1987–1995: Career beginnings and Virgin Records In 1987, Hathaway released her debut single "Inside the Beat" on Allegiance Records. She released her
self-titled first album in June 1990, on
Virgin Records. The album peaked at number 191 on the U.S.
Billboard 200 and number 18 on the US
R&B Albums chart. In March 1991, Hathaway recorded a song "Night and Day" for a commercial by Japanese cigarette company
Mild Seven. The song was exclusively released in Japan as a single without Hathaway's consent. In July 1991, Hathaway released a cover version of
Sly and the Family Stone's song "
Family Affair" on
British Electric Foundation's album
Music of Quality and Distinction Volume 2. The song peaked at number thirty-seven on the
UK Singles Chart. In 1992, Hathaway appeared as a featured vocalist on American jazz saxophonist
Grover Washington Jr.'s album
Next Exit. The single "Love Like This", which featured Hathaway, peaked at number thirty-one on the Hot R&B Singles chart.
1996–2005: GRP Records and The Song Lives On '' In 1996, Hathaway performed a rendition of jazz standard "
Summertime" for
Marcus Miller's live album
Live & More. Through her friendship with Miller, Hathaway was introduced to American musician
Joe Sample.
The Song Lives On peaked at number two on
Billboard's
Jazz Albums chart and at number fifty-three on the US Top R&B Albums chart.
2006–2012: Stax Records In 2007, Hathaway signed a two-album recording contract with
Stax Records. In March 2007, Stax Records released a tribute album
Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire, which featured Hathaway's cover version of
Earth, Wind & Fire's song "Love's Holiday". In April 2008, Hathaway released the single "Let Go", which peaked at number fifty-one on the US
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number sixteen on the Adult R&B Songs chart. In October 2008, "That Was Then" was released as the second single and peaked at number thirty-two on the US Adult R&B Songs chart. In 2010, Hathaway collaborated with American musician
Kirk Whalum on the song "He's Been Just that Good" for his album
The Gospel According to Jazz: Chapter III. The song peaked at number twenty-one on the US
Gospel Airplay chart. The album became her highest-debuting album on the US
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, debuting and peaking at number two. "Coastin'" peaked at number seventeen on the Adult R&B Songs chart. ==Artistry==