Faith Renée Evans (born June 10, 1973) is an American singer and songwriter. She is the first female artist signed to Sean Combs' Bad Boy Records. Previously, she was a backup singer for Al B. Sure!. Faith has written and sung background vocals for many fellow R&B artists including Usher and Mary J. Blige.
Outside of her music career, she is known for being the widow of Christopher Wallace, a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G., whom she married on August 4, 1994 and was married to until his death on March 9, 1997. She was featured along with music group 112 on Sean Combs's tribute single to Wallace, "I'll Be Missing You."
Discography
- Faith (1995)
- Keep the Faith (1998)
- Faithfully (2001)
- The First Lady (2005)
- A Faithful Christmas (2005)
- Something About Faith (2010)
- Incomparable (2014)
- The King & I (2017) (with The Notorious B.I.G. posthumously-recorded vocals)
Filmography
Film
- Turn It Up (2000) - Natalie
- The Fighting Temptations (2003) - Maryann Hill
- Soul Kittens Cabaret (2011) - Demon
- Girls Trip (2017) - Herself, performer
Television
- Half & Half (2004) - Asia
- R&B Divas: Atlanta (2012-2013) - Herself, executive producer
- Luke Cage (2016) (2016-2018) - Herself, performer
- The Masked Singer (2021) - Herself / Skunk
Tropes
- Break-Up Song: "Can't Believe" with Carl Thomas.
- Cover Version: Faith has a few covers:
- "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" from her debut album was originally performed by Rose Royce.
- It was originally recorded as a duet with Mary J. Blige. Blige's vocals were removed (it was rumored she requested them removed, but that has not been confirmed) and later pressings of the album feature Evans only on the track.
- "True Colors," originally by Cyndi Lauper, with fellow R&B singers Kelly Price and Fantasia on R&B Divas (2012).
- Coko of SWV enlists Evans along with Fantasia and Lil' Mo for a remake of "Endow Me" originally by The Clark Sisters—Faith's biggest musical inspirations.
- "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" from her debut album was originally performed by Rose Royce.
- Grief Song: "I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy, which she was featured on, is a tribute to her late husband, The Notorious B.I.G.
- She also assists Kandi Burruss on her song "Easier," dedicated in memory of Burruss's late brother..
- Let's Duet:
- "Can't Believe" with Carl Thomas (Faithfully).
- "How Can We Stop" with Horace Brown on his 1996 self-titled album.
- "Overjoyed" with Jon B. (Pleasures U Like).
- "Nothing Without You" with Karen Clark Sheard—her main vocal influence (Finally Karen)
- The Lost Lenore: The Notorious B.I.G. for Faith Evans; his murder has informed the tone and direction Evans's career took since. She even recorded an album with unreleased material from him.
- Melismatic Vocals: Like a true R&B singer, she incorporates this vocal style in her songs and live performances.
- Sampling: Characteristic of Hip Hop Soul, Faith has many songs that use samples. A few examples:
- "No Other Love" (Faith) samples "Walk On By by Isaac Hayes.
- "Fallin' In Love" (Faith) samples "Remind Me" by Patrice Rushen.
- The title track of Keep The Faith samples "Never Alone" by Yolanda Adams.
- "Love Like This" (Keep The Faith) samples "Chic Cheer" by Chic.
- "I Love You" (Faithfully) samples "Make a Little Love to Me" by Isaac Hayes.
- Self-Backing Vocalist: A hallmark of Faith's recording style. She has trained her ear for harmony since she was a young girl and it is what helped get her noticed.
- Silly Love Songs: The silliest is a song titled simply "I Love You".
- Song of Prayer: "Say A Prayer" by Donald Lawrence featuring herself.
