Judy Cheeks has been bringing fire to the dance floor for over four decades, but her musical journey started long before the clubs. Born in Miami on February 13, 1954, Judy is the daughter of gospel great Rev. Julius Cheeks. She stepped into the spotlight in 1973 with a debut album produced by Ike & Tina Turner. A tour with the Turners followed, where she even performed as an Ikette.
By the late ‘70s, Cheeks had relocated to Germany and found international success with Mellow Lovin’, a disco classic that shot up the dance charts. She continued honing her craft as a songwriter, penning tracks for Motown and lending her powerhouse vocals to legends like Donna Summer, Stevie Wonder, and Thelma Houston.
The ‘90s brought a resurgence for Cheeks, as she dominated the dance scene with chart-topping club anthems like “Respect” and “As Long As You’re Good to Me.” Her album Respect cemented her status as a dance diva, and she kept the energy high with later releases like True Love Is Free (2013), Danger Zone (2018), and A Deeper Love (2019).
Still thriving, Cheeks has remained a force, collaborating with POSE in 2023 and dropping Be Happy in 2024. Whether in the studio, on stage, or through her writing, Judy Cheeks continues to inspire with a voice as rich as her legacy.