|
Blaque Information
|
|
'Blaque' is an 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 (born October 1979 in New York City), Shamari Fears (born February 22, 1980 in Detroit, Michigan), and Brandi Williams (born October 5, 1982 in Detroit, Michigan). 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 Lopes (also known as Left Eye) 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. Blaque never debuted with their new member. Shamari is now signed with Darkchild and is set to debut in 2006.
Blaque Platinum
Their self-titled debut album Blaque reached #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 J.C. 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 and their only single to be nominated for a MTV Video Music Award, "I Do".
Blaque Out
While the Blaque album went platinum, their second album Blaque Out failed to dent the charts in the U.S. or anywhere else. After their mentor Lisa Lopes died in a car crash on April 25, 2002 in Honduras, the group left Columbia Records and signed with Elektra Records.
Their third album Torch featured a number of A-list music industry figures including Missy Elliott, singwriter Linda Perry, and producer Rodney Jerkins. Missy Elliott produced the first single "Ugly". Despite the star power involved in the album, the album still failed to make an impression on the charts.
However, their 2003 contribution to the soundtrack of Honey, "I'm Good", charted on the Rhythmic Top 40 while the album peaked just outside of top 100 on the Billboard 200. The single also made the Australian top 40 in March 2004.
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.
Discography
Albums
* Blaque (1999) (Platinum)
* Blaque Out (shelved) (2002)
* Torch (shelved) (2003)
|
|
