This New York native might have started out as a backing singer for the likes of Usher, but it wasn’t long before his brand of sophisticated, satiny R&B marked him as an artist in his own right. His greatest hits show all sides of his songwriting skills. “Touch Me Tease Me”, featuring Foxy Brown and Mary J. Blige, is pure seduction, all grinding beats and breathy come-ons, while “Happily Ever After”, with its choral backing vocals, espouses true love and fidelity.