Mississippi native Alexander O'Neal began performing in the Minneapolis scene in the early-'70s, impressing local R&B lovers with his famously epic voice. He was signed by Prince to Warner Brothers in 1981, and briefly sang for the band The Time. He toiled in the background, singing backup for artists like Cherrelle before finally releasing his self-titled debut in 1985, beginning what would prove to be a non-stop solo career. Critics would compare O'Neal's gorgeous vocal sound and innate sense of rhythm to greats like Otis Redding.