Adina Howard (born November 14, 1974 in Grand Rapids, Michigan) is a singer and rapper. Her debut album Do You Wanna Ride?, with the hit single "Freak Like Me", was released in 1995 and achieved high sales figures. The song "Freak Like Me", as well as Howard's image, can be described as hyper-sexual. It can be said that she opened the door for female rap artists to incorporate sexually explicit material into their works in the future. A second album, "Welcome to Fantasy Island" (originally titled "Portrait Of A Lady"), garnered a couple critical raves, but was shelved by Elektra Records in 1997, due to their decision that the album 'did not contain any other singles'. In 2003, news of her third album hit with various album title changes throughout the year from "Ride Again: 7/2" to "Two Can Play That Game". During this year, she also filmed an independent film called Casanova's Demise co-starring Greg Horos.
By 2004, Howard officially released her third album (now called "The Second Coming") under Rufftown Records. With the distribution label and the record label in conflict, the album suffered without any publicity and a video "Nasty Grind" played on BET during early morning hours. Even with the lack of publicity, it gathered over 40,000 units on store shelves.
2005, was to be the release of "The Second Coming: Remixed" but that project was shelved to make way for a new full-length album, "Private Show". On "Private Show" Howard recorded in North Carolina, New York, and Los Angeles. Along with a new album, Howard worked with Walid Azami to bring documentaries for her fansite. This is an attempt to explain her side of the story and show the fans how the album was made.
The album is scheduled for an August 2006 release, with a newly-recorded lead single called "Hips", produced by The TrackBoyz (who've worked with artists like Chingy, Nelly & The Nappy Roots). In addition, a mixtape titled "Let You Hit" will be released to supplement the new album.
Singles Year Title Album US US R&B UK 1995 "Freak Like Me" Do You Wanna Ride? 2 2 33 1995 "My Up and Down" Do You Wanna Ride? 68 32 - 1995 "It's All About You" Do You Wanna Ride? - 58 - 1996 "What's Love Got To Do With It" (featuring Warren G) Supercop soundtrack 32 36 2 1997 "(Freak) And U Know It" Welcome to Fantasy Island 70 32 - 1997 "T-Shirt & Panties" Welcome To Fantasy Island - - - 2004 "Nasty Grind" The Second Coming - - - 2004 "(Outside) The Club" The Second Coming - - - 2005 "Freaks" The Process 69 52 - 2006 "Hips" Private Show - - -
