The Christopher Williams Bio

Born Troy Lawrence Williams in the Bronx, NY on August 22, 1967, Christopher William’s grandmother, Aretha Williams, immediately began calling him Christopher which means “the Christ bearer” and would be the name everyone would come to call him thereafter. Christopher first began singing as a youth at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Harlem, NY where his grandfather, Reverend Lawrence Williams was a Co-Pastor. While singing along side his grandmother, Aretha Williams in the church choir, Christopher’s strong, gifted voice stood out making his grandmother say,”this boy can sing”.

Christopher’s passion for singing was further inspired by being taken by his mother in 1974 to the Uris Theater in New York to see his legendary aunt, the “first lady of song”, Ella Fitzgerald perform with Frank Sinatra and Count Basie. He would after the show sit on the lap of Count Basie side by side with Frank Sinatra at the piano thinking “wow, this is so amazing, I want to do this one day” forever arousing in him his gift of song. Show business was in his blood and a part of his heritage. His mother would take him and his sister to local shows at the Apollo Theater where he was “so fortunate” as he puts it to see such stellar, talented artists as the Jackson Five, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes in which the legendary Teddy Pendergrass was a member perform live. He and his sister and uncles would re enact all his favorite performances in front of a live audience of family and friends during holiday gatherings which was one of the highlights of the holiday season.

At the age of 18, Christopher attended Purchase College in New York with peer and future New Jack City co-star Wesley Snipes. It was at this performing arts college where Christopher began to hone and cultivate his acting and theatrical skills. A year later while still attending college, Christopher put together an undeniable demo which included a recording with Amir and Royal Bayyan (brothers of Kool and the Gang) called “Remember”. The second song on the demo was “I’m Your Present” produced by Timmy Allen (Brittany Spears, Backstreet Boys and R.Kelly). This would be the beginning of Christopher’s journey in “Adventures in Paradise” getting his first record deal with Geffen Records in Los Angeles, California. The “Adventures in Paradise” album release was an exciting and intriguing time for Christopher as he was soon experiencing fame and fortune with chart topping hits such a “Promises Promises” and “Talk to Myself”. With several appearances on the Arsenio Hall Show, Soul Train, the Robert Townsend Show, the Martin Lawrence Show, Bet and VH-1 to name a few, and touring with the divine Stephanie Mills and Frankie Beverly and Maze, Christopher was surely a rising star. His powerful voice and striking good looks commanded the attention of numerous, adoring, screaming fans where he would soon thereafter find himself starring in the highly acclaimed film “New Jack City” directed by Mario Van Peebles.

In 1991, Christopher signed with Uptown Records for his sophomore album “Changes” which expressed Christopher’s life at that moment. “Changes” was probably the most deep, soul searching and eclectic time in my life. With chart topping hits such as “All I See”, “Every Little Thing You Do”, “Come on and Go with me” and Dreamin”, “Changes” confirmed Christopher’s powerful vocals, gifted talent and undeniable sex appeal. In addition to the release of Christopher’s album “Changes”, his highly acclaimed film, “New Jack City”, was released nationwide to rave box office sales and reviews. Christopher was a bona fide star.

In 1995, Christopher signed with Giant Records to record, “Not a Perfect Man”. “Not a Perfect Man” brings Christopher to a time in his life when he realizes the need to mature in continuous growth and to assess the mistakes, joys, pains and countless blessings in his life. This album shows Christopher’s growth not only as an artist but as a healthy mature man as well.

In 2002, Christopher released his 4th long awaited album “Real Men Do” on his own label August/Renegade Records. Christopher was anxious to reconnect with his loyal and true fans that love his music, connect with new fans and put out an album that shows the still incredible, soul rendering voice we love to hear. Recording on his own record label allowed Christopher more creative control over his music. “I like to make intelligent, romantic, soulful music, music of love and I think in order for romance to be sustained, you need mental, physical, emotional and spiritual stimulation” says Christopher.

Christopher has since turned to theater wanting to continue to exercise his ”chops” as a vaudevillian by starring in the theatrical plays, “Men Cry In The Dark, “Guilty until Proven Innocent”, “Issues We All Got Them”, “What Men Don’t Tell”, “Just Be A Man About It”, “Gossip, Lies, and Secrets”, “Man of Her Dreams”, and most recently, “The Clean Up Woman”.

Christopher Williams has starred in such plays with note-worthy actors, comedians and singers such as Fred Hammond, George Wilburn, Lavelle Crawford, Allen Payne, Richard Roundtree, Telma Hopkins, Jackee Harry, Tichina Arnold, Mel Jackson, Darrin Henson, Vanessa L. Williams, Kim Fields, Malik Yoba, Clifton Powell, Keisha Knight Pulliam, Lisa Raye, Kenya Moore, Angie Stone, Chante’ Moore, Kenny Latimore, Shirley Murdoch, Dottie Peoples, Lenny Williams, Ali Woodson, KCi and JoJo, Ralph Tresvant, Dave Hollister, Drew Sidora, Michelle Williams, Blu Cantrell, and Cherelle.

Christopher’s list of motion picture soundtracks include the award winning and multi-platinum selling soundtrack Jason’s Lyric , New Jack City, Butter, The Nutty Professor and Gun Men in which he had a guest star appearance in the film. Some of his note-worthy album duets are with Mary J. Blige and Will Smith.

Christopher’s own inspirations include, Marvin Gaye, Frank Sinatra, Teddy Pendergrass, and of course his legendary Aunt Ella Fitzgerald who told Christopher how truly proud she was of his powerful vocal ability and for being a true vaudevillian.

Christopher is spiritual, smart, smooth, sexy, and an incurable romantic. He has always wanted his God given talent and honest lyrics to speak for itself. “I put my heart and soul into all my music, all my art form”, says Christopher. I keep the song in my heart, glory to the Most High”, he says. He is a ladies’ man and a man’s man alike which is why he is and always will be Christopher Williams, the Artist, the Vaudevillian, the Man. The journey continues…….