Ms. Melodie

Ms. Melodie (born Ramona L. Parker in 1969 in Brooklyn, New York) was a hip hop artist from the late ’80s. She was previously a member of rap group Boogie Down Productions (along with her younger sister, Harmony) and was married to one of the members, KRS-One.
In 1988, she released the mini studio album, “Hype According to Ms. Melodie” on Jive Records. She later participated with the Stop the Violence Movement on the track, “Self Destruction”.
In 1989, Ms. Melodie released her full-length debut studio album, “Diva”. The lead single, “Wake Up, Wake Up!” peaked at #28 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles chart, making it her only charting single to date.

The follow-up single, “Live on Stage” didn’t chart, but it was a hit on video stations. During that same year, she made an appearance in Queen Latifah’s music video for her single, “Ladies First”. Afterwards, it seemed as if Ms. Melodie faded into obscurity.

On July 12, 2012, she passed away at the age of 43 due to complications from an undisclosed illness.

To see a video for “Wake Up, Wake Up!”, go to:

To see a video for “Live on Stage”, go to:

Def Dames

Def Dames were a rap music duo from Bakersfield, California. The duo originally consisted of Marilyn Smith (also known as “Kandy Kane”) and Yolanda Sugart (also known as “Special T” or “The Ace Senorita”).
Marilyn and Yolanda were discovered by hip hop producer Stephen “DJ Sparkle” Ewers. They later signed a record deal with the Sedona Record Company label. In 1989, the duo released their debut studio album, “2-4 The Bass” which managed to peak at #76 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.
The lead single from the album, “976-Boom” peaked at #19 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles chart, making it their only highest chart appearance to date. The follow-up, “Set It Off” peaked at #20 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles chart.

During that same year, Def Dames and DJ Sparkle performed live at the Throw Down Fest ’89 Dance Concert. By the ’90s, Yolanda quit the duo due to monetary disputes and was replaced by Petrina Walker (also known as “Larissa”).
In 1991, Def Dames released their sophomore album, “2-Large”. The first single, “The King of Romance” peaked at #26 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles chart, making it their last appearance on the music charts.
The follow-up single from the album, “Whip It” didn’t make the charts at all. By 1992, the duo appeared to have disbanded. It’s unknown what they’re currently up to these days and it appears as if they have faded into obscurity.

To see a video for “976-Boom”, go to:

To see a video for “Set It Off”, go to:

To see a video for “The King of Romance”, go to:

To see a video for “Whip It”, go to:

Icey Jaye

Icey Jaye (born Renita Johnson) was a hip hop\rap artist from the ’80s. Not much background information is given about this artist, but she was signed to the JBM Records label and Arista Records.
In 1988, she released her first single, “It Takes a Real Man” on JMB Records. The song was an answer record to Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock’s hit song, “It Takes Two.” It’s unknown how or if the single made any impact on the music charts.

A year later, Icey Jaye released her follow-up single, “Icey (She’s Bad)” on Arista Records. In 1990, she released her last single to date, “It’s Just a Girl Thing” which didn’t appear to make any impact on the music charts at all.
Afterwards, it seems as if Icey Jaye had faded into obscurity; however, in 2004, she released the album, “It’s a Girl Thing”. These days, it’s currently unknown what she’s up to or if she’s still active with her music career.

To see a video for “It Takes a Real Man”, go to:

To see a video for “Icey (She’s Bad)”, go to:

To see a video for “It’s Just a Girl Thing”, go to:

Ice Cream Tee

Ice Cream Tee (born Bettina Clark in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) was a female rapper from the late 80s.

In 1986, she released the sequel to the Fresh Prince & D.J. Jazzy Jeff’s song, “Girls Ain’t Nothing But Trouble” entitled “Guys Ain’t Nothing But Trouble.”

In 1989, Ice Cream Tee released her only album, “Can’t Hold Back” on UNI Records. It’s unknown how or if the album charted.

The only single from the album to chart was “Let’s Work” which peaked at #18 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles chart and #17 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. Another single, “Can’t Hold Back” was released, but didn’t chart.

After that, it seemed that Ice Cream Tee has faded into obscurity seeing as how she never released a second album.

To see a fan-made video for “Guys Ain’t Nothing But Trouble,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNSmmUIevTk

To see the music video for “Let’s Work,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vof6wkWHl7M

To see a fan-made video for “Can’t Hold Back,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap46-EnZm98

[updated on 05/22/13]

Sweet Tee

Sweet Tee (born Toi Jackson in Queens, New York) is a female rapper who started her career in the mid 80s.

She first started her career with the recording “One for the Treble” with music producer/D.J. Davy DMX. Not long after that, she met music producer Herby “Luv Bug” Azor. She joined the Idol Makers camp and began work with Luv Bug to record her first single.

In 1986, Sweet Tee released her first single, “It’s My Beat” featuring rapper Jazzy Joyce, which peaked at #98 on the U.K. Singles chart, but didn’t chart in the U.S.

In 1987, she released her second single, “I Got Da Feelin’/It’s Like That Y’All” which peaked at #31 on the U.K. Singles chart and #48 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks.

In 1988, Sweet Tee released her debut album, “It’s Tee Time” which peaked at #169 on the Billboard 200 and #31 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.

Sweet Tee’s third single, “On the Smooth Tip” peaked at #36 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 12 weeks.

The fourth single, “Let’s Dance” peaked at #79 on the U.K. Singles chart and #40 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. Sweet Tee’s fifth and last single from the album, “Why Did It Have To Be Me” didn’t appear to chart, but a music video was made for the song.

In 1995, Sweet Tee released the single, “What’s Up Star?” under the name “Suga” which peaked at #72 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 15 weeks. Today, Sweet Tee is back to using her original name and continues to be active in the music business.

To see Sweet Tee’s official Facebook page, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/officialsweettee

To see a fan-made video for “It’s My Beat,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3MyvP5Au6M

To see a fan-made video for “I Got Da Feelin’,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFAMhMi95Hg

To see a fan-made video for “It’s Like That Y’All,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jau-DPP_WMY

To see the music video for “On the Smooth Tip,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYuZrfHMWn8

To see a fan-made video for “Let’s Dance,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h0T0qRdPf4

To see the music video for “Why Did It Have To Be Me,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pe5xQd5xy0

To see the music video for “What’s Up Star?,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXl9d4jSe98

[updated on 05/22/13]

Finesse & Synquis

Finesse & Synquis (from Staten Island, New York) were a female rap duo from the mid 80s. Not much information is given about them, but they were signed to MCA Records.

In 1987, the duo released their first single, “Bass Game.” It’s unknown how or if the single ever charted at all.

A year later in 1988, Finesse & Synquis released their one and only debut album, “Soul Sisters” which managed to peak at #61 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.

The second single, “Soul Sisters/Soft But Deadly” was released, but didn’t appear to make the charts at all, but the title song was made into a music video. The last single from the album, “I’ll Be There” didn’t chart.

In 1990, Finesse & Synquis released the single, “Straight From the Soul” on Uptown Records, but it didn’t chart. After that, it seemed as if they faded into obscurity.

To see the music video for “Soul Sisters,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S17wQE8XA-Q

To see a fan-made video for “Bass Game,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxkJE3uLYB0

To see the music video for “Straight From The Soul,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hP8leeXDrtU

[updated on 05/22/13]

Tamika Patton

Tamika Patton (born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a former R&B music singer from the late ’80s who went on to have a successful career as a gospel music artist.
Tamika grew up in a musical family and attended the prestigious Philadelphia High School for the Creative Arts. She later signed a record deal with the Orpheus Records label. In 1989, she released her debut studio album, “#1” which didn’t appear to make the charts at all.
The lead single, a cover version of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s 1967 song, “Your Precious Love” (featuring R&B singer Eric Gable) peaked at #20 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.
The follow-up single, “Number One” peaked at #75 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 6 weeks.
By the ’90s, Tamika switched over to gospel music. In 1999, she released her sophomore and first gospel album, “Born Again” on the Kept record label.

In 2000, she began playing the role of singer Mahalia Jackson in the gospel play, “Hallelujah Mahalia!” which she has maintained for 21 years.

During that same year, she formed Tamika Patton Ministries and Chosen Vessel Productions, (which provides services to the music industry such as studio & live vocals, lead and background; theatrical productions; dance; audio engineering; and sound production).

In the years since, Tamika has worked with various artists such as Patti LaBelle (who handpicked her to be a background vocalist), Kirk Whalum, Yolanda Adams, Tramaine Hawks Fred Hammond, Kenny Lattimore, Jekalyn Carr and Earl Bynum. She has also toured nationally and internationally to rave reviews.
In 2011, she toured with James Fortune & FIYA, and was voted “Best Inspirational Singer” by Radio One and Praise 103.9FM. During that same year, she released the single, “More Than Faithful”, and went on to perform on the “Bobby Jones Show” and the “Ellen Degeneres Show”.

In 2018, Tamika was a second place runner-up and the only solo singer to place first in the Stellar Awards Indie Artist Showcase in Las Vegas, Nevada.
She was also voted “Best Inspirational Singer in America” by Radio One at the launch of their Inspirational Music Conference. During that same year, she released a holiday album, “A Warm December”.
These days, she is still active with her career; in 2020, she released the single, “Stand on His Promises” featuring singer Korey Mickie. In 2021, she started her own television series, “Time, Talent, & Treasure” on KBCN Media TV.

To see Tamika’s official website, go to:

https://www.tamikapattonmusic.com/

To follow Tamika on Facebook, go to:

https://www.facebook.com/TamikaPattonMusic/

To see the Facebook page for Tamika Patton Ministries, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/Tamika-Patton-Ministries-173514832721654/

To follow Tamika on Instagram, go to:

https://www.instagram.com/tamikapattonmusic

To see Tamika’s YouTube page, go to:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7iuAVi8x3H93lV7YfU-JDA

To see a video for “Your Precious Love” (with Eric Gable), go to:

To see a video for “Number One,” go to:

To see a video for “More Than Faithful,” go to:

To see a video for “Stand on His Promises” (with Korey Mickie), go to:

Subway

Subway was an R&B group from the ’90s that hailed from Chicago, Illinois. The members were Eric McNeal, Keith Thomas, Trerail Puckett, and Roy Jones. They were signed to Bell Biv Devoe\New Edition member Michael Bivins’ record label, Biv 10.

In 1995, Subway released their debut album, “Good Times” which peaked at #101 on the Billboard 200, #23 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart, and topped on Billboard’s Top Heatseekers Albums chart.
Subway’s first single, “This Lil Game We Play” featuring female R&B group 702 peaked at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100, #4 on Billboard’s Rhythmic Top 40 chart, and #4 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 26 weeks.

The second single from the album, “Fire” peaked at #91 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #34 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.

The third and last single from the album, “This is Not a Goodbye” peaked at #85 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 5 weeks. Gerald LeVert provided background vocal ad-libs on the song.

In 1996, Subway released the single, “I’ll Make Your Dreams Come True” which was featured on the “Kazaam” movie soundtrack. The song peaked at #64 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks.

After that, it seemed that Subway had faded away into obscurity. Nothing has been heard from them in quite a long time.

To see the music video for “This Lil Game We Play,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3zE5Mkz_EA

To see the music video for “Fire,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKisS1RcDw8

To see a fan-made video for “This is Not a Goodbye,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWSFeXW4KP0

To see the music video for “I’ll Make Your Dreams Come True,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMGFcIuDh4Q

[updated on 05\08\12]

The Latin Rascals

The Latin Rascals are a music production duo from the Bronx, New York that consisted of producers and disc jockeys Anthony “Tony” Moran (born on December 2, 1964) and Albert Cabrera (born on August 4, 1964).

Tony and Albert began their career in 1981. Their edited versions of hit songs being spliced together received major airplay on the New York City dance radio station, WKTU’s mix show. The exposure on the radio station led to the duo getting a deal from Shakedown Studios who hired them to restructure popular hit radio songs into viable dance club hits.

The Latin Rascals have produced and remixed songs for various artists including the Force M.D.’s, Nayobe, Thelma Houston, Duran Duran, Pet Shop Boys, Grace Jones, The Fat Boys, TKA, Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen and the Rolling Stones. They were later contracted by Fever Records to write and produce The Cover Girls’ song, “Show Me” which became a hit and helped usher in the freestyle era of music.
In 1985, they released their debut single, “Lisa’s Coming” on the Tommy Boy record label which didn’t appear to make the charts at all.
In 1986, The Latin Rascals released their debut studio album, “Bach To The Future” on the Tin Pan Apple Records label. The lead single, “Macho Mozart” peaked at #14 on Billboard’s Hot Dance\Disco Club Play chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks. It also peaked at #32 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.
The duo’s next charting single, “Disorderly Conduct\Arabian Knights” peaked at #22 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart (staying on the chart for 8 weeks) and #24 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.
The track, “Disorderly Conduct” was featured on the soundtrack to the film, “Disorderlies”. The last single released from their debut album, “Bach To The Future” didn’t appear to make the charts at all.
In 1989, they released their sophomore album, “When She Goes”. The lead single, “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood\Life’s Too Short” peaked at #30 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart (staying on the chart for 8 weeks) and #32 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.
The follow-up single from the album, “It Must Be You” peaked at #31 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, staying on the chart for 4 weeks. The song also peaked at #40 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

In the years since, Tony and Albert have each continued to stay active in the music business as disc jockeys and producers.

To see Tony Moran’s official website, go to:
http://www.tonymoran.com/

To see Tony Moran’s Facebook page, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/DJTONYMORAN

To follow Tony Moran on Instagram, go to:
http://www.instagram.com/djtonymoran/

To see a video for “Lisa’s Coming”, go to:

To see a video for “Macho Mozart”, go to:

To see a video for “Disorderly Conduct”, go to:

To see a video for “Arabian Knights”, go to:

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

To see a video for “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”, go to:

To see a video for “Life’s Too Short”, go to:

To see a video for “It Must Be You”, go to:

Lisa Taylor

Lisa Taylor (born in Brooklyn, New York; raised in Youngstown, Ohio) was an R&B singer from the ’90s. Before starting her solo career, she was a member of Rose Royce from 1986 to 1990 and a background vocalist for Patti LaBelle.

In 1992, Lisa released her debut album “Secrets of the Heart.” It’s unknown how or if the album ever charted on the Billboard 200.

The title song peaked at #41 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks.

The follow-up single from the album “Did You Pray Today” peaked at #40 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks.

In 1993, Lisa released the single, “Don’t Waste My Time” which was featured on the “Meteor Man” movie soundtrack. The song managed to peak at #94 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 2 weeks.

Lisa was also a member of the music group, Colour Club. After that, it seems as she has faded into obscurity.

To see a fan-made video for “Did You Pray Today,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBCwmplZY_c

To see a fan-made video for “Secrets of the Heart,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFc1nItEIe4

To see a fan-made video for “Don’t Waste My Time,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8gTrKkMkHQ

[updated on 05\08\12]