Delious Kennedy Reveals Shocking Secrets Behind All-4-One’s Journey
Delious Kennedy, a member of the famous ’90s R&B group All-4-One, has shared some of the group’s most stunning and shocking secrets. The band’s rise to fame and their experience in the music industry were far from smooth, marked by internal struggles, industry setbacks, and unexpected solo ventures.
All-4-One, known for their wedding anthems like “I Swear,” had a rocky start, facing a series of challenges, particularly with their record label. According to Kennedy, the group initially struggled with a controlling label that had little regard for their creative vision.
Their early producer, an older white man, took control of their music and sabotaged their demos, replacing them with subpar versions that didn’t reflect the band’s potential. This led to frustrations as their music was reworked by outside producers who were given the singles despite the group’s dissatisfaction with the production.
The band’s conflicts were not limited to their label. They also faced disappointments in their career trajectory, including a missed opportunity to tour with Janet Jackson, which was canceled by the producer who was handling their music.
Similarly, they were shocked when Babyface turned down an offer to work with them on a song. These setbacks only fueled their determination to take control of their music.
All-4-One’s breakthrough came when they finally took charge of their sound. After experiencing creative frustration with their second and third albums, they decided to take over the production process. The moment they gained full creative control was when their music began to reflect their true style.
Formed in the early 1990s, All-4-One’s lineup included Jamie Jones, Delious Kennedy, Alfred Narez, and Tony Borroak—four young men from California.
Jamie Jones, considered the group’s unofficial leader, was introduced to the music industry by a producer he met at church. The producer handed him a cassette of their first song, “So Much in Love,” and challenged him to form a group. Once assembled, the band secured a record deal on the spot, and their debut album was born.
Initially, the group struggled to find a name. Their manager suggested several options, but it wasn’t until they saw the name “All-4-One” that it clicked. The name perfectly captured the band’s ethos of unity, harmony, and friendship. The members all agreed that it symbolized their collective bond, and they chose it without hesitation.
Their debut album, So Much in Love, was released in 1993 and quickly became a success, going gold shortly after its release and peaking at number five on the Billboard charts. However, the road to fame was far from easy.
The group faced criticism from high school students during the filming of their “So Much in Love” music video, where they were harshly compared to other artists. This experience helped shape the band’s attitude, reinforcing their desire to be judged by their music and not their appearances.
Despite facing these early hurdles, All-4-One soon became known for their smooth harmonies and a blend of pop and R&B. Their sound, influenced by their backgrounds in gospel and barbershop quartet singing, set them apart from other acts in the music industry.
This unique style helped the band receive accolades and invitations to record even more hits, including their iconic cover of John Michael Montgomery’s “I Swear.”
Interestingly, “I Swear” was not originally intended for the album. It was added last-minute after the group had finished recording their debut album.
The song was initially released as a country track and did well on the country charts but struggled to cross over to the pop charts. The band was given the opportunity to record a pop version, and the rest is history. The song became a massive hit, further solidifying All-4-One’s place in pop culture.
Despite their success, internal and external conflicts continued to plague the group. Tensions with their independent label, Blitz Records, and their major label, Atlantic Records, led to a falling out with both labels in 1999. The industry turmoil was a testament to the difficult realities that many artists face in the music business.
Kennedy also reflected on how the music industry has changed since their time in the spotlight. He acknowledged that social media has given artists more freedom to promote themselves and bypass traditional gatekeepers.
However, he believes that even with social media, certain barriers still exist, and gatekeepers in the industry would have continued to block them in some ways.
Despite the challenges, All-4-One’s journey has been a testament to their resilience and talent. Through creative struggles, label issues, and personal tensions, they have managed to create a lasting legacy with their soulful harmonies and timeless hits. Delious Kennedy’s candid revelations give fans a glimpse into the realities behind the success of one of the ’90s most beloved R&B groups.
