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The late ’90s was a great time for R&B due to an innumerable amount of groups breaking through with stellar material, making music that served as a soundtrack for life’s ups and downs. One of these groups to create classic music is Jagged Edge.
Comprised of twins Brandon and Brian Casey, as well as members Kyle Norman and Richard Wingo, the group got their big shot after Xscape member Kandi introduced them to Jermaine Dupri, who signed them him to his So So Def Records roster.
Dropping their debut LP, ‘A Jagged Era, in 1997, the album was a mild success, going gold and spawned the hit, ‘I Gotta Be,’ which peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. After a two-year hiatus, Jagged Edge returned with their sophomore effort, ‘J.E. Heartbreak,’ in 2000. The project, which was executive produced by Jermaine Dupri and featured songwriting from Bryan Michael Cox, proved to be worth the wait. ‘J.E. Heartbreak’ took the quartet to the next level and turned them into one of the hottest R&B groups of all time.
Spawning a number of hit singles that dominated radio and music video countdowns, their sophomore record was definitely not jinxed — they sold over two million copies and the effort was certified double platinum by the RIAA.
Fifteen years have come and gone and since today marks a decade-and-a-half since this LP touched down, we’ve selected the best five tracks from ‘J.E. Heartbreak.’ May the lover in you rejoice.
'J.E. Heartbreak' opens up with the uptempo cut, 'Did She Say.' Containing the same sample as the classic Beatnuts track 'Off the Books,' the song is centered around a conniving female trying to break up a relationship and falsely accuses the man of infidelity after being rejected. Featuring plush production and added flavor from Jermaine Dupri on the adlibs, 'Did She Say' kicks off the album on a good note. This is one track that will cause a slight head-bop or two-step.
The lights get dimmed and the kids get put to bed on the hot and heavy 'Healing.' Singing "and I'ma make this night so special, treat her good cause in the past I done learned my lesson, hope she got her body good already for the session, cause I'm feeling that she's ready and I hope she's ready," J.E's intentions are more than clear. Featuring lush guitars and and hollow drums, 'Healing' is perfect for a freaky, late-night rendevouz with that special someone.
Jagged Edge kept their winning streak on the r&b charts going with the slow jam, 'Promise.' Produced by Jermaine Dupri, the song sees J.E. reaffirming their love and loyalty to their mates, singing "nothing is promised to me and you, so why would we let this thing go? / baby, i promise, that I'll stay true, don't let nobody say it ain't so." Urging their ladies to ignore the naysayers and negative talk, the thugged-out quartet deliver another banger with 'Promise,' proving that they were no flash-in-the-pan act and would be around for a while.
Every so often, there is an r&b ballad that gets added to the essential wedding playlist. Jagged Edges 'Let's Get Married' is one of those songs. Released as the third single from J.E. Heartbreak,' the title says it all, with the group laying down what amounts to a marriage proposal on wax. Vulnerable lyrics like "See, first of all, I know these so-called players wouldn't tell you this, but I'ma just go and say what's on my heart / let's take this chance and make this love feel relevant, girl, you know I love you from the start" and mentions of elegant white dresses and potential babies was a big hit with the ladies and was so official even the fellas couldn't give it the side-eye. The rap&b remix may get more bodies moving at the reception, but there are few songs in the last two decades that go as well with a beautiful bride walking down the aisle than this classic.
Released as the second single from 'J.E. Heartbreak,' 'He Can't Love U' is one of Jagged Edges finer selections . Produced and written by Jermaine Dupri and Bryan Michael Cox, the song sees the So So Def vocalists singing of love lost and attempting to mend a relationship with a mate that has moved on. In a fight for the women of their dreams, J.E. let's the ladies know that no other man's affection can compare to theirs and ended up having a signature ballad in their catalog to show for their troubles.
