R&B crooner Joseph Thomas, more famously known as Joe, will perform in concert at Caribbean Fashionweek’s International Night, scheduled for Sunday June 12. Joe’s solid catalogue of hits including “I Wanna Know” and “All The Things Your Man Won’t Do”, is sure to have his legion of fans, especially among Jamaica’s ladies, in ecstasy, come Caribbean Fashionweek. This year, the first of the second decade of CFW, Pulse introduces full, extended play concert performances to the event. Each of the 3 show nights will now see superstar performances immediately following the fashion shows. The themed show nights are Jamaica Night on Friday June 10, Caribbean Night on Saturday, June 11 and International Night on Sunday June 12.
In the past CFW has showcased international star performances and celebrities, who have performed (or hosted the event), while the fashion shows are being presented. Pulse has decided to upgrade these performances to full concerts as CFW enters a new decade of excellence. These high energy concert performances will take place on the event’s sound stage, after the runway shows are over. After Parties follow each night at Jamaica’s hot night spots Studio 38, Fiction and Privilege.
The son of two preachers, Joe spent much time in church singing, playing guitar and even directing the choir. He graduated high school and continued to sing and write music while working at occasional temporary jobs. Finally, he traveled to New Jersey, hoping to make connections in the music industry. After a stint at Polygram, Joe signed to Jive Records and produced the album “All That I Am”. This proved to be his breakthrough album, reaching #13 on the Billboard 200 chart, and number 4 on the US Billboard R&B chart. The hit singles from this album included the Top 5 R&B/Top 20 pop hit “All the Things Your Man Won’t Do”, the Top 5 R&B/Top 40 pop hit “Don’t Wanna Be a Player”, and “The Love Scene”.
“Don’t Wanna Be a Player”, produced by Rodney Jerkins, was also featured on the Booty Call soundtrack, helping its success. All That I Am eventually went platinum in the United States. Joe appeared on the track “Thank God I Found You” with Mariah Carey which appeared on her Rainbow album. This song was released as the second single and came a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. This track also became a hit internationally, helping to raise Joe’s profile in other parts of the world.
In April 2000, Joe released his third album, My Name Is Joe, which became his most successful album to date, reaching the top of the R&B album chart and #2 on the Billboard 200, eventually selling more than three million copies. This album was also his first to make an impression outside the US. It featured the Top 5 R&B (#2) and pop (#4) hit lead single “I Wanna Know”, which also reached the Top 40 in the UK and Australia. The second single released was “Treat Her Like A Lady”, which enjoyed significant success. The third single, the Roy “Royalty” Hamilton & Teddy Riley-produced “Stutter”, was #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B/Hip-Hop Tracks chart, and part of the Top 10 in the UK, and top 20 in Australia.
In 2002, Joe did another collaboration with Mariah Carey on the remix version of her first single “Through the Rain” from her album Charmbracelet. Joe released a number of albums and singles between 2001 and 2007. In 2008, Joe Thomas, New Man was released, followed by Signature in 2009. Signature was named iTunes Best R&B album of 2009. CFW 2011 is presented by Pulse in association with Air Jamaica, Supreme Ventures Sports Betting, CVM TV, The Gleaner, Fashion TV Paris, DHL, The Jamaica Tourist Board, The Courtleigh Hotel, Spoeri 1886, ZIP fm, Kool fm, Hype TV, Studio 38, the Knutsford Court, Samurai and other sponsors.
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