Blaque
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| Blaque
<tr style="text-align: center;"><td colspan="3">Image:That blaque.jpg </td></tr> | ||
|---|---|---|
| Background information
<tr><td>Origin</td><td colspan="2">Atlanta, Georgia, |
Blaque is an African-American R&B vocal trio. Blaque stands for Believing in Life and Achieving a Quest for Unity and Everything. The group was originally known as Blaque Ivory and is still known by that name outside the United States. The group consists of members Natina Reed, Shamari Fears and Brandi Williams.
Reed and Fears both moved to Atlanta, Georgia and met while in high school. Reed formed Blaque Ivory while Fears formed another group called Intrigue. Intrigue won a recording contract with Elektra Records, and Fears met up with Williams at a talent show while a member of that group. Fears left Intrigue to join up with Reed in Blaque Ivory and Williams joined the group shortly thereafter. Reed met Ronald Lopes while singing jingles to earn extra cash and he introduced her to his sister Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes of TLC. Lisa Lopes signed the group to her Left Eye Productions and then to Columbia Records. Natina Reed departed the group to do Christian Music in 2003. They replaced her with Erica Pullins. Blaque never debuted with their new member. Shamari was signed with Darkchild and set to debut in 2006, but plans were changed when her and the other original Blaque members reunited. Blaque is now working in the studio for their next album. They also plan to finally release their album Torch three years after its original release date. It will be released outside of the United States, it is not known where however.
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[edit] Music career
[edit] Blaque
Their self-titled debut Blaque debuted #53 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and went platinum. Two of the singles from the album, "808" written with R. Kelly and "Bring It All to Me" featuring JC Chasez of *NSYNC, reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The album also featured a cover version of "Time after Time" originally recorded by Cyndi Lauper. Their only single to be nominated for a MTV Video Music Award was "I Do" for Best Editing.
[edit] Blaque Out
While the Blaque album went platinum, their sophomore album Blaque Out was set for release in 2001, but they were dropped from Columbia Records. Their video for the first "Blaque Out" single; "Can't Get It Back" was never released. The album was soon leaked on the Internet. When their mentor Lisa Lopes died in a car crash on April 25, 2002 in Honduras they signed with Elektra Records and began work on their 3rd album.
[edit] Torch
Their third album Torch featured a number of A-list music industry figures including Missy Elliott, songwriter Linda Perry, and producer Rodney Jerkins. The buzz single was "No Ganksta" which was an answerback song to 50 Cent's song "Wanksta". Missy Elliott produced the intended first single "Ugly". However, because radio did not pick up the song, it was decided to release "I'm Good" instead. "I'm Good" also appeared on the soundtrack for the film Honey. It was released in 2003.
Due to the poor success "I'm Good" achieved, the release date for Torch was pushed back. Finally, news came up their next single would be "Hopeless" - a man bashing, Darkchild produced song. But it failed to be released. In 2004, Natina left the group to go into ministry. She was soon replaced by singer/rapper Erica Pullins who performed with them overseas although no one really knows where she came from. They recorded some new songs and re-recorded old ones with new member, but the album failed to be released and Blaque disbanded.
Their 2003 contribution to the soundtrack of Honey, "I'm Good", charted on the Rhythmic Top 40.The single also made the Australian Top 40 in March 2004 and charted in Germany and Switzerland. The song was also intended for a UK release. The song gained fair airplay and the video gained good rotation being played on major music channels. However, the record company decided to axe the UK release.
[edit] After Blaque
Natina went into ministry in early 2004. She has been married to Kurupt, the rapper, since 2001 & has a son named Trin. Shamari was signed to Darkchild Records in 2005. Brandi managed to get a record deal and started working on a solo album. She also appeared on Nelly's first single from his 2005 album "Sweatsuit", "Grillz". Grillz features Nelly, Paul Wall, Ali & Gipp and, of course, Brandi Williams although she is not credited, promo wise. Nothing is known about Erica's work after Blaque.
[edit] You'll never go back
In 2004 Shamari Fears, Brandi Williams & Erica Pullins reformed Blaque. They performed on several occasions in Germany and other countries. During this time, Erica and her brother kept fans up to date via the internet and even stated they were recording a new album but after a while Erica was replaced by original member Natina Reed. Nothing is know about what happened to Miss Pullins. Natina let it slip at T.I.'s album release party for King that she and girls are currently working on a new album, although nothing is known about the album just yet.[1] Brandi & Shamari confirmed this when the replied to their fanmail on their official websites.[2][3]
[edit] Other media
In addition to their recording work, Reed, Fears, and Williams appeared in the 2000 film Bring It On as members of the East Compton Clovers, the African-American cheerleading squad fronted by Gabrielle Union. Williams also had a small role (playing herself) in the 2001 movie On the Line. Blaque also appears on Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes's 2001 solo debut album, "Supernova", on the track titled "Head to the Sky", which was only released internationally. In 2005 2 clips of Shamari solo songs titled "The One" & "NJ2" were leaked and in 2006, Megan Rochell released her 1st single titled "The One You Need", which is a cover of Shamari's "The One."
[edit] Trivia
- 50 Cent once wrote for Blaque when he was signed to Trackmasters.
- The first official 50 Cent single from a major label was "Bring it All to Me (Trackmaster Remix)." He was originally signed to Columbia, but never saw a commercial release until he signed with Interscope.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Year | Album | U.S. | U.S. R&B | UK | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Blaque | 53 | 23 | ? | Platinum (U.S.) |
| 2001 | Blaque Out (Japan Release Only) | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | Torch | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | Torch (Official International Release) | TBR | TBR | TBR | TBR |
| 2006 | TBR | TBR | TBR | TBR | TBR |
[edit] Singles
| Year | Song | U.S. | U.S. R&B | UK | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | "808" | 8 | 4 | 31 | Blaque |
| 2000 | "I Do" | — | 73 | ? | Blaque |
| 2000 | "Bring It All To Me" (featuring JC Chasez) | 4 | 15 | ? | Blaque |
| 2000 | "Adore Me" | — | — | — | Adore Me (CD Single) |
| 2000 | "As If" (featuring Joey Fatone) | — | — | — | Bring It On OST/Blaque Out |
| 2001 | "Can't Get It Back" | — | 91 | — | Blaque Out |
| 2003 | "I'm Good" | — | 95 | — | Honey OST/Torch |
| 2006 | "TBR" | TBR | TBR | TBR | TBR |
All Artist chart history from: http://www.billboard.com[4]
[edit] Music videos
| Year | Title | Director | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | "808" | Alan Smithie | Blaque |
| 1999 | "I Do" (Featuring Lisa Left Eye Lopez) | Bille Woodruff | Blaque |
| 2000 | "Bring It All To Me" | Bille Woodruff | Blaque |
| 2000 | "Adore Me" | Adore Me (CD Single) | |
| 2000 | "As If" (featuring Joey Fatone) | Little X | Bring It On OST/Blaque Out |
| 2001 | "Can't Get It Back" | Liz Friedlander | Blaque Out |
| 2003 | "I'm Good" | Jake Nava | Honey OST/Torch |
[edit] Soundtrack appearances
| Year | Song | Album | Record Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | ”You Can Always Go” with Jagged Edge | ”Big Momma's House” Soundtrack | Sony |
| 2000 | ”As If” with Joey Fatone | ”Bring It On” Soundtrack | Sony |
| 2000 | ”Bring It All To Me (Remix)” with 50 Cent | ”Bring It On” Soundtrack | Sony |
| 2000 | ”As If” | ”Bring It On” Soundtrack | Sony |
| 2001 | ”Can't Trust Myself” | ”On the Line” Soundtrack | Jive |
| 2003 | ”I'm Good” | ”Honey” Soundtrack | Elektra |
[edit] Awards & Nominations
| Year | Result | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Nominated | Best Editing In A Video For: "I Do" |
| Year | Result | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Nominated | Best Group For: "Blaque" |
Soul Train Lady Of Soul Awards
| Year | Result | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Nominated | Best R&B/Soul Or Rap New Artist For: "808" |
| 2000 | Nominated | R&B/Soul Album Of The Year, Group, Band Or Duo For: "Blaque" |
Billboard Video Awards
| Year | Result | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Won | Best New Artist-R&B For: "Bring It All To Me" |
[edit] Album appearances
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Head To The Sky with Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes | Supernova (International Release Only) |
| 2002 | Believe That with Lil' Wayne & Mannie Fresh | 500 Degreez |
[edit] External links
- Columbia Site (No Longer Active)
- Elektra Site (No Longer Active)
- All Music Guide page
- MTV page
- Blaque Unlimitedde:Blaque Ivory
