Although he's become a bit of a punchline in recent memory with the sex jam "If You're Ready to Learn," people who've heard Brian McKnight sing are well-aware his voice is no joke. The Buffalo, N.Y.-born singer celebrates his 46th birthday today (June 5).

McKnight went from a boy in a church choir to a young talent moving on a slow rise to becoming a star. His 1992 self-titled album only peaked at No. 58 on the Billboard 200, but it eventually went on to go platinum. A big reason behind the eventual commercial success was because it featured the hit "One Last Cry," an apologetically tender number that showcased McKnight's wide vocal range. In 1993, McKnight collaborated with Vanessa Williams for the intimate "Love Is."

The commercial success would only grow for McKnight. He released a Christmas album and two more LPs, Anytime and Back at One, which went double-platinum and triple-platinum respectively. You can pin the latter's success on the self-titled track, which features some of McKnight's catchiest songwriting. "Back at One" is McKnight's highest charting single at No. 2.

He stepped out of the spotlight, but reemerged in 2012 with the (unintentionally?) comedic sex ode "If You're Ready to Learn" -- a song that many thought was a joke rather than an actual single. The track was supposed to be the first sample of an adult-oriented mixtape that never came out. The singer instead released 2013's More Than Words, a decent album that proved although he may be a bit misguided, McKnight's talent hasn't waned.

Watch Brian McKnight's "Anytime" Video

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