The Deele was a Cincinnati band, noteworthy to Indiana music fans for the presence of Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds in its lineup, fresh from the breakup of Manchild, his initial band.  Other members of the Deele came from a previous Cincinnati soul band, Pure Essence.  

The Deele released its first album, Street Beat, on major label Solar Records in 1981, and ultimately four albums total, with a number of singles and EP’s.  Babyface was launching his solo career during the early days of The Deele, and began working closely with LA Reid.  Both left the band in 1988 to concentrate on songwriting and other solo endeavors.