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Morris Clady Owens Jr. (born March 1, 1987 known by his stage name AvaNu pronounced AVENUE), is an American R&B singer, songwriter, record producer and actor. He was the lead singer of R&B group D.U.E. T.I.M.E., and has also released solo material. AvaNu's successful debut solo album, Love Makes Hearts Break (2012), included the hit singles "Do It Like Me ft. Nextale Nailze", "Lovescene" and "You're The One".

Biography
Growing up in Atlanta was far from easy for AvaNu. His mother wanted to keep him from being a product of his environment so she would encourage him to participate in after school programs. AvaNu never had a relationship with his father however he was able to speak with him just 2 weeks before his death. At the time he was 12yrs old and didn't know how to cope with the image of seeing his father for the first time, in a casket. He began to write poetry later turning that talent into songs. His brother began to mentor him, teaching him how to manipulate words and phrases.

Career
After graduating from Avondale High School in 2005 AvaNu enrolled in Art Institute of Atlanta where he started a R&B group (DUE TIME) and would reach local success performing at parties and award ceremonies. After 3 years with the group, a lot of changes came about. AvaNu became a father to a beautiful baby girl in 2008, while the other members got engaged, moved out of state and began their own solo careers. This would put a hamper on rehearsals so he decided to follow his own solo career. AvaNu began to accompany ZIP during this time as they would focus on writing ZIP's solo project. It only took 4 months for AvaNu to have a project written however ZIP would later decide to hold off on his project.

Later that year "Baby", which is one of the tracks AvaNu had written for ZIP's project began to get traction. Due to ZIP not wanting to be an artist, anyone interested in the song he'd mention AvaNu was the writer and that they were a production team.

AvaNu had alwalys wanted to be an artist so when the opportunity came he dove in head first signing with record label Five Diamond Music. In 2012, he recorded and debut his first album Love Makes Hearts Break which opened up doors and took him across the country on a journey where he built a loyal fan base. In 2013, AvaNu and best friend Zip dropped their first collaborative project The Hitoholics. A year later he returned with Sex Love & Other Sh**. After being on the label for 4 years AvaNu and 5 Five Diamond parted ways due to personal issues.

In 2017, AvaNu released Black Beauty which is a lead up to his self-titled LP slated for February 2019.

Personal Life
AvaNu (aka Morris Owens Jr.) resides in Lithonia, Georgia. In 2007, he married Shaunte Butler. AvaNu and Shaunte divorced in 2013 but had been living separate for 3 years.

AvaNu has a daughter from his marriage.

Discography
Compilations


 * Hitoholics (2013)

Solo Albums


 * Love Makes Hearts Break (2012)
 * Sex Love & Other Sh** (2014)
 * Black Beauty (2017)
 * AvaNu LP (TBA)

Mixtapes


 * Krown Me King (2016)

Filmography

 * TBA: Music Is My Life (post-production)
 * 2014: Comeback Dad
 * 2014: Hear No Evil
 * 2010: Better Late Than Severed (Short)