A singing prodigy from New Brunswick, New Jersey, who was orphaned in his teens, Jaheim (born Jaheim Hoagland) overcame a rough-and-tumble childhood to launch a successful career as an R&B vocalist. With a deep, husky voice that recalls Luther Vandross, Jaheim managed to stand out from the post-millennial neo-soul crowd, garnering hit albums with 2001's GHETTO LOVE and the following year's STILL GHETTO. While his earlier work featured a marked hip-hop feel, the performer shifted toward a vintage soul sound, particularly on '07's THE MAKINGS OF A MAN.