Avant July 7, 2012

Chicago native Avant's big break came when his first single, 'Separated' was played locally on WGCI before eventually being included on the 1999 MCA compilation, 'Summer Heat.' The popularity of that led to Avant being hailed as the "new voice of ghetto soul" and acknowledged as the first act signed to NBA great Magic Johnson's Magic Johnson Music. Avant's debut album, 'My Thoughts' was issued in 2000. Avant's style of modern soul owes heavily to fellow Chicago-based singer R.Kelly.