Sherrick

{{Short description|American soul singer (1957–1999)}} {{Other uses|Sherrick (disambiguation)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist  | name = Sherrick | image = | caption = | image_size =  | background = solo_singer | birth_name = Lamotte Smith<ref name="Soulwalking"/><ref name="Dead"/> | birth_date = {{birth date|1957|07|06}} | death_date = {{death date and age|1999|01|22|1957|07|06}} | death_place = Los Angeles, California | birth_place = Sacramento, California, United States | instrument = Vocals | genre = R&B, soul | occupation = Singer–songwriter | years_active= 1985–1999 | label = Warner Bros. Records }} '''Sherrick''' (July 6, 1957 – January 22, 1999)<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book|first=David|last=Roberts|year=2006|title=British Hit Singles & Albums|edition=19th|publisher=Guinness World Records Limited|location=London|isbn=1-904994-10-5|page=496}}</ref> was an American soul singer and musician.

==Biography== He was born '''F Lamonte-Smith''';<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> or '''Lamotte Smith'''<ref name="Soulwalking"/><ref name="Dead">{{cite web|url=http://thedeadrockstarsclub.com/1998.html|title=The Dead Rock Stars Club 1998 - 1999|website=Thedeadrockstarsclub.com|accessdate=21 April 2019}}</ref> in 1957 in Sacramento, California, United States.

Sherrick was given his professional break by producer Raynoma Gordy Singleton (née Mayberry), former wife of Motown founder Berry Gordy.<ref name="Soulwalking">{{cite web|url=http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Sherrick.html|title=Sherrick Page|website=Soulwalking.co.uk|accessdate=21 April 2019}}</ref> Sherrick was the lead singer of the Motown group, Kagny, who recorded a song for the Motown movie, ''The Last Dragon'' in 1985.<ref name="Soulwalking"/>

He signed with Warner Bros. Records in 1987, co-producing an album with Michael Stokes and with Ray Singleton as an executive producer. The album, titled ''Sherrick'', included "Just Call" which reached number 8 in the US ''Billboard'' R&B chart. A version of the Originals' major hit of the late 1960s, "Baby I'm for Real" also charted, peaking at number 53. He also had two entries in the UK Singles Chart in 1987.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> These were "Just Call" (number 23) and "Let's Be Lovers Tonight" (number 63).<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> In addition, his album, ''Sherrick'' reached number 27 in the UK Albums Chart the same year.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/>

Sherrick attended rehab sessions while finishing up his debut album (1987). He decided to do a promotional tour across the USA where his album and singles' success was limited, to garner interest. However, he went on 'cocaine-finding missions' in every city on the itinerary for the tour not having returned and missing subsequent engagements. It became clear that he had an issue with cocaine addiction after he eventually returned. He worked on what was to become his second album although its production ended prematurely after he took thousands of dollars in advance money. His second album was never completed causing Raynoma Gordy Singleton to absolve herself from further assistance in its production. It caused her to write a chapter in her book entitled ''The Untold Story: Berry, Me, and Motown''. Sherrick disappeared from public eye a year later in 1988 and didn't re-appear<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/sherrick-mn0000027367/biography|title=Sherrick Biography|first=Andrew|last=Hamilton|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=December 14, 2020}}</ref>

==Proposed comeback and death== In 1999, he stated that he was "drug-free and working on new material". However his proposed comeback ended, when he died in Los Angeles, California, on January 22, 1999, at the age of 41. He died of unknown causes. He is survived by his widow Lynne Conner-Smith and three children, Kiriandra, Paris and Chance Smith.<ref name="Soulwalking"/>

==Rape accusation== In January 2021, Wendy Williams alleged that Sherrick date raped her in the 1980s. Williams said that after she interviewed Sherrick, he invited her to an album release party and raped her.<ref name="Brodsky 2021">{{cite news|last1=Brodsky|first1=Rachel|title=Wendy Williams was sexually assaulted by 1980s R&B singer Sherrick|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/wendy-williams-sherrick-date-rape-b1787018.html|access-date=5 May 2021|work=The Independent|date=14 January 2021|language=en}}</ref> The event is depicted in her biopic ''Wendy Williams: The Movie''. The character named as the rapist in the movie goes by the moniker of "Rick Tony" and is played by Nykeem Provo.<ref>{{cite web|last1=DANIELS|first1=KARU F.|title=Wendy Williams reveals the name of her rapist — late R&B singer Sherrick|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/snyde/ny-wendy-williams-late-singer-sherrick-rape-lifetime-biopic-20210114-4mrnq655ffcs3ljw54wnxjvkjq-story.html|website=New York Daily News|date=January 13, 2021 |access-date=15 January 2021}}</ref>

==Discography== ===Albums=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Album ! UK <ref name="UK"/> |- | 1987 | ''Sherrick'' | align=center | 27 |- |}

===Singles=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Year ! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Single ! scope="col" colspan="2"|Peak chart positions |- ! style="width:45px;"|UK <ref name="UK">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/24390/sherrick/|title=SHERRICK - full Official Chart History|work=Official Charts Company|accessdate=29 February 2020}}</ref> ! style="width:45px;"|US R&B <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicvf.com/Sherrick.art|title=Sherrick Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography|work=Music VF|accessdate=29 February 2020}}</ref> |- |rowspan="5"| 1987 | "Just Call" | align=center | 23 | align=center | 8 |- | "Let's Be Lovers Tonight" | align=center | 63 | align=center | — |- | "Tell Me What It Is" | align=center | — | align=center | — |- | "This Must Be Love" | align=center | — | align=center | — |- | "Baby I'm for Real" | align=center | — | align=center | 53 |- | colspan="4" style="text-align:center; font-size:9pt;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[https://www.discogs.com/artist/135404-Sherrick Album and Singles Discography] at Discogs.

Category:1957 births Category:1999 deaths Category:Warner Records artists Category:20th-century African-American male singers Category:20th-century American male singers Category:20th-century American singers