For more than 35 years, Johnny Gill has been belting out one hit after another.

He calls his latest project a real "game-changer," even as some music critics say hip-hop has eclipsed R&B.

"There's still a need for it," Gill said. "People still desire it and they are 'showing up and showing out' right now."

The single from the album, "Soul of a Woman," hit number one on Billboard's adult R&B chart this spring.

The singer is no stranger to number one hits. His devoted fans have been "showing up and showing out" for the crooner since he first hit the music scene as a love-struck teenager.

"I was in love," he reflected.

His duets with his childhood sweetheart, Stacy Lattisaw, burned up the R&B charts. Many were surprised to learn "that powerful voice" was that of a 16-year-old.

"The body had to catch up with the voice," Gill said. "The record company didn't know in the beginning what to do with me … How do we market a kid that sounds like a grown man?"

It was a stroke of marketing genius when Johnny Gill joined New Edition, replacing Bobby Brown.

"I never had that desire of attitude…of 'Hey, look at me. Oh, I should be out front, I'm need to be the main guy.' Never once."

Today, the entertainer has come full-circle, still touring around the world to sell-out crowds, making the ladies swoon with a golden voice that now matches the man.

"My legacy has been laid out," Gill said. "I'm just having fun."