Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Thanks to youtube.com I bring to you a video from one of our first artists to be featured. This video was originally banned in 1993 so this was the first time I was able to see it too! Enjoy!
From time to time we here at Milk Carton Pop Stars are researching acts to profile, and we end up finding them. Kinda takes all the fun out of this site? That's beside the point. I thought I'd feature one of those acts today as they were a fave of mine as kid:
The time was 1988 and a group of 4 siblings tore up the Billboard Hot 100 w/ their Top 40 hit Dial My Heart and their debut album Messages From The Boys:
Their 1990 follow-up yielded another hit Crazy in which they spoofed many pop stars of the day (Milli Vanilli, Bobby Brown, Madonna, Janet Jackson, George Michael and Michael Jackson to be exact):
According to fan reports their family moved to Africa after their thrid and final album for Motown Records:
Three young African American brothers who in their youth were child pop stars ( Motown recording artist “The Boys” ) whom at the height of their success traded in the glamour and glitz of the music industry for the pursuit of spiritual truth, ancestral knowledge, and the discovery of their life’s true purpose.
They have recently reemerged and now record under the monkier Sons Of Light. Check out their website @ sunsoflight.com. Here is a recent video they did:
During the late 80s and early 90s, a slew of female pop singers infiltrated the pop charts. While a few survive, may have fallen into the black hole of pop stardom. The latter could not be any truer for today's topic. Ladies and Gents...I give you Stacy Earl.
In 1992 Stacy Earl first appeared on the scene w/ her dancetastic hit Love Me All Up. (On a personal note I used to jam out to this song non-stop). The song peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was smash in the clubs.
Stacy's next single teamed her up w/ The Wild Pair and the result was the top 10 hit Romeo & Juliet.
Check out the video while you're at it...
The 3rd and final single from Stacy's self titled debut was Slowly which peaked at #52 on the Billboard Hot 100. All of these songs appeared on her debut album which featured production from the likes Glen Ballard, Walter Afanasieff, Oliver Lieber and Michael Sembello.
In 1993 Stacy released the Jellybean produced song Blood From A Stone which was featured in the film Untamed Heart starring Marisa Tomei and Christian Slater. Though the song failed to set the charts on fire, it did however feature the b-side The World Is Not A Stranger, which was a previously unreleased song.
So let's fast forward to present day 2006. Nothing has been heard or seen about the lovely Ms. Earl. That is until a quick visit to her wikipedia entry (God bless wikipedia) revealed the following:
In 2006, Stacy Earl played a cameo role in the independent film "Crazy" which starred Ali Larter (Final Destination)and Waylon Payne (Walk The Line). In one of the scenes, Earl performs the Hank Williams, Sr. classic "Honky Tonk Blues" on stage.
Holy crap!!! To top it off...Miss Thing even has her own myspace profile. As well as a recent photo:
She looks great! It's great to know that so many of these forgotten artists are still doing what they love.
UPDATE:
As of 12/16/2009 Stacy is curently working a new album according to her official myspace page.
It seems we've all been so busy lately none of us has written in ages. We're not giving up! A minor setback if you will...just to let you know what's coming up I'm working on a piece on early 90s dance act Stacy Earl. Thanks for being patient!
In the music world it seems to be obligatory that once an artist hits the big time, he/she must then discover a new talent or protegee. MC Hammer was no excpetion to this rule and after the worldwide success of his "Please Hammer Don't Hurt Em" album he began to create his own musical posse on the now defunct Bust-It Records
B Angie B was to MC Hammer as Michel'Le was to Dr. Dre/Eazy-E. She was Bust-It's premier RnB songstress. Angela Boyd was discovered by MC Hammer in the late 80's and went on to become one of his dancers. However, Hammer quickly realized girlfriend could sing like a natural born diva. Her vocals were featured on his "They Put Me In The Mix" single in 1988 and then in 1989 for Oaktown's 357's "Juicy Gotcha Krazy" remix (we'll get to them later!).
In 1991 B Angie B was finally ready to shine in all of her loudness with her self titled debut album. Many of you may remember her debut single, the 70's cover "I Don't Want To Lose Your Love". This song proved to be a minor hit. Angie made appearances on Arsenio Hall and BET. Unfortunately the next two singles didn't do as well. "So Much Love" and "Sweet Thing" were both beautiful ballads ignored by radio. The later suffered from beig released around the same time Mary J Blige's own version of "Sweet Thing" was released. In 1992 B Angie B released one final song/video, "Class Act". This was taken from the "Class Act" soundtrack. The video was hot and featured the chiseled and sleek B Angie B strutting her stuff in a skimpy Catholic school girl uniform (hmmm, perhaps Britney was a fan?). Unfortunately this song failed to light a spark in her career and she was subsequently dropped.
In 2005 Angie's album was remastered and re-released with a bonus DVD! The DVD not only contained two music videos but several tv performances. It is definitely a nice treat for fans of early 90's RnB! You can get a copy here!
Ana Rodríguez was born in Cuba in 1974 and came to the US at an early age w/ her family. Ana (as she is known) released her self-titled debut album in 1987 on Parc/Epic Records. That same year, 80s teen queens Tiffany and Debbie Gibson also debuted. Unlike the afore mentioned, Ana didn't become a household name.
She did, however, score a minor hit with Shy Boys (#94 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #23 on the Billboard Dance Chart). The album did go on to enjoy success in Japan even resulting in it being released w/ a different cover and alternate title, Shy Boys.
In 1988 a single entitled Before I Jump was also released inbetween albums (Thanks to Justin for this info).
In 1990 at age 16 Ana released her second full length album, and probably her most known. Entitled Body Language (yes kiddies Ana did it before Kylie), Ana worked w/ a few different producers on this release and it was with this album that I became a fan.
With her trademark booming voice (if you've never heard her sing, you're missing out! think a Toni Braxton-esque voice) and w/ the help of the man behind NKOTB, Maurice Starr, one would have thought this album would have been a smash! But by the early 90s teen pop was already beginning to fade away. The music world's loss if you ask me.
Got To Tell Me Something, the albums only charting single peaked at #66.
Subsequent singles were released and failed to chart. A duet w/ then NKOTB hearthrob Jordan Knight entitled Angel Of Love received some airplay, as the record company was trying to repeat the success of Donnie Wahlberg's duet w/ Japanese pop singer Seiko. Deborah 'Debbie' Gibson wrote and produced 2 songs for this album including fan favorite Everytime We Say Goodbye. Several tracks were also produced by Hector Almaguer and Kiki García, former members of Miami Sound Machine.
After this album failed to make a splash it seemed that Ana was destined to fade into pop obscurity...or so we thought.
Let me share a little story w/ you all now (the shortned version). My family used to own a Spanish language record store and back in early 2004 I was browsing through some promo cd's. I came across a single by a singer named Mia entitled Convencete. I popped it in because I was immediately drawn to the trampy girl on the cover.
I immediately liked it and said to my bf, God doesn't she sound like Ana?
So after some extensive research it turns out Mia is Ana!
Why the name change? I have no idea. With a new name, new sound and a new label, Ana/Mia returned! Released on Univision in the fall of 2003 Ana/Mia brought us Tentación:
It's been almost 2 years since Mia's Spanish language debut, and again she's missing! There is no sign of her on her labels website, and Tentación has since gone out of print. I think there still may be hope as lately Univision has been including Mia on many compilations. So while we wait for Mia/Ana to reemerge (again) let's check out her über hot video for Convencete (thanks to Chicago_Sexbox for ripping it from DVD to mpg)...
Jade was one of my favorite girl RnB groups of the early 90's. Jade consisted of Tonya Kelly, Joi Marshall, and Di Reed. They debuted on the "Class Act" soundtrack in 1992 with the hit single "I Wanna Love You". With that success an album quickly followed. Although Jade was a "manufactured" girl group, one would have never known. The chemistry these girls had on record and video was undeniable.
The debut album was eventually certified Gold, thanks in part to the now classic singles "Don't Walk Away" (recently covered in 2004 by British flop reject singer Javine), and "One Woman". Jade capitalized on this success even further by releasing a live album the following year. With no break in between albums, Jade presented their sophomore effort in 1994, "Mind, Body, & Song". The second album had a more refined sound and definitely showed a lot of maturity. Over 12 years after its release it still sounds fresh. The girls not only improved their sound but also their image! Giant Records must have given them a new hairstylist because the girls embraced the album cover with some fierce weave! Maybe this is where all of the "Beyonce's" of today got their inspiration?
The first single, "5,4,3,2 (Yo Time Is Up!) failed to make a big impact at radio and a "sophomore slump" seemed imminent. However, the second single quickly changed that and saved the album. "Everyday Of The Week" was featured on the popular Fox television show "Beverly Hills 90210" and was subsequently placed on the "College Years" soundtrack. The song was a Top 40 pop hit and was all over radio and video stations. Jade couldn't be stopped....or so it seemed.
Jade abruptly split up while "Everyday Of The Week" was still on the charts and further promotion for the album was cancelled. I remember listening to Casey Kasem's weekly top 40 countdown and hearing the sad news. Very little explanation was given. I was heartbroken and for years wondered what went wrong. I have had a hard time finding information on these lovely ladies, but to my surprise Diva Planet caught up with Tonya a few years ago. In the interview she explains how the girls quickly became disillusioned with the music business and realized they would be better off financially pursuing normal careers outside of Hollywood. She claims the group didn't break up due to internal strife and there was even a brief reunion for a funeral in 2001.
I would be very curious to hear what the other 2 girls have to say! As I ponder that question, I leave you with their smash hit, "Every Day Of The Week".
Born 7 minutes apart to a Mexican father and an American mother, Vicky, Sylvia and Diana Villegas, aka The Triplets, are best known for their 1991 smash You Don't Have To Go Home Tonight.
Prior to their breakthrough hit they released a little known EP in 1986 on Elektra Records entitled Break The Silence. Details about his release are really hard to come by, and as a long time fan myself I did not even know of it's existence until I recently stumbled upon it on ebay. It's nothing like their material recorded in the 90s, as it sound very typically 80s. Of note Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor plays on a few tracks.
What happened betweeen the 1986 EP and 1991 seems to be a mystery. So let's fast forward to 1991, shall we? Now signed to Mercuy Records, the Villegas sisters release their debut single You Don't Have To Go Home Tonight which quickly becomes a hit peaking at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Their debut album ...Thicker Than Water was charted as well and peaked at #125 on the Billboard Album Chart.
A second single, the gorgeous Sunrise failed to chart. Though some of you may remember the title track being played during the final scene of the infamous graduation episode of Beverly Hills 90210.
While their full length debut was not the huge success it should have been, they were able to record and release a Spanish language version of their debut entitled Fuerza del parentesco which was released in 1992. Sombras y silencios (the Spanish language version of Dancing In The Shadows) charted at #11 on Billboard's Latin Singles Chart in 1992.
During the fall of 1993 the girls released their one and only album w/ EMI Latin entitled Algo mas que amor which billed them as Las Triplets.
By 1994 the title track peaked at #2 on the Billboard Latin Single Chart. The song was actually a Spanish language version of I've Been Waiting For You by the Guys Next Door. An English language version was also included on this release. The 2nd single to chart was Mi mundo entero and that peaked at #27.
Since 1994 little to no information exists as to the whereabouts of The Triplets. It's a shame they did not record more as they had gorgeous voices and if marketed right could have given Wilson Phillips a run for their money. So we contine to ask ourselves...where are they now? While we wait let's watch the video for You Don't Have To Go Home Tonight:
Under the guidance of rappers Eazy-E and Dr. Dre, Michel'Le released her debut album in late 1989 on Ruthless Records. Her first single, "No More Lies" reached #7 on the Hot 100 and the album eventually was certified platinum after spawning 4 more pop/rnb hit singles (including her clever ode to girls that are "nice" and "nasty", appropriately titled "Nicety"!). In addition to her fierce music, Michel'Le was probably also remembered most for high pitched Betty Boop speaking voice. Her singing voice though was completely different. It was loud and distinct. Girlfriend could throw down like a veteran diva!
Now, after her debut album is when things got strange. I am hoping someone can fill us in here at Milk Carton Pop Stars as to what really happened. From what I gather, Dr. Dre and Michel'Le were romantically linked and had a child together. When Dr. Dre formed Deathrow Records with Suge Knight, there was a legal battle between him and Eazy-E to free Michel'Le (along with Dr Dre) from their Ruthless contracts. Ok, so all of this information is documented and well known. Dr. Dre won his court battle and they left Ruthless Records, but what I don't understand is why did Michel'Le wait until 1998 to release her sophomore album??????
"Hung Jury" barely sold 200,000 copies. I think this was an extreme case of too little, too late. The album was rather underwhelming and lacked the sassiness of her debut album. All remained quiet again with Michel'Le until 2003 when she performed a song on the "Dysfunktional Family" soundtrack, but as far as I am concerned she has been missing since 1998! Her Wikipedia entry says she is married to Suge Knight now with whom she has had several more children and that she is working on a new album. Can anyone confirm this? I have googled Suge Knight's name and I cannot find anything official to back this up.
Michel'Le, we miss you girl and we want a proper follow up to your debut album!
Forgive me for my lack of knowledge on this next artist, but I honestly do not know much about her pop past. Regardless, today at MILK CARTON POPSTARS we've chosen to highlight one of Freestyle's loudest...Denise Lopez. I vaguely remember her back when I was a kid , but it wasn't until early last year when Chicagosexbox made me a copy of his freestlye DVD video collection that I really took notice. Upon viewing the videos over and over, I instantly fell in love w/ Denise's big hair and even bigger voice! Why on earth had I not been a fan of this woman before?
Let's watch the video shall we?
HOLY LOUD!!! She's up there w/ India as the loudest freestyle bitch ever! You know cause freestyle female singers only came in loud or tone deaf. It was very difficult doing research on Denise because there isn't that much info readily available. Let's take a quick look at her pre-A&M days courtesy of allmusic.com.
By the time Denise Lopez achieved success in 1988 with the dancefloor and pop-radio hit "Sayin' Sorry (Don't Make It Right)," she had already paid her dues via several earlier singles deals with TNT and RCA. Neither of those hit pay dirt, but one single ("If You Feel It") made its way onto this well-produced pop-dance set and became a semi-hit.
What little I was able to find was via this website. Denise Lopez released her debut album in 1988 on Vendetta/A&M records. It was entitled Truth In Disguise and was heavy on the dance (particularily freestyle) songs and the occasional ballad. This album has been out-of-print for quite some time and the asking price is usually $30+ for the CD.
There were three singles released from this album according to onamrecords.com. The pop/dance hit Sayin' Sorry (Don't Make It Right) peaked at #31 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a #6 hit on the Billboard Dance charts. Two other singles were released, If You Feel It (#94 Hot 100, #22 Dance) and Too Much Too Late (#21 Dance). The album itself peaked at #184 on the Billboard Album Charts in December of 1988.
Denise's second album was entitled Every Dog Has Her Day and was released in 1990. It did not chart...
It did however produce 1 single Don't You Wanna Be Mine which peaked at #86 on the Billboard Hot 100...
So we ask where has Ms. Lopez been for the past 16 years? Any info would be greatly appreciated. I've searched high and low and no one seems to know the whereabouts of Denise nor what she's doing now. All I do seem to find is a Swedish singer by the same name.
EDIT:
Thanks to Justin for giving me the heads up about Denise's earlier recordings as Neecy Dee! I was able to purchase the 12" on ebay from someone who is friends w/ Charley Marrota, the producer of her 1984 dance single Best Of Me. I inquired if he knew anything about Denise's current whereabout's and he was able to offer me this tidbit:
I believe she is now married and has a child or two, living in North Jersey somewhere.
These three lovely hoez burst onto the rap scene in 1990 with their independent album, "Livin' In A Hoe House" on Drive By Records. Originally from Chicago, they moved to LA to pursue a music career. The members were: Kim "Baby Girl" Kenner, Tanya "Jazzy" Kenner, and Dion "Diva" Devoux but like any good girl group there were some lineup changes later on. For the second album "Diva" was replaced by "Go-di", and when one of the girls got pregnant "Baby Girl's" cousin, Ty James took her place. Coincidentally, Ty was the daughter of the legendary Rick James!
The group's name was a take on NWA (Niggaz With Attitude) and much like fellow female rapper Choice, the hoez used explicit rhymes to combat all of the misogynist rap songs by men at the time. The hoez wanted it to be known that they were sexual predators and would not stand for men's shit!
Their debut album was nothing spectacular production wise, but lyrically HWA left a mark on the listener's brain. No topic was taboo, whether it be the struggles with a not so well endowed boyfriend ("Little Dick"), phone sex hotlines ("1-900-Bitches"), good pussy ("Tight"), cunninglus ("Eat This"), or the days in the life of a nymphomaniac ("Freaky Daze"). The album's first single and probably the least explicit song from the album, "Funk Me", received respectable radio airplay and video rotation on the Box.
In 1994 HWA returned with an EP titled, "Az Much Ass Azz U Want". The only single was "Just A Little Action". The hoez outdid themselves with the music video. Apparently the video was so raunchy that not even The Box would air it. Considering The Box generally aired all of the videos the other music stations wouldn't, one can only imagine how truly explicit this video must have been! I wonder if the album cover was any indication.........
Now under the supervision of rap legend Eazy-E on his Ruthless Records label, the hoez's second release boasted better production, lyrics and a nicer album cover! This EP has most definitely aged well like many of the other "West Coast" rap releases from the era. Lyrically, no new territory was explored, but the EP's purpose was to prepare the public for the upcoming full length album "Hoez In Training". Unfortunately with Eazy-E's untimely death the following year that album never happened and HWA split. Baby Girl went on to record a solo album on a Chicago independent record label but other than that, these hoez remain missing in action!
I wonder if I call 1-900-Bitches if someone will know the answer........
Karyn White was a huge part of my childhood and was a huge part of what is now known as the New Jack Swing era. During the late 80s and early 90s Ms. White was all over the music charts. So we ponder...
Upon her debut she scored big pop & r&b hits w/ Superwoman, The Way You Love Me, and who could forget this one:
With her second release came the #1 hit Romantic and my personal fave The Way I Feel About You:
A third album came and went in 1994 entitled Make Him Do Right. A few years ago I remember some DJ did a new dance version of Superwoman w/ Karyn's vocals. But what's she up to now?
Aside from raising her family it seems she's working on a new album! I couldn't find more info but according to her wikipedia entry:
White left Warner Bros. Records in 1995 and dropped out of the music public eye for many years. She currently resides in Santa Barbara, California and will record her first album in well over 12 years. The album, Action Fighter is slated for release in the fourth quarter of 2006.
Not sure if I'm loving the title, but I'm so loving a new album. While searching I came across this recent picture:
She looks good! As we wait more info on Ms. White, I leave you w/ some links to futher your Karyn obsession:
For the very first installment of Milk Carton Popstars I've chosen none other than the very first XXX Lady of Rap, Choice (let me just say this...Lil' Kim ain't got nothing on Choice, she sounds like Mother Goose in comparison). Choice, what can I say about her? Hailing from Texas, the first lady of Rap-a-lot Records burst onto the scene in 1990 w/ her debut album The Big Payback which was a minor hip hop hit.
But it wasn't until her sophmore album Stick-N-Moove released in 1992 that Choice gave us her nastiest rhymes w/ songs like Choice Is Choosie, Tales From The Sexside and One Just Ain't Enough. But it wasn't just big cocks and rubbing her p*ssy that Choice rapped about. She took on serious issues on the classic HIV Positive, the video got heavy rotation on the now defunct The Box. What with lyrics like this, who wouldn't take her seriously?:
A tisket a tasket, a condom or a casket...it's your choice. Make the right one
My devotion to Choice is owed to my Milwaukee Sister whom I am sure can give us a lot more insight into the enigma that is Choice. It is because of him that a slew of homos the world over have started a gay cult following for Choice. I wonder if she even knows?
So where the hell is Choice now? We ran into some queens from Texas recently at Roscoe's who swore up and down that they knew her. That she was so and so's cousin. Well if you're so and so we'd love to know what the hell happened to her? Leave us a comment here or email us at milkcartonpopstars@gmail.com
Remember as a kid seeing on the side a milk carton a missing kid? Well we're kinda stealing that idea and instead of a missing child, we're focusing on missing pop stars. Be it a group, solo act, etc. So I look forward to sharing w/ you all. Thanks and don't forget to bookmark us!
During the late 80s and early 90s, a slew of female pop singers infiltrated the pop charts. While a few survive, may have fallen into the black hole of pop stardom. The latter could not be any truer for today's topic. Ladies and Gents...I give you Stacy Earl.
In the music world it seems to be obligatory that once an artist hits the big time, he/she must then discover a new talent or protegee. MC Hammer was no excpetion to this rule and after the worldwide success of his "Please Hammer Don't Hurt Em" album he began to create his own musical posse on the now defunct Bust-It Records
Ana Rodríguez was born in Cuba in 1974 and came to the US at an early age w/ her family. Ana (as she is known) released her self-titled debut album in 1987 on Parc/Epic Records. That same year, 80s teen queens Tiffany and Debbie Gibson also debuted. Unlike the afore mentioned, Ana didn't become a household name.
Jade was one of my favorite girl RnB groups of the early 90's. Jade consisted of Tonya Kelly, Joi Marshall, and Di Reed. They debuted on the "Class Act" soundtrack in 1992 with the hit single "I Wanna Love You". With that success an album quickly followed. Although Jade was a "manufactured" girl group, one would have never known. The chemistry these girls had on record and video was undeniable.
Born 7 minutes apart to a Mexican father and an American mother, Vicky, Sylvia and Diana Villegas, aka The Triplets, are best known for their 1991 smash You Don't Have To Go Home Tonight.
Under the guidance of rappers Eazy-E and Dr. Dre, Michel'Le released her debut album in late 1989 on Ruthless Records. Her first single, "No More Lies" reached #7 on the Hot 100 and the album eventually was certified platinum after spawning 4 more pop/rnb hit singles (including her clever ode to girls that are "nice" and "nasty", appropriately titled "Nicety"!). In addition to her fierce music, Michel'Le was probably also remembered most for high pitched Betty Boop speaking voice. Her singing voice though was completely different. It was loud and distinct. Girlfriend could throw down like a veteran diva!
Forgive me for my lack of knowledge on this next artist, but I honestly do not know much about her pop past. Regardless, today at MILK CARTON POPSTARS we've chosen to highlight one of Freestyle's loudest...Denise Lopez. I vaguely remember her back when I was a kid , but it wasn't until early last year when Chicagosexbox made me a copy of his freestlye DVD video collection that I really took notice. Upon viewing the videos over and over, I instantly fell in love w/ Denise's big hair and even bigger voice! Why on earth had I not been a fan of this woman before?
These three lovely hoez burst onto the rap scene in 1990 with their independent album, "Livin' In A Hoe House" on Drive By Records. Originally from Chicago, they moved to LA to pursue a music career. The members were: Kim "Baby Girl" Kenner, Tanya "Jazzy" Kenner, and Dion "Diva" Devoux but like any good girl group there were some lineup changes later on. For the second album "Diva" was replaced by "Go-di", and when one of the girls got pregnant "Baby Girl's" cousin, Ty James took her place. Coincidentally, Ty was the daughter of the legendary Rick James!
Karyn White was a huge part of my childhood and was a huge part of what is now known as the New Jack Swing era. During the late 80s and early 90s Ms. White was all over the music charts. So we ponder...
