milk carton pop stars

Mikaila

2011-05-26T13:03:00.001-07:00

Now that we are in a new decade, it seems like the 2000s are chock full of artists to write about. Yay for this blog! Born in 1986 Mikaila Dominique Enriquez is of French, Spanish and Aztec Indian descent from Edmond, OK. After moving to Dallas, TX she became a regular at sporting events and sang at many Texas Rangers games. It was at this time that Leann Rimes's former manager Marty Rendleman began guiding her career. After heading to New York one day, she had meetings w/ several labels. It was that same day that Island Records signed her. Mikaila's debut single So In Love With Two peaked at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January of 2001. It was standard teen pop, and then 14-year old Mikaila was torn between two teen lovahs. This song was featured on her self-titled debut album. Produced by Andy Goldmark (Jessica Simpson, Lina Santiago), Stargate and Carl Sturken/Evan Rogers (Christina Aguilera) it came and went. Another single It's All Up To You failed to chart. An opening slot for Britney Spears couldn't even help her album chart on the Billboard 200. Lost in a sea of teen queens of the day, it's no wonder. You can check out a defunct fan site if you like. Where is she now? I leave you with her video for So In Love With Two:

Richard Lugo

2011-05-24T20:06:00.000-07:00

Today's feature is early 2000s teen pop singer Richard Lugo. Turns out he only had one single in the US (which I find hard to believe) and that was Boom. From what little I can find, the song didn't even chart. He was launched during the Latin Explosion of the late 90s/early 00s via Elektra/WEA Records. Touted as the next Ricky Martin, Richard came and went. Born in New York and raised in Southern Florida (explains the boy band thing), his family is of Dominican ancestry. He got his start via a boy band that never took off but was then offered a deal w/ Dallas Austin. His debut album, also called Boom, was released that same year. Opening slots for 'NSync, BBMak, and O-Town followed and gave him the teen rag audience he was made for. A second single was released in Canada Ven, Ven, Ven and had success in Brazil. I found a fan site that hasn't been updated since 2001, that's worth checking out. So what's become of then 15 year old Richard Lugo? Milk readers, can you help us out? In the meantime I leave you with the video for Boom:

Linear

2011-05-06T09:54:00.001-07:00

Miami based group Linear burst onto the pop charts in 1990 w/ their top 5 hit Sending All My Love. From what little info I could find, the song was originally part of lead singer Charlie "Steele" Pennachio's debut release on Futura International Records. After entering the pop charts Atlantic signed him to a deal. What I'm confused about is how the other 2 members of the band became involved? Or was the group already established. Hmmm. The other two members were Joey "Bang" Restivo and Wyatt "Riot" Pauley. Producer and songwriter Tolga (who had many freestyle hits of his own) is also sometimes credited as having been a member of the band. Not sure how accurate this is, but he did co-write and produce Sending All My Love as well as the entire album. A second single Don't You Come Crying stalled at #70. A third single failed to chart (Something Going On). By the time the band's second album w/ Atlantic was released in 1992, it was obvious they had moved away from their freestyle roots and went for all out pop sound. The lead single T.L.C. failed to match the chart succes of ...Love but did crack the US top 40 when it peaked at #30. I can not find any info about any more subsequent releases from this album. In 1994 a cover of Sly Fox's Let's Go All The Way was released as Linear featuring Charlie Steele. Not much has been heard from the group as a whole since, but it seems that the members have been keeping themselves busy. Charlie went on to write for artists such as Anastacia, Mandy Moore, Big & Rich as well as producing and being a talent scout for country singer Jon Rich (which explains why he was on an episode of Celebrity Apprentice). Charlie can be contacted via his myspace page. Joey Restivo has also turned to production. Most notable producing his brother Antonio's Las Vegas act. He can also be found on myspace. Wyatt Pauley seems to be doing the music thing as well. All I could really find was an interview in 2007 talking about the music business. Also check out the remastered best of release The Best of Wyatt Pauley and Friends: Freestyle From The Top which you can purchase on amazon.com. I leave you with Linear and their infamous mullets:

Finishedproduct by ktsarasota

4-Fun

2011-04-22T19:08:00.000-07:00

Do you ever get a song stuck in your head and just can't remember who sang it? Or what it's even called? That's what happened to me with today's group 4-Fun. Does anyone remember in the early 90s when they tried launching a VHS version of a teen magazine? I don't remember what it was called. But for some reason I was selected to become a charter subscriber. Maybe it was due to my subscription to BOP magazine at the time? Anyhoo one segment featured a newly departed from Kids Incorporated, Stacy Ferguson (aka Fergie). In it she and her friends (including Renee Sandstrom and Stefanie Ridel who she would later form Wild Orchid with) are having a pool party. At said pool party the song You Can't Play Me by 4-Fun was played throughout. I remember buying the CD as a result. At least somebody did. Anyhoo it seems they had this one sole single. Their debut album, The Unbelievable Fun Boys was released in 1991 by EastWest Records. Their sound was 100% New Jack Swing. I can't physically locate my CD right now to even look up the credits, but I was able to found out that Ralph Tresvant was one of the producers. Like I said earlier, they had one single that came and went. Not even sure if it charted anywhere. I leave you with the video. It's pure early 90s cheese. Looks like it was filmed at a mall. Merry-Go-Round fashions and all.

Steve Best

2011-04-22T18:51:00.000-07:00

I was recently looking at my posts and noticed that 9 out of 10 of my posts are female artists! What do you expect from a gay guy? LOL. So that brings me to today's post. A male artist! Yet I have NO IDEA who he is. Do any of you? His name is Steve Best and from what I can gather he is a one single wonder. His single The Way You Want It came up as a suggested purchase on itunes after I had bought another 90s single. From what little I could find, he is Canadian and was featured on a compilation put out by BOP magazine called, get this, BOP Boys. It was released on Interhit Records in 1998. Tried searching for him online and am coming up empty. Anyone? If you want the single and it's many remixes you can still buy them on itunes.

I know I've been slacking on updating this blog. Looking at last year's archives, I only did 4 posts. That's just sad. I promise to update more often. I have some upcoming interviews with some missing pop stars that you guys will be very excited to read. Thank you to everyone who's been reading this blog over the years. If you haven't already, become a fan of this blog on facebook.

best of 2010: singles

2011-02-17T12:41:00.000-08:00

So it only took me 2 months into 2011 to post my fave songs of 2010. Ok Mike it's your turn. LOL! Enjoy.

20. Afortunadamente no eres tú - Paty Cantú. Like I've said before, I didn't really care for her previous efforts. But this song is just such a fun pop song that I couldn't stop listening to it. Plus 2 of my fave contestants from Mexico's Next Top Model (Anelís & Cecilia) were in the video. Can you get any gayer?

19. VIP (Dave Aude Radio Mix) - Zayra. Puerto Rican singer/songwriter Zayra hung up her guitar and hit the dancefloor with her first single in years. After a few delays (and a defunct group or two) she came back and made me appreciate a whole new side to her.

18. Whip My Hair - Willow. Ok so the chorus is annoying after awhile, but you gotta admit it's catchy as hell. I'm excited to see and hear what this little girl does next.

17. Been A Bad Girl - Khia. Thug Misses! If you don't know by now, I have an obsession with Khia. She's tacky, nasty, dirty, trashy, and those are all the reason I love her so. I'll admit at first listen I thought this song was rather lackluster. But then I saw the stunning video (those eyelashes kill me), I was in lust. Hurry up w/ that new album already!

16. Indispensable - Lucero. Oh Lucero! How I've loved you so for so many years now. It's been eons since she's done a proper pop album (she's been stuck in ranchera land for years). She came back w/ a pop vengance. So glad she did. This song/video/image is so bad it's good! Did I mention there was an English version too!?!?

15. Freak - Estelle. I was sold from the moment I heard the Soul II Soul sample. What a f*cking awesome song! The video! That hair! Of course it flopped in the US. No rent-a-rapper like her sole hit, American Boy. When's the proper album coming? What a tease!

14. Acapella - Kelis. Kelis Kelis Kelis. How do I love you? Let me count the ways. Why some consider you a one-hit wonder in the US is beyond me. When this song first leaked I thought it was too good to be true. The David Guetta, Frédéric Riesterer produced single has a thumpin' dance beat and a hypnotic chorus. What's not to love?

13. Commander - Kelly Rowland. I declare this the gay song of 2010. I swear I heard it everywhere I went (don't judge me). The beat, the hilarious vogue off by the dualing Kellys (like you never did this drunk with your friends at the local gay bar?). I love it! Why is the most talented one in Destiny's Child taking so long to release an album? Come on Kelly, give us gays what we want already!

12. Call Me - Samantha vs. Sabrina. They should have called this Titty Wars. Whomever had the idea to pair (pun intended) these two, Samantha Fox and Sabrina Salerno, is a genius! Give him or her a nobel prize! The two sluttiest singers of the 80s take on the Blondie classic and do it justice.

11. Somethin' Sexy - Cassie Steele. This song seems to be a one off, as it is not featured on either of her pop/rock albums and is more like her current work in KaraMel. So why include this and not KaraMel? Because I can. Seriously check out this electro/pop ditty. And yes it's available on itunes. Apparently it was a special release for Valentine's Day 2010. Manny Santos never sounded so good.

10. Baila duro - María Daniela y su sonido lasser. Don't watch this video too long. You might have a seizure. Other than that, MDYSSL continue to churn out some of the funniest music in all of Mexico (Mike you need to invest in their entire discography).

9. Lovesick - Emily Osment. Miley put down the bong. You must have been stoned out of your mind to let your sidekick outdo you. Seriously this song is wicked hot! Plus the video totally reminds me of Spectra dolls from the 80s come to life!

8. Shampain - Marina & The Diamonds. I simply can not get enough of Marina! She is amazing! I love that this video is the 2nd coming of Transvision Vamp's Sister Moon. Check out her quirky alterna/pop for yourself.

7. You Lost Me - Christina Aguilera. While I loved the hot mess that was Not Myself Tonight, I gotta admit that Christina is best when her vocals shine (and aren't oversung). It's just a stunning song. Plain and simple.

6. Dancing On My Own - Robyn. How does she keep turning out these amazing singles? Give me some of what she's drinking. On a side note the other day my other half pointed out that I liked her before she broke (I use the term loosely) America again. I found this blog post I did about her back in 2006 on my now-defunct blog! See you should listen to me people! LOL!

5. Egoista - Belinda. While her private life seems to be overshadowing her music career these days, I could care less. She did it again w/ this single. Hot! Hot! Hot! Even if that troll Pitbull had something to do with this song. P.S. I like your nosejob Belinda.

4. Me, Myself & Time - Demi Lovato. Yes I have a soft spot for Demi Lovato. Sue me. This song is from her Disney Channel series Sonny With A Chance and it's amazing. Again don't judge me. While this little ditty probably wasn't heard by many (other than 12 year old girls and me), it's worth checking out. Seriously!

3. Ghost - Fefe Dobson. I friggin' love this song! Fefe Dobson really surprised me with her current offerings. Back in the day I really couldn't stand her. I've grown to love her so. This song is probably the main reason.

2. Terrified - Katharine McPhee ft. Zachary Levi. Whenever I hear this song, I get this happy warm feeling inside. It just makes me happy. I love the vocal delivery Katharine gives. Who knew Zachary Levi had such a nice voice (mind you this is pre Tangled). This album version features the song's co-writer Jason Reeves but it was later recorded w/ Zach. I'm so glad it was, because this version has quickly become one of my all-time faves. Sigh.

1. Push Push - Kat DeLuna ft. Akon. Why oh why did this song flop? I just don't understand. Kat's vocals are killer, the RedOne production is amazing, and Akon even didn't annoy me on this one. It had everything hit songs are made of. Yet again my poor Flop DeLuna (how I lovingly refer to her) has another ignored gem. The line "sweet boy, I just want to be your fantasy boy" just brings a smile to my face everytime I hear it. At least she's got Belgium.

best of 2010: albums

2011-02-03T13:18:00.000-08:00

I get the prize for being the latest huh? I'm even lazier than Mike! It's February 2011. Get over it. I present to you my favorite albums of 2010. A best of if you will. I'm no music expert, never claimed to be one. But while this blog focuses on forgotten pop stars of yesterday, I figure it's a perfect platform for me to talk about my current likes. Enjoy.

20. The Other Side - Nina Sky. So what if they're one hit wonders (2004's Move Ya Body). That never stopped me from liking anyone. I downloaded this EP for free (and legally) out of curiosity here. So glad I did! What a fresh collection! Part electro, part house, part R&B, and a whole lotta bangin'! Plus that wicked cover of The Cure's Love Song? Download this now! I can't wait to hear what these ladies do next.

19. Somos - Christopher Von Uckermann. While not the least talented vocalist to come from RBD (I think we can all agree that would be pretty boy Alfonso Herrera). Even though he's not a very good vocalist, I have to say he made one hell of a pop album. Who knew? It's probably up there w/ Anahí's Mi Delirio as the best post-RBD solo effort (I'm talking to you Dulce María and Christian Chávez). Check out Mundo Irreal

18. A Year Without Rain - Selena Gomez & The Scene. Disney's reigning pop princess must have taken note that us gays ate up her remix of Naturally (seriously who hasn't danced and sung along to this drunkenly at a gay bar/club?). So they did a whole dance album! Yay! Get the deluxe edition w/ the Spanish version of the A Year Without Rain. It alone is worth the price!

17. Baila Duro - María Daniela y su sonido lasser. Damn you are your EP! I wanted a full-length album but I've settled for this. Is settle the right word? I've grown to like this effort quite a bit since it came out in December. Sure the Baila Duro video can give you a seizure after watching it, but their sound gets me every time. It's like Jeans on crack! Their covers of No te aguanto más (originally by Spain's Objetivo Birmania) and Yo tenia un novio (originally by Rubio y los Casinos) are worth getting this alone!

16. Inside Out - Kat Deluna. Oh my poor Flop Deluna! Why are you being punished by the pop gods so? She released one of the best singles of 2010, Push Push (which I'll drool over in my best of 2010 singles list a little later). It flopped in the US of course. This album has been relegated to be released in Belgium and France only. Don't miss out on this talent. Buy the import! God knows when we'll see a US release (if ever). It's a great dance/pop effort.

15. Animal/Cannibal - Ke$ha. Ke$ha where have you been all my life??!?! She is trashy, bratty and I friggin' love her! She's like your favorite drunk bff! Boots & Boys is my favorite song on both editions. Hands down! Give me boots & boys indeed!

14. Dreamer - Soraya (Arnelas). Not to be confused w/ the late Colombian-American singer/songwriter Soraya, Soraya Arenlas is Spain's reigning queen of dance music. It says so on her website if you don't believe me! Check out her sassy collection of eurodance ditties! I've been enamoured of her ever since her twin albums of 80s covers! If there were any justice DJs in the US would begin spinning her.

13. Fight or Flight - Emily Osment. While Selena Gomez may be the reigning queen of Disney (sorry Miley), Emily Osment has outdone her w/ her trashy electropop debut! When I heard Hannah Montana's sidekick was releasing an album I was like "whatever". Boy was I surprised. Lovesick is such a hot song. It's better than anything Britney's done since Blackout. Are you done judging me? Good now listen to this album. It's hot!

12. Afortunadamente no eres tú - Paty Cantú. I thought Paty's former band was Lu, was in a word, lame. When she released her solo debut I thought it was more of the same (only she cut her hair). But when the first and title track came out, I was pleasantly surprised. It's a bright, cheery, pop album. Check out Goma de mascar, it's my absolute fave.

11. Fleshtone - Kelis. I love Kelis. Let me just start off by saying, I think she is one of the more interesting and original pop stars to come out in years. Looking like Amii Stewart reincarnated, girlfriend went dance on us with her latest release. And the results are glorious. When I heard the first single Acapella it was love at first listen. The same can be said for the entire album.

10. Aphrodite - Kylie. Dannii's older sister has done it yet again. Released a killer album. This album would have been higher on my list but I am mad at Ms. Minogue for 2 things. 1) not releasing the amazing Cupid Boy as a single (Better Than Today really???). 2) not including Chicago on her upcoming tour. Don't worry I still love ya! Not as much as Dannii, but pretty close.

9. Sale el sol - Shakira. Even though the first single, Loca, sounded like something Illegales did in 1995, that didn't stop me from giving this album a chance. I honestly didn't think she could top She Wolf. But she did. Love this album! It's like a new wave merengue party! Love Gordita w/ Calle 13, Addicted To You, Rabiosa and especially Devoción!

8. Joy - Fefe Dobson. I used to despise this chick. But she won me over with several singles from this album (I Want You, Watch Me Move and especially Ghost). A great pop/rock album. Welcome back.

7. Tiempo amarillo - Sasha Sökol. While I'll admit she's not the greatest singer, there is just something I love about her voice. Maybe it's the tone. Don't know. Sasha FINALLY released a new pop album. The first since 1996's 11:11. While a few of the singles (Dulce veneno, Luna de Paris) were very Paulio Rubio-ish, there are much better songs on this album. The mid tempo Eres tú, El pez, Luz azul and the exquisite Quiero repetirte. On a side note I got to see her live while I was in Mexico City last November. Sigh.

6. Nasty As I Wanna Be - Dirt Nasty. Simon Rex's rap alter ego is trashy, funny, witty, horny, and just plain hot! Boombox, Cougar, Suck My D*ck, Motel Room. I love this album! I think I may like them even more than his porn videos. LOL.

5. Unbroken - Katharine McPhee. While I don't watch American Idol, I do find myself becoming a fan of several contestants post show (Fantasia, Kimberley Locke). While I enjoyed a few songs from Kat's debut (Open Toes anyone?), it wasn't until her sophmore album that I can say I consider myself a fan. Upon first listen I wasn't all that impressed. I had high hopes because it was produced by John Alagía who produced one of my favorite albums, Wild Hope, by Mandy Moore. I gave it a few more listens, and found myself falling in love w/ this album. A great collection of adult pop. Love love songs like It's Not Right, How, Lifetime, Terrified (especially the rerecorded duet w/ Zachary Levi) and the bonus track How.

4. Bionic - Christina Aguilera. All hail Godtina! The harder Christina falls the more I root for her. What can I say, I'm a sucker for the underdog. So what if this album was a hot mess? Just get rid of Prima Donna, Sex for Breakfast and Lift Me Up, and replace them w/ the bonus tracks, you have one killer album! Why Little Dreamer, Bobblehead, Monday Morning, and Stronger Than Ever were made bonus tracks boggles my mind. Why weren't Vanity or Desnúdate singles? Why? Why? Why! This flop is right up there w/ Donna Summer's Mistaken Identity and Diana Ross's Workin' Overtime. In my book that's pretty high.

3. Body Talk - Robyn. Robyn released an album in 3 parts this year, and the combined result is one of my faves of 2010. I don't know what she's drinking, but I want some of it. Separately there are many standout tracks, and a few clunkers, but put them all together and it works. Lovekills, Dancing On My Own, Indestructable, Hang With Me, U Should Know Better. I could go on and on.

2. Carpe Diem - Belinda. I thought Utopia was a great pop album, but this one is even better. Egoista (even if Pitbull is involved) has to be one of the most adddictive pop songs to have come out in 2010 (even the English version). This album proves why she's the reigning princess of Mexican pop.

1. The Family Jewels - Marina & The Diamonds. I was first intrigued by this album because of the Interview-like art. I am glad I sought it out, because it's my fave album of 2010. Marina's quirky pop music is the best thing to happen to my ipod. My love grew when I saw her live last year at Lincoln Hall here in Chicago. She was great live. I want to see her every time she plays now (though I'll pass on her opening for Katy Perry). Are You Satisfied?, Obsessions, Oh No!, Numb, all amazing songs. How can I not love Shampain? The video was like an unintentional tribute to Transvision Vamp's Sister Moon video!

Strange Ké

2010-11-24T10:01:00.000-08:00

It's been forever since I've last updated. Shame on me I know. Today I wanted to write about one of my fave no-hit artists. I remember finding the promo CD single Strange World at a used cd store. I immediately loved it and found out that the singer Ké had just released an album. The album was titled I Am [ ] . Released in 1995, the single didn't fare well on the Billboard charts, it did however become a top 5 dance hit thanks to remixes by Junior Vasquez. It did however go on to become a huge European hit. It became the #1 single of 1996 in Italy. A second single came and went, Someday. Ké's real name is Kevin Grivois. He looked like a 90s Calvin Klein model and kinda sounded like a chick when he sang. But that was what made him so appealing. The album is probably one of my faves of the mid-90s. If you've never heard it, give it a try (come on it's only 1¢ on amazon used).

A follow up was released in Europe in 1998 entitled Shine. Two singles were released, You Don't Know Me and Believer. I am guessing a US release was planned and then shelved as I own an advance promo copy of it. What was w/ RCA shelving albums left and right in the late 90s (Danielle Brisebois, Wild Orchid, etc.)? A third album came and went in 2001 entitled Better Way of Living. Released on the indie label Schizo Music, it now goes for big bucks on eBay. Not much has been heard from Kevin since then.

Or so I thought. While writing for this piece I found a brilliant profile done back in 2008 where Ké/Kevin talks about everything from his failed big label music career, to being too gay for the mainstream America and the new found audience his single Strange World has found. Check it out here! You can also check out what he's doing now by visiting his myspace page. From what I can see he seems to be going by the monkier onetribe. Glad to see he's still doing his thing, as a talent like his needs to be heard.

I leave you with the video for Strange World...

and Someday...

Don't forget....

2010-04-05T13:16:00.000-07:00

Don't forget Milk Carton Pop Stars's favorite Stacey Q (we interviewed her last fall) has released her brand new album Color Me Cinnamon! It's available for purchase via Hydra Productions's official store or perfectbeat.com! Includes the singles Trip and Pandora's Box! Don't forget to visit Stacey Q Online as well!

L.A. Star

2010-03-22T08:32:00.001-07:00

I honestly don't remember L.A. Star from back in the day. Which shocks me, as I was and always have been all about female MC's. I became intrigued by her after seeing her daughter, Rece Steele, compete on VH1's 2008 reality competition Miss Rap Supreme. Not only did I find myself rooting for her daughter, but I couldn't help but remembering how excited judge MC Serch was when he found out who her mom was. It wasn't until last year that I was at a used CD store (remember those?) and found a copy of L.A. Star's lone album Poetess in a clearance bin did I take the plunge so to say. What I found was an album that I could not stop listening to.

What little info I could find was that her real name is Lisa Ali. Her one and only album was released on Profile Records in 1990 entitled Poetess. Produced by The Hollywood Impact, Little Louie Vega, Kirth Atkins and Michael 'Dr Shock' Thomas the album was a female's point of view of gangsta life. I had no luck finding any chart info on the album or its singles. From what I can tell there were two singles in the US, Fade to Black and Swing To The Beat. In the UK the single N.P.T. Posse was also released. Again no chart info can be found for any of these releases. Dear readers let me know of any info you might have to help fill in the blanks. As for what's become of Ms Star and why she quit the rap game, that's where I'm hoping you guys can be of help.

If I recall correctly, when her daughter was on Miss Rap Supreme she mentioned her mother being disalusioned with the music industry, thus resulting in her only releasing one album. Sad because she was a great MC.

I leave you with two videos I could find. The first the video for Fade To Black featuring a young Rece Steele:

Here is the video for Swing To The Beat:

You can also check out her daughter Rece Steele's myspace page.

She's Delicious!

2010-01-14T07:39:00.000-08:00

What better way to start 2010 than with an exclusive interview. Back in 2007 I featured one of my faves from the past, Pure Sugar here on the blog. After some digging around I was able to locate lead singer Jennifer Starr. Here goes...

10 QUESTIONS WITH MILK CARTON POP STARS

1. You are a hard woman to find! After some digging around I was finally able to track you down! You are now a photographer. Have you always been involved in photography or is this a newer form of expression for you?

Ha yes well...I go by Jenstarr now...but I still like to be called Jennifer too:) While I was doing music in Hollywood with various producers as a teenager, I also did hair and make-up for several photographers. After my record deal and the events that went down during and after the making of "Pure Sugar", I had to go into "survival mode". So I picked it up again (hair and make-up). The difference was, I really felt that I needed more, so I started shooting. My now fiance' Sean Bolger, is a wonderful photographer! He gave me a digital camera 6 years ago and pointed me in the right direction.

2. Tell our readers a little about you. Where are from? Is Jennifer Starr your real name?

I am from LA born and raised. My parents were artists and musicians. Due to my fast tracked and supercharged personality, I left home early on to pursue my dreams of dancing and singing. I worked as a dancer in several gay nightclubs and did hair out of my apartment in the Hollywood hills to make a living. It was a fun and free time, but it was the 80s..lol and I was a "disco dolly" so it was a rocky road for several years but I kept pushing and got a break with "Pure Sugar". My real name is Jennifer Storr, but my teachers growing up always read roll call wrong. They thought my last name was Starr....and I liked it, so it stuck. I am photographer now, I shoot fashion, music, and beauty.

Jenstarr in action behind the lens. (Photo by Erika Petty)

3. Correct me if I'm wrong but back in 1995 you appeared on the compilation 'Luminescence' with the track 'Hurting' Inside'. Was this your first recording?

This was my first released recording/remix of a track I wrote with a producer named John Wilmer. We wrote and recorded several song throughout the late 80's but that one he remixed and released on that compilation. Wow! You are good! :) (Found out this tidit thanks to discogs.com)

4. Let's take a trip back in time. I was working at a clothing store in college and I saw a tall woman wearing very little shoot lasers from her hands on the video screen backed by a sick dance beat and a booming voice. The song was called "Delicious" and a love affair w/ my ears began. How did you end up becoming the voice for Pure Sugar?

I was in a band called "The Zen Cowboys" in 1994, they had released an album called "Electric Mistress" (AMAZING ALBUM!!) and I was on stage singing at the Viper room one night freestyle and they were there gearing up for their US tour. They asked, actually demanded (LOL) me to join them on tour. So I did. It was the BEST experience ever! I sang with a girl then named Therase Willis, one of the best singers I have ever heard. She changed me on that tour. Really helped me find my live voice. So as I was touring with Zen Cowboys one night a band friend Pete Lorimer came to a show. I think it was House of Blues. Anyhow, he asked me to join Pure Sugar soon after that. So as the Cowboys tour was winding down, I went into the studio with Pete and Richard Vision and started working on "Pure Sugar".

5. "Very Cherry" would make a great drag queen name wouldn't you say? I honestly believe the Pure Sugar album is one of THE best dance albums ever recorded. In fact I still listen to it on a regular basis all these years later. I think it was mainly due to its exploration of different dance sounds. Looking back on that album what are your thoughts about it now?

I think it's a GREAT drag name! LOL. One of my best friends in the whole wide world wrote that track, Jim Harry. He has 2 Grammy nominations this year for P!nk's album. Well, to go into all of my thoughts on this album would be long. I have not listened to the album completely through in over a decade. In all of the good that I experienced in the process of that project, there was a lot which was extremely painful having to due with creative differences, industry politics, and the way I was handled as an artist by certain people around me. I mean the "Delicious" video budget was around two dollars. LOL. I LOVE the song "Delicious" and several of the tracks on the record. You are right. It was very diverse, and that was a realy strong point to the album I believe. A year ago, A close friend of mine, Tryan, was driving home from dinner and played a song I wrote "Broken" and it was surreal because I wrote that song out of so much pain that I was going through...and hearing that song was bitter/sweet. But mostly happy to hear it and felt like "wow, I should listen to my album sometime". LOL.

6. Was there ever a follow up planned to Pure Sugar's debut? Have you recorded anything since Pure Sugar?

There would have been...we had a #1 in Japan and we did scale the charts with 3 songs off the album as well. We also won "Best Dance Group in the World" at the Winter Music Dance Conference and back in 1998, that was the equivilent to a "Grammy's Dance Catagory" as they did not have one up until 1999. And there was a strong fan base that I felt "got it and loved it" and understood what I was trying to do. Because of the struggle I was going through as a "recording artist" having a vision and not being able to fully see it through, I had fallen sick in the midst of making the album and touring which created a huge issue with needing to get well. YES I play around with music and sing all the time for fun. I love looking at who is out there now, and what makes them special. But now, I see these musicians and I want to photography them in a way they will never be shot again. I understand a part of them and what they are doing and going through.

7. How does music play into your life these days? Please tell me you are still singing. That voice NEEDS to be heard again!

You are very sweet. I love shooting and I shoot to all kinds of great music. My house is filled with music at all times, and for me, it will always be my first and greatest love. I can't say I would ever do it as a profession again. The politics of the industry are bizarre. It's no wonder artists like Britney Spears have those "shave your head" moments. The rules make no sense, and it's hard to be ones self in trying to please the business side of things. So you end up taking various paths you did not ever imagine yourself taking just to stay in the game and in that process you can crash hard internally. It would have killed me eventually even if I am speaking metaphorically. LOL, no lie. My art is something I must feel I am in control and sync with. Every time I shoot, I am free of all boundaries and limits and all that matters is the art and the relationship I am having with it from beginning to end.

8. Everyone wants to know how that big black woman's voice got inside your tiny body. Who did Jennifer Starr listen to growing up?

Well that's a compliment. Thank you. I listened to a lot of jazz and classical growing up. My father was into this "beat nick" style of listening to music and it influenced me. I am grateful he played those artists in our home. It was a great education. But as a kid, I loved Donna Summer and Debbie Harry, Dale Bozio from Missing Persons, and Martha Wash, Chaka Kahn, Mary J Blige, Prince..so many!

9. Going back to your current profession. How does music play a part in your photography? Have you ever sung to your subjects?

LOL. Well, I listen to a lot while shooting and I love french 60's Jazz, classical, old school house (Black box), 80's new wave, Runaways, Prince, Funkadelic, Michael Jackson, 60's Joplin, Hendrix, Beatles, Beyoncé, early Madonna. The list goes on and on. No I don't sing to my subjects. But a few of them sing for me. I like to get my subjects so comfortable they feel they can do anything. :)

Current photo of Jennstar. (Photo by Sean Bolger)

10. Thanks again for taking time out to do this interview. Is there anything you'd like to tell your fans and our readers?

Thank you. Yes, I would like to thank "Pure sugar" fans for enjoying my work in Pure Sugar. It has always been my mission to inspire in any and all ways that I can. Life is a gift, treat yourselves good and enjoy the fruits of your work and endeavors and don't ever stop believing in yourself! I love you so very much....I really do.

I'd like to thank the lovely JenStarr for taking the time to answer my questions. She was a delight! Please make sure you check out her amazing work at her official website @ www.jenstarrphoto.com.

Favorite Albums of 2009

2009-12-30T16:43:00.000-08:00

2009 was a great year for music in my opinion. So I decided to choose 30 of my favorite albums of the year. Usually I have a hard enough time picking 10 albums let alone 30. Let's go...

30. Amanda Leigh - Mandy Moore

Moore's 2007 release Wild Hope is quickly becoming one of my favorite albums of this decade. To say my expectations were high for her follow up, would be an understatement. That's not to say this album isn't good, there are just a few snoozers that left me wanting more. Standout tracks for me include the lead single I Could Break Your Heart Any Day Of The Week, Fern Dell, Pocket Philosopher and Nothing Everything.

29. Bestia - Hello Seahorse!

Mexico City's Hello Seashore! came to my attention when they were a free download on itunes this year. I liked what I heard and decided to check them out. It's not something I'd listen to everyday, but I really did enjoy the album's ethereal sounds and enjoyed them when I saw them play not too long ago.

28. Recuerdos y Tequila - Elan

Singer/songwriter Elan is one of my favorite artists that I've discovered in the last 10 years. So much that I'd say her album Street Child is my favorite album of the decade. However when I heard she'd finally took the plunge and recorded in her native Spanish, I didn't know what to expect. While she doesn't have the same umph as she does in English (her voice kinda loses it's scratchiness that I love so much), this is still a nice collection of covers. It's a very mellow collection of some well known songs. It'll tide me over until her next English language release.

27. Bendito entre las mujeres - Vallín

Maná guitarist Sergio Vallín created a wonderful concept album this year for his first ever solo effort. There were some great results, especially considering some of my faves are featured (Ely Guerra, María José, Janette Chao, Natalia Jiménez, etc).

26. Fortress Round My Heart - Ida Maria

Originally released in 2008 in Europe, Norway's Ida Maria's debut got a stateside release in 2009. Thank GOD it did. I love her frenetic vocals and her upbeat music.

25. Wild Young Hearts - Noisettes

The UK's Noisettes have a great sound and their latest release did not disappoint. Part soul, rock, disco, and everything in between, they have a sound that can't be ignored. They always put a smile on my face :)

24. Reality Killed The Video Star - Robbie Williams

Produced by Trevor Horn, this album saw Williams play w/ several different sounds. This could be a recipe for disaster, but as a fan I was very happy with his latest effort. I could listen toYou Know Me on repeat for days :)

23. Viva - Bananarama

The 'Nanas have found a sound that works for them, dance music, and released a fagtastic dance album that would force Madonna to trade in her last facelift for an album this good. They even did a cover of iiO's 2001 hit Rapture and managed not to destroy it. Check out Tell Me Tomorrow, Dum Dum Boy and Love Comes.

22. Sr. Kubrick ¿qué haría usted? - La Prohibida

Spain's fiercest drag queen finally released a follow up to Flash. Dabbling in synth, high energy and everything electro in between, check out this album to see what you've been missing out on. My personal fave is the high energy throwback Yo en Saturno, tú en Aranjuez.

21. Cuculand - CuCu Diamantes
Former Yerba Buena frontwoman released one of the sickest albums of 2009. I mean that in the best way possible. A glamorous mix of funk, traditional cuban rhythms and a wardrobe that Lady GaGa would kill for, CuCu is sexy, bold and finger waving fierce!

20. The E.N.D. - Black Eyed Peas
Love them or hate them, you gotta admit the Black Eyed Peas have really proved their staying power as one of the little groups that could during the 2000s. Who thought that after a politically charged under the radar hip hop band added a former girl group never been (might I add that Wild Orchid is one of my fave bands EVER) would be one of the biggest chart toppers today? While I could do without ever hearing I Gotta Feeling ever again in my life, the BEP made the ultimate party album of 2009. Hip hop has never sounded this dancey in years. Songs like Rock That Body, Meet Me Halfway, Simple Little Medley, Boom Boom Pow are the best proof.

19. Come to Life - Natalie Imbruglia
Definitely one of my favorite 90s relics, imo Natalie Imbruglia released her best album since 2002's White Lilies Island. The rock/pop jam My God, the dance floor ready Want, to my personal fave WYUT.

18. Dulce Tentación - Fey
Fey's early offerings made my ears bleed. I couldn't stand this woman until she released 2002's Vértigo. A dark and brilliant electro album. While never able to match the artistic high that was that album, she's finally released an album that's a step in the right direction. While many argue this album is pretty much a Kylie Minogue knock-off, I'm okay with that. Cicatrices is a total Two Hearts knock off if you're looking for further proof. Also of note are the songs Próvocame, Lentamente, and Dolerá and Sirena de cristal which could have been on Vértigo. Here's hoping the long not released English version, Sweet Temptation finally gets an official release.

17. She Wolf - Shakira
Shakira drenched herself in electro for her latest release. Glad she did because some of my fave songs prove that her new sound is working. Check out Men In This Town, Did It Again, She Wolf, Why Wait, or Mon Amour. If only she could go back to being a brunette, all would be well.

16. Gaetana - Giusy Ferreri
The Spanish version of Italy's Giusy Ferreri's latest fell into my hands unexpectedly and boy am I glad it did. I love her husky almost Amy Whinehouse like voice and her killer sound! I need more!

15. La descarada Vol. 2 - Amandititita
The best thing to come along on the Mexican music scene in years is back with a new album! Finally! Her satirical and humorous lyrics are sometimes wasted on those who take everything she does and says literally. Too bad because they're missing out on some of the funnest and smartest music to poke fun at Mexico in years! The blasting of Mexico's white washed soaps, La güera Televisa is brilliant! Also check out the hilarious ode to drunken husbands A chinga te vas.

14. Amante de lo ajeno - María José
While I hated the fact that she followed up her brilliant debut w/ a covers album...I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. By choosing (for the most part) non-obvious songs (they were all hits just not the covered to death ones we're used to in the Spanish speaking music); she brought some new life to some forgotten faves. Her covers of Fiordaliso (Sóla no, yo no sé estar), Crystal (No me pregunten por él) and Lucía Méndez (Mi amor amor) are amongst my faves. Her cover of Melissa's No soy una señora has become a huge hit in Mexico and is slowly doing the same here in the US Latin market! This Katy Perry-esque first single had to grow on me, but boy has it! Here's to her next album, which I hope is of original material. If you haven't check out her overlooked 2007 self-titled debut.

13. Mi delirio - Anahí
If you would have told me that Anahí, yes the same Anahí that used to annoy the shit out of me as 1/6 of RBD, would release one of my favorite albums of the year I would have told you that you were on crack! Well I hope you're enjoying your crack. While a flop artist w/ her previous solo efforts (save for the campy teen pop "hit" Corazón de bombon), her material has always been dull and uninspiring. Fast foward to this year when she teamed up w/ Mexican electro hipsters Kinky. What an odd pair. But one that I'm grateful for. Their collaborations, the Gloria Trevi penned Me hipnotizas, a cover of Él me mintió (ok let's admit NO ONE will ever top Amanda Miguel's version...but she gets an E for effort) and the Juan Gabriel sampling Hasta que me conociste were the standouts.

12. In Love & War - Amerie
Often called a poor man's Beyoncé, I think Amerie is proving that she is a force to be reckoned with. After the fabulous Because I Love It came and went, I was ecstatic for this new release. She did not disappoint. The thing I love about Amerie's latest offering is the rich almost live sound to it. It's not typical over produced flavor of the month crap. We need more R&B acts like her.

11. The 1995 Sessions - Dannii Minogue
So we didn't get gay marriage in CA, but hey we got the next gayest thing: a lost release from the prettiest, most talented Minogue out there. Ok so this isn't a "new" album. Even w/ 14 year old tracks Dannii still does it better! Remember that Kylie fans.

10. Pop Art - MPHO
From the stark contrast of the black and white portrait of MPHO to the hot pink background, that's exactly what this album sounds like. There is a mix of sounds and textures that made this album one of my instant faves. Standouts include the first single Box N Locks, which heavily sampled Martha & The Muffin's Echo Beach, the SWV sounding Morning After, Hips Go Pop, the motown meets 2000s All Change, and the disco tinged Paranoid Type.

9. Ultraviolet - Kid Sister
Could this be a long lost Fannypack album? I think so. Enough said.

8. Bones Of My Bones- Ebony Bones
Freaky, funky and fun. I absolutely loved this album. Her sound is all over the place just like the patterns of fabric she uses to make her outfits. I love this album!

7. Hombre invisible- Ely Guerra
To say Ely Guerra is one of my favorite voices ever is an understatement. If you ever get a chance, go see this woman live. She's just that intense. I digress. It seems like forever since Sweet & Sour, Hot y Spicy. Ely likes to take her time in creating music. There's an obvious reason. This album showcases her melodic, at times chaotic voice, and her amazing musical abilities.

6. Music For Men- Gossip
Beth Ditto is the baddest chick in music. She wails like no one and this collaboration with super producer Rick Rubin didn't take away from the Gossip's indie sound. In fact I think it only helped. He added another layer to their multi-textured sound. This album just makes you want to get up and dance!
5. Metamorfosis- Vega
Spanish singer-songwriter Vega ditched her Lilith-like sound/look of her previous albums and went for straight up Britpop sound for her 2009 release. There is a happy, poppy feel throughout. An almost 60s sound, right down to the cover. Check out Lolita, Mejor mañana, Cuanta decepción, Dentro, and Mágico. Aside from Chenoa, she is the best thing to ever come out of Operación Triunfo.

4. Absolutamente- Fangoria
To love one Fangoria release is to love them all. Some might argue that their hasn't really evolved much over the years. I beg to differ. They've played nice w/ some non-dance elements and the results are wicked. Produced by Tony James and Neal X of Sigue Sigue Sputnik, the dark dance of past albums are here as well as some new elements that made this album a definite grower for me. My personal faves are Más es más, Las Walpurgis te van a llamar, Lo poquito agrada y lo mucho enfada, Perdiendo los papeles otra vez, the title track, Con los angeles, Amanecer dorado and Ensayo para una despedida. Also check out the recent release w/ new versions! Alaska and Nacho can do no wrong to my ears!

3. How To Be A Lady Vol. 1 - Electrik Red
Why oh why this album flopped is beyond my comprehension. Quite possibly the best urban album of 2009. While none of the gals are anything special vocally, it's their sass and attitude that more than make up for it. Ever since i heard the trashy Drink In My Cup last year I've been anxiously awaiting this album to come out. The Dream and Tricky outdid themselves on production. I still can't believe so many people slept on this release. Hot hot hot hot sounds that your ears have been missing out on. Check out Friend Lover, So Good (I prefer the original non Lil' Wayne version thank you very much), Drink In My Cup, P is for Power, W.F.Y. (We F*ck You), and Kill Bill. Rumor has it the ladies are working on a new release already. Thank god!

2. Here We Go Again - Demi Lovato
I honestly listened to this album more than any on this list this year. Why wouldn't I? Go ahead and write Miss Lovato off as another Disney tart, but if you did then you'd miss out on one of the best pop/rock albums of the year. Yeah I'm standing by that. My inner 12 year old girl might have been lured in by Demi, but it's my almost 33 year old self that can't stop listening. She's got a nice set of pipes on her too. I honestly can say there is only 1 song on this album I did not like. And it was one of the bonus tracks, Gift Of A Friend (I'm assuming it's something Disney related). For the rest of the album, there are some great pop/rock offerings (World Of Chances, Catch Me, Stop The World, Falling Over Me), some harder rock songs (Got Dynamite, Remember September) and even the catchy theme song to her Disney Channel show Sonny With A Chance (So Far So Great). Here's hoping for a long career, I'd love to hear what this gal will be doing 10 years from now.

1. I Love You - Amanda Blank
Anyone who dares to cover Vanity 6 and not f*ck it up (Make-Up) is more than ok in my book. A mash up of electro dirty beats, hip hop, pop and rock & roll attitude made Amanda Blank's debut my favorite album of the year. The coolest white chick rapper since Betty Boo, she's one to keep an eye on. My favorites were DJ, Make It Take It, Might Like You Better (which samples the infamous lines of Romeo Void), Shame On Me, and Gimme What You Got. The Philly MC could very well fill the void that Avenue D left in my musical world when they broke up. To quote Martha Stewart, It's a good thing. Very good indeed.

Favorite Singles of 2009

2009-12-25T14:13:00.000-08:00

Even though we tend to talk about missing pop stars usually, I am going to take advantage of this space and start posting my thoughts on other things when opportunity allows. I wanted to share w/ you my favorite 25 singles of 2009. Starting w/ #25...

25. Bad Romance - Lady CaCa

Even though I can't stand Lady CaCa, I can officially say I like 2 songs by her now (the other being Poker Face). Bitch can write a catchy song.

24. Now I'm That Bitch - Livvi Franc

Barbados gave us something other than that hammerhead shark (aka Rihanna). Thank god! This song was and still is hot w/ it's piss off attitude.

23. Home - La Toya Jackson

The mere fact that Toy had a "new" single in 2009 is reason enough to have her own list. But the reality is its from the still never released Startin' Over (us Toy Soldiers have been waiting since 2006 for that shit to come out) earns it a lower spot on my list. A loving ode to her now gone brother Michael, the song really is a beautiful pop gem.

22. Day 'n' Night - Kid Cudi vs Crookers

I heard this one day on the radio when I was visiting home. I thought, wow a dance song on the radio. Turns out it was a remix. The original is pretty run of the mill, but this remix really polished a big turd. Kudos!

21. Shoes - Tiga

Not to be confused w/ this classic Shoes by Kelly. Tiga released this hot ditty earlier in the year and continued to dazzle us w/ his electro pop jams.

20. Lentamente/Let Me Show You - Fey

Fey came back in a big way in 2009. Though some may call her latest endeavors Kylie-light, it beats her atrocious last album Faltan Lunas by light years! Released in both Spanish and English, it's trashy and classy in either.

19. When Love Takes Over - David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland

I'm usually not one for these douchey DJs, but Mr. Guetta finally showed everyone else what we Beyoncé haters have known for years. Ms. Rowland is the real deal! She needs to just record an entire dance album and call it a day!

18. Trip - Stacey Q

Milk Carton fave Stacey Q released her long awaited single (by us die hard fans at least) in 2009. It did not disappoint! Vintage Q meets the new millennium.

17. She Wolf - Shakira

After that horrid Hips Don't Lie collaboration; I was really wary of whether or not Shakes could make up for it. She more than did. A song that features howling over a funky electro beat; and to top it off she dances inside a giant glittery vagina in the video! What's not to love?

16. Body Language - Heidi Montag

While everyone loves Lauren and her mustache on the Hills, I've always been rooting for bleached blonde bimbo Heidi. All Lauren did was launch a crappy clothing line that couldn't even sell at the discount bin at Wal-Mart. Heidi upped the pop trash bar w/ this Yaz sampling dancefloor ditty.

15. Dance Bailalo - Kat DeLuna

Oh Flop DeLuna. Will you ever have a hit? Honestly I could care less, but how this Sergio Mendes sampling song didn't blow still remains a mystery to me. At least she wised up and milked the gays for all their worth (hello Club Papi tour anyone?). I truly think she has a great voice and am anxiously awaiting her new album. Seriously.

14. Sexy People - Lolene

This is what trashy pop music is all about. A barely there voice; hypnotic beats; and a video that has lasers shooting into her cooter! Touchdown! I need more!

13. Why R U - Amerie

The first single from Amerie's In Love & War, this song proved to me that Amerie can do no wrong! With a rich sound and a yearning vocal delivery, it was only a sign of what was to come from her this year.

12. Do It Again - Fire & Reason

NYC's Fire & Reason haven't even released their latest EP yet; but if this song is any indication of what's to come. I'll be in heaven. I kick myself for not going to see them when they came to Chicago. Check out their electro rock funk for yourself.

11. No soy una señora - María José

María José's 2007 was one of the most overlooked pop albums of recent times. When I heard she was going the covers route for her sophmore release, I cringed in agony. Well I was in for quite a surprise when I heard her cover of Venezuela's Melissa and her 80s hit No soy una señora. While it's an obvious Katy Perry rip off, it's definitely a grower.

10. Took The Night - Chelley

The tranny anthem of 2009 is infectious, silly and just plain hot! If you don't believe me just check out all the vogue battles on youtube to this song! I think my favorite part of this song is the booming almost vibrating beat. I don't know what's cheaper, the video or the single cover.

9. I Want You - Fefe Dobson

If you would have told me in 2009 that I would like a Fefe Dobson song I would have said you're on crack. Well I stumbled upon this flop on my cable's "On Demand" feature and have been hooked ever since. With it's simple yet catchy lyrics and rocking guitars, it's a shame this infectious track hasn't been the mega hit it should be.

8. Ya terminé (Electro-Pop Version) - Patricia Manterola

Always overshadowed by Thalía and Paulina Rubio (why I'll never understand she's just as slutty and way prettier than both of them); Paty came back with a song that puts both of their snoozefests (aka their latest albums) to shame. Originally released as a pop/cumbia song, Paty wised up and recorded a faggy dance version. THANK GOD!

7. Más es más - Fangoria

Produced by Tony James and Neal X of Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Fangoria delivered another trashy dark dance anthem only the way they can. I don't know what else to say. Alaska is my goddess. Enough said.

6. Here We Go Again - Demi Lovato

When Demi Lovato's debut single Get Back became my guilty pleasure, I figured I'd give her sophmore effort a chance as well. I kid you not when I say I listened to this song probably more than any other song on this list. I just love this song. I know sometimes I have the musical taste of a 12 year old girl. I'm ok with that.

5. Mi delirio - Anahí

I always found Anahí to be the most annoying of the RBD bunch. She has a barely there voice; her horse teeth bothered me as did her orange tan. But when I saw her perform this song on this year's Premios Juventud, I was in gay heaven! What a great slice of electro pop. To top it off it was produced by Mexican electro hipsters Kinky! What's not to love! It only took her several flop albums and a stint in RBD to finally win me over.

4. I Could Break Your Heart Any Day Of The Week - Mandy Moore

Mandy Moore's last album Wild Hope is one of my favorite albums of this decade without a doubt. While I thought the follow up was a tad boring, it's lead single was pure pop perfection. How many p's was that? What a fun upeat song that's perfect to sing along to at the top of your lungs!

3. H.A.T.E.U. (Remix) - Mariah Carey feat. OJ Da Juice Man, Gucci Mane & Big Boi

Two things I don't like in one remix. Rent a rappers and Mooriah Carey. But I would like to personally thank the genious that mashed Ghost Town DJ's hit My Boo with one of Mooriah's turds from her last clunker of an album. HOLY SH*T is this hot! HOT! HOT! HOT!

2. Million Dollar Bill - Whitney Houston

Whitney came back in a huge way this year. What with a #1 album, the Oprah interview that nobody missed. While the first single from her comeback was a snoozer, it was this fierce song that won me over. Even though Alicia Keys and her hairy chest were involved still couldn't keep me away! This is by far her best single since the trash classic that was My Name Is Not Susan. Welcome back Nippy!

1. Tardy For The Party - Kim Zolciak

Kim and her pile of wig released what has to be the trashiest, campiest song of 2009. Horrid lyrics (third glass of wine by 9...girlfriend is speaking my language), a cover that looks like it was done in Paint via Windows 95. What's not to love? Let's all rejoice in the year's trashiest musical moment. ¡Viva Kim!

RIP Brittany Murphy

2009-12-21T07:57:00.000-08:00

She will truly be missed.

Freestyle Paradise

2009-12-18T10:24:00.000-08:00

I love Freestyle music with all my heart. It's one of the trashiest, cheesiest genres ever to exist in the history of music. With that said some of the artists of said genre are exactly the kind we love here at Milk Carton Pop Stars. Case in point the ladies of Laissez Faire. After the original line-up fell through, Metropolitan Records (home to April, Lil' Suzy and Giggles to name a few) sought out a new line-up for it's girl group. If Exposé were the top of the girl group totem pole, then Laissez Faire, well they were like the dirt the totem pole was impaled on. But that's why we love them so.

Jennifer (Castle), Marlo and Gina would make the final cut. Their debut album Hands Off was produced by Joey Gold (who just 2 years previous had a freestyle single out called Devil In My Heart) and was a freestyle dream come true. Cheesy beats, huge hair and nasal vocals. What more could you ask for? The album's lone mainstream "hit" was the single In Paradise. While deemed a freestyle classic by many, it only managed to peak at #65 in February of 1992. Subsequent singles also faired well in club land but failed to light the Billboard Hot 100 on fire (To Be In Your Arms, Round & Round, Swept Away).

After their debut album came and went not much has been heard from the ladies. They did some reunion shows in 2000 at a few Freestyle reunion shows. I haven't been able to find much info on the ladies. Lead singer Jennifer Castle went on to be model and dance professionally. In 2004 she started her own business Exquisite Entertainment, Inc. which provides entertainment for special events. Little has been heard from Marlo. Gina went on to record under the name Ariel, including a trance version of the Bee Gees's song Woman In Love in 2000. Readers can you help us out?

In the meantime I leave you with their glorious low budget epic In Paradise. Awhile back my dearest Grant referred to it as a "1-900 ad for tranny hookers". Enjoy the hair! The moves! The guido love interest! It's like a lost episode of Jersey Shore!

In Paradise @ Yahoo! Video

Mario Vazquez

2009-12-16T15:42:00.000-08:00

I really don't care too much about American Idol or any of it's contestants (well except for Fantasia...and I have a soft spot for Kimberley Locke and Katharine McPhee...oh and don't get me started on my lust for Chris Daughtry...I digress). I honestly don't even watch the show. Yet I was always intrigued by former contestant Mario Vazquez. Born Mario Adrián Vázquez on June 15, 1977. He hails from the Bronx, New York. He was a front runner for fourth season of American Idol (which would later be won by Carrie Underwood). He mysteriously dropped out early on in the competition. Guess he thought he didn't need the AI machine to make it, huh? Girl think again! He claimed his early departure was due to personal issues. Many speculated he didn't want to be tied down to 19 Entertainment, AI's co-producers. After hiring the same lawyer who got Clay Aiken out of his contract, he wound up signing with Arista Records (the same label that wound up releasing Underwood's winning album). Released September 26, 2006, Mario's self-titled debut album made a brief appearance on the Billboard charts. It peaked at #80 and sold a paltry 23, 116 copies (source). The album's first single entitled Gallery faired a little better peaking at #35 on the Billboard Hot 100. A subsequent single, One Shot, failed to chart. It seems Mario couldn't do much without the AI machine after all. While he has a nice voice (my better half calls him a JC Chasez clone) and worked w/ some hip producers of the moment, it wasn't enough to make his album the hit it could have been.

But this wasn't the last we heard from Mario. Scandal followed in 2007 when the Advocate and sites such as TMZ ran stories that a gay scandal had brewed behind the scenes on, well, the gayest program on American television! All scandal aside his music career was pretty dried up at this point. He did however deny rumors that he is gay in an interview w/ arjanwrites.com he is quoted:

I'm not gay. But I want people to know I'm very tolerant of [gays]. I grew up with gay people. Growing up in New York City and growing up in the world of arts, it is something that’s there and I don’t even have a second thought about it.

Something tells me he's gayer than me and Mike over at Pop Trash Addicts put together. But that's just my opinion.

In 2008 he did team up with Sharam and sang guest vocals on the dance track Get Wild:

While his myspace hasn't been updated since 2007, I'm sure this isn't the last we've heard of Miss Mario. I leave you with her video for Gallery:

Stacey Q

2009-08-29T11:17:00.000-07:00

We have an exclusive interview for all our readers today! STACEY Q! Stacey Q is a long time fave of many of our collaborators here at Milk Carton Pop Stars. She has just released her new single Trip from her forthcoming album Color Me Cinnamon. It is with great pleasure that we bring to you our very first phone interview. I apologize for the sound, as it was our first time doing this, we had a few technical difficulties and had to put Miss Q on speakerphone. How many times can I say the word "awesome"? Find out for yourself! Transcript to come shortly! Thanks again to our dear friend Shawn (1/2 of Hydra Productions) for setting this up and for Stacey for being a total doll! Don't forget to order your Trip single at perfectbeat.com and to checkout Stacey's fabulous site @ staceyqonline.com! Tell 'em Milk Carton Popstars sent ya!

Stacey Q Interview
Uploaded by bomitoni. - Explore more music videos.

Kevin Paige

2009-08-12T07:33:00.000-07:00

Another post?? Yes! Another male pop singer?? Why yes! Today we bring you late 80s/early 90s pop singer Kevin Paige. Born October 10, 1966 in Memphis, TN. According to All Music Guide I was able to find the following info about his beginnings:

The youngest of nine children, his father was a radio singer for NBC during the 1940s. After earning consecutive All-State drummer honors in high school, Paige gigged with a number of local bands, includingthe Press, Xavion, and Finger Print before mounting a solo career and signing to Chrysalis in 1989 to release his self-titled debut LP

Kevin's debut single was Don't Shut Me Out. With it's mix of dance, pop, r&b, funk, etc. it was destined to be a hit. It was. It peaked at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the fall of 1989.

The 2nd single was Anything I Want and was just as eclectic as his debut. By spring of 1990 Kevin scored his second Top 40 hit with the song peaking at #29. For whatever reason a third single never saw the light of day. If it did I certainly don't remember it. What little info I could find only mentioned these two singles. The success of these two singles was enough for this self-titled debut album (did I mention he wrote, produced and arranged it?) to peak at #107 on the Billboard 200. Apparently he also opened for Deborah 'Debbbie' Gibson back in the day. On a side note, I saw both the Out Of the Blue and Electric Youth tour and I don't ever remember him opening for her. Milwaukee (my hometown) must have gotten jipped!

So after making a sizable dent on the charts, you'd think a follow-up was inevitable. So the google search began. What do you know.

WE FOUND HIM!

Turns out he's still performing. He and his wife, Bethany Paige, perform every Friday & Saturday at Alfred's On Beale in Memphis! So what has Mr. Paige been doing w/ himself all these years? Turns out he's been writing songs for other acts (i.e. Martina McBride) as well as releasing several Christian albums. The duo has released their latest Dangerous Kind which can be purchased via the duo's official website. Who knew?

Let's take a trip back in time and revisit Kevin's two top 40 hits. First up Don't Shut Me Out:

Anything I Want...

North, South, East, Wes?

2009-07-09T10:27:00.000-07:00

The early 90s were flooded by throwaway popstars. Many were brought to us by Maurice Starr (the man behind 80s boy bands New Edition and New Kids On The Block). Today's missing pop star is Rick Wes. I honestly don't remember too much about this guy other than that he was in all the teen mags around the time of his debut. He was part of the whole New Kids circle of acts (Perfect Gentlemen, Tommy Page, etc.). I don't even know if his real name is Rick. That's besides the point. His debut album (cleverly titled) North, South, East and Wes was released in 1990 on Columbia Records. The album's first single North, South, East and West failed to chart according to Billboard.com (as did his further releases). A second single Don'tchu Wanna Rock came and went as well. The album was named the worst album of 1990 by Entertainment Weekly. Ouch!

This record — sung by a teenage Elvis clone — may well be the shallowest album ever made. What's most amazing, though, is that it was produced by Maurice Starr, inventor of New Kids on the Block, who, if nothing else, is a seasoned pro. Nearly as astounding is that the record's opening track is quite literally a commercial, a hype-filled promotion for the hapless music that follows.

A follow up, Possession, followed in 1991. Released on then new label Hollywood Records, it quickly found its way to the cut-out bins of record stores across America despite the hunky album cover. Don't you miss cut-out bins?

(l-r: debut CD, North, South, East & West single cover, Don'tchu Wanna Rock promo single, Possesion CD)

So where is Rick now? No one seems to know. Any idea readers? In the meantime I leave you with the glory that was North, South, East & West...

North, South, East, West @ Yahoo! Video

But it gets better. Check out the video for Don'tchu Wanna Rock. What fine acting!

Don't You Wanna Rock @ Yahoo! Video

Updates coming soon!

2009-07-09T09:52:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've been M.I.A. for so long. Am updating the blog. Changed the template, as the old one hurt my eyes after looking at it for too long. LOL. So I can just imagine how it felt for my readers. The links are missing but I'll be re-adding them VERY soon! If you have any suggestions you can always email me at milkcartonpopstars@gmail.com. Expect some new posts VERY SOON! In the meantime I leave you w/ this newly unearthed video from one of our faves here at Milk Carton Pop Stars, Ana. Here is the video for the Deborah Gibson penned & produced song Everytime We Say Goodbye which was only released as a single in Japan!

Ricca

2008-12-22T09:01:00.000-08:00

The theme for my most recent posts seem to be flop acts. This next group is a CD I've seen in used cd stores for years and never got around to buying. Finally the last time I saw it I said what hell and plucked down a $1 for it. The name of group was Ricca and they released their self-titled debut on Epic Records in 1994. I honestly don't remember this group being around, which is shocking because I was all about girl groups back in the day. It would make sense because by the mid 90s the wave of popularity many girl groups enjoyed only a few years before was pretty much over. Unlike the majority of Latina girl groups that came before them (Sweet Sensation, The Cover Girls, etc.) their album was heavily R&B and not dance/pop like one would expect (not to say they weren't some dancier tracks included but they tend to lean more towards new jack swing). The album pretty much came and went, not charting on any Billboard charts. Two singles were released and from what info I could find they didn't chart as well. They included Any Love and Such A Rush. Like I said the album is very mid 90s R&B sounding with some tracks even leaning towards New Jack Swing. It's a shame as the album was good, with catchy hooks and slick production.

(L-R: Ricca CD; Such a Rush 12"; Any Love CD single)

The group was comprised of Natalie Soltren, Elisa Soltren and Teresa Rodrigues. While searching on info as to what happened to the ladies of Ricca, I pretty much came empty handed. That is until I was able to find some info on member Teresa. Teresa if the voice of BabyBaby, a website that creates custom lullabies. According to her bio after Ricca disbanded she went on to sing backup for the likes of DLG and Joe McIntyre. She currently is a member of the Connecticut based band Pandemonium. You can check out their myspace page or their official website. As for the remaining 2 ladies, whom I am guessing are sisters, not much is known about them. So if any of you know what's become of the gals of Ricca please let us know!

Def Dames

2008-12-22T08:08:00.000-08:00

To make up for lack of posts lately I'm trying to do several today. Up next is another group I didn't discover until recently. The neon pink and green of Def Dames's album cover 2-4 The Bass literally screamed at me while I was at a music store not too long ago (they are a dying breed so I try and support them when I can). The cheap price and the even cheaper cover was all it took to purchase the album. The release is from 1989 on the indie label Sedona Recording Company. Def Dames (not to be confused with 90s Euro dance act Def Dames Dope) were Kandy Kane and Special T (which by today's standards sound like either stripper or porn star names...actually they probably sounded this way in 1989). From what little I could find (mostly via billboard.com) the album peaked at #76 on the R&B Album Chart. It also spawned two singles that charted on the Hot Rap Singles Chart. 976-Boom peaked at #19 while Set It Off (wonder if Peaches was a fan?) peaked at #20. The album is über cheesy bass/electro rap which was never really taken that seriously back in the day, but it's cheesiness lives on. Of note the song Work It even pokes fun of Salt N Pepa and L'Trimm (which is quite ironic since this album doesn't sound that far off from L'Trimm at times).

(L-R; 2 4 The Bass CD; Set It Off 12"; 2 Large CD; The King Of Romance 12")

They followed up their debut with 2 Large. This album failed to chart but yielded at least two singles The King of Romance (which peaked at #20 on the Hot Rap Singles Chart) and Whip It, which you can guess samples Devo's hit heavily. After this album came and went it seems like the ladies of Def Dames pretty much disappeared. What little info I was able to find was via this myspace page which seems to be run by their old producer/discoverer DJ Sparkle. Not much is said about the two ladies that made up the duo, but apparently two new ladies (Tish 'n' Playette) are now part of Def Dames and have a new album coming out soon. That's all fine and dandy, but what about Kandy Kane and Special T? Faithful readers I'm hoping someone can help us out or even give more insight into the group. In the meantime I was able to find the following videos on youtbe. God bless the internet.

First up is Whip It:

Next up, The King Of Romance:

Three Shades Brown

2008-12-19T14:41:00.000-08:00

First off sorry for the lack of updates. To say I've been neglecting this blog is an understatement. But I know there are peeps out there that actually care about this kinda stuff so I must comply :) Without further a do I present the following.

Now this next group I know absolutely NOTHING about. They are called Three Shades Brown and they seem to have released but one album in 1992 on Interscope Records. I found their cd at a used cd store for a $1 and could not pass it up. They had me at the early 90s fasions. Their sole album was entitled Stronger Than Strong and was produced by The Funky Mercenaries (better known as Jesse Johnson of the Time). It peaked at #98 on the Billboard R&B album charts. Let me tell you this is album is an early 90s R&B dream come true!! Very New Jack Swing (so you know I love it). The group itself was comprised of former Jesse Johnson backup vocalist Kim Cage on lead vocals, Christi Thornton was the lead rapper and Leah Johnson was the backup vocalist. From what little info I was able to find it seems they released one single entitled Nasty Bass. From searching Billboard's datebase it did not chart...but if someone knows otherwise please tell! I tried searching on the members to see what they're up to now and came up w/ nothing. So I am hoping some of my faithful readers can help me out.

(L-R: Strong Than Strong CD; Nasty Bass 12")

I could not find any video footage either, just this fan made clip. At least you can hear what they sound like...

For Real

2008-06-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

R&B vocal group For Real were formed in 1993 and was comprised of Wendi Williams, Latanyia Baldwin, Josina Elder and Necia Bray. By 1994 the group dropped its debut album It's a Natural Thang on A&M Records. Their debut single was Easy To Love and it reached #60 on the Billboard Hot 100. Subsequent singles scored even better including You Don't Know Nothin' (#27) and You Don't Wanna Miss (#28).

After releasing their debut album they collaborated with Stevie Wonder (with whom they also went on tour). By 1995 they scored a Top 20 hit, Freedom, which featured Aaliyah, TLC, En Vogue, BlackGirl, SWV, and Vanessa Williams from the movie Panther. It was their inclusion on the Waiting To Exhale soundtrack that would land them a deal with Rowdy Records.

I personally didn't come to know of this group until the first single from their sophmore album, Like I Do. A throwback to the 1960's Motown sound. Suprisingly the song only peaked at #72 on the Billboard Hot 100. A second single The Saddest Song I Ever Heard peaked at #65. By 1997 the group would contribute to the film Grace Of My Heart.

By 1999 the group parted ways. Wendi Williams would go on to record the vocals for the singing voice of Introducing Dorothy Dandridge which earned Halle Berry an Emmy and a Golden Globe for best actress.

Not much has been heard from from these ladies since they broke up. Aside for Wendi I haven't been able to find out much info. Can you help us out? All I was able to find was a myspace fan page. Meanwhile let's enjoy some of the group's music videos.

First up Easy to Love:

The video for Like I Do:

Updates coming soon!

2008-06-06T20:08:00.000-07:00

I've been slacking on posting. But that's not to say that I haven't been working on some new pieces for y'all. Coming soon pieces on girl groups For Real and i5, not to mention an interview w/ a dance music legend. Thanks for visiting. Remember if there is anyone you'd like to see featured, or have us investigate please leave a comment or post in our shoutbox to the right!

We're JJ Fad and we're here to rock...

2008-04-17T09:09:00.000-07:00

As a child the opening lines of J.J. Fad's (Just Jammin' Fresh and Def) lone hit Supersonic will forever be etched in my brain. The late 80s were a fun and carefree time in popular music and J.J. Fad certainly fit the bill. J.J. Fad was comprised of 3 female rappers: MC J.B. (Juana Burns), Baby-D (Dania Birks) and Sassy C. (Michelle Franklin). Hailing from Los Angeles, CA, the ladies were signed to Ruthless Records and their debut album was produced by Dr. Dre and Yella. While there seems to be some confusion as to who the original members were of this all female rap group, according to a visitor of discogs.com here is a little background:

JJ FAD does not mean "Just Jammin Fresh And Def"; that was a revision. Originally, there were 5 girls in the group, and JJ Fad was an acronym of their names:

Juana, Juanita, Fatima, Lady Anna, and Denea (JJ FAD).

The original version of Supersonic had this spelled out in to beat-box intro, which was revised later when remixed, and the group reduced to a trio (and adding DJ Train to replace Lady Anna

But before we get to Supersonic, it must be noted that their first single was actually Another Hoe released in 1987 which took many jabs at fellow female MC Roxanne Shante. Unlike many West Coast rappers of the day, their producers made J.J. Fad's sound easily accesible to a pop audience by including many electro elements throughout (fabulously displayed on my personal favorite track Blame It On The Muzick).

(L-R: Supersonic CD, Supersonic 12", Not Just A Fad CD, We In The House 12")

Their lone hit was the aforementioned Supersonic. While this song is fondly remembered by many (inspiring Fergie's recent hit Fergalicious) I was quite surprised to see that it only peaked at #30 on the Billboard Hot 100 & #22 on the R&B charts. Two more singles were released from their debut album, Is It Love (#92 Hot 100) and Way Out (#61 Hot 100), but neither did much chart-wise. All three singles were pulled from their debut album Supersonic: The Album which peaked at #49 on the Billboard 200 Album Charts and #20 on the R&B album charts.

After being away for a few years, the ladies returned in 1991 with their follow-up album Not Just a Fad. Unfortunately the album flopped. Two singles were released from this album, Gold and We In The House. The latter heavily using the house music sound which was oh so popular during the early 90s. A year after this album was released the trio disbanded and have yet to be heard from. According to wikipedia the ladies are likely to be featured on Dr. Dre's upcoming album Detox.

We couldn't leave you without sharing some videos now could we? First up an old promo for J.J. Fad's 1-900 line!

Of course the infamous Supersonic video:

And did I mention I found a recent interview / the ladies? Grimmie Wreck TV recently interviewed the ladies but not once did they talk about what they are up to. Hmmm...at least we get to see what they look like now!

Jeremy Jordan

2008-03-11T13:06:00.000-07:00

In 1993 Jeremy Jordan exploded onto the music scene via the popular teen drama Beverly Hills 90210. Included on the soundtrack to the show, his video was shown during the closing credits and in the process helped the Indiana native become a teen mag sex symbol. With his model good looks (and his apparent dislike of shirts), Jeremy's afore mentioned debut single The Right Kind Of Love peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100. A second single Wannagirl also made the Top 40 peaking at #28. Both singles fared well in Australia as well peaking at #5 and #22 respectively. Two more singles were pulled from this album but did not chart, Try My Love & My Love Is Good Enough. Despite two Top 40 singles Jeremy's deubt album Try My Love only peaked at #176 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart. After his singing career fizzled out, Jeremy tried his hand at acting. Appearing in films like Nowhere, Never Been Kissed (where he sang on the film's soundtrack), Leaving Las Vegas, Dreamers, etc. It's been nearly 10 years since his last role. Not much has been heard from Mr. Jordan since then. Rumours of his whereabouts have plagued internet message boards ever since. When searching for this piece, I was only able to find that there is a gay porn actor with the same name. So anyone know what's become of Mr. Jordan?

(L-R: Try My Love CD; The Right Kind Of Love CD single; Wanna Girl CD single; My Love Is Good Enough 12")

While we wait let's relive some of his music video moments:

Jeremy Jordan - The Right Kind Of Love
Uploaded by abessolo

Jeremy Jordan - Wannagirl
Uploaded by abessolo

I'm With The DJ

2008-03-10T14:36:00.000-07:00

After a quick visit to remix source I was reminded how much I loved a forgotten 90s dance ditty by the name of DJ Girl. "Excuse me? Excuse me? Excuse me Mr. Bouncer!" Who could forget those infamous opening lines to this club smash. Katalina was signed to the California dance label Thump Records. Quite honestly the only reason I even knew of this label was because of their issuing of a Stacey Q greatest hits. And speaking of Ms. Q...long time collaborator Jon St. James was responisible for the bulk of Katalina's one and only album, Sonic Grooves. But I digress...Katalina's debut single was entitled DJ Girl and was an anthem for girlfriends of DJs around the globe. The song peaked at #86 on the Billboard Hot 100. Not sure of it's club chart peak as Billboard's chart link seems to be down at the time of this writing. But you can check that out later for yourself by clicking here. Like I mentioned before a large bulk of her debut album was produced by Jon St. James while the rest were produced by Carlo Zanella. The album straddled the lines between dance, pop, freestyle, synth-pop, etc. Two more singles were released, the title-track Sonic Groove and You'll Be My Future. Neither did much either chart wise. After this album came and went, little has been heard from Katalina. That's where you, are trusty readers come in. Got any info on her whereabouts? Let us know! Are you in fact Katalina and reading this, let us know what you're up to! We'd love to know.

(L-R: Sonic Groove CD; DJ Girl CD Single; Sonic Groove CD Single; You'll Be My Future CD Single)

Unfortunately we were unable to locate the video online to share with you all. Let us all cry in silence.

UPDATE...

I was snooping around IMDB and lo and behold found some more info. Katalina's real name is Kara Wethington and is from Chicago. According to the site here is some more background info:

She was working part time at a recording studio when a vocalist failed to show up for a session. The producer asked her to sit in and do a scratch vocal. After only 10 minutes it was obvious that DJ Girl was a smash and Katalina had a career.

They also state she sang on a song called Wish Me Well with the band The Bouncing Souls and appeared as a singer in the 1999 film Simply Irresistible billed under her real name. Who knew?

UPDATE NO. 2

After doing even more digging around, we were able to get in touch w/ Kara, aka Katalina, and she had this message to share with our readers:

Just want everyone to know that I am now a fashion publicist who gets to work with bands that inspired me growing up.

I still make cameo appearances on various artists albums and will be singing with the Bouncing Souls again for the first time in over 8 years at the Bamboozle show at the Verizon Wireless show in Irvine - April 5.

For more on the Bouncing Souls click here. Thanks so much to Kara for sharing that with our readers. If you're in her neck of the woods for that upcoming show, check it out and tell her Milk Carton Pop Stars sent ya!

Teen Dream

2008-03-06T09:08:00.000-08:00

I really don't know much about this group. I vaguely remember seeing the album back in the day. I picked up this CD at a flea market for a mere $1...boy am I glad I did! This is a funky r&b/dance/pop girl group that should have been huge! This is what little info I could found out about the group was from the actual CD. The three ladies that made up Teen Dream were Lisa, Nikki & Terri and they hail from Columbus, Ohio. For whatever reason they are constantly referred to as bitties and phrases like throwin' down, get live, mixin' 'n' relaxin', fresh, hittin' hard & freeze it are sprinkled throughout. Basically the artwork (and even the font) looks like an 1987 issue of Seventeen magazine.

Anyhoo back to the gals. Their debut single was Let's Get Busy which featured Valentino. From what info I was able to gather, Valentino is indeed actor Michael DeLorenzo. (Source) According to Billboard.com the group never even charted w/ any of the singles released from this album (something I find a little hard to believe...so if anyone has any other chart facts let us know).

(L-R: Let's Get Busy LP; Slip-Slide 12"; Let's Get Busy 12", Toy 12")

But back to their debut album. It was executive produced by Chris Powell & Benny Medina (Medina as you may or may not know has gone on to represent people like Jennifer Lopez & Tyra Banks) and released by Warner Bros. Records. Subsequent singles were released, Slip-Slide and Toy, but failed to do anything chart wise. By 1990 the group was signed to the label Muscle Shoals Sound Records (huh?) and released a single entitled Games which spent 4 weeks on the Billboard R&B charts peaking at #90. Needless to say the label went under and so did this project. Though it seems an album did get released and is deemed very rare. Only one of the original members remained for this release with 2 new replacements. As to who stayed and who left remains a mystery. So what's become of the ladies of Teen Dream? Who knows!!! But that's why wer'e here to found out. So if you're out there ladies let us know what you're up to! BTW...they would be perfect for our sister blog, The Isle of Deserted Pop Stars run by our very own Grant.

React

2008-03-03T10:41:00.002-08:00

Produced by The Berman Brothers (known for their work w/ Real McCoy), 1998 saw the release of React's self-titled debut album. Made of up of two former models (makes sense, cause if I recall I only bought their single because I thought they were cute), Timothy Cruz and Daniel Metreyeon, their album spanwed 2 singles Can't Keep My Hands Off You and Let's Go All The Way.

While neither song did much chart wise (...All The Way peaked at #3 on the Bubbling Under Chart in Billboard and hit #4 on the Club Charts) it must be noted that they had some FIERCE remixes! The Vission & Lorrimer Extended Mix of Can't Keep My Hands Off You alone is worth a visit to amazon.com. It shouldn't come to any surprise with the Berman Bros. on board, but I'll be honest, their album was not what I was expecting at all. The signature dance sound of their previous efforts (Real McCoy, She Moves) was replaced by a more teen pop sound. Check it out for yourself:

It's been about 10 years since this album came and went, so I got to wondering what ever became of the boys of React. After doing a little digging around, it didn't take much to find them. A quick visit to discogs.com lead me in the right direction.

Finding info on Daniel was a little more difficult probably because he now goes by the name Daniel Metrey. Seems he has been writing and producing for other acts over the years. The exact details are a little vague on his myspace page. He had a song featured in the film Laws Of Attraction and is currently working on his own album. You can visit his myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/danielmetrey

The other half of React was Timothy Cruz who goes by Timothy Andrew Cruz now. After the group disbanded, Tim went on to join the boyband B3 which had a lot of success in Germany. They were most noted for their cover of the Bee Gees I.O.I.O.

After 4 albums the band broke up and Tim is now a solo artist. You can visit his official site at http://www.tim-cruz.com/

From what I can tell Tim's current music is very far removed from his boy band past. It's nice to know that some of these forgotten acts are still doing their thing.

Baby love

2008-03-03T09:55:00.000-08:00

Ok so we've been pretty slow in our posts of late. I apologize. To make it up, I offer not one lost pop star, but 2 lost pop stars! First up...Regina scored big in 1986 with her Madonna-esque hit Baby Love. Produced by Stephen Bray (who worked with Madonna during her early days up until Like A Prayer) the song instantly became a smash and peaked at #10 in the US. (Source)

Regina didn't just come out of nowhere. She had previously released an album on A&M Records fronting the band Regina & The Red Hots in 1981. Prior to signing with Atlantic Records, she released a single independently entitled Deep Dreaming. While the Madonna comparisons were inevitable, if anyone listened to Regina's debut album Curiosity one would know that Regina was no Madonna clone.

While Regina here undeniably employs the chirpy tone and coquettish nuances Madonna had become known for, a few listens to Curiosity demonstrate who's the better vocalist of the two. (All Music Guide)

Released in 1986 the album peaked at #102 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart. While subsequent singles came and went (Beat Of Love peaked at #40 on the Dance Charts but failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100), Regina was able to stay in the public eye. Thanks mostly in part to this PSA:

Thanks to Regina and her crazy hair, what child of the 80s does not remember that Users are losers!

A second album, Best Kept Secret, was planned but after the 1st single bombed, the album was scrapped. That single Extraordinary Love did however peak at #11 on the club charts. Her last known recording was released in 1990 on the small label Centurion entitled Track You Down. She is not to be confused with a Brazilian singer also named Regina who scored a club hit in 1997 with Day By Day. Of note, in 1991 Dannii Minogue covered Baby Love where it made the UK Top 20.

So readers we ask you, where is she now? Any leads would be greatly appreciated. But before we leave, let's take a trip down memory lane...

Tara Kemp

2008-01-22T08:01:00.000-08:00

While some might argue that the early 90s were flooded with female singers on the charts, I'd like to take a moment in bask in those glory days. Ok moment is up. Now let's find out what became of Tara Kemp. Born Tara Leslye Kemp May 11, 1970 in Livermore, CA Kemp came out of nowhere with her debut hit "Hold You Tight". With her pop and new jack lite sound she took the Billboard Hot 100 by storm peaking at # 3. The song also fared well on the R&B charts peaking at #4. (Source)

Check out the rare 1st version of the video:

The more well known 2nd version:

Lightening struck twice with her follow up "Piece Of My Heart" which also made the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 peaking at #7. (Source)

A third single came and went entitled "Too Much". It failed to set the charts on fire and stalled at #95. (Source)

All three of these songs were from Tara's self-titled debut album.

Released on Giant Records, the album peaked at #109 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart and at #34 on the R&B album charts. (Source)

While fans waited for a follow-up to Tara's self titled debut, Tara appeared on the soundtrack to the 90s hit teen show Beverly Hills 90210 with the track "Action Speaks Louder Than Words". Then in 1992 Tara appeared on the soundtrack to Class Act with the track "Anything You Ask".

After a successful debut, one would think her label would be rushing to release a follow-up. Word is that Tara left Giant in 1992 to record for Nerve Records. A single was released in 1994 entitled "Come Off" and flopped, thus the infamous follow-up never saw the light of day.

It's been about 16 years since her debut. So readers, we ask of you...what became of Tara Kemp? Anyone??? All I was able to find was a fan made myspace profile. Sigh.

Delicious

2007-11-27T08:26:00.000-08:00

So if you haven't guessed by now, we've been kinda stuck in the 80s and the early 90s. What can we say...that's the era of pop music we tend to like here @ Milk Carton Pop Stars...so sue us. To mix things up a bit, today I've decided to feature one of my favorite one album wonders of all-time, PURE SUGAR. Comprised of DJs Richard 'Humpty' Vission, Peter Lorimer and vocalist Jennifer Starr.

The first known recording came in 1995 via the Aqua Boogie label under the name Richard "Humpty" Vission Presents Sugar with the single The Feeling.

By 1998 the act was now known as Pure Sugar and signed with Geffen Records. Their debut single was Delicious:

The single stalled at #66 on the Billboard Hot 100 while peaking at #8 on the Billboard Dance Chart.

The video, the group's only video effort as far as we know, was a colorful campy delight:

Subsequent singles failed to set the charts afire, save the Billboard Dance Charts where Hands To Heaven ('98) and These Are The Times ('99) peaked at #8 and at #3 respectively.

All these singles were culled from the group's sole album, the self-titled Pure Sugar.

(Now this is my own personal opinion, but this album has to be one of the BEST dance albums of all time. The beats, the sexy lyrics, THOSE vocals. Pure dance heaven. That's all I can say. If you don't own this album get it today. Hell you can get it for 1¢ used on amazon.com!!)

Aside from their debut, Pure Sugar also appeared on the 1998 soundtrack for the TV series Sabrina The Teenage Witch with a cover of the Waitresses's classic I Know What Boys Like.

After the group disbanded, Vission and Lorimer continued to DJ and create new music, etc. But what became of that soulful, big voiced diva Jennifer Starr? That's what we'd LOVE to know here at Milk Carton Pop Stars. Faithful readers, help us out?

UPDATE:

Jennifer is now a photographer. You can visit her myspace page or her official site to check out some of her work. It's amazing!

Blu

2007-10-03T12:42:00.000-07:00

Let's be blunt, the whereabouts of Icy Blue elude even us here at Milk Carton Pop Stars.

With her debut single Pump It Nice 'An Hard (sampling Salt 'N Pepa's Push It), Icy Blu had a brief chart run in the latter half of 1991. She was often called the female Vanilla Ice (though she was much younger than Mr. VanWinkle) and she looked like your average high schooler circa 1991. With her Merry-Go-Round fashions (like you don't remember that store?), and rapping "skills", this teen white girl rapper brought us the afore mentioned gem which we present to you in all its early-90s glory:

The single stalled at #78 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Her second and last single, and probably her best known, was an ode to early 90s teenage love. I Wanna Be Your Girl was a favorite on the now defunct US network, The Box (remember you'd call and for $2.99 they'd play your video choice)...Let's revisit shall we???

Wow. This song didn't fare that much better, as it peaked at #46 on the Billboard Hot 100, and after it ran its course, so did Ms. Blu :(

Both of these singles were taken from her floptastic self-titled debut album:

The album failed to chart and before we knew it Ms. Blu was all but a blip on the pop culture radar. No follow-up, no spot on VH1's Where Are They Now?.

So we turn to you, our faithful readers, anyone got a clue as to what became of Icy Blu? Was her name even Icy?

A'me vs Amy

2007-09-07T10:23:00.000-07:00

A'me Lorain burst onto the pop scene at the very end of 1989 and by early 1990 had a huge hit with Whole Wide World. The song was from the soundtrack to the film True Love and would later be featured on A'me's debut album.

It was this single that gave A'me her one-hit wonder status. There were even two videos for the song. The one most people probably remember:

And an alternate version w/ clips from True Love:

After the success of her debut single (which peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 at #9 on the Billboard Dance Chart), A'me released her debut album as A'me Lorain & The Family Affair entitled Starring In...Standing In A Monkey Sea...

Unfortunately it wasn't much of a seller and failed to chart. Probably explains why it was so readily available in the cut-out bins (remember those?) back in the day. This might have had to due w/ the fact that the majority of the album was nothing like her hit single.

But never fear, a second single was released. Like its predecessor, it was produced by Elliot Wolf.

Follow My Heartbeat was realeased in mid 1990 and peaked at #72 on the Billboard Hot 100. After this single came and went, little has been heard of from Ms. Lorain.

A few years ago while surfing the net I had come across a fan site that seems to have fallen by the wayside. It has stated that A'me was working on new material and even was recording under her given name Amy Trujillo.

She has a website up at amy-trujillo.com. Unfortunately there's been a pre-register for website launch page up for a few years now. Hmm...what's taking so long? If anything there is this photo up at least...

Not much else is known as to her whereabouts or her plans to release new music. I was able to find her brother's website, www.freddytrujillo.com, who it turns out was a member of A'me Lorain & The Family Affair. Wherever you are A'me...or is it Amy....we're waiting for your return.

UPDATE*UPDATE*UPDATE*UPDATE

I was able to track down Amy's brother via his myspace page, asked him what she was up to and here what he had to say:

Amy has been working on an album for an independent label for a while. I am not sure where she is at with it. Otherwise, she was one of the guest on a record, with DJ Muggs from Cypress Hill, a couple of years back. It has kind of a Bjork kind of vibe to it. Check it out! It is called "Dust" by DJ Muggs. I hear they have been playing "Whole Wide World" on a station in L.A.. That is cool! You take care and I will tell Amy to get a move on.

Freddy Trujillo

It's hammer time...part 2!

2007-08-28T16:55:00.000-07:00

Awhile back we featured one of the artists spawned from MC Hammer's incredibly successful career in the late 80's/early 90's, B Angie B. Well, she wasn't the only act to gain notoriety thanks to the Hammer. Oaktown's 357 were MC Hammer's answer to Salt-N-Pepa.

Oaktown's 357 debuted in 1989 with their album, "Wild And Loose". The original line up consisted of Terrible T, Sweet LD and Lil'P. All three had been back up dancers for MC Hammer and were featured in his 1988 video, "Pump It Up". However, when it was time to film the video for the first single, "Yeah Yeah Yeah", Lil'P left the group to get married. Two new members were added, Sweet P and VC, making the group a quartet. After that first single, VC broke her leg and never returned while Sweet P left to replace Sassy C of JJ Fad. Despite experiencing more line up changes than Destiny's Child, by the time the second single was released, "357 Straight At You", the group (now a duo consisting of Terrible T and Sweet LD) were starting to get heavy video and club play. This prompted two more singles to be released, the now old school classic "Juicy Gotcha Krazy" (featuring the unforgettable guest vocals of B Angie B) and "We Like It". Both songs were remixed for their single releases much to the dismay of the fans who bought the album. Neverthless, Oaktown's 357 were gaining visibilty and momentum in the hip-hop community.

After a brief hiatus the girls returned in 1991 with their sophmore effort, "Fully Loaded". This album saw the girls taking more control over their image and music. Long gone were the MC Hammer parachute pants as the girls ushered in a brand new sexy look and sound. The first single, "Turn It Up" wasa Top 20 dance and RnB hit. The video boasted elaborate sets and stunning choreography which helped it gain immense popularity on the now defunt video channel, "The Box". Two more singles were released, "It's Not Your Money" and "Honey". Both enjoyed minimal success but "Fully Loaded" failed to really break these girls into the mainstream. In 1993 there was tentative release date for a follow up EP, "Fila Treatment" but for reasons unknown here at Milk Carton Pop Stars, this release sadly never saw the light of day.

In 2005 both albums were remastered and reissued. The big bonus though was the DVD that came with the reissue of "Wild & Loose" that featured all 7 of their music videos!

Very little information is out there about Oaktown's 357. However, this is one of the reasons why we do this blog. We hope someone out there can tell us what ever happened to the fabulous and fierce ladies known as Terrible T and Sweet LD! Until that happens though we leave you with two of their best videos.

Juicy Gotcha Krazy

Turn It Up

Louie Louie

2007-08-09T08:44:00.000-07:00

Many of you may remember this next singer from his role as Madonna's boyfriend in the early 80s classic Borderline video (remember them up on the rooftop?):

Madonna and Louie Louie in the 'Borderline' video.

Louie Louie had a brief run on the pop charts in the early 90s. From what little info I've been able to find he released a single in 1987 entitled The Girl Who Seduced The World produced by none other than Jon St. James (Stacey Q, Anything Box).

1987 Synthicide Records

In 1990 Louie Louie released his debut single Sittin' In The Lap Of Luxury on WTG Records (whose parent label was CBS Records). The song peaked at # 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #17 on the Billboard Dance charts and featured Dizzie Gillespie on the trumpet.

Louie Louie-Sittin- In The Lap Of Luxury
Uploaded by EinahChild

His debut album followed shortly entitled The State I'm In peaked at #136 on the Billboard 200 album chart. Two more singles were culled from this release but failed to set the charts on fire: I Wanna Get Back and Rodeo Clown.

Louie Louie's debut album THE STATE I'M IN

In 1993 he returned w/ a new album and a new label (Reprise). The album Let's Get Started came and went without much fanfare. Though it must be noted he worked w/ both Prince and George Michael on several tracks.

Louie's 2nd effort LET'S GET STARTED

Two singles were released, Thought Of It and Walk With Me. Though neither did much chartwise.

At some point during the mid 90s (1996) to be exact, Louie Louie resurfaced recording under this real name Louie Cordero and released an album with Interscope featuring songs in both English and Spanish reflecting on Louie's Puerto Rican heritage. The album featured the singles Ain't No Other Woman (which was released in both English and Spanish) and Don't Say You Love Me. Needless to say the album came and went. One would think that after all these years Mr. Cordero has faded into obscurity. Well we thought wrong. He is a live and well!!

Turns out he is performing in Vegas!

Here are some highlights from his current bio:

The party started a little more than 3 1/2 years ago when Louie Louie first came with his band to Las Vegas as the House Band for Sunset Station. In time, the Las Vegas Hilton gave Louie Louie both his own showroom and the freedom to play with his act.

In 1998, Nevada Governor Bob Miller declared July "Louie Louie Month" to honor the performing artist for "bringing Las Vegas back to its roots – back to the days when the best performers were in the lounges of Las Vegas’ legendary hotels." On August 21, 2002 Louie was awarded the Key to the city by Mayor Oscar Goodman.

For more info please visit the following website. Don't you love it when your fave acts of yesteryear are still out there doing their thing? 'Til next time...

Chasing Keedy

2007-07-23T20:06:00.000-07:00

It was the summer of 1991 and a new voice was taking the Billboard charts by storm with her debut single Save Some Love. That singer was Keedy who after cracking the Top 20, released a follow-up, Wishing On A Same Star. Both these songs were featured on Keedy's debut album Chase The Clouds which was released on Arista Records in 1991. Like many acts of this era, it seemed as if Keedy had quietly faded away into pop obscurity. Now let me just say that Keedy holds a special place for two of our contributors (myself and ChicagoSexBox) , because just like Keedy we all hail fom Milwaukee, WI and grew up listening to her. On a personal note I am beyond geeked to be bringing you this Milk Carton Pop Stars exclusive interview. So what is Mootown's First Lady of Song up to these days? Well let's find out! Without further ado...

10 QUESTIONS WITH KEEDY

Keedy Arista Records promotional picture circa 1991 (Photo courtesy of Keedy & Royce Hall)

1. Welcome to Milk Carton Pop Stars Keedy! We are honored to have you here. Your debut single "Save Some Love" became a Top 20 smash during the spring of 1991. It remains one of my favorite songs of all time, tell us how this song came about.

Thank you it’s great to be here. I love reading about other artists and their stories, so it’s fun to be a part of the gang.

Well… “Save Some Love” was written by Greg Gerard during a time when I was in the Milwaukee based band GERARD. Greg and his brother Bill Gerard had been recording songs with a number of different singers in the band and the idea was if one of us could get a foot in the door we could help the rest of the gang. “Save Some Love” and “Lazy Day” were the songs that caught the ears of record industry people.

“Save Some Love” was written about two members in the band that had an on-again off-again relationship. I always loved the solo and the bridge section in that song and to this day it still makes me happy to hear it.

2. Two of our contributors (myself included) are from your hometown of Milwaukee. Tell us about growing up & how music played a part in that.

I grew up all over the place because my dad worked for UPS and we were transferred every 5 years it seemed. Music was my one constant friend that I had wherever I went. I would sit in my room for hours listening to my latest favorite records or the radio count down and I would play piano and guitar dreaming about playing for people. My uncle Buddy who played guitar with guys like Don Rich (Buck Owens) was my first influence with music. I believe Buddy had the greatest impact on my journey in music. Milwaukee was the last stop on the UPS transfer program for me, my parents had to move onto Connecticut but I was in Gerard and doing what I loved, so I considered Milwaukee my home even though I was born in Texas.

3. What led to you getting a record deal w/ Arista?

Lisa Wells at Geffen Publishing heard “Lazy Day” and loved it. She flew to Milwaukee and came to a Gerard performance and signed Greg and I to a publishing contract. She then contacted Mitchell Cohen at Arista and said you have to hear this… at that point (I’m not sure if this is true or not but it’s what I was told) Mitchell was playing “Save Some Love” and Clive Davis walked by his door and heard the song and said who is that… go find her… within a few months I was signed to a record deal with Arista.

4. You also released a second single which also charted on the Billboard Hot 100, "Wishing On The Same Star". After your debut album reached it's peak, so to say, fans were naturally expecting a follow up to "Chase The Clouds". What happened?

Diane Warren wrote “Wishing On The Same Star” and I was asked by Clive to give it a chance. The week it came out Bryan Adams’s song “(Everything I Do) I Do For You” was being played and a number of the radio stations went with the Bryan Adams song as there wasn’t enough room in their play lists for another new ballad. My manager (at the time) and I took off on a radio road trip and hit every radio station we could from Milwaukee to Florida trying to get support for the record but we kept running into the same questions “why should we play your record when your own home town’s Top 40 radio station isn’t playing it. The main radio station in Milwaukee decided they weren’t going to play it because it wasn’t “Sorry” which was the song THEY liked and if we could get the record company to release that one they would lend their support (nice of them huh?). After a couple of weeks I was told that support for “Wishing On The Same Star” was being pulled because Whitney Houston’s new record was having trouble, and all the label’s resources had to go to helping her record out. “Wish On The Same Star” fizzled out and the end of “Chase The Clouds” came shortly after.

Greg and I then moved to Los Angeles and wrote and demoed over 100 songs for the follow up to “Chase The Clouds”. Arista had to accept 6 songs before they would start recording the second record. They would like 4 and then say you need 3 more like this one and so on and so on. Then we found out that there was a shift in management at Arista and we were lost in the shuffle. My new A&R guy didn’t believe in what we were doing and hip-hop was taking off as was Nirvana and grunge. After trying to get the second record off the ground for several years it was apparent that I needed to be released from any dealings with Arista. It was a liberating feeling and the end of that chapter of my life. “And what an amazing chapter it was!”

5. What little info I was able to find out about your whereabouts, I see you used to perform w/ a band called The Orphans in Milwaukee. Were you involved w/ any other groups and/or projects over the years?

I have been involved with lots of projects over the years. Mostly involving writing and recording but for a number of years I played with The Orphans and had a great time doing 70’s folk, country and rock tunes. I really learned how to play rhythm guitar in that band. During that time I wrote with two of my friends Mykl Stanley and Alec Miller. We wrote every week for a couple of years and I felt real growth as a writer.

A current photo of Keedy & her husband Royce Hall (photo courtesy of Keedy & Royce Hall)

6. I was very happy to find out that you are still making music. Can you tell us about your current project?

For the last six years I have been writing, recording and playing with my husband Royce Hall. We write and record when inspiration hits us and then post the songs on myspace. One thing I wouldn’t do again is get mixed up with a major label and have them get between me and my feelings for music. (You know… no suits in the art department!)

7. Are there any upcoming gigs that fans can check out? Any plans to release any new music?

We aren’t doing any gigs right now as we have multiple things on our plate but we are thinking of doing a video podcast or something of that nature in the future. As for new music we are always writing and recording but only some of it makes it to myspace.

If we had the inclination to pursue music full time we would want to put out CDs and end up on Austin City Limits with radio airplay on The World Café. But to do that you have to work so hard that all other areas of your life get put on hold and life’s just too much fun right now to do that.

8. Other than music is there anything else that you are passionate about?

Royce & I have an antique business and we go out treasure hunting for collectibles. I have also been making art out of buttons and newspaper and taking photos.

9. I finally just saw the video for "Save Some Love" after all these years! Itunes has it for purchase and I immediately purchased it. You were rockin' the early 90s fashions like there was no tomorrow! Any stories you'd like to share about the filming of the video?

The director wanted it to be a take on the 1954 Fellini film “La Strada”. It was shot in LA at the Sepulveda dam, where a lot of movies were and are shot. It was a two-day shoot. And it may seem crazy when you watch it but the day outside at the Sepulveda dam it was freezing cold. There is also a part where I’m roller-skating but you can’t see my skates… J The zebra and camel had a little fight. Oh and the day before we started shooting I thought I would be really cool and go and get the longest red finger nails I could, when I walked in and the stylist saw them I thought she was going to faint. So it was a seriously nutty time just like the video.

10. Keedy thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions. Any final words for your fans and our readers?

Thank you for keeping “Chase The Clouds” alive, you have been a beautiful light in my life for a long time and I thank you for giving me so much.

I'd like to give a huge thanks to Keedy and her hubby Royce for being so generous in helping get this interview done. For all you fans out there, make sure and visit Keedy and Royce's myspace page @ http://www.myspace.com/roycekeedy. Tell 'em Milk Carton Pop Stars sent ya!

New features

2007-07-20T08:18:00.000-07:00

If you look to your right you will see we've added a shout box. Please leave us feedback (as well as in our comments section), ideas on artists you'd like to see featured, etc. We have an exclusive interview w/ a lost pop star coming very soon. Thanks for visiting!

Technical Difficulties

2007-07-16T05:39:00.000-07:00

We have a few bugs to work out. Mainly noticed that no one could leave comments. Thought it was strange that we hadn't gotten any new comments on any of our pieces in the last month or two. Comments are working now. Just working out some bugs w/ the template. The main graphic will be back soon. Thanks for your patience!

L'Trimm

2007-07-06T18:10:00.000-07:00

Tigra and Bunny, better yet L'Trimm! It's time to celebrate THE sexiest rappers to ever bring their rhymes to the mic.

Miami-based teen rap duo and best friends Lady Tigra and Bunny D (real names still unknown!) were discovered and signed by Paul Klein (of production trio Davis Stone Klein aka DSK) at Hot Productions studios when he heard them fooling around with raps in a recording booth while waiting for a friend.

Loving their girlish, unpolished rhyme flow, and riding the wave of success of female hip hop groups like Salt 'N' Pepa and JJ Fad, DSK produced and released their first single "Grab It", a 'response' to Salt 'N' Pepa's mega-hit "Push It", released in 1987. After the song drew attention, they were signed to Atlantic Records and released an album with the same name. An even bigger hit was soon released off the album in the form of "Cars With The Boom", a bass heavy ode to the bass. Some versions of the single also included remixes of the track "Don't Come To My House".

Thanks to the magic of Youtube, you can watch the "Cars With The Boom" video and see the girls in action.

One more poppier single was released, "Cuttie Pie", but it didn't receive much fanfare. By this point, L'Trimm were beloved by fans, but ridiculed by critics and hip-hoppers alike as talentless fakes.

The girls perservered, however, and released their follow-up album "Drop That Bottom" in 1989. The album continued with the miami-bass sound, pushing the bass even deeper, especially in the title track, which was released as the first and only single. At this point the miami-bass sound was losing it's appeal with the public, however, and the girls were eager to work on a new album that would hopefully extend their career beyond being a novelty. They wanted to expand their musical palette, and hit the recording studio with a direction that was poppier but also delved into the house sound of groups like C&C Music Factory that was all the rage.

They left the label during the recording of this third album "Groovy" after disputes with their production crew and label owners over the direction of their sound, and the album was completed with half-finished vocal tracks the girls had previously recorded. The album was released in 1991, however. Two singles were also released. "Get Loose" heavily imitated the C&C sound and some versions of it had Techno mixes of another track, "We Got Da Beat" on the B-Side. "Low Rider" was a remixed version of a track carried over from the "Drop That Bottom" album that utilized War's funk hit of the same name. Both singles failed to have any success, however, and the duo broke up soon after and left the music biz.

And that is where the story seemed to end. Other than a couple remixes of "Grab It" and "Cars With The Boom" in later years, the girls were never heard from again. It was said that Lady Tigra went on to manage a club, while Bunny D became a stay-at-home mom. The L'Trimm sound was echoed in newer groups like FannyPack and Gravy Train!!!, but the ladies themselves seemed to fade into obscurity...

Until now! Lady Tigra is BACK and hotter than ever! She is expected to release her new album, "Please Mr. Boombox", sometime in 2007. Check out her website and myspace page for more info on her exciting new direction. We can only hope she can convince Bunny D back to the mic as well, but until then, her new solo album looks very promising. Always imitated but never duplicated. Welcome back, Lady T!

http://www.theladytigra.com/

http://www.myspace.com/theladytigra

The Lady Tigra Live + Interview (outrageous!)

Graffiti artist spray paint mural of The Lady Tigra (features a new track!)

Chris Cuevas

2007-06-14T08:33:00.000-07:00

Many times while researching a lost pop star, we come to find that an artist is still performing. Such was the case w/ early 90s recording artist Chris Cuevas.

Chris released his debut album in 1991 on Atlantic Records. Some of you may remember his singles Hip Hop, Somehow, Someway and his duet w/ Deborah "Debbie" Gibson Someday. After wondering whatever happened to him, we recently found him on myspace.

With that said, I decided to try something new here at Milk Carton Pop Stars...our first ever interview! I'd like to say a big thank you to Chris for taking the time to answer our questions. Without further ado...

10 QUESTIONS WITH MILK CARTON POP STARS

1. Hi Chris, welcome to Milk Carton Pop Stars. Tell us where you are from and where you grew up?
Long Beach, Mississippi... Lived there until 1990

2. How did you get started singing?
I grew up in a musical family, so I started out singing at birth I think...

3. Who were your musical influences growing up?
Journey, Hank JR, Waylon Jennings, Inxs, U2

4. In 1991 you released a pop album on Atlantic Records. How did that come about?
My dad got intouch with Diane Gibson, Deborah's Mom. At the time Diane was her manager. She liked what she heard so I played for Atlantic and the relationship started.

Chris & Deborah's video for "Someday"...

5. "Someday", the duet you did w/ Deborah Gibson is a gorgeous song. What was it like working together and do you still keep in touch?
Thank you, It was a honor working with her on that song. I'll never forget the first time I played it for her. She loved it, we then played it for Atlantic and it was included on the record. We catch up every once in while.

6. You've been under the pop radar for quite some time, what did you do after you debut album?
I went on a world tour with Deborah, reaching from NY to LA, and Europe to Asia. Once the record reached it's peek, I decided to pursue writing because of the change in pop music at the time.

7. Can you tell us about your new musical direction and where you are based nowadays?
My new music is where my hearts always been, Country Pop. I'm based out of Mobile, Alabama.

8. Do you play any regular gigs? I am sure some of our readers would love to check out your act live!
I do play spot gigs from time to time. Just check out my myspace page...

9. Do you still have any diehard fans from back in the day?
I really don't know. But would love to hear from them.

10. What's the wildest rumour you've heard about yourself over the years?
Can't really recall any.....that wild...........

Any final words for our readers and your fans?
Yeah, To those who read this...Thank you for your support over these years and believing in my music. Who knows, maybe real soon I'll have another shot at the dream I've always been chasing.

Thanks again,

Chris Cuevas

Don't forget to check out Chris's myspace page! Tell him Milk Carton Pop Stars sent ya!

PC QUEST

2007-06-12T12:01:00.000-07:00

I had been planning on doing a piece on early 90s teen pop act PC Quest for a while. Remember them? Probably not. They had 1 song chart on the Billboard Hot 100 called After The Summer's Gone. They were kinda like a knock off of The Party imo. Anyhoo...here's what they looked like back then:

But today while browsing through wikipedia I came across an astonishing fact! Turns out the lead singer (he's the blonde boy in front) is now the frontman for Shiny Toy Guns! Holy crap! His name is Gregori Chad Petree.

That's him, second to left.

His brother Steve who was also in the band is now a Christian singer and even has his own myspace page. You can purchase his latest cd on cdbaby.com.

As for the other two members, Drew has a myspace page and continues to perform with other acts. And Kim? Hmmm...from what little info I could find seems she's a married woman and a mom now.

Who knew?

Turn around make your move

2007-04-16T09:03:00.000-07:00

A quickie update on one of our more popular profiles. While I still haven't found out a lot of info on what Denise Lopez is doing now, I did obtain the video for her 1990 dance classic Don't You Wanna Be Mine!!!!

My obsession for all things Ms. Lopez has even led me to start a myspace page for her, which you can find by find by clicking here. WIthout further ado, here is the video. Enjoy!

Denise Lopez 'Don't You Wanna Be Mine'
Uploaded by bomitoni

I Like It

2007-03-22T13:31:00.000-07:00

Ok peeps...we've been MIA for too long. Sorry. Since it seems we've done features only on females (What do you expect...this bitch is run by gay men)...I decided to break the trend and feature a gasp male singer.

So ladies & gents...I give you...

Dino was a former DJ who made a splash on the music scene in 1989 w/ the singles 24/7 (Billboard Hot 100 #42), Summergirls (Billboard #50), Sunshine (Billboard Hot 100 #23) and the smash hit I Like It which went top 10 peaking at #7.

His debut album 24/7 peaked at #34 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart.

Dino's 2nd album Swingin' was released in 1990 (again on Island Records):

Three singles were culled from this album: Romeo (Billboard Hot 100 #6), Never 2 Much Of U (Billboard Hot 100 #61) and Gentle (Billboard Hot 100 #31). Next a performance of Romeo on the Arsenio Hall Show...

A third album was released in 1993 entitled The Way I Am:

This album was released via East/West Records and spawned 2 singles. The first, a cover of The Five Stairsteps 70s hit Ooh Child (which peaked at #27) would be Dino's last appearance on the Billboard Hot 100. The second single Endlessly failed to chart.

So not much has been heard about Dino for awhile. But after some further research, turns out Dino is alive and well. Seems producing is his thing now:

Under the Island Record label he formed his own production label: ONID Productions, which is his name spelled backward. After his singing career he began producing other artist songs such as Watch Me Shine by Joanna Pacitti, which was released on the Legally Blonde soundtrack, and other songs by artists such as Tonya Mitchell and Paul Taylor.

(Source wikipedia)

So just when you thought your favorite pop star of yesteryear was off working some od d & random job, it's nice to know every now and then their creative juices are still being utilized to the fullest extent.

Links:
Dino myspace fan page
Dino fan site
Dino wikipedia entry

HWA: All That (Just A Little Action)

2006-11-23T20:42:00.000-08:00

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!

"what's that stuff running down your leg?"

Found: The Boys

2006-11-19T21:15:00.000-08:00

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:

Love her all up

2006-10-17T08:46:00.000-07:00

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.

Forgive us....

2006-09-10T20:02:00.000-07:00

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!

It's Hammer Time! (Part 1)

2006-06-30T18:25:00.000-07:00

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!

B Angie B, we miss you gurfren!

Got to tell me something

2006-06-08T19:08:00.000-07:00

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:

During the time she was away Ana/Mia got married, had a child and then divorced. She felt she shouldn't give up her dream (thank god) and called long time friend Rudy PÃ©rez to help her get back into music. While it wasn't a blockbuster success, it did garner Mia a nomination for Best New Artist at Premio Lo Nuestro.

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 TentaciÃ³n 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)...

Don't Walk Away Boy

2006-05-29T14:41:00.000-07:00

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".

Missing Times Three

2006-05-19T17:22:00.000-07:00

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:

Just Call Her Nicety

2006-05-12T14:28:00.000-07:00

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!

I leave you all with the "Nicety" video.

If You Feel It

2006-05-09T12:14:00.000-07:00

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.

Hey it's something!

HWA: Hoez With Attitude

2006-05-08T09:15:00.000-07:00

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........

EDIT:

And look what I found on Amazon from 1997!!!!

Superwoman

2006-05-02T11:21:00.000-07:00

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:

A Karyn White fan page
Karyn White & Pebbles mailing list

Choice Is Choosie

2006-05-01T16:02:00.000-07:00

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

Welcome

2006-05-01T15:39:00.000-07:00

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!