David Hollister was one quarter of the R&B group Blackstreet, before continuing with a solo career.
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David Hollister history
- Early life: Dave Hollister was born on August 17, 1971, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in a religious household and was heavily influenced by gospel music, which became an integral part of his sound and style. Hollister began singing in church as a young boy, and his vocal talent became apparent early on.
- Start of career: Hollister’s first foray into the music industry came in the early 1990s when he became a background vocalist for prominent R&B and hip-hop artists. His early work featured collaborations with artists like 2Pac, where he sang on tracks like “Brenda’s Got a Baby” and “Keep Ya Head Up.”
- Blackstreet: In the mid-1990s, Hollister became a founding member of Blackstreet, an R&B group formed by Teddy Riley. Blackstreet gained widespread recognition with their debut album, “Blackstreet” (1994), and their follow-up, “Another Level” (1996), which included the Grammy-winning hit “No Diggity.” Hollister’s powerful vocals contributed to the group’s success, though he left after the first album to pursue a solo career.
- Solo career: Hollister’s decision to go solo proved successful. In 1999, he released his debut solo album, “Ghetto Hymns,” which featured the hit single “My Favorite Girl.” The album received critical acclaim for blending traditional R&B with a gospel edge. His second album, “Chicago ’85… The Movie” (2000), solidified his place in the R&B scene, producing the chart-topping single “One Woman Man.”
- Later albums: Hollister continued to release several albums throughout the 2000s, including “Things in the Game Done Changed” (2002), “Real Talk” (2003), and “The Book of David: Vol.1 – The Transition” (2006). His music during this period reflected his journey toward faith, often incorporating spiritual and gospel themes into his work.
- Return to gospel: After a period of focusing on R&B, Hollister returned to his gospel roots with the album “Witness Protection” (2008), which was well-received in both the gospel and R&B communities. In 2014, he released “The MANuscript,” further cementing his status as a versatile artist able to move between secular and spiritual music.
Collaborations
Throughout his career, Dave Hollister has collaborated with a wide range of artists across R&B, gospel, and hip-hop:
- 2Pac: Hollister’s early career was highlighted by his collaborations with the legendary rapper. He contributed vocals to several of 2Pac’s iconic tracks, including “Brenda’s Got a Baby” and “Keep Ya Head Up.”
- Blackstreet: As a member of the R&B group, Hollister worked closely with Teddy Riley and other members to create some of the most influential R&B hits of the 1990s.
- Eric Benét: Hollister has collaborated with the R&B crooner Eric Benét, both as a songwriter and vocalist.
- Teddy Riley: Beyond his time with Blackstreet, Hollister has maintained a working relationship with Teddy Riley, who has produced for him on solo projects.
- Angie Stone: Hollister worked with soul singer Angie Stone, contributing his voice to some of her projects in the early 2000s.
- Anthony Hamilton: Hollister and Anthony Hamilton, both known for their deep, soulful voices, have collaborated on numerous occasions, particularly on live performances and gospel projects.
- Faith Evans: He has also worked with Faith Evans, another artist known for blending gospel and R&B, on a few collaborations.