Alisha

Alisha (born Alisha Ann Itkin on April 16, 1968 in Brooklyn, New York) is a female dance\pop singer from the mid-80s\early 90s. She started out in show business by her parents.

When she was 14 years old, a demo tape of Alisha singing with a local rock band was made. Her parents sent the tape to various record labels including Vanguard Records and Alisha was signed to their label.

Alisha attended classes at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn and "Cashbox" named her 1985's "Most Promising New Female Vocalist" in dance singles.

In April of 1984, her first single, "All Night Passion" peaked at #103 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and #84 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 4 weeks.

In 1985, Alisha released her self-titled debut album on Vanguard Records when she was 16 years old. The album didn't appear to make the Billboard 200.

Her second single "Too Turned On" peaked at #6 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and #7 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart in July of 1985.

In December of 1985, Alisha's third single "Baby Talk" peaked at #68 on the Billboard Hot 100, #75 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks, #2 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart for two weeks.

The fourth single "Stargazing" peaked at #16 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and #50 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart in July of 1986.

In 1987, Alisha released her sophomore album, "Nightwalkin" on RCA Records which also didn't appear to make the Billboard 200.

The first single "Into My Secret" peaked at #97 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #9 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in August of 1987.

The second single "Let Your Heart Make Up Your Mind" peaked at #23 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in February of 1988.

Another single "I Don't Know What Comes Over Me" was released, but didn't make the charts at all. One of the songs from the album "Do You Dream About Me?" was featured in the movie "Mannequin."

In 1990, Alisha released her third album "Bounce Back" on MCA Records. The album peaked at #166 on the Billboard 200 in July of that same year.

The first single from the album "Bounce Back" peaked at #54 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May of 1990 and #10 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in July of 1990.

The follow-up single "Wrong Number" was released, but it's unknown how or if the single made the charts.

After that, Alisha took a break from the music biz until 1996 when she released the single "Wherever The Rhythm Takes Me."

Four years later, she recorded the song, "You Wanna Be a Star" for the movie "Superstar" (featuring SNL cast members Will Farrell & Molly Shannon).

These days, Alisha continues to be active in the music business and continues to perform live.

To see the music video for "Baby Talk," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SEOfwfRvAc

To see a fan-made video for "All Night Passion," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jBI1iiSTmI

To see a fan-made video for "Too Turned On," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MihUbKmxh4

To see a fan-made video for "Stargazing," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC1aeamNCzs

To see the music video for "Into My Secret," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TC-SiAndUs

To see a fan-made video for "Let Your Heart Make Your Up Mind," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k5LaWMjBgk

To see a fan-made video for "Do You Dream About Me," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZyVDGAhMrA

To see a fan-made video for "I Don't Know What Comes Over Me," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h62f8AET77E

To see the music video for "Bounce Back," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ELqowUHP0o

To see a fan-made video for "Wrong Number," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y8KY0F2tkE


[Updated on 08\28\2018]

Val Young (Lady V)

Val Young (also known as "Lady V;" born in Detroit, Michigan) is a female R&B\dance singer from the 80s.

In the late 70's, she was rumored to have been discovered by George Clinton when he allegedly incorporated her into his group, the Brides of Funkenstein, but these facts have been disputed by ex-Funkadelic singer, Dawn Silva.

Val joined the Gap Band where she was featured on their song, "Oops, Upside Your Head." During that same time, she recorded with Roy Ayers as a background vocals.

After five albums with the Gap Band, she caught the attention of Rick James, who was not only impressed by her musical talents, but by her physical appearance as well, promoting her as the "Black Marilyn Monroe." Rick brought Val to Berry Gordy, who signed her to Motown Records on Rick's recommendation.

In 1985, Val released her debut album, "Seduction" which peaked at #39 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart and produced by Rick James.

The title song peaked at #7 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, #11 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, and #17 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 15 weeks.

The follow-up single, "If You Should Ever Be Lonely" peaked at #4 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #21 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks, and topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart for 3 weeks in March of 1986.

A promo single, "Mind Games" was released, but it's unknown how or if the single ever made the charts. Due to Rick James' conflict with Motown Records over the status of his spin-off acts, Val left the label and signed to a Buffalo, New York-based record label, Amherst Records.

In 1987, she released her sophomore album, "Private Conversations" which failed to make the Billboard charts at all.

The only single to chart was the title song, which managed to peak at #53 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks. After that, Val went on tour with Bobby Brown in 1988 after he released his "Don't Be Cruel" album and has performed live and recording background vocals for various artists.

These days, she continues to perform sporadically and record background vocals.

To see a fan-made video for "If You Should Ever Be Lonely," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74naC8Yzp7o

To see a fan-made video for "Seduction," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0bucWeGRXc

To see a fan-made video for "Mind Games," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rb1SJrnyXc

To see a fan-made video for "Private Conversations," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69BbY-BOjS0


[updated on 08\28\2018]

Sa-Fire

Sa-Fire (born Wilma Cosmé in 1966, in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is a female freestyle/dance singer from the '80s and '90s. She started her career as session vocalist and was discovered at an audition for record label Cutting Records.
In 1986, she released her first single, "Don't Break My Heart" which peaked at #31 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales Chart.
A year later in 1987, her second single "Let Me Be The One" hit #26 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales Chart.

In 1988, Sa-Fire released her debut album which peaked at #79 on the Billboard 200 and #84 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

Her third single from the album, "Boy, I've Been Told" hit #48 on the Billboard Hot 100, #13 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, and #3 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

The fourth single from the album, "Gonna Make It" peaked at #71 on the Billboard Hot 100, #31 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play, and #20 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.The fifth single, "Love is on Her Mind" peak at #29 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play and #18 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.
In that same year, Sa-Fire released her sixth single and biggest hit to date, "Thinking of You" (dedicated to her deceased uncle) which peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, #26 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, and #6 Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart.

Sa-Fire won an ASCAP award for writing the song as one of the most played songs on the radio. She was featured in numerous magazines, television shows, and won numerous awards.

In 1990, Sa-Fire covered Gloria Gaynor's song "I Will Survive" on the movie "She-Devil" soundtrack. The song peaked at #53 on the Billboard Hot 100, #30 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart and #37 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

She also appeared on a Christmas album with the song, "Joy to the World" featuring Brian McKnight and Vanessa Williams.

In 1991, Sa-Fire released her second album, "I Wasn't Born Yesterday." It is unknown how or if the album charted on the Billboard 200.
The lead single, "Made Up My Mind" peaked at #82 on the Billboard Hot 100, #60 on Billboard's Hot 100 Airplay chart, #36 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart and #7 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart.
The follow-up single from the album, "Taste the Bass" peaked at #6 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and #4 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

After taking a break in the mid '90s, Sa-Fire released a Spanish-language album entitled "Atrevida" in 1996 which was not a commercial success.
After that, Sa-Fire took another break and reappeared in 2001 with her album, "Bringing Back the Groove. The album included a duet with freestyle artist Cynthia called, "Can You Stand the Rain" (a cover of boy band New Edition's song) which received moderate success on dance and urban radio.

In 2007, Sa-Fire was given a lifetime achievement award at radio station WKTU's "Freestyle Free 4 All" concert in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In 2009, she released the single "Exotique."

In 2010, she announced on Urbanlatinoradio.com that she is currently working on a new Spanish-language pop album.

In 2013, Sa-Fire (along with other well-known freestyle artists) made history with the first ever Freestyle music concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

To see the music video for "Let Me Be the One," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ1PGTU1LDI

To see a fan-made video for "Don't Break My Heart," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awif_BymM8A

To see the music video for "Boy I've Been Told," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr90KyYNSMk

To see a fan-made video for "Love Is On Her Mind," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KssGCdnoYM

To see the music video for "Thinking of You," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd5XgFvKfnk

To see the music video for "Gonna Make It," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQzAvx4ZIXg

To see the music video for "I Will Survive," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7xTMh_50Vg

To see the music video for "Made Up My Mind," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0LZ6uZOiCk

To see a fan-made video for "Taste the Bass," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVHWRvBfL7s

To see a fan-made video for "Exotique," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIqh0yh8_3Y


[updated on 08/28/2018]

Meli'sa Morgan

Meli'sa Morgan (born in Queens, New York) is a female R&B singer from the 80's & 90's. She started singing as a child in church.

By the time she was a teenager, Meli'sa sang in local bands and entered talent contests. Meli'sa was accepted and attended the Julliard School of the Performing Arts & also attended the Lee Strassberg acting school. Once she finished school, she began working as a backup singer, working with artists such as Chaka Khan and Whitney Houston.

Meli'sa was the lead singer of Shades of Love and a member of High Fashion, but left in 1983. Her voice caught the attention of Capitol Records and she was signed to a record contract in 1985.

During that same year, Meli'sa released her first single, a cover version of Prince's song, "Do Me Baby."

By 1986, the song peaked at #46 on the Billboard Hot 100, #22 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, and topped Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart for 3 weeks, staying on the chart for 24 weeks, making it her biggest hit to date.

During that same year, she released her debut album, "Do Me Baby" which peaked at #41 on the Billboard 200 and #4 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The second single from the album, "Do You Still Love Me?" peaked at #5 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 19 weeks.

The last single from the album, "Fool's Paradise" peaked at #41 on the U.K. Singles chart and #24 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 12 weeks.

Meli'sa was featured on "The Golden Child" movie soundtrack with the song, "Deeper Love" which managed to peak at #74 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 7 weeks.

In 1987, Meli'sa released her sophomore album, "Good Love" which peaked at #108 on the Billboard 200 and #11 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single, "If You Can Do It: I Can Too!!" peaked at #17 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #2 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 18 weeks. It also peaked at #86 on the U.K. Singles chart.

Meli'sa was featured on a duet with R&B singer, Kashif called "Love Changes" which peaked at #2 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 19 weeks.

The second single from the album, "Here Comes the Night" which peaked at #17 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 13 weeks.

The title song was released as the last single and managed to peak at #59 on the U.K. Singles chart, but not in the U.S.

In 1990, Meli'sa released her third album, "The Lady in Me" which failed to make the Billboard charts at all.

The only single to chart from the album was, "Can You Give Me What I Want" which peaked at #33 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 9 weeks. It was Meli'sa's last album on Capitol Records.

In 1992, Meli'sa released her fourth album, "Still in Love With You" on Pendulum Records which peaked at #38 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The title song managed to peak at #17 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #3 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, and #9 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 15 weeks.

The second single, "Through the Tears" peaked at #18 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 13 weeks. The last single from the album, "I'm Gonna Be Your Lover (Tonight)" which peaked at #68 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for just 4 weeks.

After that, nothing much was heard from Meli'sa. In 1996, her greatest hits compliation album, "Do You Still Love Me?: The Best of Meli'sa Morgan" was released by Razor & Tie Records.

In 2000, Meli'sa was featured on JT Taylor's song, "How" which peaked at #82 on Billboard's Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, staying on the chart for 28 weeks.

In 2005, Meli'sa released her fifth album, "I Remember" on Orpheus Music, which peaked at #96 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single from the album, "Back Together" featuring R&B singer, Freddie Jackson, which peaked at #46 on Billboard's Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Songs chart, staying on the chart for 17 weeks. The title song peaked at #86 on Billboard's Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Songs chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks.

These days, Meli'sa continues to tour in multi-artist shows (particularly on the East Coast of the U.S.) and perform on cruise ships.

To follow Meli'sa on Twitter, go to:
https://twitter.com/MelisaMorgan22

To see the music video for "Do Me Baby," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSSdeE7Zvu0

To see a fan-made video for "Do You Still Love Me," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwIwwbNaFTU

To see a fan-made video for "Fool's Paradise," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay5dPFpyQ5M

To see the music video for "Deeper Love," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7MYPfgl8mM

To see the music video for "If You Can Do It: I Can Too!!," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngDHdHooeO4

To see Meli'sa and Kashif performing "Love Changes" on "Soul Train," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qTyujyqkY4

To see a video of Meli'sa performing "Here Comes the Night" on "Soul Train," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M7oc_4xDVw

To see the music video for "Can You Give Me What I Want," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVkCpdf4f-o

To see the music video for "Still in Love With You," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6hVvYMBEgY

To see the music video for "Through the Tears," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LicQfSz5WM4

To see a fan-made video for "I'm Gonna Be Your Lover (Tonight)," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyIR_FO569U

To see a fan-made video for "Back Together Again," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Esmbgtdo3k4


[updated on 08\28\2018]

Amoretto

Amoretto (which means "Little Love Cupids") was a freestyle music act starring singer Jeanette De Jesus.

In 1986, they released their only single "Cláve Rocks" which peaked at #26 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

The song was written, composed and produced by Rae Serrano. Musician Tito Puente provided a timbales solo on the song as well. After that, it seems as if Amoretto has faded into obscurity. It's unknown what the members of the group are up to these days.

To see a fan-made video for "Cláve Rocks," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLeNu2bEwXs


[updated on 08\28\2018]

Nolan Thomas

Nolan Thomas (born Marko Kalfa on August 24, 1966 in Jersey City, New Jersey) was a freestyle musician from the '80s. He was discovered by dance music producers, Mark Liggett and Chris Barbosa (the producers of Shannon's "Let the Music Play") while he was still in high school.

"Yo, Little Brother" peaked at #57 on the Billboard Hot 100, #9 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #39 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, and #26 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks, making it his biggest hit to date. Even though he was in the music video for the song, Elan Lanier sang the vocals for the song.

In 1985, Nolan released his self-titled debut album which featured "Yo Little Brother" which didn't chart at all.
His next single, "One Bad Apple" charted at #105 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and #48 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks.

Another single, "Too White" was also released, but didn't chart. Nothing much was heard from Nolan until 1987 when he was featured on fellow freestyle musician Monet's single, "Leave the Lights On" which was moderately successful on the R&B charts.

In 1989, Nolan released the single, "Once Around the Block" under his birth name "Mark Kalfa" on Vendetta Records. It's unknown how or if the single ever charted.

After that, Nolan pretty much faded out of the music scene. These days, he is currently the co-owner of male fashion company, Guido New York.

To see the music video for "Yo, Little Brother," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiARecI8T6s

To see a fan-made video for "One Bad Apple," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mB_JJj3I6Q

To see a fan-made video for "Too White," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyq77598Brk

To see a fan-made video for "Once Around the Block," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlaDLy0mZe0


[Updated on 08\28\2018]