Celebrities Turning The Big 4-0 - Michael Jackson, Angela Bassett, Babyface, Sade, Prince, Magic Johnson, Anita Baker, Keenen Ivory Wayans

Ebony, March, 1999 by Melissa Ewey

For some some celebrities, 1999 is a milestone--the year they hit the big 4-0. For many, it's turning out to be a very good year. Some have never looked better; others have achieved more personal and professional success now than when they were in their 20s. Although a few may not shine as brightly as they did in the past, their star power and considerable talents will always have a place in our hearts. On the following pages, EBONY celebrates the 40th birthdays of African-American celebrities.

Michael Jackson

The seventh of nine children, Michael Jackson was introduced into show business when his father formed the Jackson Five. In a few short years, the group went from performing in local talent contests to a recording contract with Motown. Buoyed by the success of six Top 5 singles, including "I Want You Back" and "ABC", the Jackson Five was a pop-music phenomenon throughout the '70s.

Michael began to record solo songs while continuing to record and perform with his siblings. In 1978. he appeared in the film The Wiz opposite Diana Ross. Jackson released the successful solo album Off the Wall a year later, but topped his own success in 1982 with Thriller, widely touted as the most successful album in history. Jackson's inventive music videos and groundbreaking choreography helped hint become the first Black artist to be regularly featured on MTV. After a 1984 reunion tour with his brothers, Jackson released more solo albums and faced several controversies. In 1994, he married Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis' daughter. The couple divorced 18 months later. Jackson married Debbie Rowe in 1996 shortly after announcing her pregnancy. They have two children, Prince and Paris. Jackson's focus has shifted in recent years from music to opening casinos and theme parks around the world.

Angela Bassett

Raised in the housing projects of St. Petersburg, Fla., Angela Bassett caught the acting bug after attending a production of Of Mice an Men starring James Earl Jones. She studied at Yale University, earned a master's in drama, and went on to appear in Broadway productions of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and Joe Turner's Come and Gone. After several small parts in TV and films, Bassett landed starring roles in The Jacksons: An American Dream, Malcolm X and her Oscar-nominated performance as Tina Turner in What's Love Got to Do With It? Additional performances in Strange Days and Vampire in Brooklyn led to her pivotal role in Waiting to Exhale, the hugely successful 1995 film adaptation of Terry McMillan's novel. She went on to star in the blockbuster alien movie Contact in 1997. Most recently, her role as the title character in How Stella Got Her Groove Back cemented her status as a successful actress and a Hollywood sex symbol. Bassett, who is married to actor Courtney Vance, will portray pilot Bessie Coleman in the upcoming drama Wings Against the Wind.

Kenneth (Babyface) Edmonds

The acclaimed musician, producer, songwriter and performer started writing songs as a youth as an outlet for his emotions. Kenneth Edmonds was nicknamed "Babyface" whom he performed in the '70s. Babyface was a member of the groups Manchild and the Deele before signing a solo contract. Collaborations with Deele's drummer L.A. Reid established the duo as one of pop music's hottest production teams. Together, they made No. 1 hits for Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, among others. In 1989, Babyface and Reid established LaFace Records and launched the careers of TLC and Toni Braxton. In addition to his four solo albums, Babyface has worked with everyone from Aretha Franklin to Mariah Carey and contributed to or produced several movie soundtracks. His efforts have earned numerous awards, including two Grammys for Producer of the Year honors. He and his wife, Tracey (in photo at right), and their son, Brandon, live in Beverly Hills.

Sade

Born Helen Folasade Adu to a British mother and Nigerian father. Sade grew up in England. After studying fashion design at St. Martin's College in London. Sade worked as a model and designer of men's clothing before pursuing a singing career. She burst onto the music scene in 1985 with the album Diamond Life. Her hit songs "Smooth Operator" and "Hang on to Your Love" topped the charts and introduced the world to her smooth, jazzy style. The singer's following albums, Promise and Stronger Than Pride, elevated her to international stardom. In 1989, Sade moved to Madrid, Spain. After a brief marriage to documentary filmmaker Carlos Scola, Sade returned to London. In 1993, following the release of her fourth album, Love Deluxe, she went on an sold-out international concert tour. In recent years, the sultry-voiced singer took a break from music and lived out of the public eye in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, with a male companion and their daughter, Ila. In 1997, Sade returned to London. While Sade hasn't recorded a new album in six years, a greatest hits collection was released and dance remixes of her songs remain popular in nightclubs.

The Artist

A musical prodigy as a child, Prince Rogers Nelson taught himself to play more than 20 different instruments. After graduating from high school at the age of 16, he honed his talents and landed a record contract three years later. A second album met with critical acclaim, but he failed to make a public splash until 1999, a double-album featuring the title song "Little Red Corvette" and "Delirious." In 1984, the film and soundtrack for Purple Rain pushed Prince to superstar status, earning him an Oscar and a 24-week stay at the top of Billboard's record chart. In 1992, Prince changed his name to an unpronounceable glyph (a combination of the male and female symbols) and is commonly referred to as "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince." A bitter dispute with his record label, Warner Brothers, prompted The Artist to appear in public with the word "Slave" written on his face. Following a settlement, he released the triple-CD Emancipation. After being romantically linked to his protegees for years, he married backup dancer-singer Mayte Garcia in 1996. Currently, The Artist is working with his latest muse, Chaka Khan, and is touring extensively, Due to the approaching millennium, his hit single "1999" has been released.