Robin Thicke - Love After War

Robin Thicke’s evolution from child prodigy to chart-topping pop star has been nothing short of remarkable. Born to Canadian actor Alan Thicke and his wife, singer-actress Gloria Loring, Robin was writing and producing songs for artists like Brandy when he was just 16. By 21, he was doing the same thing for such heavyweights as Pink, Christina Aguilera and Michael Jackson. A huge fan of hip-hop, Thicke also began collaborating early on with rappers like Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent. His own breakthrough as a soul singer came in 2007, when his haunting ballad “Lost Without U” made him the first white male solo artist to top the U.S. r&b singles chart since George Michael.

            The latest stage in Thicke’s evolution is fatherhood (last year Thicke’s wife, actress Paula Patton, gave birth to their first child, Julian) and he says the changes are reflected on his new album, Love After War. “After you see what your wife goes through to have a child, you really learn what it’s like to be compassionate and loving and patient,” says Thicke. “I really have become a man in the last couple of years.”

            Love After War is certainly a grown-up album, full of romantic soul ballads like “Cloud 9,” “What Would I Be?” and the falsetto-filled “All Tied Up” and “Tears on My Tuxedo.” But Thicke hasn’t lost his love of hip-hop or funk that dominated his last album, 2009’s Sex Therapy. “I’m an Animal” and “An Angel on Each Arm” are driving, horn-drenched numbers, while “Pretty Lil’ Heart” features rapper and longtime collaborator Lil’ Wayne. Thicke’s compassion is most prominent on the infectious title track, which features a sexy video starring Paula. “Please forgive me baby, I was out of line,” he sings. “You know I can make it right.” Sounding sincere and seductive, Thicke boasts enough charm to win over the most skeptical listener.