Tyka Nelson

Tyka Nelson (born in 1960 in Minneapolis, Minnesota) is a female R&B singer and the younger sister of the one and only Prince.

She grew up listening to Mahalia Jackson records, wrote her first song when she was 10 years old and plays numerous instruments such as piano, guitar, bass and clarinet.

Prince offered Tyka the use of his Paisley Park Studios & money to fund an album, but she wanted to get a record deal on her own. After attending attending college & having two children, she signed a record deal with Chrysalis/Cooltempo Records.

In 1988, Tyka released her debut album, “Royal Blue.” It is unknown how or if the album ever charted.

She released her first single, “Marc Anthony’s Theme” which peaked at #33 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks. The song also peaked at #99 on the U.K. Singles chart and became a hit in Holland that summer.

Her second single, “L.O.V.E.” peaked at #52 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 7 weeks.

In 1989, Tyka released her sophomore album, “Yellow Moon, Red Sky” which was moderately successful in the Netherlands, Europe, and Spain.

After the failure of her second album, her life took a downward spiral. In the early 2000s, Tyka did an interview with “The National Enquirer” claiming that she had a crack addiction, sold her body for sex to support her habit & her children and claimed that Prince didn’t do anything to help her out.

In 2006, Tyka resurfaced with a new look and a commitment to God, claiming that God, her children and Prince helped her kick her drug habit and get her life back in order. In 2008, she released her third album, “A Brand New Me” which is now available on CD Baby. She even published a book entitled “Mama Never Taught Me How To Sing.”

These days, Tyka appears to still be active in the music business. In 2011, she released her latest album to date “Hustler.”

To see a fan-made video for “Marc Anthony’s Tune,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4RCDFnzw0U

To see a fan-made video for “L.O.V.E.,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWfIaVCl8t4

[Updated on 04\21\2016]

Gucci Crew II

Gucci Crew II was a hip-hop\Miami-bass group that consisted of members MC V and TFS 9 (aka 240 Shorty) along with their DJ, Disco Rick (who later became the producer for the group). The group was popular between 1986 to 1994.
In 1986, they released their debut single, “Gucci Bass” which was inspired by LL Cool J’s song, “Rock the Bells” that became a regional hit in mid-1987.
During that same year, Gucci Crew II released their debut album, “So Def, So Fresh, So Stupid.” The single from the album, “Sally (That Girl)” became their signature hit song, becoming successful outside of Florida.
In 1988, the group released their sophomore album, “What Time is it? Gucci Time” that was immediately embraced by the emerging audio-bass market.

Tensions began in the group when the album featured a parody of Doug E. Fresh’s “La Di Da Di” that was against Disco Rick’s wishes. After that, he left Gucci Crew II and the group found themselves without a DJ or a producer.

In 1989, Gucci Crew II released their third album, “Everybody Wants Some” as a duo with help from Hot Productions’ producer, Larry Davis (who had produced hit songs for L’Trimm). The album peaked at #42 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.

The only single to chart was “Five Dollar High” which peaked at #14 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles chart.

Despite promotional campaigning and appearing on B.E.T.’s “Rap City” video show, the album proved to be unsuccessful and failed to attract new fans. Tensions between Gucci Crew II and Hot Productions had came to a boil.

A year later in 1990, Gucci Crew II hired a new DJ\producer named Hollywood and released their fourth and final album, “G4.” The first single, “Pushin” got airplay on Yo! MTV Raps, but failed to attract any attention.

The second single, “Booty Shake” became a club anthem in the Southeastern United States in 1990 to 1991. The group managed to attract a whole new fanbase for a brief period.

By the end of 1991, the Miami Bass music scene underwent a makeover. In 1994, Gucci Crew II tried to release new singles, but to no success and Hot Productions Records closed the group out of their contract.

The group released a greatest hits album later that year and later seemingly faded into obscurity.

In December of 2007, MC V was shot and killed 6 times in the back in Americus, Georgia. He was buried in Ocala, Florida and Disco Rick was the only member of the group to attend his funeral.

To see a fan-made video for “Sally (That Girl),” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGOBNnAT7uI

To see a fan-made video for “Gucci Bass,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_igePso-WU4

To see the music video for “Booty Shake,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wByH8SPt0fs

[updated on 05/21/13]

Buffy

Buffy (born Buffy Salongo) is a freestyle\dance music singer from the mid-’90s.

She was first discovered singing at a friend’s wedding by music producer Dadgel Atabay (who worked with singer Stevie B).
After starting his own record label, Velocity Records, Dadgel asked her to record the song, “Give Me a Reason” that he wrote. In 1996, the song peaked at #78 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying on the chart for 9 weeks. It also peaked at #37 on Billboard’s Rhythmic Top 40 chart.
During that same year, she released her debut and only album, “First Love” on Velocity Records which didn’t appear to make the charts at all.
The follow-up singles from the album: “No One” and “2 Find You” failed to chart at all. Buffy later left her record label due to personal reasons.

Afterwards, it seems as if Buffy has faded into obscurity; nothing much has been heard from her since the ’90s.

To see a video for “Give Me a Reason,” go to:

To see a video for “No One,” go to:

To see a video for “2 Find You,” go to:

MC Trouble

MC Trouble (born LaTasha Sheron Rogers on July 30, 1970 in Los Angeles, California) was a female rap artist in the early 90s whose rising career came to an adrupt end at a young age.

After signing to Motown Records, MC Trouble released her debut album, “Gotta Get a Grip” in 1990 which peaked at #94 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.

The album sold 82,000 units after the 1991 launch of the Nielsen Soundscan.

Her first single, “I Wanna Make You Mine” peaked at #15 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles chart. The song featured Motown labelmates, The Good Girls.

Her second single, “Gotta Get a Grip” showed a more hardcore mix of rap and commercial R&B, but didn’t appear to make the charts.

On June 4, 1991, while she was production for her follow-up album, MC Trouble passed away in her sleep at the young age of 20 while at a friend’s Los Angeles residence after suffering from an epileptic seizure brought on by complications from a brain tumor which resulted in heart failure.

In 1992, the single, “Big Ole Jazz” was released posthumously and appeared on the “House Party 2” soundtrack, resulting in a a second and final hit on Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles charts.

MC Trouble’s death made quite an impact in the hip-hop scene and she earned shoutouts from A Tribe Called Quest’s member Q-Tip and rapper Nefertiti (with the song “Trouble in Paradise” that was dedicated to the late female rapper).

MC Trouble will be missed and never forgotten.

To see the music video for “I Wanna Make You Mine,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4h6gON5AC0

To see the music video for “Gotta Get A Grip,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHOZz-oms7I

[updated on 05/21/13]

Yvette Michele

Yvette Michele (born Michele Yvette Bryant in 1977 in Brooklyn, New York) is an R&B singer from the 90s.

She was inspired by her mother’s jazz records, sang in church, studied dancing and sang at open-mic nights in New York.

After making her own demo tape, Yvette gave it to her good friend, Funkmaster Flex and before she knew it, she recorded a single for his mixtape compilation.

In August of 1997, Yvette released her debut album, “My Dream” which peaked at #20 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart and #46 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.

Yvette’s first single, “Everyday & Everynight” peaked at #60 on the Billboard Hot 100, #3 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #23 on Billboard’s Rhythmic Top 40 chart, and #23 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.

The second single, “I’m Not Feeling You” peaked at #44 on the Billboard Hot 100, #6 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #33 on Billboard’s Rhythmic Top 40 chart, and #12 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart in February of 1997, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.

The third single, “DJ Keep Playin’ (Get Your Music On)” peaked at #84 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #36 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart in October of 1997, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.

The last single from the album, “Crazy” failed to chart at all. Yvette was featured on rapper O.C.’s single, “Far From Yours.”

After that, Yvette had seemed to haved faded into obscurity, but according to her Facebook and Twitter pages, it appears she is still active in the music business and is a mother.

To follow Yvette on Twitter, go to:
https://twitter.com/YvetteMichele

To see Yvette’s Facebook page, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Yvette-Michele/354513825132

To see the music video for “I’m Not Feeling You,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opgllgc_lOw

To see the music video for “Everyday and Everynight,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24Sr80UcGJU

[updated on 05\21\13]

Imajin

Imajin was an R&B boy band from the 90s that originally consisted of members Jamal Hampton, Talib Kareem, John Fitch and Olamide Faison (the younger brother of “Scrubs” star Donald Faison).

The group was put together by record producer Bert Price. Jamal would later be replaced by singer Tony Roster.

In 1998, Imajin released their debut single, “Shorty (You Keep Playin’ With My Mind)” featuring rapper Keith Murray, which peaked at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #20 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks. The song also peaked at #22 on the U.K. Singles chart.

A year later in 1999, the group released their self-titled debut album which peaked at #44 on Billboard’s Top Heatseekers chart.

The group’s second single, “No Doubt” peaked at #72 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks.

The last single from the album, “Flava” failed to chart. Imajin were featured on rapper Baby DC’s single, “Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll.”

After that, it seemed that the group faded into obscurity.

From 2003 to about 2009, Olamide starred as Miles Robinson on the popular children’s television show “Sesame Street.” These days, he appears to still be playing music, playing the acoustic guitar. He was also the ex-boyfrined of Natalie Nunn (from the “Bad Girls Club”).

Jamal Hampton appears to still be active in the music business, now going under the name “J-Starr.” Talib Kareem (now going under the name “Taaz Kareem”) became a music producer.

Tony Roster is still active in the music business as a drummer, performing with various artists such as Joe Jonas, En Vogue and Jay-Z.

To see the music video for “Shorty (You Keep Playin’ With My Mind),” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c4mWbMH9Fc

To see the music video for “No Doubt,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RmkEGmi4Io

To see the music video for “Flava,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCPJFSdAOcw

[updated on 04\07\2016]

Jeremy Jordan

Jeremy Jordan (born Don Henson on September 19, 1973 in Hammond, Indiana) is a pop music singer and from the ’90s.

Jeremy’s mother gave custody of him to his father, who later married another woman and had four more children, all of whom were placed in an orphanage called Mooseheart Child City after his wife abandoned them. Once they got to the orphanage, he was separated from his siblings.

Jeremy wanted to get involved in films and sign with a talent agency in Chicago, Illinois; however, he was forbidden to do so since the orphanage was in Mooseheart, Illinois (located near North Aurora, Illinois). 

In 1991, when he was 17 years old, he moved to Chicago to a friend’s parents’ home, but he was expelled from the home after getting into a fight and ended up homeless. He lived in the subway until he met his manager, Peter Schivarelli and signed a record deal with his record company.

In November of 1992, he released his debut single, “The Right Kind of Love” which peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming his highest charting single to date. It also peaked at #4 on Billboard’s Top 40 Mainstream chart, #22 on Billboard’s Rhythmic chart, #70 on the Canada Top Singles chart and #5 on the ARIA Singles chart. 

The song was also featured on the soundtrack to the FOX network television series, “Beverly Hills, 90210” and during the end credits in one of the show’s episodes.

In April of 1993, Jeremy released his debut studio album, “Try My Love” on Giant Records which peaked at #176 on the Billboard 200 and #9 on Billboard’s Top Heatseekers albums chart.

The follow-up single from the album, “Wannagirl” (which was originally sung by Trey Lorenz in 1992) peaked at #28 on the Billboard Hot 100, #11 on Billboard’s Mainstream Top 40 chart and #24 on Billboard’s Rhythmic chart.

The last two singles released from the album, “Try My Love” (which was moderately successful in Australia) and “My Love is Good Enough” failed to make any impact on the music charts in the United States; however, both songs were featured in the 1993 film, “Airborne.”

In late 1993, he released a remix album called “Jeremy The Remix” which sold 6,510 copies in Japan and peaked at #70 on the Oricon charts. After his music career came to a pause, Jeremy focused on his acting career, appearing in television shows and films such as “Leaving Las Vegas,” “Never Been Kissed” and “Storm of the Century.”

In later years (according to research), Jeremy struggled with substance abuse issues, but around 2010, he got sober at the Betty Ford Center after serving a short stint in a Los Angeles jail. In 2013, he released a new album called “Where Do We Go From Here.” Since then, nothing much has been heard from Jeremy and it’s unknown what he’s currently up to these days.

To see a video for “The Right Kind of Love,” go to:

To see a video for “Wannagirl,” go to:

To see a video for “Try My Love,” go to:

To see a video for “My Love is Good Enough,” go to:

[updated on 10\09\2020]

Playa

Playa was an R&B group from the late 90s whose members consisted of Static Major (born Stephen Garrett on November 11, 1974 in Louisville, Kentucky), Smokey (born Jawaan Peacock), and Digital Black (born Benjamin Bush).

The group hailed from Louisville, Kentucky and was formed in high school. Smokey and Digital Black met through a friend who thought that the two of them would sound good together while Smokey met Static in a church gospel group.

The group’s original name was As a Touch of Class and they signed to DeVante’s Swing Mob record label on Elektra Records in 1993.

The group’s name changed to Playa after DeVante heard them sing. Playa participated in producing R&B group Jodeci’s album, “The Show, The After-Party, and the Hotel” in 1995. Around this time, the group built up a catalogue of songs that would later be a part of their debut album.
In 1998, Playa released their debut album, “Cheers 2 U” which peaked at #86 on the Billboard 200 and #19 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.

The group’s first single, “Don’t Stop the Music” peaked at #73 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #26 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.

The follow-up single, “Cheers 2 U” became the group’s biggest hit to date, peaking at #38 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #10 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.

In 2000, Playa was featured on “The Hurricane” movie soundtrack on the track, “Love Sets You Free” which also featured Kelly Price, Dru Hill, Montell Jordan, Case, Kandice Love, and Lovher.

The song peaked at #24 on Billboard’s Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, staying on the chart for 17 weeks.

In 2002, Playa had plans to release a follow-up album entitled “Never Too Late.” The title song was released as a single and failed to chart in the U.S. (even though it topped the charts in Spain) and the album was shelved.

The group was featured on soundtracks such as “Dr. Doolittle,” “Blue Streaks,” “How to Be a Player,” and “Romeo Must Die.” By 2003, the group had parted ways, but two members of the group kept themselves busy.

Smokey (now Smoke E. Digglera) is now a solo artist. In 2009, he released his debut album, “The Truth in the Booth” which is available on iTunes.

In 2011, he released his latest single, “The Winner” which is also available on iTunes as well. He continues to perform and record music.

In 2005, Digital Black released his solo album, “Memoirs of an R&B Thug” and in 2007, he released his second album, “The Autobiography of Benjamin Bush.” Both albums are available on CD Baby.

As for Static Major, he became a successful music producer, producing music for artists such as Ginuwine, Aaliyah and Pretty Ricky.

Sadly in February of 2008, Static Major passed away at the age of 33 due to a cerebral aneurysm. After his death, the single he was featured on starring rapper Lil Wayne, “Lollipop” hit #1 on the Billboard charts, becoming his big posthumous hit.

To see Smoke Digglera’s official website, go to:
http://smokedigglera.bandcamp.com/

To see Smoke Digglera’s official MySpace page, go to:
http://myspace.com/smokedigglera

To follow Smoke Digglera’s on Twitter, go to:
http://twitter.com/smokedigglera

To see Smoke Digglera’s YouTube page, go to:
http://youtube.com/smokedigglera

To see Smoke Digglera’s iLike page, go to:
http://ilike.com/artist/Smoke+E.+Digglera

To see Smoke Digglera’s Reverbnation page, go to:
http://reverbnation.com/smokedigglera

To see the music video for “Cheers 2 U,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yvSkYpVZ_I

To see the music video for “Don’t Stop the Music,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JGy8QmsmCE

[updated on 04\10\2016]

Pure Sugar

Pure Sugar was a pop-dance music trio from the ’90s that consisted of members Jennifer Starr, Peter Lorimer and Richard “Humpty” Vission.
The trio originally went under the name, Sugar and released two singles: “The Feeling” in 1995 and “Take Me Higher in 1996. By 1998, they changed their name to Pure Sugar.
In June of that same year, Pure Sugar released their self-titled debut and only album on Geffen Records. It’s unknown how or if the album charted.
The lead single, “Hands to Heaven” peaked at #8 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart (staying on the chart for 12 weeks) and #32 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.
The follow-up single from the album, “Delicious” peaked at #8 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart (staying on the chart for 13 weeks) and #16 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart. The song also crossed over to the pop charts, peaking at #66 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The last single from the album, “These Are the Times” peaked at #3 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, staying on the chart for 13 weeks (making it their highest charting single to date); it also peaked at #31 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

During that same year, Pure Sugar was featured on the soundtrack to the television sitcom series, “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” with their cover version of The Waitresses’ song, “I Know What Boys Like.” After that, it seemed as if the trio faded into obscurity.

These days (according to research), Jennifer Starr goes under the name Jennstar and works as a photographer & make-up artist.

Richard “Humpty” Vission continues to produce and remix music for various artists. Peter Lorimer currently resides in Los Angeles, California with his wife and three kids where he works in real estate with his own business, PLG Estates.

To read Jennifer Starr’s interview with the Milk Carton Pop Stars blog back in 2010, go to:
http://milkcartonpopstars.blogspot.com/2010/01/shes-delicious.html

To see a video for “Delicious,” go to:

To see a video for “Hands to Heaven”, go to:

To see a video for “These Are The Times,” go to:

 

To see a video for “I Know What Boys Like” (from the “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” soundtrack), go to:

To see a video for “The Feeling,” go to:

To see a video for “Take Me Higher,” go to:

Katalina

Katalina (born Kara Wethington in Chicago, Illinois) is a former female pop\dance music singer from the ’90s. She was raised in Orange County, California.

Katalina was discovered by producer\manager Jon St. James while attending Sonora High School in La Habra, California and working part-time at his recording studio. When a vocalist failed to show up for a recording session, Jon asked Katalina to sit in and do a scratch vocal with resulted in the song, “DJ Girl”.
In 1996, “DJ Girl” peaked at #86 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #44 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, making it her only appearance on the Hot 100 to date.
During that same year, she released her only album, “Sonic Groove” on the Thump Records label; it’s unknown how or if the album ever charted at all.
The follow-up singles from the album, the title song and “You’ll Be My Future” failed to make any impact on the charts at all.

During the late ’90s, Katalina appeared on the soundtrack with a cover version of the song, “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” for the film, “Simply Irresistible” (which she starred in) and sang with The Bouncing Souls on their song, “Wish Me Well (You Can Go to Hell)” from their 1999 album, “Hopeless Romantic”.

She also appeared in the internet television series, “Fear of a Punk Planet” and in the 2001 independent film, “That Darn Punk”.

Afterwards, it seemed as if Katalina faded into obscurity; however, according to research, she was living in Los Angeles, California working as a publicist for designer Calleen Cordero as of 2010; it’s unknown what she’s currently up to these days.

To see a video for “DJ Girl,” go to:

To see a video for “Sonic Groove,” go to:

To see a video for “You’ll Be My Future,” go to:

To see a video for “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” (from the “Simply Irresistible” soundtrack), go to: