Lumidee, born Lumidee Cedeño on October 13, 1984, is a prominent American singer celebrated for her chart-topping 2003 single “Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh).” This track catapulted her into the spotlight, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and marking the beginning of her musical journey.
Raised in the East Harlem neighborhood of Upper Manhattan, New York City, Lumidee, of Puerto Rican descent, faced adversity early on after her father’s passing in 1995. Despite the challenges, she discovered her passion for music at the age of twelve, diving into singing and rapping, setting the stage for her future career.
After collaborating with local producer DJ Tedsmooth, Lumidee signed with Universal Records and released her debut album, “Almost Famous,” in 2003. The lead single, “Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh),” achieved significant success, reaching number 3 in the U.S. and number 2 in the U.K., though the album received mixed reviews.
“I was a year into recording music with this DJ [Tedsmooth] from my neighborhood who worked a lot of clubs,” Lumidee recalls to Billboard. “We had a record already called ‘Honestly’ and it was a little more slow-paced. It’s also on Almost Famous, my first album [which would be released later that year]. It got some club reaction, but it’s not a club kind of record. So in my mind I’m like, ‘Let’s do a remix’.”
Following the initial acclaim, Lumidee shifted her focus to reggaeton and dancehall, exploring international markets in Belgium, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Her overseas endeavors included collaborations and the release of mixtapes, contributing to her growing presence in the European music scene.
In 2006, Lumidee’s involvement in the FIFA World Cup album with the track “Dance!” showcased her versatility. Collaborations with artists like Fatman Scoop and appearances on remixes further expanded her musical horizons during this period.
Acknowledging challenges, Lumidee faced setbacks and a commercial decline with her second album, “Unexpected,” in 2007. Despite adversity, she remained resilient, becoming the youth ambassador for the New York Arthritis Foundation and addressing her journey in the ever-evolving music industry.
Throughout the years, Lumidee released mixtapes, experimented with different genres, and engaged in collaborations with diverse artists. Her venture into entrepreneurship with Logy Music Entertainment reflected her determination to carve her path in the music business.
In 2021, Lumidee released her third album, “1013,” showcasing a melodic and evolved sound that transcends traditional R&B. Collaborating with producer Ibra-Heem, this project reflects her growth as an artist, exploring new musical territories.
“I got with this producer [Ibra-Heem] and was just using him as an engineer. I didn’t realize he was a good producer until one day he [said], ‘Let me play you something’,” Lumidee told Billboard. “So the first record we did was a Christmas record called ‘Slay Ride’. I’d had the song written, but nobody could get the beat right. So I did it with him and he just locked right in with it. We just kept working. We called [the album] 1013 because we were both born on October 13th. We’re both Libras.”
“This is the type of music, to be honest, that I listen to; that I vibe to on my own. Even though it’s still very much me, Lumidee, it’s a little more grown and a little more evolved.”
Lumidee, appreciating her 20-year musical journey since “Never Leave You,” acknowledges the challenges but emphasizes the enduring connection with those who resonate with her music.
Now Nicki Minaj has breathed new life into Lumidee’s 2003 hit song, with Minaj’s latest single “Red Ruby da Sleeze” samples the hook and riddim from Lumidee’s breakout hit “Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh).” Lumidee told Billboard how surprised she was receiving a request from Minaj to sample the song;
“It was random! It was an email I got. They need a rushed approval,” the Harlem native explains. “I do get these emails a lot through my administrator. But I’m reading and I’m like, ‘Oh wait – Nicki Minaj?’ Obviously I’m excited! Like, who’s not a Nicki Minaj fan?”
She adds, “I got even more excited because I have a 14-year-old daughter and she’s a Barb! She goes to war for Nicki Minaj. So I’m like, if this happens, you know all the cool points I’m gonna get?”
Lumidee reflected with Billboard over her illustrious career saying;
“I gotta say, I feel lucky. I feel blessed. But I’ve definitely been through some s–t,” Lumidee laughs. “And no one has made it easy for me in this business. But I’ve noticed that if you stick to your guns and you keep going, you start seeing the blessings. I went through a lot of shit with this record, you know, and a lot of beatdowns. But at the same time, people loved it and I feel like the people that loved it — they’re still out here. It’s still surviving through them.”
Now she’s set to perform in Las Vegas during Usher’s Lovers & Music festival on May 6, and will continue to thrive creatively and leave her mark on the music industry.
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
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