Born Elgin Baylor Lumpkin in Washington, D.C., Ginuwine was named after NBA legend Elgin Baylor. In 1993, he graduated from Forestville High School in Forestville, Maryland and from Prince George's Community College in Largo, Maryland with a paralegal associate's degree. Even with an education, it didn’t take long before Ginuwine followed his true passion, music.
Ginuwine met rapper Missy Elliott and producer Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley on a Jodeci video shoot and the three immediately formed a creative relationship. The singles, Pony and When Doves Cry (composed by Prince) from his debut album Ginuwine...The Bachelor (and in my opinion his best and the only album he's released worth adding to my music collection) showcased his smooth vocals and Timbaland's innovative production style, making the two became a hit-making duo. But after his second album, 100% Ginuwine, was released in 1999, Ginuwine and Timbaland grew apart.
Within a year, Ginuwine lost both of his parents; his father committed suicide and his mother died of cancer. Ginuwine struggled with grief and depression; and at times contemplated suicide. After receiving counseling from his pastor, he began to move his life towards a more positive direction, focused on his family and returned to what he most loved. In 2003, he married girlfriend and rapper Sole.
LiFE AFTER - tHE StORY Of GiNUWiNE
