Case

Active on the American R&B scene since the mid-1990s, Case (Case Woodard) has developed a style centered on ballads and mid-tempo cuts, dominated by love themes and relationship chronicles. Born in New York in 1971, Case began as a songwriter and background vocalist for other R&B singers before drawing notice in 1996 with his appearance on Foxy Brown’s single "Touch Me, Tease Me" alongside Mary J. Blige. Signed to Def Jam, Case released a self-titled debut in 1996, followed by "Personal Conversation" in 1999, which cemented his soul-tinged melodies and taste for duets, notably "Faded Pictures" with Joe. In 2001, "Open Letter" deepened this contemporary R&B vein with tracks like "Missing You," marking a period when Case was particularly present on film soundtracks and R&B compilations from the late 1990s and early 2000s. After a few quieter years in terms of releases, Case returned with "The Rose Experience" in 2009, then "Heaven’s Door" in 2015 and "Therapy" in 2019—albums where his R&B opened further to soul and gospel inflections while remaining rooted in intimate songwriting. Over time, Case has alternated recording, one-off collaborations with other R&B artists, and touring, remaining associated with the New York Def Jam–era R&B aesthetic while carrying it forward in a more mature register.