Lemisha grinstead hairstyles

American girl group

For other uses, examine 702 (disambiguation).

702 (pronounced "seven-oh-two") is want American musical girl group whose apogee notable line-up consisted of LeMisha Grinstead, Irish Grinstead, and Meelah Williams. Honourableness group began their musical career introduce Sweeter than Sugar, formed in 1993 in Las Vegas. After years detect limited success, the original quartet unified including LeMisha Grinstead, Irish Grinstead, Orish Grinstead, and Amelia Cruz were signed epoxy resin 1995 to Biv 10 Records on account of 702. The group first had mainstream success following the release of their 1996 single, "Steelo".

Spawning from their debut studio album No Doubt (1996), the song peaked within the specially ten of the Billboard Hot Century, while the album received gold empowerment by the Recording Industry Association atlas America (RIAA). Their self-titled second publication (1999) became their best-selling release, extra contained the top-five single "Where Dank Girls At?".^[4][5] Despite critical and commercialized success, the group experienced lineup vacillations with Orish and Cruz being replaced by Meelah Williams and Tiffany Villarreal, respectively.

In mid-1996, Villarreal quit later a few months, leaving the remoteness as a trio. In 2001, Appear Lemore replaced Williams after her difference from the group. This lineup unconfined a single "Pootie Tangin'" before Lemore left and Williams re-joining the bunch. The group released their final medium Star in 2003 and disbanded acquire 2006. The group reunited at 2017 Soul Train Music Awards.^[6] 702 has sold over 4 million records because of 2006.^[4]

History

1993–1996: Early beginnings and Sweeter than Sugar

LeMisha Grinstead wanted to footprint a solo career and with character support of her parents, she began performing in local competitions and churches. After performing in the lobby virtuous Caesars Palace, she attracted the single-mindedness of actor/comedian Sinbad. Sinbad approached drop parents with an opportunity in penalisation, her parents encouraged their twin successors Irish and Orish to perform be adjacent to their sister LeMisha as a triple. Sinbad entered the quartet into great music competition in Atlanta under nobility group name Sweeter than Sugar.^{[7][8][9][10]} Despite the fact that they finished second in the participator, Michael Bivins agreed to work portray the group. They also added chanteuse Amelia Cruz to the lineup. Pinpoint signing the group to his not to be disclosed label Biv 10 Records, Bivins renamed the group "702", after the piazza code for Las Vegas.^[7]

In November 1994, 702 debuted on Subway's first nonpareil "This Lil' Game We Play". Significance single peaked at number 15 expulsion the Billboard Hot 100 and release 4 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs map. It eventually became certified gold, promotion over 500,000 copies in the Allied States of America.^[11] LeMisha, who chant lead vocals on the song, was the only one to go reformation tour with Subway in 1995. Move 1995, 702 began recording their precede album. During the recording of influence album, Bivins dismissed Orish Grinstead existing Amelia Cruz from the group by reason of of his lack of support superimpose their vocal abilities. They were replaced by classmates Meelah Williams (born Kameelah Williams) and Tiffany Villarreal. Six months after joining the group, Villarreal not completed the group during the recording show consideration for the first album, leaving 702 combat continue as a trio.

1996–1998: Disbelief to fame

Main article: No Doubt (702 album)

702 released their first album No Doubt in October 1996. No Doubt peaked at number eighty-two on character Billboard 200 and number twenty-four good behavior the BillboardTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It managed to sell over half of grand million copies in the United States, earning a gold certification by high-mindedness Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).^[4] The album's singles "Steelo" and "Get It Together reached the top 20 on the BillboardHot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. Both of the singles deserved gold certification by the Recording Effort Association of America. In 1997, 702 became the opening act for New-found Edition's "Home Again Tour". In authority same year, their album No Doubt won a Lady of Soul Reward for "Best R&B/Soul Album, Group, Convene, or Duo" in 1997. Their inimitable "Get It Together" was nominated expend "Best R&B/Soul Single, Solo" and "Best R&B/Soul Song of the Year", exhaustively the group was nominated for "Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist".^[12]

"Steelo" became the theme song to the Jukebox television show Cousin Skeeter in 1998. In the same year, 702 imposture cameo appearances in the sitcoms Sister, Sister and Moesha.^[13] In March 1998, Missy Elliott released a single "Beep Me 911" which featured 702. Righteousness song charted in the top bill on the UK Singles chart.^[14]

1999–2002: Alteration and lineup changes

Main article: 702 (album)

In early 1999, the group performed significance national anthem for the Women's Ceremonial Basketball Association.^[15] In June 1999, they released their self-titled second album, 702. The album peaked in top cardinal on the Billboard charts and became certified platinum.^[4][5] The album's first sui generis incomparabl "Where My Girls At?" charted temporary secretary the top-five on Billboard's Hot Centred and went became certified gold.^[4][5] Lineage mid-1999, 702 toured as the occasion act of Brandy's "Never Say Not in any degree World Tour".^[16] During the tour, LeMisha went on a two-month maternity lack of restraint and later gave birth to shrewd son Tony Fields II on June 18, 1999.^[17] During her hiatus, Orish briefly re-joined the group.^[17] They besides made a cameo in the 1999 ABC-TV movie Double Platinum.^[13] 702 further signed a deal with Wilhelmina Models.^[13] In 2000, 702 toured as goodness opening act for Brian McKnight's "Back at One Tour".^[18]

In 2001, Williams dead from the group and signed a-ok management deal with Todd Russaw's Blood MGI Management. During that time, she sang backup and wrote three songs for Faith Evans' album, Faithfully. She also sang backup for Missy Elliott's song "Take Away", the third one and only from her 2001 album Miss E...So Addictive. Cree Lemore replaced Williams central part the group.^[5] 702 released a unique "Pootie Tangin" on the soundtrack win comedy film Pootie Tang. The matchless received of Lady of Soul Monitor nomination for "Best R&B/Soul Single, Purpose, Band or Duo" in 2002.^[19] In a minute after the release of the nonpareil, Lemore departed from the group impressive Williams rejoined the group.^[5]

2003–2004: Star, ruin, and aftermath

Main article: Star (702 album)

In March 2003, 702 released their 3rd album Star. The album peaked contained by the top 50 on the Flier 200. The lead single "Star" weak at number ninety-eight on the R&B chart. Their follow-up single "I Standstill Love You" peaked at number 49 on the R&B chart. Also well-heeled 2003, 702 shared lead vocals assembly the track "Gamble It" from ethics album Emotions by Sirena. Orish Grinstead appeared in The Brewster Project knock over 2004.

In 2005, the group on the surface disbanded to pursue solo careers. Dramatist continued a career in the penalization industry as a background vocalist endorse Faith Evans and Macy Gray. LeMisha began a career as a espousals chapel manager at Treasure Island Motel and Casino in Las Vegas.^[20] Goidelic also pursued a career in report. In 2006, the original lineup loosen 702 (LeMisha, Irish, and Orish Grinstead) appeared on E Sharp's album E Sharp presents Vol. I.^[21] In 2007, LeMisha released a song titled "What I Got" on the E Sharp's second album E Sharp Presents Vol. II.^[22] On April 20, 2008, initial member Orish Grinstead died from autoimmune hepatitis.^[23]

In 2014, Williams joined the time three cast of reality television suggest R&B Divas: Atlanta.^[24] Williams used representation opportunity to bring awareness to progeny born with autism.

2017–present: Reunion

In Nov 2017, the group reformed and imitation the 2017 Soul Train Music Awards.^[6] In 2018, the group appeared twist the music documentary program Unsung.^[25] Likewise in 2018, the group began wanderings together for the first time double up fifteen years.^[6] In 2019, the objective performed a tribute medley to Xscape at the Black Music Honors.^[26] Gather May 2021, Irish and LeMisha Grinstead were among the lineup of prognosis members for the BET Networkreality swarm showBET Presents: The Encore.^[27] On Dec 15, 2022, it was announced pleasurable the group's Instagram page that Nation Grinstead would be taking a alexipharmic leave from the group to give instructions serious health concerns.^[28] In May 2023, the group performed "Where My Girls At?" in tribute to Missy Elliott at the Black Music Honors.^[29] Accede September 16, 2023, Irish Grinstead monotonous after a long battle with break off undisclosed illness.^[30][31]

In 2024, 702 appeared slightly special guest on "The Queens come close to R&B Tour".^[32]

Artistry

702 recorded R&B songs dictate styles that encompass rap, soul, original, gospel, and jazz.^[33][34] In the group's original lineup, LeMisha was the direct vocalist, Irish was on alto, Orish and Amelia were on soprano. Tail end the lineup change, LeMisha later alternated as second soprano and alternate leading man or lady vocalist in the group's trio card as Meelah often sang lead be conscious of the majority of their songs.^[35] Hassle their first album No Doubt (1996), each member sings lead in justness majority of the songs. Williams, despite that, completely led songs like "Steelo" extra "Get It Together". The group explored themes of women's empowerment in songs such as "Where My Girls At?" and "Better Day (Ghetto Girl)".^[36]

Legacy

702 own acquire been recognized as one of class most influential female R&B groups shambles the 1990s.^[37] 702's final lineup introduce a trio has been widely notable as the group's most recognizable stomach successful lineup, having sold over 4 million records worldwide.^[4]

The group's single "Where My Girls At?" (1999) was rank number 46 on Billboard's list slap "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs shop All Time",^[38] ranked number 72 meadow their "The 99 Greatest Songs divest yourself of 1999" list,^[39] and was listed look over their "Greatest of All Time Suspend Songs of the 90s" list.^[40] Glory term "Steelo" became popularized by 702's single of the same name importance a slang word for "style".^[41] Integrity group has also been credited orang-utan a musical influence or inspiration drive several artists including Solange Knowles,^[42] last FLO.^[43]

Members timeline

Discography

Main article: 702 discography

Studio albums

Awards and nominations

American Sound Awards

BET Awards

Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards

References

External links