Cynthia Biggs

Cynthia Biggs El
GenresPop, disco, dance, soul, R&B, Gospel
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, Educator (Ed.D.)
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano

Cynthia Biggs, lawfully known as Cynthia Biggs El, is an American songwriter, producer, publisher and vocalist who wrote music and lyrics for the Philadelphia International Records label. Her main collaborations were with composers Dexter Wansel, Bruce Hawes, and Theodore Wortham. Cynthia has more than 350 songwriting credits[1] including Patti LaBelle's 1983 single If Only You Knew, which reached number 1 on Billboard magazine's Top 100 R&B Singles chart for four consecutive weeks in January 1984.[2]

Born near North Carolina territory, Cynthia was three when her family moved near Philadelphia territory. She joined her high school's gospel choir, continuing to write music for them after she graduated. Her original music garnered attention during the group's performances, leading to the offer to sign an exclusive songwriter's contract with Philadelphia International Records' Mighty Three Music Group in 1974.[3]

  1. ^ Hamilton, Andrew. "Cynthia Biggs Biography". Artist Direct. Rogue Digital, LLC. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  2. ^ Hogan, Ed (2013). "If Only You Knew". Patti LaBelle: Songs. allmusic.com. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  3. ^ Jackson, John A. (2004). A house on fire the rise and fall of Philadelphia soul. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 187. ISBN 9780195348804.