Debbie Jacobs

Debbie Jacobs (born Debbie Jacobs-Rock in Baltimore, Maryland) is a female R&B\dance singer that started her career in the late ’70s, but gained success in the early ’80s. She is considered a classic disco diva throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Like most singers, Debbie started out singing in church. In 1979, she released her debut album, “Undercover Lover” which peaked at #153 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The first single from the album, “Don’t You Want My Love” peaked at #6 on Billboard’s Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and #66 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 7 weeks.

The title song managed to peak at #6 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart along with the rest of the songs from the LP. Debbie was one of the few singers at that time to have four singles released off the LP to become successful.

In 1980, Debbie released her second album, “High On Your Love” which peaked at #178 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The title song became a hit for Debbie, peaking at #79 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart for a week in March of 1980.

In 1984, Debbie released the single, “Doctor Music” which peaked at #50 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart. She continued to release singles throughout the rest of the 1980s.

In 2000, she teamed up with Rosabel and Tommy Boy Silver and remixed “Don’t You Want My Love” which became a hit on the dance charts.

These days, Debbie is married with a daughter & she continues to sing in church. She has also devoted her life to fighting for the rights of individuals infected or affected with HIV and AIDS, founding the LIGHT Health & Wellness Comprehensive Services Inc.

To see a fan-made video for “Don’t You Want My Love,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uROYHGheSQg

To see a fan-made video for “Undercover Lover,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNWpXVC2f1I

To see a fan-made video for “High On Your Love,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_lUUus7nzc

To see a fan-made video for “Doctor Music,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkhX6CgQj8M

To see a fan-made video for “Hot Hot (Give it All You Got)” [from her second album], go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhB9q4zLI-I

[Updated on 04\30\2016]

Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz

Lord Tariq (born Sean Hamilton) & Peter Gunz (born Peter Pankley) were a hip-hop\rap duo from the 90s.

Before becoming a duo, they were in a group called Gunrunners. Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz made an appearance on Whodini’s 1996 album “Six” on the track “Can’t Get Enough” and co-wrote two other tracks on the album.

In 1998, the duo released their only album, “Make it Reign” on Columbia Records. The album peaked at #38 on the Billboard 200 and #8 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart. It featured collaborations with rappers such as Fat Joe, Sticky Fingaz, Kurupt, Cam’ron, and the late Big Pun.

The first single, “Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)” peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March of 1998 and #4 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 41 weeks and topped Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles chart, becoming their biggest and only hit to date.

The song also peaked at #10 on Billboard’s Rhythmic Top 40 chart and topped Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart. It also peaked at #21 on the U.K. Singles chart and #6 on the Canadian Singles chart. The song was certified platinum by the RIAA, selling over 1 million copies.

The follow-up single, “We Will Ball” peaked at #49 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Airplay chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks. The duo appeared on the remix to Mariah Carey’s song, “My All/Stay Awhile” during that same year. In 1999, Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz broke up without releasing a sophomore album.

In 2004, Lord Tariq released his solo album “The Barcode” on the Team Saga Entertainment record label. It’s unknown how or if the album was successful. Peter Gunz’s son, Cory is a rapper who is currently signed to Young Money Entertainment.

To follow Peter Gunz on Twitter, go to:
https://twitter.com/IamPeterGunz

To see the music video for “Deja Vu (Uptown Baby),” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdVefG2xuKo

To see the music video for “We Will Ball,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7haOnZIicc

[updated on 06/20/13]

Donna Lewis

Donna Lewis (born Donna Maree Lewis on August 6, 1973 in Cardiff, Wales, UK) is a female pop singer\songwriter from the ’90s. 

She began playing the piano when she was 6 years old. As a young teenager, she began writing songs thanks to the inspiration of her jazz pianist father. She also studied at the Welsh College of Music and Drama & majored in composition for piano and flute. 

After teaching music in Sussex for a year, Donna moved to Birmingham to sing in a bar band; during that time, she set up her own studio and began recording her own songs. In late 1993, she began shopping her demo tape around and jumped at the opportunity to sign a record deal with Atlantic Records.

In May of 1996, Donna released her debut album, “Now in a Minute” which peaked at #31 on the Billboard 200 and #6 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart. It also peaked at #52 on the UK Albums chart, and was certified Platinum in the United States & Canada.

Her first single, “I Love You Always Forever” became a hit, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, #1 on Billboard’s Top 40 Mainstream chart in August of 1996, #2 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart and #1 on Billboard’s Adult Pop Songs chart in October of 1996. 

It also peaked at #2 on Billboard’s Rhythmic Top 40 and #20 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart. It stayed at #2 on the Hot 100 for 9 weeks, becoming tied for fourth place among songs with the longest runs at number two.

The song also topped Billboard’s Hot 100 Airplay chart. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at #5 on the U.K. Singles chart. It was certified Gold in the U.S., France, Germany and Norway.

The follow-up single from the album, “Without Love” peaked at #41 on the Billboard Hot 100 & #36 on Billboard’s Adult Top 40 chart in February of 1997, #24 on Billboard’s Top 40 Mainstream chart in January of 1997. It also peaked at #39 on the U.K. Singles chart.

Another single from the album, “Fool’s Paradise” peaked at #169 on the U.K. Singles chart, but did not appear to chart anywhere else.

In 1997, she was featured on the “Anastasia” movie soundtrack with Richard Marx on the track, “At the Beginning” which peaked at #45 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart.

In July of 1998, Donna released her second album, “Blue Planet” which didn’t appear to make the Billboard 200.

The only single to chart was “Love Him” which topped Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play singles chart in November of 1998. After that, she left Atlantic Records. During the early 2000s, she was featured as a guest vocalist on several trance/house music recordings.

In 2002, Donna released her third album, “Be Still” independently on her own record label, Peruzzi Records and is available on her official website.

In 2008, Donna released her fourth and latest album to date, “In the Pink” and the first single, “Shout” appeared on the soundtrack to the Marian Quinn film, “32A.” She also sang lead vocals for her side project, Chute where they released their debut EP in April 2010. In May of 2012, she released the single, “Always It’s You” with Hywel Jones.

In March of 2015, Donna released her fifth album “Brand New Day” on Palmetto Records, making her first full-length album in nearly a decade.

These days, her music career continues to be active; in 2020, she released the single, “Summertime” on her own record label.

To see Donna’s official website, go to:

http://www.donnalewis.com/

To see a video for “I Love You Always Forever,” go to:

To see a video for “Without Love,” go to:

To see a video for “Fool’s Paradise,” go to:

To see a video for “At the Beginning” (with Richard Marx), go to:

To see a video for “Love Him,” go to:

[updated on 10/01/2020]

Danny Madden

Danny Madden (born in Brooklyn, New York) is an R&B musician from the 90s. Danny is skilled in playing the drums, flute saxophone, trombone, cello and piano. He has performed with music legends Leonard Bernstein and Duke Ellington. 

He has studied music at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio, the Julliard School of Music in New York, the Interlaken Academy in Michigan and the American University in Washington, D.C. He has also been a back-up vocalist and songwriter for various artists.

In 1991, Danny released his debut album, “These Are the Facts of Life” on Giant Records. It’s unknown how or if the album ever made the charts.

His only charting single, “Facts of Life” (from the “New Jack City” movie soundtrack) peaked at #91 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 4 weeks. It also peaked at #72 on the U.K. Singles chart.

Since then, Danny has continued in music, on Broadway and is one of New York City’s most sought-after voice teachers.

To see Danny’s official website, go to:
http://danny-madden.com/index.html

To see the music video for “Facts of Life,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSroU3g3Cus

Luniz

Luniz were a rap duo from Oakland, California that consisted of friends Jerold “Yuckmouth” Ellis and Garrick “Knumskull” Husband that have known each other since junior high school. Their original name was Luni Tunz. They gained their first taste of fame when they appeared on Dru Down’s “Explicit Game” album.

In 1994, they released the EP, “(Formally Known As The LuniTunes)” on C-Note Records. It’s unknown how or if the EP was successful.

In 1995, Luniz released their debut album, “Operation Stackola” on Noo Trybe Records. The album peaked at #20 on the Billboard 200 and topped Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.

Their first single, “I Got 5 on It” became a hit for the duo, peaking at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September of 1995 and #4 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart in August of 1995. The song was also successful internationally, even topping the charts in the Netherlands.

The song sampled Club Nouveau’s “Why You Treat Me So Bad,” Kool and the Gang’s “Jungle Boogie,” and Auto Two’s “Top Billin’.” It also featured vocals from Club Nouveau member, Michael Marshall. The success of “I Got 5 on It” helped make Luniz’s debut album become their best-selling album.

The follow-up single, “Playa Hata” peaked at #51 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart and #13 on Billboard’s Rap Singles chart.

In 1997, Luniz released their sophomore album, “Lunitik Muzik” which peaked at #34 on the Billboard 200 and #8 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart. The album sold roughly 500,000 copies and had appearances from rappers such as  Redman, Too Short and E-40. The album failed to produce any hit singles at all.

In 2002, Luniz released their last album to date, “Silver & Black” which peaked at #53 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart, but once again, it failed to produce any hit singles at all.

Since then, Yukmouth has released seven solo albums and is the CEO of Smoke-a-Lot Records and Knumskull has released two solo albums. According to research, the duo are “somewhat beefing” & “not getting along right now” and according to Knumskull, if the duo comes together to do something, it’ll be for the money.

To see the music video for “I Got 5 On It,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSC9cgvtkRs

To see the music video for “Playa Hata,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiOBTLD76Rw

[Updated on 04\30\2016]

April Dawn

April Dawn was a dance singer from the 80s. Not much information is given about her, but she was signed to Easy Street Records.

In 1988, she released the single, “Love Crime” which didn’t appear to make the Billboard charts at all. After that, it seems as if April Dawn has faded into obscurity.

To see a fan-made video for “Love Crime,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YERkKN0f6s

Emage

Emage was a female R&B group from Oakland, California that consisted of Kim Evans, Taura Stinson and Mykah Montgomery. They were signed to Mercury Records.

In 1994, they released their debut album “Soul Deep”. It’s unknown how or if the album charted at all.

The only single from the album to chart was “The Choice is Yours” which peaked at #81 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 4 weeks. After that, it seemed as if Emage has faded into obscurity.

These days, Mykah Montgomery continues to be active in music and has her own label Mylaan Entertainment. Taura Stinson also appears to be active in the music business and has worked with artists such as Destiny’s Child, Lisa Stansfield, Outkast, Deborah Cox and Pink. It’s unknown what Kimberly Evans is up to these days.

To see the music video for “The Choice is Yours,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAq6BfYpjho

[Updated on 04\30\2016]

The Cut

The Cut was an R&B\dance band from the 80s that was assembled by music producer Greg Brown. Not much information is given about them, but they were signed to Supertronics Records.

In 1986, their only single, “Kindness for Weakness” peaked at #77 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 5 weeks. After that, it seems as if the Cut has faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from them since.

To see a fan-made video for “Kindness for Weakness,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr5ag-gED6o

Robin Angel

Robin Angel is an R&B singer from the 80s. During the ’70s, she was a jingle & background singer in Chicago, Illinois.

In 1986, she released her only self-titled album on CBS Associated Records. which didn’t appear to make the Billboard charts at all. 

Robin has provided background vocals for artists such as Lisa Stansfield, Barry Manilow, Ruben Studdard, Peter Cetera, Celine Dion, R. Kelly, Bob Dylan, Richie Havens & Madonna. 

She has also performed live with singers such as Gladys Knight, Michael Bolton, Donnie McClurkin, Walter Hawkins and the late Gerald Levert.

These days, Robin continues to sing as a background vocalist & in gospel music along with being a licensed Evangelist Missionary for the Church of God & Christ and works with special education students in a Chicago high school. She is also the mother of seven children and grandmother to six grandchildren. 

To see a fan-made video for “Love Shine” (from her only album),  go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pGZUKw5t6k

To see a fan-made video for “The Power of Love” (also from her only album), go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuqFl_xQDwk&nohtml5


[updated on 04\06\2016]

Ali Thomson

Ali Thomson (born in 1959 in Glasgow, Scotland) is a pop\rock singer-songwriter who began his career in the ’80s. His brother, Doug was a member of the Alan Bown Set and Supertramp.

Ali first began singing and playing piano in local bands. In the ’70s, he relocated to London where he got a job at Mountain Records as an office helphand. After Doug set him up for an audition at A&M Records, he relocated to Los Angeles, California.

In 1980, Ali released his debut studio album, “Take a Little Rhythm” which didn’t appear to make the Billboard 200 chart.

The title song peaked at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it his highest charting single to date. It also peaked at #4 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart.

The follow-up single from the album, “Live Every Minute” was a moderate hit, peaking at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 1981, he released his sophomore album, “Deception is Art” which didn’t appear to make the album charts at all.

The only track from the album to chart, “Foolish Child” peaked at #5 on Billboard’s Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.  During that same year, he co-wrote Gary Wright’s song and last charting single, “Really Wanna Know You.”

In 1989, Ali released the single, “What Dreams Are Made Of’ on the EG Records label which didn’t appear to chart at all. Throughout the years, he went on to be a Grammy and Emmy-nominated songwriter for artists such as Lauren Christy, Girls Aloud, Brian Kennedy, Mark Owen, Roch Voisine, Laura Pausini, A1 and Melissa O’Neal.

In 2018, Ali returned to the recording studio to work on his third studio album, “Songs from The Playroom” which was released in 2020 along with the single, “Through the Storm.”

To see Ali’s official website, go to:
https://alithomson.com/

To see a video for “Take A Little Rhythm,” go to:

To see a video for “Live Every Minute,” go to:

To see a video for “Foolish Child,” go to:

To see a video for “Through the Storm,” go to:

[Updated on 12/02/2021]