Blaque
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Template:Infobox band Blaque is an African-American R&B vocal trio. Blaque stands for Believing in Life and Achieving a Quest for Unity and Everything. The group was originally known as Blaque Ivory and is still known by that name outside the United States. The group consists of members Natina Reed (born October 1979 in New York City), Shamari Fears (born February 22, 1980 in Detroit, Michigan), and Brandi Williams (born October 5, 1982 in Detroit, Michigan).
Reed and Fears both moved to Atlanta, Georgia and met while in high school. Reed formed Blaque Ivory while Fears formed another group called Intrigue. Intrigue won a recording contract with Elektra Records, and Fears met up with Williams at a talent show while a member of that group. Fears left Intrigue to join up with Reed in Blaque Ivory and Williams joined the group shortly thereafter. Reed met Ronald Lopes while singing jingles to earn extra cash and he introduced her to his sister Lisa Lopes (also known as Left Eye) of TLC. Lisa Lopes signed the group to her Left Eye Productions and then to Columbia Records. Natina Reed departed the group to do Christian Music in 2003. They replaced her with Erica. Blaque never debuted with their new member. Shamari is now signed with Darkchild and is set to debut in 2006.
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Blaque Platinum
Their self-titled debut album Blaque reached #53 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and went platinum. Two of the singles from the album, "808" written with R. Kelly and "Bring It All To Me" featuring J.C. Chasez of *NSYNC, reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The album also featured a cover version of "Time After Time" originally recorded by Cyndi Lauper and their only single to be nominated for a MTV Video Music Award, "I Do".
Blaque Out
While the Blaque album went platinum, their second album Blaque Out was set to release in 2001, but they were dropped from Columbia Records, and their video "Can't Get it Back" was never released. The album was soon leaked on the Internet. After their mentor Lisa Lopes died in a car crash on April 25, 2002 in Honduras they got signed with Elektra Records and began to work on their 3rd album
Torch
Their third album Torch featured a number of A-list music industry figures including Missy Elliott, songwriter Linda Perry, and producer Rodney Jerkins. Missy Elliott produced the first official single "Ugly" Before that in 2003 they released "I'm Good" which appeared on the Honey Soundtrack and they released "No Gangsta" ,the answer to 50 Cent's "Wanksta", as a 2nd buzz single.
After I'm Good, No Gangsta, & Ugly the finished album "Torch" still wasn't released. Finally, news came up their first official single would be "Hopeless" a song talking about a lazy, good-for-nothing man. But that never happened. In 2004, Natina left the group to go into ministry and she was soon replaced by singer/rapper Erica Pullins who performed with them overseas. They recorded songs with new member, but the album was never released and Blaque Was no more.
Their 2003 contribution to the soundtrack of Honey, "I'm Good", charted on the Rhythmic Top 40.The single also made the Australian top 40 in March 2004
Other media
In addition to their recording work, Reed, Fears, and Williams appeared in the 2000 film Bring It On as members of the East Compton Clovers, the African-American cheerleading squad fronted by Gabrielle Union. Blaque appears on Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes's 2001 solo debut album, "Supernova", on the track titled "Head to the Sky", which was only released internationally.
After Blaque
Natina went into ministry in early 2004. Shamari is signed with Darkchild and is to be released in 2006. She is currently married to Ronnie DeVoe, a member of New Edition. Brandi also has a record deal and is working on a solo album. She has appeared on Nelly's First single ,from his 2005 album "Sweatsuit", "Grillz". Grillz features Nelly, Paul Wall, Gipp, Ali and, of course, Brandi Williams even though she is not credited. Nothing is known about Erica.
Blaque Together Again
Natina has stated at T.I.'s album release party for King that she and girls are currently working on a new album, same girls and all. No details are known about the album just yet.[1]
Discography
Albums
| Album Cover | Title | Year | (US Top 200) | (R&B/Hip-Hop Albums) | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image:Blaque Blaque.jpg | *Blaque | 1999 | #53 | #23 | Platinum |
| Image:Blaque Out 2.JPG | *Blaque Out (Shelved/Internet Leaked) | 2002 | Uncertified | ||
| Image:Blaque Torch.jpg | *Torch (Shelved/Clips Leaked) | 2004 | Uncertified |
Singles
| Single Cover | Title | Year | Hot 100 | R&B/Hip-Hop | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image:Blaque 808.jpg | "808" | 1999 | #8 | #4 | Blaque |
| Image:Blaque I Do.jpg | "I Do" | 1999 | - | #73 | Blaque |
| Image:Blaque Bring It All To Me.jpg | "Bring It All To Me" | 2000 | #4 | #15 | Blaque |
| Image:Blaque Adore Me 2.jpg | "Adore Me" | 2000 | - | - | Adore Me (CD Single) |
| Image:Blaque As If.jpg | "As If | 2000 | - | - | Bring It On OST |
| Image:Blaque Can't Get It Back.jpg | "Can't Get It Back" | 2001 | #91 | - | Blaque Out |
| Image:Blaque I'm Good.jpg | "I'm Good" | 2003 | - | #95 | Honey OST / Torch |
| "No Gangsta" [Radio Promo] | 2004 | - | Torch | ||
| "Ugly" [Radio Promo] | 2004 | - | Torch |
Music Videos
| Title | Year | Director | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "808" | 1999 | Martin Weisz | Blaque |
| "I Do" | 1999 | Bille Woodruff | Blaque |
| "Bring It All To Me" | 2000 | Bille Woodruff | Blaque |
| "Adore Me" | 2000 | Adore Me (CD Single) | |
| "As If | 2000 | Little X | Bring It On OST |
| "Can't Get It Back" | 2001 | Liz Friedlander | Blaque Out |
| "I'm Good" | 2003 | Jake Nava | Honey OST / Torch |