Love Jones is a staple of pop culture, an American classic that taught us all how to love. The 1997 film has earned its place in history as one of the best romantic dramas ever.
And, while the movie is still beloved and talked about today, we cannot forget that the film’s soundtrack absolutely slayed. With songs from Xscape and Dionne Farris’ iconic “Hopeless,” we’re sure that if you put the album on today it would still hold up as the soundtrack to love’s ups and downs.
So, in honor of the film’s 20th anniversary, let’s take a look at the artists behind the wonderful soundtrack and what they’ve been up to.
Tate appears on the film’s soundtrack for “Brother to the Night (A Blues For Nina)” the now iconic poem dedicated to Nia Long’s character. Omar Hardwick paid tribute to Tate and the poem during BET’s ABFF Honors, reciting it during the event. Tate recently joined the cast of Power as a recurring character, Councilman Rashad Tate. He’s also set to star in the upcoming comedy Girls Trip.
“Nina’s Poem (I am Looking at Music)” was Long’s contribution to the soundtrack. And, while not as well-remembered as “Brother to the Night,” it was another moment of romance and honesty in the film. As you probably know, Long is an iconic actress. She’s starred in The Best Man, Boyz n the Hood, Friday, Soul Food and Lifetime’s recent Beaches TV movie opposite Idina Menzel. She’ll appear in the upcoming hip hop biopic Roxanne Roxanne.
Farris’ “Hopeless” became an immediate hit after the film. Farris, who was the vocalist in hip hop group Arrested Development before going solo, earned commercial success with “I Know,” a mid-90s hit, landing a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. The singer recently performed “Hopeless” during BET’s ABFF Honors, sending fans into a frenzy.
The third single from Maxwell’s debut album Urban Hang Suite, “Sumthin, Sumthin”was a smooth track from the R&B singer. A different version of the single was released on the Love Jones soundtrack, “Sumthin’ Sumthin’: Mellosmoothe,” which landed on Billboard’s R&B and Hip Hop Songs chart. A staple of soul and R&B, Maxwell has inspired numerous artists. The singer has also earned three Grammys, most recently for 2016’s “Lake by the Ocean.”
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Lattimore is another beloved R&B artist, with well-known hits “Days Like This,” “Never Too Busy,” and Grammy-nominated “For You.” He and ex-wife, singer Chanté Moore, released two successful duet albums and covered Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s “You’re All I Need To Get By.” Lattimore is currently busy performing and working on new music.
Formed in the 1980s, the group was initially an acid jazz band before venturing into funk territory and later including elements of hip hop in their music after performing with MC Serch and Q-Tip. The bands members have rotated with two original members still attached. The group is currently working on new projects.
Rap duo Refugee Camp All-Stars, made up of John Forté and Pras, made two appearances on the soundtrack with “I Got a Love Jones for You” and “The Sweetest Thing” with Lauryn Hill.
Pras was a founding member of The Fugees and Forté performed, wrote, and produced with the group. Both Pras and Forte have earned Grammy nominations. Forte performed with Pusha T back in Sept. for Calipatria State Prison inmates, teaming up with Revolve Impact to use art and concerts as a way to reform inmates. Pras is currently working on album that celebrates Haiti and plans to release a single with rapper Young M.A.
Lauryn Hill, as many know, went on to become an icon. Her debut album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 1999, with Hill earning Best New Artist. The singer also recently became a grandmother, her oldest child Zion Marley welcoming a son.
The hip hop duo, made up of Amel Larrieux and Bryce Wilson, reached commercial success with “Tell Me,” but broke up in 1999. Larrieux pursued a solo career and later formed her own record label. Wilson dabbled in acting, appearing in Beauty Shop, and produced music for Beyoncé and Mary J. Blige. The group reunited in 2010.
Both musicans are incredible forces in the industry. Miller is a jazz composer and multi-instrumentalist, Ndegeocello is a rapper, singer-songwriter.
Ndegeocello has provided music for other iconic rom-coms and dramas like Love & Basketball, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and The Best Man. She also provided the theme song for Ava DuVernay’s Queen Sugar and contributed an essay to Dan Savage’s It Gets Better anthology. Ndegeocello has raised awareness and funds for AIDS charities and women’s empowerment and protection in the Congo. She’s credited for sparking the neo soul movement.
Miller has numerous Grammys including one for Best Contemporary Jazz Album for his seventh studio project M² and Best R&B song for Luther Vandross’ “Power of Love.” As a session musician, Miller has appeared on over 500 albums for artists like Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, LL Cool J, Frank Sinatra, and Chaka Khan.
Broussard caught everyone’s attention with this Minnie Riperton cover and was signed with Jermain Dupri’s So So Def before moving to Motown/Universal. During a 2009 promo tour she covered The Jackson 5’s “Never Can Say Goodbye” in tribute to MJ. Last year she released the single “Adieu.”
The Grammy Award-winning jazz musician and singer is known as one of the best jazz singers in the game. Wilson’s 1996 album New Moon Daughter earned her the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Performance and produced a tribute album to Miles Davis called Traveling Miles, which reached number one on the jazz charts. She’s currently working on a project in Ireland.
