User:Rashaad Carlton/sandbox

Rashaad La'Tjuán Carlton (born on March 26, 1983), known mononymously as Rashaad and also known as Tsaddîyq bên-Yisrâ'êl (Hebrew: בן צדיק ישראל), is a Hebrew-American singer, songwriter, model, inspirational speaker, spiritual teacher and one-fourth of the super group, 'Abbey Road Band'. He is best known for his debut single “If You Leave".

Early life and education
Rashaad was born in Detroit, Michigan into a family of gifted singers, musicians and ministers. He was raised in a strict spiritual home where only gospel music was allowed. Carlton sang his first solo at age 6 and made his first professional recording ("I Love The Lord") at age 12. He attended Reidinger and Perkins Middle School before graduating from John R. Buchtel High School in Akron, Ohio where he regularly performed in the school talent shows as well as directing his high schools legendary gospel choir (Buchtel High Gospel Choir later known as the Ben Drone Chorale "BDC"). Carlton first uploaded videos to YouTube in 2012, starting with a live cover of "Ain't Nobody" by Chaka Khan which he performed at the Sounds of Soul Black Music Awards in Sacramento, California.

Musical career
While a junior in high school Rashaad secretly recorded a Hip-Hop and R&B song he had written called "Hey Lover" with one of his friends just for fun. His classmates uncle, whose studio they recorded in, heard the track, liked it and unbeknownst to Carlton submitted it to a local radio station which played it on the air. The response he received was impressive and this gave him the confidence he needed to pursue secular music more aggressively. Rashaad would later say that this was his "accidental" debut recording. Carlton left home at age 17 toward the end of his senior year of high and went to live with a friend. After graduation he decided he wanted to focus on pursuing a professional secular recording career.

Rashaad went on to write and record numerous songs as a solo artist as well as writing and recording with "AK's Finest: 6ix Fyggaz", a Hip-Hop/R&B group out of Akron, Ohio. Carlton also has written songs for two gospel albums, both of which he would go on to record as the lead vocals. "So Good To Me" was released on the album titled "Worthy" by the gospel group 'BDC' and "Hold On To Your Faith", co-written by Rashaad, was released on Darrell Williams & Anointed Praise self-titled album respectively. Due to performing and recording his own music, traveling with the gospel groups and featuring on his former group members solo albums, Rashaad began to create a following and many opportunities were made available.

In 2004 Carlton moved to California to pursue his spiritual calling and further his music career. He quickly became one of Sacramento's premier voices and was deemed by many of his fans and peers alike as the "best singer in Sacramento". Rashaad has since gone on to bring his "vocal magic" major stages such as the Palace Theatre, Colonial Theatre, Crest Theatre, Guild Theatre and even the famous 'Yoshi’s Oakland'. In 2012 Rashaad was nominated in three categories (Best R&B Artist, Best Male Urban Soul Artist and the Rising Star “Verge” Award) and won the award for “Best Urban Soul Artist 2012” at the Sounds Of Soul Music Awards. Rashaad has shared the stage with mega acts such as Teddy Riley, Blackstreet, Dave Hollister and has sang at conventions attended by Musiq Soulchild, Amel Larrieux and the legendary Patti LaBelle. Rashaad has developed a following in the US, UK as well as various other countries around the world. With his live, soulful performances, Rashaad has garnered the honorific title “Prince of Soul” by his fans and supporters.

During the summer of 2013, Rashaad was approached by his current manager Robin Carter about joining a new group she was putting together. This new group would consist of legendary platinum recording artist Ricky Bell (New Edition, Bel Biv DeVoe), Dalvin DeGrate (Jodeci), and Shazam Conner (H-Town). Rashaad along with the other three artist signed with Carter Management, LLC and formed the new super group, ‘Abbey Road’.

Rashaad sites Rachelle Ferrell, Donny Hathaway, Luther Vandross and Whitney Houston as a few of his biggest influences.

Sounds of Soul Black Music Awards
A Sounds of Soul Music Award aka Sounds of Soul Black Music Award or BMA, is an accolade by The Black Music Association & Academy of America  to recognize notable achievement in the music industry. The annual award ceremony features performances by prominent artists, and the presentation of those awards that have a more popular interest.


 * rowspan="4"|2012
 * rowspan="2"|Rashaad
 * Best Male R&B Artist
 * Nominated
 * Best New Artist
 * Nominated
 * Best Male Urban Soul Artist
 * Won
 * Best Male Urban Soul Artist
 * Won
 * Best Male Urban Soul Artist
 * Won