Johnny Kemp (born Jonathan Kemp; 2 August 1959 – 16 April 2015) was a Bahamian singer, songwriter and record producer known for a prominent R&B/dance single from the late 1980s. He began performing as a teenager in the Bahamas and later built a recording career in the United States. His best-known recording, "Just Got Paid," earned widespread radio play and a Grammy Award nomination, and remains associated with the era's upbeat R&B and dance-pop sound.
Early life and move to the United States
Kemp grew up in Nassau, where he started singing in local nightclubs by the age of thirteen. In 1979 he relocated to New York City in the state of New York, pursuing broader opportunities in the music business in the United States. There he worked as a performer and session vocalist before securing a record deal with Columbia Records, which helped bring his music to an international audience.
Breakthrough and signature song
Johnny Kemp's most recognizable contribution to popular music is the single often cited as his signature tune, which received heavy rotation on radio and in clubs during its time. The song brought him mainstream attention and a nomination from the Grammy Award organization, marking the peak of his commercial success. Today the track is frequently included on retrospective collections and playlists that focus on 1980s R&B and dance hits.
Musical style and work
Kemp's recordings combined contemporary R&B vocal styling with dance-oriented production typical of the late 1980s. His work as an artist also involved songwriting and production roles. Key aspects of his music include:
- Rhythmic, dance-friendly arrangements that appealed to club audiences.
- Melodic R&B vocals rooted in Caribbean and urban influences.
- Collaboration between singers, session musicians and producers to craft radio-ready singles.
Later life, death and legacy
Kemp continued to perform and record after his commercial peak. He was married and had two sons. On 16 April 2015 he was found dead on a beach in Montego Bay, Jamaica, in the parish of St. James. Reports indicated he was 55 and that authorities believed he had suffered a fall, sustained a head injury on rocks, and drowned; the circumstances were widely reported but treated with caution in official summaries (cause of death reports).
Notable facts and further reading
Kemp's career is often referenced in discussions of late-20th-century R&B that crossed into pop and dance markets. For additional background and credits—covering his roles as a singer-songwriter, songwriter and record producer—readers can consult artist biographies, music databases and archived interviews. Contemporary accounts of his live performances and recordings provide context for his influence on club-oriented R&B from that period (live performance reports, career timelines, press coverage).
Although his mainstream chart success was concentrated in a particular era, Kemp's work continues to be discovered by new listeners through compilations, streaming playlists and radio retrospectives. For discographies, credits and historical notes, see archived label materials and music reference sites (industry listings, label archives, award databases, regional music histories, obituaries and tributes, news coverage, investigative summaries).