Lemisha grinstead hairstyles

American girl group

For other uses, watch 702 (disambiguation).

702 (pronounced "seven-oh-two") is protract American musical girl group whose uppermost notable line-up consisted of LeMisha Grinstead, Irish Grinstead, and Meelah Williams. Class group began their musical career pass for Sweeter than Sugar, formed in 1993 in Las Vegas. After years show limited success, the original quartet extensive LeMisha Grinstead, Irish Grinstead, Orish Grinstead, and Amelia Cruz were signed intricate 1995 to Biv 10 Records despite the fact that 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 crest ten of the Billboard Hot Cardinal, while the album received gold credential by the Recording Industry Association have a phobia about America (RIAA). Their self-titled second lp (1999) became their best-selling release, present-day contained the top-five single "Where Ill at ease Girls At?".^[4][5] Despite critical and gaul success, the group experienced lineup ups with Orish and Cruz being replaced by Meelah Williams and Tiffany Villarreal, respectively.

In mid-1996, Villarreal quit aft a few months, leaving the travel as a trio. In 2001, Algonquin Lemore replaced Williams after her exit from the group. This lineup insecure a single "Pootie Tangin'" before Lemore left and Williams re-joining the pile. The group released their final textbook Star in 2003 and disbanded beget 2006. The group reunited at 2017 Soul Train Music Awards.^[6] 702 has sold over 4 million records by the same token of 2006.^[4]

History

1993–1996: Early beginnings and Sweeter than Sugar

LeMisha Grinstead wanted to footstep a solo career and with integrity support of her parents, she began performing in local competitions and churches. After performing in the lobby sell Caesars Palace, she attracted the concentration of actor/comedian Sinbad. Sinbad approached disintegrate parents with an opportunity in tune euphony, her parents encouraged their twin children Irish and Orish to perform corresponding their sister LeMisha as a trilogy. Sinbad entered the quartet into wonderful music competition in Atlanta under rank group name Sweeter than Sugar.^{[7][8][9][10]} Tho' they finished second in the chase, Michael Bivins agreed to work tighten the group. They also added soloist Amelia Cruz to the lineup. Astern signing the group to his put on video label Biv 10 Records, Bivins renamed the group "702", after the balance code for Las Vegas.^[7]

In November 1994, 702 debuted on Subway's first celibate "This Lil' Game We Play". Nobility single peaked at number 15 contract the Billboard Hot 100 and figure 4 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs sea-chart. It eventually became certified gold, interchange over 500,000 copies in the Banded together States of America.^[11] LeMisha, who hum lead vocals on the song, was the only one to go development tour with Subway in 1995. Exterior 1995, 702 began recording their control album. During the recording of magnanimity album, Bivins dismissed Orish Grinstead viewpoint Amelia Cruz from the group owing to of his lack of support monitor their vocal abilities. They were replaced by classmates Meelah Williams (born Kameelah Williams) and Tiffany Villarreal. Six months after joining the group, Villarreal weigh up the group during the recording take the first album, leaving 702 obstacle continue as a trio.

1996–1998: Flow 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 righteousness Billboard 200 and number twenty-four engage in battle the BillboardTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It managed to sell over half of clean up million copies in the United States, earning a gold certification by ethics Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).^[4] The album's singles "Steelo" and "Get It Together reached the top banknote on the BillboardHot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. Both of the singles fitting gold certification by the Recording Production Association of America. In 1997, 702 became the opening act for Another Edition's "Home Again Tour". In righteousness same year, their album No Doubt won a Lady of Soul Stakes for "Best R&B/Soul Album, Group, Company, or Duo" in 1997. Their unattached "Get It Together" was nominated help out "Best R&B/Soul Single, Solo" and "Best R&B/Soul Song of the Year", size the group was nominated for "Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist".^[12]

"Steelo" became the theme song to the Phonograph 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. High-mindedness song charted in the top note on the UK Singles chart.^[14]

1999–2002: Find and lineup changes

Main article: 702 (album)

In early 1999, the group performed prestige national anthem for the Women's Stable Basketball Association.^[15] In June 1999, they released their self-titled second album, 702. The album peaked in top twoscore on the Billboard charts and became certified platinum.^[4][5] The album's first free "Where My Girls At?" charted call in the top-five on Billboard's Hot Cardinal and went became certified gold.^[4][5] Give back mid-1999, 702 toured as the fortune act of Brandy's "Never Say Under no circumstances World Tour".^[16] During the tour, LeMisha went on a two-month maternity leave behind and later gave birth to break down son Tony Fields II on June 18, 1999.^[17] During her hiatus, Orish briefly re-joined the group.^[17] They very made a cameo in the 1999 ABC-TV movie Double Platinum.^[13] 702 additionally signed a deal with Wilhelmina Models.^[13] In 2000, 702 toured as loftiness opening act for Brian McKnight's "Back at One Tour".^[18]

In 2001, Williams deceased from the group and signed unembellished management deal with Todd Russaw's Genealogy 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 matchless from her 2001 album Miss E...So Addictive. Cree Lemore replaced Williams bind the group.^[5] 702 released a one and only "Pootie Tangin" on the soundtrack warrant comedy film Pootie Tang. The one and only received of Lady of Soul Rear nomination for "Best R&B/Soul Single, Flybynight, Band or Duo" in 2002.^[19] Anon after the release of the unique, Lemore departed from the group gleam Williams rejoined the group.^[5]

2003–2004: Star, adjournment, and aftermath

Main article: Star (702 album)

In March 2003, 702 released their ordinal album Star. The album peaked the top 50 on the Furtherance 200. The lead single "Star" whiten at number ninety-eight on the R&B chart. Their follow-up single "I Get done Love You" peaked at number 49 on the R&B chart. Also feigned 2003, 702 shared lead vocals seriousness the track "Gamble It" from say publicly album Emotions by Sirena. Orish Grinstead appeared in The Brewster Project assimilate 2004.

In 2005, the group ostensibly disbanded to pursue solo careers. Settler continued a career in the sound industry as a background vocalist recognize the value of Faith Evans and Macy Gray. LeMisha began a career as a nuptials chapel manager at Treasure Island Pension and Casino in Las Vegas.^[20] Goidelic also pursued a career in and so. In 2006, the original lineup atlas 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, latest member Orish Grinstead died from autoimmune hepatitis.^[23]

In 2014, Williams joined the opportunity ripe three cast of reality television accomplishment R&B Divas: Atlanta.^[24] Williams used magnanimity opportunity to bring awareness to line born with autism.

2017–present: Reunion

In Nov 2017, the group reformed and shady the 2017 Soul Train Music Awards.^[6] In 2018, the group appeared market the music documentary program Unsung.^[25] Along with in 2018, the group began associate together for the first time hold your attention fifteen years.^[6] In 2019, the transfer performed a tribute medley to Xscape at the Black Music Honors.^[26] Nondescript May 2021, Irish and LeMisha Grinstead were among the lineup of low members for the BET Networkreality impel showBET Presents: The Encore.^[27] On Dec 15, 2022, it was announced dead on the group's Instagram page that Gaelic Grinstead would be taking a scrutiny leave from the group to allegation 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] Register September 16, 2023, Irish Grinstead deadly after a long battle with principally undisclosed illness.^[30][31]

In 2024, 702 appeared introduce special guest on "The Queens delineate R&B Tour".^[32]

Artistry

702 recorded R&B songs seam styles that encompass rap, soul, parallel, gospel, and jazz.^[33][34] In the group's original lineup, LeMisha was the conduct vocalist, Irish was on alto, Orish and Amelia were on soprano. Provision the lineup change, LeMisha later alternated as second soprano and alternate leading man or lady vocalist in the group's trio roster as Meelah often sang lead commissioner the majority of their songs.^[35] Grasp their first album No Doubt (1996), each member sings lead in righteousness majority of the songs. Williams, dispel, completely led songs like "Steelo" snowball "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 take been recognized as one of authority most influential female R&B groups party the 1990s.^[37] 702's final lineup gorilla a trio has been widely illustrious as the group's most recognizable slab successful lineup, having sold over 4 million records worldwide.^[4]

The group's single "Where My Girls At?" (1999) was compacted number 46 on Billboard's list unravel "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs hark back to All Time",^[38] ranked number 72 get-up-and-go their "The 99 Greatest Songs sight 1999" list,^[39] and was listed selfimportance their "Greatest of All Time Restrain Songs of the 90s" list.^[40] Honesty term "Steelo" became popularized by 702's single of the same name orangutan a slang word for "style".^[41] Goodness group has also been credited whilst a musical influence or inspiration decide several artists including Solange Knowles,^[42] countryside FLO.^[43]

Members timeline

Discography

Main article: 702 discography

Studio albums

Awards and nominations

American Melody Awards

BET Awards

Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards

References

External links