About Me
Since the tender age of 3, LiL' Mann has been focused to become a superstar. Over the years, he has developed traits that will allow him longevity in the music industry. Now with a wide & solid vocal range, smooth supporting dance moves and an arsenol of potential hits, "he is locked, loaded and ready".
Born Lendell Jones II, LiL' Mann was influenced at a young age. Present to the sound of his parents' ideal music, he tuned his ear to artists like: Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, Ronald Isley, and Michael Jackson. He then started to listen to those particular artists on his own and practice in front of family. Paying very close attention to his singing, his mom felt that it was time to take it to the next level.
LiL' Mann began doing shows and performing at local venues such as: the Cotton Club, Drury Lane and the Isaac Hayes Club. But it wasn't until he attended a Patti LaBelle (R&B/Soul Singer) concert at the Arie Crown Theater that he found out what performing was all about; he was allowed on stage to sing with the legend herself! And after receiving a standing-ovation from the audience, he then knew that singing was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life.
He continued to do shows and continued to listen to artists of his liking. But the older he got, the more critical he became in listening to not only the artists' voices, but their lyrical content. Experimenting with the use of words and rhymes, his father soon showed him how to structure a song and from there he became a songwriter.
Crafting his new fond ability, in 2001, he entered the studio with a local producer to record his very first song. Although he was immune to the recording process at first, the more he did it, the more he became accustomed to it yet discovering another area that would solidify him as a artist. He then took his originals to the stage, performing them at events such as: the Jet Magazine Showcase, the 23rd and 24th Annual Chicago Music Awards, the J Records Showcase (1st Place Winner), etc.
Not long after, he decided to go regional. He traveled to St. Louis, MO where he was featured on KMOX CBS News. He then headed to Kuakuana, WI where he opened up for R&B group Public Announcement at the 2005 Drop Fest. A year later he was a runner-up in the Fox News' 2006 Chicago Idol Contest.
Prior to that mere accomplishment, he had some other highlights in his career such as: performing at the 14th Annual WGCI Music Seminar, performing at a private function for Maggie Daley (the wife of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley) and Rania Al-Abdullah (the Queen of Jordan), winning the Chicago Music Award for Most Talented Teen two years straight (2006 & 2007), opening up for R&B singer Trey Songz at the 2006 Today's Black Woman's Expo, being one of the Midwest semi-finalists in the Disk Makers Independent Music World Series [Songwriting] Contest, opening up for the Legendary Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers April 5th & 6th at the Star Plaza Theater, opening up for R&B singer Sammie at the 2007 Uplift! Chicago Youth Summit, performing at the UIC Pavilion for the Dancedown 2008 which featured artists: Lloyd & Soulja Boy and most recently opening up for Sammie & Soulja Boy at the Regal Theater (2009). So how do you put this long resume of works into 3 words? Extensive and impressive.
People are already compelled to listen to this creative, diverse young man and his music; he's sincere and sings with passion. He's also living proof that there are still true singers who make records about real-life experiences. He sings about love and relationships with maturity beyond his years yet still remaining fresh, responsible and reflective.
