Damian Dame

Damian Dame was an American R&B duo, who enjoyed a brief period of success in the early 90's before tragedies cut short their careers.

Damian Dame consisted of Debra Jean "Deah Dame" Hurd (September 20, 1958 – June 27, 1994) and Bruce Edward "Damian" Broadus (September 13, 1966 – June 27, 1996). They are not related to R&B artists Francine Hurd (of Peaches and Herb) or Calvin "Snoop Dogg" Broadus, respectively.

Biography

Hurd was born in Houston, Texas. She began singing at a young age, and at the age of 18 joined her sister and brother-in-law's band. By 1983, she landed a record deal with Geffen Records, where she performed under her legal name and released a self-titled album that same year, with mild success. She also worked as a backup for vocalists such as Karyn White, Shalamar, and Babyface, who would later hold the key to her future stardom.

Broadus was born in Marshall, Michigan; a suburb of Battle Creek. He became a self-taught pianist at age nine, and gradually took up drums and guitar. By the time Broadus was 16, he was playing in clubs around the Kalamazoo area. He also performed in a group called "Shy Boy", and owned his own production company, K-Zoo.

Career

The pair met in 1990 after Broadus heard Hurd's singing on a demo tape for another musician at a Los Angeles recording studio. Though Hurd was intended to be a solo artist, that changed after Broadus decided he wanted to sing with her.

In 1991, they became the first act signed to LaFace Records, founded by Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, for whom Hurd once sang backup. The duo released their self-titled debut on May 14, 1991, yielding the singles "Right Down to It" and "Exclusivity", peaking at 90 and 42 on Billboard's Hot 100, respectively.

Well positioned to become R&B superstars, Damian Dame was set to release a second album before tragedy struck the duo. Hurd was killed in a car accident in Atlanta, Georgia on June 27, 1994. She was 35 years old.

After Hurd's death, Broadus released a solo album, titled "199sex" under his new professional name "Damian". The album was met with mild success.

Broadus died of colon cancer on June 27, 1996, exactly two years after Hurd's death and less than a week after his solo album was released. He was 39 years old. Broadus was survived by his wife Carol and their two children, son Dominic and daughter Sky, who was later featured in a 2008 episode of My Super Sweet 16.

External links

• Debra Jean Hurd at Find a Grave
• Bruce Broadus at Find a Grave