group Pyramid of Excellence” list, recognizing them as one of the most influential groups of the 1990s and the best R&B group ever.
K-Ci is estimated to have a net worth of $3 million.
Profile Summary
| Net Worth | $3 million |
| Name | Cedric Renard Hailey |
| Age | 55 years old |
| Date of Birth | September 2, 1969 |
| Place of Birth | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Singer Songwriter |
| Parents | Father: Cliff Hailey Mother: Anita Hailey |
| Sibling | Joel Hailey Tiffany |
| Wife | Cassandra Hailey |
| Height | 6’1 1.85m 185cm |
| Weight | 83kg 183lbs |
Early Life & Background
Cedric Renard Hailey, best known as K-Ci or Little Cedric, was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 2, 1969. He grew up in Monroe with his parents, Anita and Cliff Hailey, both gospel singers.
He is the elder brother of Joel Hailey, professionally known as JoJo – 2 years older. For a period, the Hailey family lived in Baltimore, where they performed gospel music, and later returned to Charlotte when K-Ci was still young. He also has a sister named Tiffany.
He attended Garinger High School, but nothing is known about the college he attended.
The Hailey brothers are cousins of R&B artists Fantasia Barrino, Dave Hollister, Calvin Richardson, and Stephanie Mills.
Professional Career
He was raised in the church and began singing the Gospel at 8. At 12, he recorded his favorite Gospel Song, “Jesus Saves’ with The Little Cedric and the Hailey Singers.
When K-Ci was young, in 1983, he, his brother, and his father as Little Cedric and the Hailey Singers recorded three gospel albums, starting with the 1983 release “I’m Alright Now” by Atlanta International Records, Gospel.
However, this album failed to chart on any Billboard magazine charts, but their subsequent releases “Jesus Saves” (1984) and “God’s Blessings” (1985) both made it to the Billboard Gospel Album charts, the former reaching #4 and the latter #22.
K-Ci and his brother’s gospel performances eventually led him to meet the DeGrate brothers, DeVante and Dalvin DeGrate, with whom he formed the R&B group Jodeci.
As the lead vocalist for Jodeci, the group released three multi-platinum albums between 1991 and 1995. In 1996, the group announced a hiatus from recording and releasing music.
However, K-Ci continued to record with his brother as the duo K-Ci & JoJo (formed in 1996), releasing five albums between 1997 and 2013.
They were nominated for three Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “How Do U Want It” and Best R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song for “All My Life.”
They won the 1999 Blockbuster Award for Best R&B Group and the 1999 American Music Award for Favorite R&B Band/Duo/Group.
During his time as K-Ci, he recorded the composition “I Don’t Want to Do Anything” with Mary J. Blige on her debut album What’s the 411? (1992).
Also, his cover of Bobby Womack’s “If You Think You’re Lonely Now” was featured on the soundtrack to the 1994 film Jason’s Lyric. It was released as a single and peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2013, K-Ci and his brother, Jojo, returned with a new single, “Knock It Off,” from the album My Brother’s Keeper, The Past, the Present, the Future.
K Ci Hailey’s last two collaborations were with Keith Sweat on “How Many Ways,” from Sweat’s Playing For Keeps album, and No One Else, from Snoop Dogg’s critically acclaimed album, Bible of Love.
K-Ci Hailey embarked on a new chapter in his career when the founder and CEO of P Music Group, Michael Paran, announced his signing to P Music Group on December 16, 2019.
Personal Life
Hailey was in a relationship with R&B singer Mary J. Blige from 1992 to 1997, but they had different views about getting married. He is currently married to Cassandra Hailey.
Amidst K-Ci’s success in the realm of R&B, he grappled with a persistent battle with alcohol addiction. In 2008, the Hailey brothers faced a challenging period as their struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, notably contributing to Jojo’s onstage fall during a performance, resulted in a significant slowdown in their career.
Desiring a change in his life and a musical rebirth, K-Ci encountered a major setback when he was diagnosed with a brain stroke in 2018.
According to medical reports, a six-month recovery period was anticipated before he could regain the ability to walk and sing, with the possibility that performing might be a distant prospect.
However, K-Ci’s unwavering faith in God was key in his healing journey against all odds and in what can only be described as a miraculous turn of events.
Miraculously, he won the stroke, and his first post-recovery song, “Jesus Saves,” became a testament to his resilience and newfound strength. He released a single titled “Jesus Saves” under the P Music Group label, marking a comeback for K-Ci Hailey.
Controversy
In 2011, K-Ci faced charges and pleaded no contest to multiple counts of lewd conduct related to an incident where he allegedly exposed himself at the Jingle Ball concert in December 2010.
Physical Appearance
K-Ci is an American singer with an African heritage. He has dark hair and black eyes, with a tattoo on his neck. He stands 6’1″ (1.85m) tall and weighs 183lbs (83kg).