1990 was the year house music went mainstream. after creating a massive underground following in chicago, new york and detroit, house music became a dominant force across the globe. and one of the queens of the genre was school teacher and baptist choir singer, adeva.

born and raised in patterson, new jersey, adeva got her break in circular music after meeting producer mike cameron. the chance meeting served as adeva’s introduction to dance music resulting in the release of her 1988 debut single “in and out of my life.”

adeva exploded onto the international club scene when her cover of aretha franklin’s “respect” charted inside the UK top 20 and peaking at #19 on the US dance charts in the spring of 1989.

the equally slammin’ follow-up singles “warning,” “i thank you,” & “beautiful love” in 1990 - along with an image that often lead to grace jones comparisons, established her as one the most beloved dance artists, particularly in Black and gay dance clubs.

adeva’s 1990 debut album “adeva!” was a massive hit in the UK selling well over 300,000 copies and notched a three consecutive top 20 hits. unfortunately, her success at the club level in the US did not translate into commercial success.

while house music had begun to chart in the upper regions of the US pop charts in 1990, adeva’s gospel tinged garage house sound and image were not as commercially viable as the r&b/pop dance crossover divas of the time.

adeva released her sophomore album “love & lust” in 1991 which included one of my fave dance songs of the the 90s “it should’ve been me.” the song’s release was accompanied by superb remixes by david morales and the late great pioneer, frankie knuckles.

in 1995, adeva & frankie knuckles teamed for their joint album “welcome to the real world.” adeva would then step away from performing following the deaths of her father and her only son. knuckles, her longtime friend and collaborator died in 2014.

adeva returned to the dance world in 2016 when dance music legend louie vega invited her to go-star on his slamming and inspirational track “i deserve to breathe.”

adeva is widely regarded as one of the greatest dance singers of all time. she helped pave the way for fellow dance divas cece peniston & crystal waters who garnered massive crossover success in 91. and w/o them, lady & dua lipa would not have a sound.