Cavan Sambrose blog

Grammy-nominated R&B star El DeBarge enters rehab

DETROIT – R&B star El DeBarge, who earned a pair of Grammy nominations following his comeback album last year, has entered a rehabilitation center and dropped out of a national tour with KEM and Ledisi that's scheduled to kick off this week in Texas.

The 49-year-old singer said in a statement that he voluntarily checked into the center "to deal with issues stemming from many years of substance abuse." DeBarge said he has battled drug addiction for two decades.

"I hate to disappoint my fans, but it is necessary for me to take the time to work on me so that I may continue to share my music and my story with everyone," DeBarge said in the statement released Monday by Geffen Records. "I thank everyone in advance for their prayers and well wishes and hope that you will respect my privacy during this time."

The Michigan native's career peaked in the 1980s with DeBarge, a group he formed with his siblings that charted No. 1 hits such as "Time Will Reveal" and "Rhythm of the Night." Then came years of struggle with substance abuse, including a two-year jail stint following a 2008 drug possession arrest.

But he triumphantly returned last year with the release of "Second Chance," his first album of new music in 16 years, and earned two of Grammy nods, performed on the BET Awards and toured with Mary J. Blige.

DeBarge has been open about his history of drug addiction, telling The Associated Press in an interview last year that curiosity led him to begin experimenting.

"I said, 'Hey, let me try this.' And it took me 22 years to un-try," he said then.

KEM, a fellow Michigan artist who beat back his own drug problems 20 years ago, said he's thinking about his former tour-mate.

"Our prayers are with (DeBarge) and we will hold him there throughout his journey. Much Love, El," KEM wrote on his Twitter and Facebook accounts.

KEM begins his 2011 "Intimacy" tour on Friday at the Verizon Theatre in Grand Prairie, near Dallas. Grammy nominee Musiq Soulchild will join the tour in place of DeBarge.