Al B. Sure!

Al B. Sure! (born Albert Joseph Brown III on June 4, 1968 in Boston, Massachussett) is an R&B singer, songwriter and record producer.

Growing up in Mount Vernon, New York, he was a football quarterback who turned down an athletic scholarship to the University of Iowa to become a musician.

In 1987, Quincy Jones chose Al B. Sure! as the first winner of the Sony Innovators Talent Search. He worked with him on numerous projects including his single "Secret Garden" featuring Barry White, James Ingram and El DeBarge.
In 1988, Al B. Sure released his debut album, "In Effect Mode" which peaked at #20 on the Billboard 200 chart and topped Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

His first single, "Nite and Day" became his biggest hit to date, peaking at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #19 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart, and topped Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart for 3 weeks in the spring of 1988, staying on the chart for 18 weeks. The song also peaked at #44 on the U.K. Singles chart.

The second single from the album, "Off On Your Own (Girl)" peaked at #45 on the Billboard Hot 100, #8 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #25 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, and became Al B. Sure!'s 2nd #1 R&B hit in August of 1988, topping the chart for 2 weeks and staying on the chart for 19 weeks. The song also peaked at #70 on the U.K. Singles chart.

The third single from the album, "Rescue Me" peaked at #33 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #3 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.

The fourth single, a cover version of Roberta Flack's song "Killing Me Softly" peaked at #80 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #14 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.

The last single from the album, "If I'm Not Your Lover" featuring rapper Slick Rick, peaked at #16 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Single Sales chart and #2 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 17 weeks. In the U.K., the song peaked at #54 on the U.K. Singles chart.

In 1990, Al B. Sure released his sophomore album, "Private Times....and the Whole 9" which peaked at #20 on the Billboard 200 and #4 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single from the album, "Misunderstanding" peaked at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100, #19 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and topped Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart in November of 1990 for a week & staying on the chart for 17 weeks.

The second single, "No Matter What You Do (Young 'n' Strong)" featuring Diana Ross, peaked at #4 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.

The last single from the album, "Had Enuf?" peaked at #28 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks.

In 1992, Al B. Sure released his third album, "Sexy Versus" which peaked at #41 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single from the album, "Right Now" peaked at #47 on the Billboard Hot 100, #24 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart, and became Al B. Sure!'s 4th #1 R&B hit, topping the chart in October of 1992 for a week and staying on the chart for 22 weeks.

The second single, "Natalie" peaked at #56 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 12 weeks.

The last single from the album, "I Don't Wanna Cry" peaked at #83 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 3 weeks.

Al B. Sure! was featured on the "Above the Rim" movie soundtrack with the track "I'm Still in Love With You" which managed to peak at #62 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks. He received numerous Grammy and American Music Award nominations and even won the AMA award for "Best New R&B Artist."

Al B. Sure! also received several Soul Train Award nominations and won the Soul Train Award for "Best New Artist." He also won a lot of New York Music Awards.

In addition to his music career, Al B. Sure! worked as a songwriter and producer. He introduced R&B group Jodeci and singers Tevin Campbell (who was a Quincy Jones prodigy), Usher,  Case, Dave Hollister and Faith Evans to the music business. He also starred in talk and television shows.

In 2009, Al B. Sure! released his fourth album, "Honey, I'm Home" which peaked at #85 on the Billboard 200 and #16 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single from the album, "I Love It (Papi Aye Aye)" peaked at #72 on Billboard's Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Songs chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks.

In 2009, he was a DJ at the Los Angeles radio station, KHHT, playing old-school hip-hop & R&B music. He currently hosts the national www.slowjams.com morning show 7 days per week.

In 2010, Al B. Sure! was a contestant of the TV One reality television dating game, "The Ulitmate Merger." He is the father of 3 sons: Quincy, Albert Brown IV (who is an aspiring singer that goes under the stagename, Lil' B. Sure!) and Devin.

To see Al B. Sure!'s official website, go to:
http://www.albsure.net/

To see Al B. Sure!'s official Facebook page, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialAlBSure

To follow Al B. Sure! on Twitter, go to:
https://twitter.com/#!/OfficialAlBSure

To see the music video for "Nite & Day," go to:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1adnd_al-bsure-nite-and-day_music

To see the music video for "Misunderstanding," go to:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xa14w_al-b-sure-misunderstanding_music

To see the music video for "Off On Your Own (Girl)," go to:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xmj7p_al-bsure-off-on-your-own_music

To see a fan-made video for "No Matter What You Do," go to:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6dr6e_albsureampdianarossnomatterwhatyoud_music

To see a fan-made video for "I Love It (Papi Aye Aye Aye)," go to:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9xus8_al-b-sure-i-love-it-papi-aye-aye-ay_music

To see the music video for "Natalie," go to:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1adkk_al-bsure-nathalie_music

To see the music video for "Rescue Me," go to:
http://vodpod.com/watch/976358-al-b-sure-rescue-me

[updated on 05\13\12]

Haywoode

Haywoode (born Sidney Haywoode) is an English pop singer from the 80s. She is the sister of singer Emma Haywoode.

At an early age, she trained at London's Corona Stage Academy. She has experience in acting, singing, dancing and modeling. From October of 1981 to 1982, Haywoode joined Flick Colby's Zoo.

In 1983, Haywoode signed to CBS Records and released her first single, "A Time Like This" which peaked at #48 on the U.K. Singles chart.

In the United States, the song peaked at #5 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.

Haywoode's second single, "Single Handed" didn't fare better, peaking only at #85 on the U.K. Singles chart.

Her third single, "I Can't Let You Go" peaked at #65 on the U.K. Singles chart in 1984, but a remixed version peaked at #50 on the U.K. Singles chart in 1986.

In 1985, Haywoode released her debut album, "Arrival." It's unknown how or if the album made the charts in the U.K.

Haywoode's fourth single, "Roses" peaked at #65 on the U.K. Singles chart, but when it was re-released a year later, it fared better, peaking at #11.

The song also peaked at #45 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. The success of the song led her to appear on "Top Of the Pops."

The fifth single, "Getting Closer" peaked at #67 on the U.K. Singles chart and #25 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

Her sixth single, "You'd Better Not Fool Around" flopped on the charts, peaking at #82 on the U.K. Singles chart.

In 1987, Haywoode released the single, "I'm Your Puppet" which peaked at #98 on the U.K. Singles chart.

Haywoode later recorded more singles under the name "Sid Haywoode." After that, it seemed as if she faded into obscurity.

She was rumored to have recorded a follow-up album, "A Haywoode Return" for Hollywood Records, but the existence of this album has yet to be proven.

In 2011, (24 years after the release of her debut album) Haywoode released a new album entitled "Bounce Back" on the Wonderlick Productions label.

To see a fan-made video for "A Time Like This," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kcIN5dFDlU

To see a fan-made video for "Single Handed," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhQ8wC0UjH4

To see a fan-made video for "I Can't Let You Go," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SqJ5zbFWMw

To see the music video for "Roses," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_aam3tDci8

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

To see a fan-made video for "You'd Better Not Fool Around," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iibUoD3C-HY

To see a fan-made video for "I'm Your Puppet," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY_ogkzUZH0

[updated on 05/20/2013]

The Girls

The Girls were an R&B trio from the '80s that was formed by musician/producer André Cymone. The trio consisted of 19-year-old Doris Rhodes, 18-year-old Germain Brooks and 17-year-old Sheila Rankin.

According to an interview with Germain about the trio on the "Those City Nights" Wordpress blog in 2011:

"We all started out as solo artists. I was singing with local bands in clubs and several of the local musicians would come and listen. André would often come out as well and he told me he was working with Doris, whom I had not yet met. However, I expressed interest in working with him as well. A while later, Sheila moved to Minneapolis, and began singing with me in The Style Band. She and I had great chemistry so I thought it would be a good idea to form a group. I brought up the idea to André and he was cool with it so we tried it.” 

During that time, Doris was in her own all-girl group called Fantasy. Andre originally intended to produce her as a solo act, but he saw the potential of getting the three girls together. In 1983, the Girls provided backing vocals for Evelyn "Champagne" King's album, "Face to Face."

In 1984, the group released their only album "Girl Talk" on Columbia Records. It's unknown how or if the album charted.

The singles "Don't Waste My Time" and "S-E-S-E-X" were released, but didn't make the Billboard charts at all due to lack of promotion.

By 1985, the Girls disbanded. According to a comment I received, Sheila Rankin passed from breast cancer at the age of 50 in February of 2016. As for the other girls, it is unknown what they are up to today.

To see a fan-made video for "Don't Waste My Time," go to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR9gKAiaC04

[updated on 04\16\2016]

Mel & Kim

Mel (born Melanie Susan Appleby on July 11, 1966) & Kim (born Kim Lorraine Appleby on August 28, 1961) were a British pop/dance duo from the '80s.

In 1985, Mel recorded two solo demos under the management of Alan Whitehead. The producers loved her voice and asked her if she would have someone to sing with and her big sister Kim became involved.

In December of that same year, Mel was treated for a malignant paraganglioma on her liver. Together, the Appleby sisters recorded five demos which got them signed with Supreme Records and the president of the label, Nick East put them in touch with music production team Stock Aitken Waterman.

In 1986, Mel & Kim released their debut single, "Showing Out (Get Fresh At the Weekend)." The song was originally intended to be a B-side to the chosen single, "System," but it was later flipped to the A-side and became a hit, peaking at #3 on the U.K. Singles chart.

In the United States, the song peaked at #78 on the Billboard Hot 100, topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart for a week in February of 1987 & Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart (along with "System.") The song also peaked at #23 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 13 weeks.

The second single, "Respectable" topped the U.K. Singles chart for a week in March of 1987. The song also topped the charts in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Australia and New Zealand.

In the U.S., the remixed version of the song topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart for a week in July of 1987 and also topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

By January of 1987, Mel began experiencing back problems which delayed the filming of the single's music video.

In 1987, Mel & Kim released their debut album, "F.L.M." which peaked at #3 on the U.K. Albums chart. The album went Platinum, selling 400,000 copies in the U.K. and 3 million worldwide.

The title song (meaning "Fun, Love and Money") peaked at #7 on the U.K. Singles chart. The song was also moderately successful in Ireland, Germany, Australia and New Zealand.

In June of 1987, during a promotional visit to Japan, Mel's severe back pain became apparent. When Mel returned to the U.K., she was diagnosed with a recurrance of the cancer in her spine.

The duo withdrew from publicity while Mel underwent treatment. Footage from their performance at the Montreux Festival was used to make the music video for the "F.L.M." single.

While the media speculated that Mel was terminally ill, the sisters denied it and stated that Mel suffered from a debilitating back injury.

In 1988, Mel & Kim released the single, "That's the Way It Is" which peaked at #10 on the U.K. Singles chart.

The song was also moderately successful in Ireland, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and France. In the U.S., the song peaked at #9 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.

By the time the single was released, Mel had withdrawn from the public eye after being diagnosed with spinal cancer. She had discharged herself from the hospital to record vocals for the track.

The duo made Mel's illness public and they both appeared on the Wogan Show in April of 1988 while Mel was still undergoing treatment as part of European Cancer Week.

The song was also featured on the  soundtrack to the Eddie Murphy film, "Coming to America." Due to Mel's illness, the Appleby sisters didn't appear in the promotional videoclip for the song and the video featured a team of dancers in a studio.

After that, the duo disappeared from the public view while Mel continued with her cancer treatment.

A promotional single from Mel & Kim's debut album, "More Than Words Can Say" was released only in Sweden, but didn't make the charts.

The last single from the album, "I'm The One Who Really Loves You" received a limited release in the U.S., peaking at #11 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart and #12 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

Work on Mel & Kim's follow-up album wasn't continued due to Mel's illness. Sadly on January 18, 1990, Mel succumbed to pneumonia at the age of 23.

With the aid of her boyfriend, ex-Bros bassist, Craig Logan, Kim began a solo career with much of her debut solo album co-written with Mel for what was intended to be Mel & Kim's next album.

Kim's self-titled debut solo album became successful in the U.K. and the  singles from the album: "Don't Worry," "G.L.A.D.," "Mama" and "If You Cared" were moderately successful.

Her sophomore album, "Breakaway" wasn't commercially successful and had a limited release. She released three more singles in 1993 and 1994.

In 2007, Kim released a download-only single, "High." She had a show on the European Internet station entitled "Storm Live" and dabbled in acting as well.

These days, Kim continues to be active in the music business.

To see a video for Mel & Kim performing "Showing Out (Get Fresh at the Weekend)" on "Top of the Pops," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGeB8FcCQ0o

To see the music video for "Respectable," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJXmU5afCDM

To see a video of Mel & Kim performing "F.L.M." at the 1987 Montreux Pop Festival, go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJGP0-GjhsM

To see the music video for "That's the Way It Is," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Rosfa15nQg

To see a fan-made video for "I'm The One Who Really Loves You," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajkR52EpveE

[updated on 05/20/13]

Rainy Davis

Rainy Davis (born Denise Lorraine Davis in Brooklyn, New York) is a singer, songwriter and music producer who was successful in the 80s.

Rainy sang with a local band called Jamila (which featured future hit R&B singer, Keith Sweat). She later joined a female singing group called, Musique who scored a few moderate dance hits.

Rainy's claim to fame was her first single, "Sweetheart." She originally wrote the song for Janet Jackson, hoping to submit in time for her 1986 album, "Control," but didn't make it. Instead, she recorded the song herself.

The song peaked at #42 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and #24 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 19 weeks.

During that same year, Rainy released her debut album, "Sweetheart" on Columbia Records, which managed to peak at #61 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

Her follow-up single, "Lowdown So & So" peaked at #9 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and #14 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 13 weeks.

The last single from the album, "Still Waiting" (which was written by Prince), peaked at #41 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks.

In 1988, Rainy released her sophomore album, "Ouch!" which didn't appear to make the Billboard charts at all.

The first single from the album, "Indian Giver" peaked at #16 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and #41 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks.

The title song was released as a single, but it is unknown how or if the single ever made the Billboard charts. Since then, Rainy has worked with numerous artists including Keith Sweat, Shannon, Fonda Rae, The Cover Girls, and Ollie Brown.

In 1998, Mariah Carey and Jermaine Dupri covered Rainy's song "Sweetheart" which was featured on Jermaine's 1998 solo album, "Life in 1472." Their version of the song earned them a Grammy nomination.

These days, Rainy is the CEO and founder of a new production company turned label called Rainysongs Entertainment that was founded in 2005. The business started releasing products in 2007.

To see Rainy's MySpace page, go to:

http://www.myspace.com/rainydavis

To see the website for Rainysongs Entertainment, go to:

http://www.rainysongsentertainment.com/Rainy%20CEO.html

To see a fan-made video for "Sweetheart," go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G44vLQ13uPE

To see a fan-made video for "Lowdown So & So," go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXl-ncdtW9w

To see a fan-made video for "Indian Giver," go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7hHwRH9Yss


[updated on 05\20\13]

Giggles

Giggles (born Maria Respeto in Brooklyn, New York) is a freestyle\dance musician from the 80's and 90's. She attended and graduated from South Shore High School where she received her musical training.

In 1987, she released her first single, "Love Letter" on Cutting Records, which peaked at #21 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and playing on various New York radio stations. The success of the song gave Giggles the chance to perform in clubs in the West Coast and New York.

In 1988, Giggles released her second single, "Hot Spot" which peaked at #28 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #48 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in December of 1988.

In 1992, she released her debut and only album, "He Loves Me...He Loves Me Not" which didn't appear to make the Billboard charts.

Giggles scored her only pop hit with the single, "What Goes Around Comes Around" which peaked at #47 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April of 1992 and #18 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

The follow-up single, "He Said She Said" peaked at #24 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

In 1994, she released the single, "Memories of Love" on Cutting Records. It's unknown how or if the single ever made the charts.

These days, Giggles performs under the name Maria "Giggles" Respeto. She is still continuing with her music.

In 2009, she released a new version of "Love Letter" entitled "Love Letter 2.0" which was released under the Boston-based record label, Funusual Records.

To see Giggles' fan page on Facebook, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/MariaRespetoMusic

To follow Giggles on Twitter, go to:
http://twitter.com/MariaRespeto

To see Giggles' MySpace page, go to:
http://www.myspace.com/giggleswontquit

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

To see a fan-made video for "Hot Spot," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYsMjQ-lKIc

To see a fan-made video for "What Goes Around Comes Around," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC2_27trGwA

To see a fan-made video for "He Said She Said," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJEpFeMBo2g

To see a fan-made video for "Memories of Love," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dW0uGZmHPA



[updated on 09\07\12]

Tiana

Tiana (born on May 2, 1967 in Vermont) was a female freestyle\dance singer from the 90's.

Not much information is given on this singer, but from what I could tell she's had a moderately successful music career, but didn't get the mainstream success she deserved.
In 1990, Tiana released her self-titled debut album on MicMac Records. It's unknown how or if the album ever made the charts.

Her first single, "First True Love" peaked at #81 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August of 1990 and #15 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

The follow-up singles "Come to Me" and "Tell Me Why" didn't appear to make much impact on the charts at all.

In 1991, she released the single, "My Love is Free" which didn't appear to make the charts at all either. 

After that, it seemed as if Tiana had faded into obscurity, but these days, she is a part of the "Freestyle Invasion Live" tour with other freestyle musicians.

To see a fan-made video for "First True Love," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tvgn_uLO7Ac

To see a fan-made video for "Tell Me Why," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TflEuWVybCM

To see a fan-made video for "Come To Me," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKPPfYx4NtE


[updated on 09\07\12]

Shomari

Shomari was an R&B trio from New Haven, Connecticut which consisted of brothers N'mandi and Rahsaan Langley & their cousin, Troy Frost.

In 1992, Shomari released their debut album, "Every Day Has a Sun" on Mercury Records, which peaked at #77 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single, "If You Feel the Need" peaked at #27 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 13 weeks.

The follow-up single, "Let it Be Me (Say You Love Me)" peaked at #59 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 6 weeks.

After that, it seemed that the group had faded into obscurity. These days, the Langley brothers continue to perform in Connecticut, but it's unknown what Troy Frost is up to.

To see Shomari's MySpace page, go to:
http://www.myspace.com/shomarientertainment

To see the music video for "Let It Be Me," go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtmzY8VWhHg

To see the music video for "If You Feel the Need," go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggajcHXX5RY


[updated on 05\13\12]