A Look At R&B Duo - Damian Dame
Damian Dame was the first musical act to be signed to the newly formed Laface/Arista label, a partnership between Kenneth ”Babyface” Edmonds and Antonio “LA” Reid - both former members of The Deele and Clive Davis, Head of Arista Records - a partnership that lasted for several years. But before we get into Damian Dame, let me give you some background information about both artists before Damian Dame was born...
Deborah Jean Hurd (Deah Dame) was born on September 20th, 1958 in Houston, Texas but raised in San Jose, California. Her self titled album “Deborah Jean Hurd” which was released by Geffen records in 1983, scored a top ten hit with the song “Hug Me, Squeeze Me”. She can also be heard on the debut solo cd by Babyface on a song called “Faithfull”. She can also be heard on albums by The Deele, Karyn White, Shalamar, and The Crusaders. Her musical influences were Deniece Williams, Teena Marie, Yvette Stevens(Chaka Khan), and the late Minnie Ripperton. Click here to view the video of Deborah Hurd’s song “Hug Me, Squeeze Me”
Unfortunately Deborah Hurd passed away after a fatal car wreck on Georgia’s I-85 during a rain storm.
Bruce Edward Broadus (Damian) was born September 13, 1966 in Marshall, Michigan but raised in BattleCreek. Damian taught himself piano at the age of nine, he also played drums and guitar. By the time he was 16 he was playing clubs in Kalamazoo. He also produced and group called “On Edge” which released a album called “Edge Of My Bed”.
Damian released a cd called “Damian 199sex”. His musical influences were Michael Jackson, and Prince. Damian's “Damian 199sex” is a project that advocates one on one relationships. Deah and Damian always kept that in their songs. This cd is a rare find because a lot of people did not know this album existed. The cd consists of some of the most sensual slow songs to date.
Damian sings these ballads with so much heartfelt passion and reverence, the way a ballad should be sung. But for right now, here’s a video of Damian.
Unfortunately Damian passed away on June 27, 1996 from colon cancer just days after his solo cd was released.
Damian Dame were signed to Laface records in 1991. Deah was the lyricist and Damian wrote the music and together they formed a team like know other. After a year of meeting each other they hooked up with Laface and moved from Los Angeles to Atlanta to form Damian Dame, and put out there self-titled cd “Damian Dame”.
Damian Dame debut cd was off the chain and it came along at a time where a new style in r&b and rap was being introduced. Riding the wave that hitmakers La & Babyface created, they set a standard in R&B. They had produced everybody from Bobby Brown to Toni Braxton to The Whispers. Damian Dame were advocates of one-on-one love and you can tell by listening to the lyrics and the titles of the songs.
This cd has some of the hottest tracks to ever get produced and guaranteed to get your groove on from beginning to end. Starting off jamming with “Exclusivity", "Gotta Learn My Rhythm", "Believer", "Right Down To It", "Gotta Learn My Rhythm", "Whack It On Me", "Don’t Remind Me", "Trumpet Man", & "Sixty Seconds f/ T-boz from T.L.C)".
Deah’s sensual voice can be heard on the slow and smooth songs: “Virgin Island", "Love Come Near Me", & "When I’m Crying”. Here's the video for "Right Down To It"!
This is one of the best cd’s to come along in the 1991 and its' still a classic. But it is also one of those albums that is before it’s time. I’m sure somewhere in a vault there are tracks that were ready for their second cd that will never see the light of day.
Marlene A. Richards and Marv D.
The Urban Music Scene
Very Nice job, Marvin, thanks for the dedication.
Lady Richards
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No, thank you, for blessing the review.
please make sure the both family's see's this.
marv d
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Great article. I was blessed to personally experience the musical talent of Damian in Atlanta during an adhoc music session about a year or so before he passed. I can honestly say that his unique 'gift' for music impressed me and was very profound; on a level that not many possess. Both he and Deah are truly missed.
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would of like to have know more about the man. dreams
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It is my great pleasure to look at your website and to enjoy your informative topics, I like that a lot. I see that you paid much attention in these articles, as all of them make sense and are very useful.
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It is my great pleasure to look at your website and to enjoy your informative post, I like it very much. I know that you invested much attention in those articles, as all of them make sense and are very useful.
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Hi every Damian Dame fan !
I am still listening to the music of that group and i am still amazed and sad because of its sudden disappearance.
Indeed i fell in love with this group during my teen age period. Life Is really strange sometimes...
They left us a super Albulm so let's keep on enjoying it and that way we'll make live Damian Dame's memory
We miss you
Loizani (a black Moroccan living in Paris, France)
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I enjoyed reading this biography on Damian Dame. Indeed, I remember them from the early 90s, and yes, their music was funky. They were both very talented individuals and they complemented each other well.
It is so sad that they left us so soon. They left behind wonderful music and videos that will live on, and this is a wonderful way for us to keep their memory alive.
I will definitely search for the solo projects. 'Damian 199sex,' a CD I was unaware of, sounds very intriguing and I will try my best to track it down.
Thank you, Urban Music Scene, for remembering Damian Dame. Gone too soon, Deborah and Bruce definitely made an impact in the world. God bless their souls, and may He bless their families.
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