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RL
RL of Next 2019.png
RL in 2019
Background information
Birth name Robert Lavelle Huggar
Born Minnesota, U.S.
Genres R&B
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter
Years active 1997–present
Labels Arista (1997–2000)

J (2001–2002)
Interscope (2005–2006)

Music World/Universal (2006–2007)

Robert Lavelle Huggar, better known by his initials RL, is an American singer and songwriter who gained fame as the lead singer of the R&B group Next.

Early life

Robert Lavelle Huggar was born in 1977 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Robert and Toni Huggar. Growing up, he was exposed to a variety of musical styles that helped influence his sound. His admiration of artists like Prince and Michael Jackson and music producers such as Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis encouraged him to pursue music.

Next

Fronted by Huggar and brothers Terry Brown and Raphael Brown, Next was introduced to producer and DJ artist KayGee from Naughty by Nature. Subsequently, they signed with KayGee's newly formed Divine Mill record label, which, at the time, was distributed through Arista Records.

Solo work

RL first distinguished himself outside of Next with his duet with Deborah Cox on the song "We Can't Be Friends" as well as other feature projects. RL followed up that effort with "The Best Man I Can Be", the super-group track from The Best Man movie soundtrack which also featured Ginuwine, Tyrese and Case. By the time RL's soulful "Good Love" (from The Brothers movie soundtrack) and his hook to Tupac's Until the end of Time were released, he had created an artistic persona distinct and separate from Next. RL: Ements is RL's debut solo project and was released on J Records. It spawned the singles "Got Me a Model" (featuring Erick Sermon) and "Good Man".

Personal life

Huggar has a son, Charles, with his first wife.

In October 2017, he married Lena Danielle. Their daughter was born in January 2018.

Discography

Albums

Year Title Chart positions
US U.S. R&B
2002 RL: Ements
  • Released: April 23, 2002
53 6

Singles

Year Song Peak chart positions Album
US US
R&B
1999 "The Best Man I Can Be" (with Ginuwine, Tyrese and Case) 67 15 The Best Man (soundtrack)
"We Can't Be Friends" (Deborah Cox featuring RL) 8 1 One Wish
2001 "Good Love" - 58 The Brothers (soundtrack)
2002 "Got Me a Model" (featuring Erick Sermon) - 76 RL: Ements
"Good Man" - 48

As songwriter

Year Song Artist Peak chart positions Album
US US
R&B
1999 "Party Tonight" 3rd Storee 66 3rd Storee
2000 "Whatever" (featuring Lil' Mo) Ideal 47 11 Ideal
2000 "Where I Wanna Be" (featuring Nate Dogg & Kurupt) Shade Sheist 95 49 Informal Introduction
2001 "Just in Case" Jaheim 52 15 Ghetto Love
2002 "Anything" 28 6
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Other notable songwriting credits

Year Song Artist Album
2001 "Weekend Thing" Koffee Brown Mars/Venus
"Bring Your Heart to Mine" Luther Vandross Luther Vandross
"U R the One" Usher 8701
2005 "Storm (Forecass)" Jamie Foxx Unpredictable
2008 "I Can Change Your Life" Lloyd Lessons in Love
"The Floor" Keith Sweat Just Me
"... Girl"
"Teach Me"
2009 "Show Off" Ginuwine A Man's Thoughts
"Open the Door"
"Orchestra"
"Touch Me"
"Even When I'm Mad"
2012 "60 Seconds" "Q" Parker The Manual
2013 "Ready for Love" Mindless Behavior All Around the World
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