The Funky Worm

The Funky Worm was a British dance music group formed by record producer Mark Brydon and consisted of singer Julie Stewart, DJs Parrot & Ping Pong (born Carl Munson) and saxophonist Sim Lister. The group took their name from the Ohio Players’ hit song “Funky Worm.”

In 1988, they released their first single “Hustle! (To the Music)” peaked at #13 on the U.K. Singles chart, #24 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart and topped Billboard’s Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart for a week in December of that same year.

The group’s second single “The Spell! (Get Down With the Genie)” peaked at #61 on the U.K. Singles chart.

The last single “U + Me= Love” managed to peak at #46 on the U.K. Singles chart. After that, it seemed as if the Funky Worm faded into obscurity.

Julie Stewart later became an actress and in 1995, Mark Brydon formed a music duo called Moloko. As for the other members, it’s unknown what they are up to today.

To see the music video for “Hustle! (To the Music),” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6qBh6pij3Y

To see a fan-made video for “The Spell,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL6sOJGA2Vs

To see the music video for “U + Me= Love,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujVBUZpzMow

Intensive Heat

Intensive Heat was an R&B trio from the ’80s that consisted of brothers Bernard, John and Walter Lindsey. Not much information is given about them, but they were signed to Epic Records.

In 1982, they released their only self-titled album. It’s unknown how or if the album ever made the charts.

The only single released was “You Know I Want You Back.” Like the album, it is unknown how or if it ever made the charts.

After that, it seems as if the Lindsey Brothers have faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from them since.

To see a fan-made video for “You Know I Want You Back,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds5IXX3Oc50

Darryl Duncan

Darryl Duncan (born in 1963 in Chicago, Illinois) is an R&B/dance singer, composer and producer. He began playing the organ when he was 9 years old and by the time he reached his teen years, he was an accomplished pianist.

In high school, Darryl joined a local band called Cashmere (not to be confused with R&B group Cashmere). He later left Chicago to work on his compositional skills and eventually became a staff writer at A&M Records.

After relocating to Los Angeles, Darryl wrote songs & produced sessions for various artists such as Chaka Khan, Maurice White, Billy Always, Sarah Dash, Michael Jeffries and the E.U. Band. Later on, Motown Records signed Darryl to the label as a performer.

In 1987, Darryl released the single “James Brown” which managed to peak at #71 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 6 weeks.

During that same year, his second single “Rock the House” was released, but didn’t make the charts. The song was featured on the “Police Academy 4: Citizens On Patrol” movie soundtrack.

In 1988, Darryl released his only album “Heaven” which didn’t appear to make the Billboard album charts at all. The title song was released as a single, but failed to make the charts.

After continuing to work as a songwriter/producer, Darryl later left the music industry for the video game industry, working as the lead composer and audio director for Electronic Arts Florida for three years.

Darryl later formed his own company GameBeat Studios, but he has now since refocused back to writing pop and R&B music with a goal to secure a new publisher for his latest material and land new song covers.

To see the website for Darryl’s company, GameBeat Studios, go to:
www.gamebeatstudios.com

To see Darryl’s Broadjam.com profile, go to:
http://www.broadjam.com/darrylduncan

To see a fan-made video for “James Brown,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Me5ABHTqzkE

To see a fan-made video for “Rock the House,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZMPV3tWQ6U

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

Silk Tymes Leather

Silk Tymes Leather was a hip-hop/rap trio from Atlanta, Georgia that consisted of Vicki “Silk” Jordan, Dyonna “Diamond X” Lewis and Jocelyn “Leather” Rabon. They were produced by Jermaine Dupri.

In 1989, the trio released their debut single “Do Your Dance (Work It Out).” It’s unknown how or if the single ever made the charts.

In 1990, Silk Tymes Leather released their only album “It Ain’t Where Ya From, It’s Where Ya At” which peaked at #73 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.

The trio’s second single “New Jack Thang” peaked at #90 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 2 weeks.

The third single “The Woman in Me” peaked at #16 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles chart. After that, it seems as if the trio has faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from them since the 90s.

To see the music video for “The Woman in Me,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYGrzJT82Og

To see a fan-made video for “New Jack Thang,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvYSEYrFQQ4

To see a fan-made video for “Do Your Dance (Work It Out),” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eka7b3i-BEA

Nini X

Nini X (born Rajni Faulks on July 21, 1970 in Steubenville, Ohio) was a female rapper from the 90s. She later moved to Los Angeles in Compton.

In 1993, she was introduced to Ronnie Ron by Tweedy Bird Loc. At the time, Nini was struggling, so Ronnie Ron helped her out. At first, he did not want her to be on the song “Bangin’ on Wax,” but Nini insisted and gave herself the name “Bloody Mary.”

Nini made her debut on the single “Piru Love” along with rappers Lil’ Stretch, Redrum 781 and “CK.” She also appeared in the music video for the song.

In 1994, Nini released her debut album “She’s Dangerous” under the name “Nini X.” The album failed to make the Billboard album charts at all. She later left Dangerous Records and stopped working with Ronnie Ron due to financial issues.

Due to the joint ventures with Quality Records and money that was being handled by Warlock Records, Nini X ended in bad terms with Ronnie Ron. She was featured on most of the first “Bangin’ On Wax” album.

In 2002, Nini released her sophomore album “Day Of Resurrection” under the name “Bloody Mary.” It’s unknown how or if the album ever made the charts at all. She was even signed to Death Row Records. Nini was featured on Tweedy Bird Loc’s work and also appeared on Assassin’s “Hitworks Vol. 1” album under the name “Nina Ross/Bloody Mary.”

On November 19, 2006, Nini was riding her motorbike in Compton & she unintentionally became involved in another person’s high-speed chase. Her bike was hit by an Escalade trying to outrun the police. She was put on life support and sadly succumbed to her injuries on November 21, 2006. She was only 36 years old.

To see a fan-made video for “Slow Your Roll” from her “Nini X” album, go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7alMGvrmG8c

To see a fan-made video for “Regulate It” from her “Bloody Mary” album, go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BxdGFIfMvE

Fam-Lee

Fam-Lee were an R&B band from Plainfield, New Jersey that consisted of the Pearyer brothers: Berkley, Anthony, Keef and Coree. Their late uncle Glen Goins was a member of Bootsy’s Rubber Band and P-Funk.

In 1992, the band released their debut album “Runs in the Fam-Lee” on the late Jam Master Jay’s record label, JMJ Records. It’s unknown how or if the album made the charts.

The first single “Always on My Mind” was released, but didn’t appear to make the Billboard charts at all.

The second single “You’re the One For Me” peaked at #92 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 4 weeks.

The last two singles “Love Me” and the title song failed to make the charts at all. After that, it seems as if Fam-Lee faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from them since.

To see the music video for “You’re the One For Me,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X_ynEWPj4M

To see the music video for “Love Me,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEw1xCp4WZg

To see the music video for “Runs in the Fam-Lee,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38AOZl_7yss

To see a fan-made video for “Always on My Mind,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqQohZVODlE

Garry Glenn

Garry Glenn (born on May 12, 1955 in Detroit, Michigan) was an R&B singer and songwriter from the 80s.

He was the brother of gospel singer Beverly Glenn and as a teenager, he went on tour with her. By the late 70s, Garry turned his attention to songwriter and by the 80s, he was a frequent songwriting partner with Dianne Quander.

Garry has written songs for artists such as the Emotions, the Dramatics, Earth, Wind & Fire, Eddie Kendricks, Jean Carne, R.J.’s Latest Arrival, Freddie Jackson, Pieces of a Dream and Anita Baker (whom he wrote the song “Caught Up in the Rapture” for her 1986 debut album “Rapture.”)

In 1980, Garry released his self-titled debut album on PPL Records. It’s unknown how or if the album was successful.

In 1987, Garry released his sophomore album “Feels Good to Feel Good” on Motown Records which peaked at #70 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart. On the album, he wrote or co-wrote all of the songs (including four songs with Dianne Quander).

The first single from the album “Do You Have to Go” peaked at #37 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks.

The title song featuring Sheila Hutchinson from the Emotions, peaked at #37 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 13 weeks.

Sadly on September 27, 1991, Garry passed away from kidney failure at the age of 36. Garry’s songs have continued to be recorded & sampled by other artists.

Garry’s song “Intimate Friends” (which was recorded by Eddie Kendricks) was sampled on Sweet Sable’s song “Old Time’s Sake” in 1994 and in 2005, Alicia Keys sampled the same track on her song “Unbreakable” which was nominated for 2 Grammys and won 2 NAACP Image Awards.

To see a fan-made video for “Do You Have to Go,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHZzmMHD9Bg

Family Dream

Family Dream were an R&B trio from Los Angeles, California that consisted of singers The Robin, Tish Jones and Big Bert (who also played percussion). The group was produced by Rudee Pardy.

In 1987, the trio was featured on the “Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol” film soundtrack with the song “Rescue Me” which managed to peak at #75 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 7 weeks.

After that, it seemed as if Family Dream faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from them since.

To see a fan-made video for “Rescue Me,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbqYxW04Mx0

Lil Soldiers

Lil Soldiers were a short-lived hip-hop/rap duo from Asbury Park, New Jersey that consisted of siblings Ikeim and Freequon.

The duo was signed to Master P’s No Limit Records record label. They made their first appearance on No Limit labelmate Steady Mobb’n’s 1998 album “Black Mafia” on the track “Lil’ Niggas.”

In 1999, Lil Soldiers released their only album “Boot Camp” which peaked at #80 on the Billboard 200 and #22 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.

The boys were 9 and 7 years old respectively when the album was released. “Boot Camp” featured minimal explicit content and didn’t receive a Parental Advisory logo.

The album wasn’t commercially successful and the singles released from the album “Close 2 You” and “Where Da Lil Soldiers At?” failed to make the charts at all.

After the release of their one and only album, Lil Soldiers were dropped from their record label and faded into obscurity. Two years later, No Limit Records gained better success with then-child rapper Lil’ Romeo.

These days, Freequon (now Ockey Bama) continues to make music, but it’s unknown what his brother is up to.

To see the music video for “Close 2 You,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSpQRqFxjlQ

To see the music video for “Where Da Lil Soldiers At?,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6vXQ4C0ZKQ

[updated on 06/20/13]

Waterlillies

Waterlillies were a male-female dance/electronica/pop/trip hop duo from the ’90s that consisted of instrumentalist/producer Ray Carroll and singer Jill Alikas St. Thomas.

In 1992, the duo released their debut album, “Envoluptuousity” on Sire Records. It’s unknown how or if the album made any impact on the charts at all.

The only single released from the album was “Tired of You.” It’s unknown how the song charted, but a music video was made for it.

In 1994, Waterlillies released their sophomore album “Tempted” which didn’t appear to make the Billboard 200 at all. The title song managed to peak at #4 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.

The second single, a remix of the song, “Never Get Enough” topped Billboard’s Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart for a week in April of 1995 and #40 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart. After that, it seemed as if Waterlillies faded into obscurity.

These days, Jill is the head of the music department at the HSBAcademy in Nosara, Costa Rica. She has been in various music projects such as The Flower Sermon, Suicide Lounge, Lizard’s Lounge and most recently Sonic Fleur.

Before working at the HSBAcademy, Jill worked in the United States as a teacher’s aid for Kindergarten through 2nd grade with a focus on advanced reading & comprehension and has also worked as a cheerleading and vocal coach for 15 years. She is also active in fundraising and coordinating events for eco-based initiatives.

Ray Carroll has produced music for artists such as Madonna and Depeche Mode, but nothing much has been heard from him since 2005.

To see a video for “Tired of You,” go to:

To see a video for “Never Get Enough,” go to:

To see a video for “Tempted,” go to: