Much like every decade, the ’90s brought us a lot of teenage R&B acts that experienced varying degrees of success. If I had to pick five out of the lot who really thrived, it would easily come down to Usher, Beyonce, Brandy, Monica, and Aaliyah. Those five were able to do what a lot of them didn’t, by breaking out of their youth and still being able to carry careers once they weren’t seen as youngins anymore.
Today on DanjLovesThe90s, I revisit the ’90s Girls theme and cover some of those who partook in the youth movement at different times during the decade. Some hit their stride in the earlier half, others had a brief moment around the middle, and others were just getting started toward the end.
Shanice actually debuted in ’87 when she was 14, but by ’91, he was 18 and still looking for that undeniable hit. It arrived when she dropped “I Love Your Smile” in late-’91. She had a couple more after that before falling back for a minute and reappearing in ’99 on LaFace Records. In this decade, she’s released music independently, and also sang the theme song for the sitcom One on One, which starred her husband, Flex. She never really hit that superstardom level, but all things considered, shit hasn’t been half-bad for her. On top of that, she has one of the best got-damn smiles ever.
Tracie Spencer‘s career was a kinda unique case. Her run as a performer was brief, but it’s probably one of the most well-played careers there were. Not too many people can say they started their careers at age 10, found success, stepped away by choice, got their education, dabbled in other endeavors, made music again when they were ready to, succeeded again, stepped away again, and still get paid today, writing songs and singing background vocals. Nice.
Las Vegas’ own 702 dropped three albums between ’96 and 2002, but their lineup changed more times than a lil’ bit. Between the time they were signed by Michael Bivins in ’94 to the release of their last album Star, there were SEVEN members who performed in different combinations through the years. I ain’t even gonna pretend I know which combo that is in the picture. After debuting on Subway‘s “This Lil’ Game We Play”, 702 hit with singles like “Steelo” and “Get It Together” from their debut album, No Doubt. Their biggest hit came in ’99 with “Where My Girls At”, and then all the typical group madness started, which led to a bunch of nothing.
Mya was one of the last teens to come out in the ’90s, with her self-titled debut in ’98. She blew up almost instantly, not only with her own hits, but singing the hook on Pras‘ “Ghetto Supastar”, which for some odd reason was HUGE that year. She had a solid five years’ worth of hits before somehow getting lost in the shuffle around the middle of this decade. In recent years, she’s been more notable for how much of a hot one she is (and she is) than any of her music, not that I’m complainin’ (seen her recently?) At that rate, I might play around and watch Dancing With The Stars while she’s on there. Well nah, but still…
Destiny’s Child dropped seemingly out of nowhere with “No, No, No” in early-’98, and the rest is history. They had an aight first year out with their debut album, but they really hit their stride with The Writing’s On The Wall in ’99. From that point on, they (and Beyonce in particular) were the new big deal. Much like 702, DC also went through some lineup changes- with two members being replaced by two others, one of which was then shown the door. Eventually, the surviving three went on to be the biggest-selling female group of all-time, and gracefully called it a day in ’05. Beyonce has since gone on to… well, yeah!
And there you have it- 10 17 girls who repped the jailbait set in the 9-0h-s. Shoutout to chinese bangs, catsuits, and those brown and beige striped dresses that almost every girl I knew owned in ’94/’95.
Shanice “I Love Your Smile” (1991)
Tracie Spencer “Tender Kisses” (1991)
Mya feat. Silkk The Shocker “Movin’ On” (1998)
Destiny’s Child “Say My Name (Timbaland Remix)” (1999)
AND IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: ’90s Girls!
-D!
dude i used to really like the i love your smile joint but was always ashamed to admit it lol
R&B Confessions! Haha… you might’ve given me an idea.
-D!
good stuff as usual.
did anybody know that 1 of the original members of 702 died a couple years ago? she was in the subway video and is the twin sister(i guess a fraternal twin) of one of the members that stayed in the group the whole time. so im guessing that it would be the taller of the 2 original members that bounced.
i also didnt know that the original 4 members were 3 sisters & their cousin. yes, the redbone is one of the sisters.
Yeah… the one who passed was the sister of the member Irish, and her name was Orish http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orish_Grinstead They went thru some switchups in the lineup like mad… I remember seein’ the ‘Lil Game We Play’ video a few years later and forgot there was once four of ‘em.
-D!