Oran "Juice" Jones

In 1986, the tough-talking single "The Rain" appeared to launch Oran "Juice" Jones toward major stardom. Born in Houston yet raised in Harlem, he signed early to OBR, the Def Jam subsidiary created to spotlight vintage soul and R&B performers. Though genuinely skilled as a "sweet" soul singer, Jones found that ability overshadowed by his adopted gangsta image. A standout release came in the form of his duet with Alyson Williams, "How to Love Again." Despite "The Rain" reaching the top of the R&B charts that year, later singles never managed to replicate that success.