Jesse Alexander Powell III (September 12, 1970 – September 13, 2022) was an American R&B and soul singer. Discovered by Louil Silas Jr., Powell was best known for his hit "You", which peaked at No. 2 on the R&B chart and No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Powell released four albums and was the older brother of fellow contemporary R&B singers Trina & Tamara. Powell was credited with a four-octave vocal range. He was a Grammy nominee.

Life and career Powell was born in Gary, Indiana, and raised with his siblings Trina, Tamara and Jacob. The family performed in local talent shows; and, in 1993, he attracted the attention of producer Carl Roland in Kansas City. Following an artist showcase, Louil Silas signed him to his Silas Records imprint.

Three years later, he completed work on his debut album. His first single, "All I Need", was written by Powell, Sam Salter and Laney Stewart and was released in March 1996, peaking at #20 on the Billboard R&B chart. His self-titled album was released on March 12, 1996, opening at #35 on the Billboard R&B and #32 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. The follow-up single, a remake of the 1976 Enchantment song "Gloria", reached #51 R&B.

Powell then began work on his second album, debuting the lead single "I Wasn't with It" in 1998, which became his first single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 (#85 US, #25 R&B). Bolstered by the success of the single, his second album 'Bout It was released on September 8, 1998, topping the Heatseekers chart. The album's second single, "You", was released in February 1999 and became his biggest hit, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart and #10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The record was certified gold by the RIAA, peaking at #15 on R&B and #63 on the Billboard 200.

Following Silas Records' merge into MCA Records, Powell's first release on the label was the single "If I" in 2000, which peaked at No. 58 on the R&B chart. His third studio album, JP, was released on March 27, 2001, opening at #18 on the R&B chart and #71 on the Billboard 200. A second single, "Something in the Past" (#67 R&B), followed, in addition to Powell doing some promotion for the release. In 2002, he left the label and signed with Riviera Records. His fourth studio album, Jesse, was released on October 14, 2003, and was supported by the singles "By the Way" (#99 R&B) and "Touching It Tonight" (#85 R&B).

Death Powell died in his Los Angeles home on September 13, 2022, a day after his 52nd birthday from a methamphetamine overdose.

Discography Studio albums Title Album details Peak positions Certifications US200 USR&B USHeat Jesse Powell Released: March 12, 1996 Label: Silas, MCA Formats: CD, cassette 35 32 — 'Bout It Released: September 8, 1998 Label: Silas, MCA Formats: CD, cassette 63 15 1US: Gold JP Released: March 27, 2001 Label: Silas, MCA Formats: CD, digital download 71 18 — Jesse Released: October 14, 2003 Label: D3, Monopoly, Riviera Formats: CD, digital download — 85 —

Compilation albums Title Album details Peak positions Certifications US200 USR&B USHeat A Soulful Holiday 1999 Released: 1999 Label: Universal Formats: CD — — —

Singles Year Title Peak positions Album US USR&B USCHR1996 "All I Need"—32—Jesse Powell "Gloria"—51— "I Like It"———1998 "I Wasn't with It"8525—Bout It1999 "You"10227 "'Bout It, 'Bout It"———2000 "If I"—58—JP2001 "Something in the Past"—67— "I'm Leaving"———2003 "By the Way"—99—Jesse "Touching It Tonight"———

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