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:
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:
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:
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.
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.
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 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:
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!
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 contestantMario 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:
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!
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 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...
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!
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.
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:
