Babyface in a new place in his life and music: singer and wife redefine Hollywood power and togetherness - Cover Story

Ebony, Dec, 2001 by Aldore Collier

HE'S been at it now for more than an hour standing alone ill the middle of a big Hollywood studio, singing one song over and over, rejecting take after take in his meticulous quest for perfection.

As is his custom, Kenneth (Babyface) Edmonds displays no urgency, even though in the back of his mind he knows that he has songs to write for Brandy, Whitney Houston and Toni Braxton, plans to complete for a national tour in support of his latest album, Face2Face, not to mention the administrative details of running a new record label and his passionate involvement in the process of raising two children with his gorgeous wife, Tracey, who is also an entertainment entrepreneur.

Even as he sings, Tracey is busy in their crosstown mansion, nursing their 8-month-old son, Dylan (Brandon is 5), and is getting ready to go to her Hollywood office, where she runs a company with five divisions. Her job of producing shows like the Showtime series, Soul Food, and pitching ideas to networks was complicated by the September 11 terrorist attacks because Hollywood power brokers now want more comedies than dramas. "Most of what I was pitching [before the attacks] were one-hour dramas," she explains. "So, now I'm just re-directing my focus on half-hour comedies."

They're a team, Babyface and Tracey Edmonds, and a family, and a Hollywood phenomenon. Together, they are redefining Hollywood power and Hollywood glamor and Hollywood togetherness.

For years, Babyface has been the most sought-after producer in the music industry with superstars lining up for his services. And he keeps that plate full, balancing it with having a wife and two children, and other responsibilities.

Nobody knows how the Edmondses manage to do so many things so well, and how they look so good doing it, but their focus is legendary, and neither seems to feel the pressure.

"Musically, it never gets harder as long as I'm enjoying it," Babyface says. "It's fun. Sure, I have creative blocks. But you just get through them and wait for the next run to come. Sometimes it can last a while and I won't write for a while. And sometimes, I miss out on projects because other people are in a rush. If I miss it, then I miss it."

The one thing he doesn't intend to miss is the joy of having a family with two children. Having two children, he believes, is the ultimate in parental joy. He and Tracey don't intend to have any more. They're content to just enjoy Brandon, who can now discuss the events of the day in school, and Dylan, who is just developing a personality of his own.

Tracey agrees. Although she is now 34, Tracey says she finally feels like an adult. "Having a husband and two kids makes me feel like I'm finally grown up," she reveals. "It's like, it's official. I have a lot more responsibility now. It's just beautiful. But once you have kids, it's harder to travel because you don't want to leave your family."

Sometimes she has to travel. Edmonds Entertainment Group has a theatrical management division that includes clients Loretta Devine (Boston Public), Kimberly Elise (Set It Off, Beloved) and Donald Faison (NBC's Scrubs). There is also a music publishing division and a film division with nine movie projects at various stages of development at Hollywood studios, the TV division with Soul Food, and her own record label, which is separate from her husband's record label.

Despite all their responsibilities, the Edmondses manage to juggle things to keep family first. Tracey has an office at their home in the exclusive Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles and tries to make sure she spends at least three or four hours there with Dylan before taking on business luncheons, staff and production meetings. "I get home around 8:00 p.m. and my routine is to drop my purse, rush upstairs and wash my hands, put pajamas on and spend time with the kids," she says. "I eat dinner with them and then have both of them in my arms in bed."

Although the family lives in a 23,000-square-feet home (previously owned by comedian Jack Benny) on 2 acres that includes a three-bedroom guest house, the two boys share a bedroom, primarily because Brandon has bonded so well with his younger brother. When he hears Dylan so much as whimper, he yells "Mom, do something!" The home has a pool, tennis court and, much more importantly to the family, a sandbox for the boys.

The Edmondses are rich and famous, but they are committed to old-fashioned family values and do not intend to raise spoiled children. Brandon only gets gifts and toys on his birthday or Christmas. "I do not believe in spoiled kids," Babyface says. "We keep Brandon in line. I don't spank him. In his case, it's not necessary. I'm not saying spanking is wrong, it depends on the kids. I believe kids are born with certain kinds of personalities. Some are going to be spoiled no matter what you do. And I know that is not Brandon's vibe." They're still gauging Dylan's vibes.

With his creative juices flowing most of the day, Babyface rarely gets more than five hours of sleep a night. So having two kids really hasn't changed his sleep pattern much. "Tracey and I get less sleep, but I never sleep much anyway. I just have to be around more to help her out."