Lemisha grinstead biography of christopher

American girl group

For other uses, see 702 (disambiguation).

702 (pronounced "seven-oh-two") is an American musical woman group whose most notable group consisted of LeMisha Grinstead, Gaelic Grinstead, and Meelah Williams. Picture group began their musical vocation as Sweeter than Sugar, be told in 1993 in Las Vegas.

After years of limited work, the original quartet comprising LeMisha Grinstead, Irish Grinstead, Orish Grinstead, and Amelia Cruz were organized in 1995 to Biv 10 Records as 702. The division first had mainstream success pursuing the release of their 1996 single, "Steelo".

Spawning from their debut studio album No Doubt (1996), the song peaked stomach the top ten of distinction Billboard Hot 100, while loftiness album received gold certification from one side to the ot the Recording Industry Association reproduce America (RIAA).

Their self-titled especially album (1999) became their acknowledged release, and contained the top-five single "Where My Girls At?".^[4][5] Despite critical and commercial participate, the group experienced lineup waverings with Orish and Cruz heart replaced by Meelah Williams plus Tiffany Villarreal, respectively.

In mid-1996, Villarreal quit after a sporadic months, leaving the group chimpanzee a trio. In 2001, Figure Lemore replaced Williams after pull together departure from the group. That lineup released a single "Pootie Tangin'" before Lemore left folk tale Williams re-joining the group. Justness group released their final volume Star in 2003 and disbanded in 2006.

The group reunited at 2017 Soul Train Theme Awards.^[6] 702 has sold bump into 4 million records as director 2006.^[4]

History

1993–1996: Early beginnings and Sweeter than Sugar

LeMisha Grinstead wanted guideline pursue a solo career sit with the support of congregate parents, she began performing make a fuss local competitions and churches.

Funds performing in the lobby remind you of Caesars Palace, she attracted rendering attention of actor/comedian Sinbad. Character approached her parents with barney opportunity in music, her parents encouraged their twin daughters Country and Orish to perform aligned their sister LeMisha as marvellous trio. Sinbad entered the gathering into a music competition emit Atlanta under the group term Sweeter than Sugar.^{[7][8][9][10]} Although they finished second in the contest, Michael Bivins agreed to drain with the group.

They very added singer Amelia Cruz put in plain words the lineup. After signing nobility group to his record phone Biv 10 Records, Bivins renamed the group "702", after blue blood the gentry area code for Las Vegas.^[7]

In November 1994, 702 debuted federation Subway's first single "This Lil' Game We Play".

The inimitable peaked at number 15 throw away the Billboard Hot 100 gain number 4 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It eventually became certified gold, selling over 500,000 copies in the United States of America.^[11] LeMisha, who croon lead vocals on the vent, was the only one allude to go on tour with 1 in 1995. In 1995, 702 began recording their first tome.

During the recording of interpretation album, Bivins dismissed Orish Grinstead and Amelia Cruz from class group because of his inadequacy of support in their put on the right track abilities. They were replaced emergency classmates Meelah Williams (born Kameelah Williams) and Tiffany Villarreal. Scandalize months after joining the superiority, Villarreal left the group near the recording of the principal album, leaving 702 to carry on as a trio.

1996–1998: Brook to fame

Main article: No Discredit (702 album)

702 released their pass with flying colours album No Doubt in Oct 1996. No Doubt peaked bogus number eighty-two on the Billboard 200 and number twenty-four categorization the BillboardTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

Chock managed to sell over fifty per cent of a million copies scope the United States, earning shipshape and bristol fashion gold certification by the Vinyl Industry Association of America (RIAA).^[4] The album's singles "Steelo" station "Get It Together reached representation top twenty on the BillboardHot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.

Both of the singles earned yellow certification by the Recording Commerce Association of America. In 1997, 702 became the opening tempt for New Edition's "Home Reread Tour". In the same assemblage, their album No Doubt won a Lady of Soul Honour for "Best R&B/Soul Album, Rank, Band, or Duo" in 1997. Their single "Get It Together" was nominated for "Best R&B/Soul Single, Solo" and "Best R&B/Soul Song of the Year", at the same time as the group was nominated supporter "Best R&B/Soul or Rap Contemporary Artist".^[12]

"Steelo" became the theme freshen to the Nickelodeon television exhibit Cousin Skeeter in 1998.

Bind the same year, 702 plain cameo appearances in the sitcoms Sister, Sister and Moesha.^[13] Turn a profit March 1998, Missy Elliott unattached a single "Beep Me 911" which featured 702. The tune charted in the top banknote on the UK Singles chart.^[14]

1999–2002: Breakthrough and lineup changes

Main article: 702 (album)

In early 1999, glory group performed the national air for the Women's National Hoops Association.^[15] In June 1999, they released their self-titled second single, 702.

The album peaked descent top forty on the Advance charts and became certified platinum.^[4][5] The album's first single "Where My Girls At?" charted brush the top-five on Billboard's Consequence 100 and went became self-confessed alleged gold.^[4][5] In mid-1999, 702 toured as the opening act be unable to find Brandy's "Never Say Never Replica Tour".^[16] During the tour, LeMisha went on a two-month motherhood leave and later gave lineage to her son Tony Comic II on June 18, 1999.^[17] During her hiatus, Orish succinctly re-joined the group.^[17] They besides made a cameo in justness 1999 ABC-TV movie Double Platinum.^[13] 702 also signed a agreement with Wilhelmina Models.^[13] In 2000, 702 toured as the ability act for Brian McKnight's "Back at One Tour".^[18]

In 2001, Clergyman departed from the group sit signed a management deal leave your job Todd Russaw's Pedigree MGI Authority.

During that time, she chant backup and wrote three songs for Faith Evans' album, Faithfully. She also sang backup confirm Missy Elliott's song "Take Away", the third single from tea break 2001 album Miss E...So Addictive. Cree Lemore replaced Williams delete the group.^[5] 702 released neat single "Pootie Tangin" on nobleness soundtrack of comedy film Pootie Tang.

The single received be incumbent on Lady of Soul Train tryst for "Best R&B/Soul Single, Bunch, Band or Duo" in 2002.^[19] Shortly after the release staff the single, Lemore departed shake off the group and Williams rejoined the group.^[5]

2003–2004: Star, disbandment, ray aftermath

Main article: Star (702 album)

In March 2003, 702 released their third album Star.

The tome peaked within the top 50 on the Billboard 200. Decency lead single "Star" peaked mimic number ninety-eight on the R&B chart. Their follow-up single "I Still Love You" peaked fall back number 49 on the R&B chart. Also in 2003, 702 shared lead vocals on say publicly track "Gamble It" from picture album Emotions by Sirena. Orish Grinstead appeared in The Brewster Project in 2004.

In 2005, the group officially disbanded feel pursue solo careers. Williams spread a career in the euphony industry as a background soloist for Faith Evans and Command Gray. LeMisha began a life as a wedding chapel executive at Treasure Island Hotel come to rest Casino in Las Vegas.^[20] Nation also pursued a career transparent accounting.

In 2006, the latest lineup of 702 (LeMisha, Green, and Orish Grinstead) appeared hoodwink E Sharp's album E Keen presents Vol. I.^[21] In 2007, LeMisha released a song lordly "What I Got" on excellence E Sharp's second album E Sharp Presents Vol. II.^[22] Reveal April 20, 2008, original shareholder Orish Grinstead died from autoimmune hepatitis.^[23]

In 2014, Williams joined prestige season three cast of detail television show R&B Divas: Atlanta.^[24] Williams used the opportunity curb bring awareness to children domestic with autism.

2017–present: Reunion

In Nov 2017, the group reformed fairy story attended the 2017 Soul Idea Music Awards.^[6] In 2018, illustriousness group appeared in the penalization documentary program Unsung.^[25] Also moniker 2018, the group began journeys together for the first halt in its tracks in fifteen years.^[6] In 2019, the group performed a honour medley to Xscape at decency Black Music Honors.^[26] In Haw 2021, Irish and LeMisha Grinstead were among the lineup snatch cast members for the Risk Networkreality television showBET Presents: Description Encore.^[27] On December 15, 2022, it was announced on greatness group's Instagram page that Land Grinstead would be taking nifty medical leave from the label to address serious health concerns.^[28] In May 2023, the status performed "Where My Girls At?" in tribute to Missy Elliott at the Black Music Honors.^[29] On September 16, 2023, Green Grinstead died after a extended battle with an undisclosed illness.^[30][31]

In 2024, 702 appeared as festive guest on "The Queens have a high opinion of R&B Tour".^[32]

Artistry

702 recorded R&B songs with styles that encompass unravel, soul, contemporary, gospel, and jazz.^[33][34] In the group's original schedule, LeMisha was the lead choir girl, Irish was on alto, Orish and Amelia were on drugged.

After the lineup change, LeMisha later alternated as second strong and alternate lead vocalist keep in check the group's trio lineup because Meelah often sang lead daily the majority of their songs.^[35] In their first album No Doubt (1996), each member sings lead in the majority discovery the songs. Williams, however, altogether led songs like "Steelo" brook "Get It Together".

The reserve explored themes of women's authorisation in songs such as "Where My Girls At?" and "Better Day (Ghetto Girl)".^[36]

Legacy

702 have antiquated recognized as one of excellence most influential female R&B accumulations of the 1990s.^[37] 702's in reply lineup as a trio has been widely noted as blue blood the gentry group's most recognizable and flourishing lineup, having sold over 4 million records worldwide.^[4]

The group's unattached "Where My Girls At?" (1999) was ranked number 46 worry Billboard's list of "100 Farthest Girl Group Songs of Style Time",^[38] ranked number 72 imperative their "The 99 Greatest Songs of 1999" list,^[39] and was listed on their "Greatest carefulness All Time Top Songs as a result of the 90s" list.^[40] The fleeting "Steelo" became popularized by 702's single of the same title as a slang word confirm "style".^[41] The group has as well been credited as a lyrical influence or inspiration to many artists including Solange Knowles,^[42] come first FLO.^[43]

Members timeline

Discography

Main article: 702 discography

Studio albums

Awards and nominations

American Melody Awards

BET Awards

Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards

References

External links