Deniece Williams' soaring, four-octave soprano voice made her one of the most distinctive talents to arrive during the soul era. Although she made her recorded debut in 1968, it wasn't until the '70s that Williams truly established herself, first as part of Stevie Wonder's Wonderlove, then as a songwriter, and finally as a solo artist who could also produce and arrange her own material. This Is Niecy (1976), her debut album, scored a gold certification on the strength of the number two Billboard Hot Soul Singles hit "Free" and six other songs she co-wrote. This planted the seeds for an enduring career highlighted by the number one pop hits "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late" (1978) and "Let's Hear It for the Boy" (1984), 11 additional charting albums, and Grammys in the gospel field for "I Surrender All" and "They Say" (both 1986) as well as for "I Believe in You" (1987) and This Is My Song (1998). Since the latter win, Williams has issued Love, Niecy Style (2007) and a handful of singles including "When You Love Somebody" (2020), her first independent release.

Born June Deniece Chandler in Gary, Indiana, Williams grew up singing in the Church of God in Christ. Her favorite vocalists were Carmen McRae and Nancy Wilson, and she was also inspired by her parents, both of whom sang. From 1968 through 1970, while in her late teens, Williams recorded six singles for the Chicago-based Toddlin' Town label and its Lock subsidiary as Deniece (or Denise) Chandler. None of them charted, but "I'm Walking Away" and "Mama, I Wish I Stayed at Home" became favorites of the U.K.'s northern soul scene. Williams temporarily left music behind to pursue nursing education and steady employment, and started a family.

Poised to take flight as a solo artist, Williams signed a production deal and joined the roster of Columbia Records. Williams released her first album, This Is Niecy, in 1976. It featured the number two Billboard Hot Soul Singles hit "Free," which also crossed over to number 25 on the Hot 100. "Cause You Love Me Baby" and "That's What Friends Are For" also charted. Williams' second album yielded the Top 20 soul single "Baby, Baby My Love's All for You." After that, she connected with fellow Columbia artist Johnny Mathis for "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late," a number one hit on the Hot 100, soul, and adult contemporary charts. Its success led to the duet partners making the album That's What Friends Are For. In addition to the title song -- the original version of which appeared on Williams' debut -- it featured a version of "You're All I Need to Get By" that went to number ten on the soul chart.

The 1983 offering I'm So Proud, highlighted by the number nine Black Singles hit "Do What You Feel," earned Williams' second Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance and was followed by another hit duet, an update of "Love Won't Let Me Wait". Subsequently approached by Paramount to record the bubbly "Let's Hear It for the Boy" for the soundtrack of Footloose, Williams obliged -- despite initial strong objection -- and as a result scored a global hit that in the U.S. alone topped the Hot 100, Black Singles, and dance charts. "Next Love" and "Black Butterfly" also charted from the album Let's Hear It for the Boy, which was among the nominees for Best R&B Performance in the female category. "Let's Hear It for the Boy" itself was nominated for a Grammy in the pop performance field.

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