Robert Lavelle Huggar, better known by his initials RL, is an American singer and songwriter who gained fame as the lead singer of the R&B group Next.

Early life

Robert Lavelle Huggar was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.

Next

Fronted by Huggar and brothers Terry Brown and Raphael Brown, Next was introduced to producer and DJ artist KayGee from Naughty by Nature. Subsequently, they signed with KayGee's newly formed Divine Mill record label, which, at the time, was distributed through Arista Records.

Solo work

RL first distinguished himself outside of Next with his duet with Deborah Cox on the song "We Can't Be Friends" as well as other feature projects. RL followed up that effort with "The Best Man I Can Be", the super-group track from The Best Man movie soundtrack which also featured Ginuwine, Tyrese and Case. By the time RL's soulful "Good Love" (from The Brothers movie soundtrack) and his hook to 2Pac's Until the end of Time were released, he had created an artistic persona distinct and separate from Next. RL: Ements is RL's debut solo project and was released on J Records. It spawned the singles "Got Me a Model" (featuring Erick Sermon) and "Good Man".

Personal life

Huggar has a son, Charles, with his first wife.

In October 2017, he married Lena Danielle Chenier. Their eldest daughter, Rory Lane, was born in January 2018. In May 2025, their second daughter, Rylen Lee, was born.

Discography

Albums

YearTitleChart positions
USU.S. R&B
2002RL: Ements Released: April 23, 2002536

Singles

YearSongPeak chart positionsAlbum
USUS R&B
1999"The Best Man I Can Be" (with Ginuwine, Tyrese and Case)6715The Best Man: Music from the Motion Picture
"We Can't Be Friends" (Deborah Cox featuring RL)81One Wish
2001"Good Love"-58The Brothers (soundtrack)
2002"Got Me a Model" (featuring Erick Sermon)-76RL: Ements
"Good Man"-48

As songwriter

YearSongArtistPeak chart positionsAlbum
USUS R&B
1999"Party Tonight"3rd Storee663rd Storee
2000"Whatever" (featuring Lil' Mo)Ideal4711Ideal
2000"Where I Wanna Be" (featuring Nate Dogg & Kurupt)Shade Sheist9549Informal Introduction
2001"Just in Case"Jaheim5215Ghetto Love
2002"Anything"286
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Other notable songwriting credits

YearSongArtistAlbum
2001"Weekend Thing"Koffee BrownMars/Venus
"Bring Your Heart to Mine"Luther VandrossLuther Vandross
"U R the One"Usher8701
2005"Storm (Forecass)"Jamie FoxxUnpredictable
2008"I Can Change Your Life"LloydLessons in Love
"The Floor"Keith SweatJust Me
"Sexiest Girl"
"Teach Me"
2009"Show Off"GinuwineA Man's Thoughts
"Open the Door"
"Orchestra"
"Touch Me"
"Even When I'm Mad"
2012"60 Seconds""Q" ParkerThe Manual
2013"Ready for Love"Mindless BehaviorAll Around the World

External links