Mai Tai

Mai Tai (named after a tropical cocktail drink) is a Dutch female music trio from Amsterdam, Netherlands that consisted of Jettie Wells, Carolien de Windt and Mildred Douglas.

They formed in 1983 by Dutch record producers Eric van Tijn and Jochem Fluitsma. Even though the trio were popular in their homeland, they managed to have moderate success in the United States during the 80s.

The trio's first single "Keep On Dancin'" was only a hit in the Dutch nightclubs and didn't appear to make any major music charts.

In the summer of 1984, their second single "What Goes On" peaked at #24 on the Dutch Top 40 chart.

Mai Tai's third single "Body and Soul" peaked at #23 on the Dutch Top 40 chart and #9 on the U.K. Singles chart.

Their fourth single "Am I Losing You Forever" peaked at #24 on the Dutch Top 40 chart and #78 on the U.K. Singles chart.

In early 1985, Mai Tai released their self-titled debut album which won a Dutch Edison Award and a Silver Harp Award. The album peaked at #91 on the U.K. Albums chart.

They scored a hit with the single "History" which peaked at #9 on the Dutch Top 40 chart, #8 on the U.K. Singles chart, #109 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, #3 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart and #37 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 12 weeks. The song was also successful in New Zealand and Australia.

The follow-up single "What, Where, When, Who" managed to peak at #69 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 7 weeks.

In 1986, Mai Tai released their sophomore album, "1 Touch 2 Much." It's unknown how or if the album made the charts. The title song managed to peak at #45 on the Dutch Top 40 chart.

The second single from the album "Female Intuition" peaked at #12 on the Dutch Top 40 chart, #54 on the U.K. Singles chart, #71 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #49 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks. The song also reached the Top 40 in Europe and Top 10 in Denmark.

The third single from the album "Turn Your Love Around" was moderately successful as well, peaking at #12 on the Dutch Top 40 chart.

In 1987, the trio released their third album "Cool is the Rule" which  didn't appear to make the charts at all.

The first single from the album "Bet That's What You Say" peaked at #26 on the Dutch Top 40 chart. The follow-up single "Fight Fire With Fire" peaked at #30 on the Dutch Top 40 chart.

In 1988, Mai Tai released the single "Dance In the Light" which failed to make the Dutch Top 40, peaking at #88 on the charts in the Netherlands.

During that same year, they released their greatest hits compliation album. After that, Mai Tai disbanded.

Jetty released a few solo singles in 1989 and 1990 under the name "Oscare." Mildred released a solo album entitled "Face One" in 1990.

In 1993, Jetty and Carolien reunited Mai Tai with new member Lisa Noya. Over the next few years, they released moderately successful euro-house music singles, but broke up again in 1996.

In 2001, Mai Tai occasionally reformed for various performances (sometimes with Mildred). In 2004, they participated in the Eurovision Song Contest with new member Marjorie Lammerts. As a result of that, the trio recorded and released several singles in Dutch and English.

In 2007, the trio released the single "100% voce" which managed to peak at #24 on the Dutch Top 40 chart.

In 2007, Mai Tai released their fourth album "Onder Voorbehoud" on Haring Records. It's unknown how or if the album made the charts.

The single "Bijna" missed the Dutch Top 40 chart and after that, Mai Tai split up for the third time. Marjorie went on to have some success as a solo artist under the name "BYentl."

In 2010, Jettie re-recorded and released a remix of "Body and Soul" and enlisted two new members, Maureen Pengel and Edna Proctor.

They later released a new version of the Pointer Sisters' song "Automatic" and began touring in 2011.

To see the music video for "Female Intuition," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ_uT2fQNQ4

To see the music video for "Turn Your Love Around," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM28IBRWf-o

To see a video of Mai Tai performing "Body and Soul" on Top of the Pops, go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AN736Uu4MJY

To see the music video for "History," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTd0kpEYVRc

To see a fan-made music video for "Am I Losing You Forever," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBz-iDjoa_0

To see a fan-made video for "What Goes On," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raORbVN5FTU




[updated on 05/31/13]

Sequal

Sequal is a female freestyle\dance music group from the 80s that consisted of Angie Vollaro and Maria Christensen. The duo formed in 1984 by music producer Lewis A. Martinee.

The duo's first three singles were released on independent record label Joey Boy Records before being signed to major record label Capitol\EMI Records.
In 1988, Sequal released their one and only self-titled debut album which didn't appear to chart at all on the Billboard charts.
Their first charted single, "I'm Over You" peaked at #11 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play Singles chart and #21 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.
Another single, "Tell Him The Truth" peaked at #9 on Billboard's dance charts, becoming their biggest hit to date. In 1990, Sequal disbanded.

In 1993, Maria released her self-titled debut album on Atlantic Records. It's unknown how or if the album made the charts at all.

In the late 90s, Maria formed the short-lived pop/dance music group 3rd Party who were known for their singles "Can U Feel It" & "Love is Alive" and for their song "Waiting For Tonight" which was famously remade by Jennifer Lopez.

In 2004, Maria released her second album, "Beautiful Now" which is available on CD Baby and she sang the song "Someone To Someone" for the reality television show "Queer Eye For the Straight Guy."
In 2008, Sequal reunited and released the single, "My Love For You."

These days, Maria continues songwriting, has collaborated with various artists and is a part of the Bon Vivant Entertainment group. Angie continues to reside in Florida, but it is unknown what she is up to.

To see the music video for "I'm Over You," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQd1yCPpZ7c

To see a fan-made music video for "Tell Him I Called," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdaw9kStX20

To see a fan-made music video for "My Love is For You," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha4aT90HS0Q


Here are two bonuses featuring Maria Christensen
To see the music video for "I've Got To Find A Way" from her 1993 debut album, go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqNO9dlSpow

To see 3rd Party's music video for "Love is Alive," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9yFRUcle2s


[updated on 05/31/13]

Cheyne

Cheyne (born in New York) was a female teenage dance/R&B singer from the mid-80s. Not much information is given on this singer.
In 1984, she released her first single, "Rude Boy" which didn't appear to chart at all on the Billboard charts.
Her second single, "Private Joy" didn't chart, but it was featured on the "Weird Science" movie soundtrack in 1985.

During that same year, Cheyne released her third single, "Call Me Mr. Telephone (Answering Service)" peaked at #106 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, #62 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks and topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart for a week in June of 1985.

After that, it seems as if Cheyne has faded into obscurity. It's unknown what she's up to these days.

To see the music video for "Call Me Mr. Telephone," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY53VP0k-Dc

To see a fan-made music video for "Private Joy," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce0CPTADSaI


[updated on 05/31/13]

Raiana Paige

Raiana Paige (born in Puerto Rico) is a former female pop\dance singer from the mid-80s and early 90s. She was raised in the Bronx, New York.

In 1988, she released her first single, "Open Up Your Heart" which peaked at #10 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play Singles chart in April of 1989 and #11 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

Raiana's second single, "Rescue Me" peaked at #27 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart in 1990. 

She released another single, "You're My Only Man" which didn't appear to chart at all on the Billboard charts.

In 1994, Raiana released her only solo album to date, "One Girl's Story" on Groovy Tuesday Records, which contained rock music, unlike her previous freestyle\dance music singles. The album failed to make much impact on the charts.These days, Raiana is a member of rock music group, kHz which was formed in 1996 and they still continue to perform & release music. She has been featured in Maxim Magazine's new Bacardi advertisement for Mojito and in "Guitar Player" magazine for Samson products.

Raiana also appeared on microphone boxes for Best Buy stores across the country. She is also the official Spread Radio Live Vixen where she models for Dave Navarro's custom clothing line for his radio station.

To see the official website for kHz, go to:
http://www.thekhz.com/

To see the Facebook page for kHz, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/ThekHz

To see the music video for "Open Up Your Heart," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J2CjGudppo

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

To see a fan-made video for "You're My Only Man," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YjmRK3dhFY


[updated on 09\08\12]

Mini Curry

Mini Curry (born in Detroit, Michigan) was a female R&B singer from the late 80s. Not much information is given on this singer.

In 1987, Mini released her debut album, "100%" on Timeless\Line Music Records. It's unknown if the album ever charted at all.
Her one and only single, "I Think I'm Over You" peaked at #34 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks.

The title song was also released as a single, but it's unknown how or if it ever charted. After that, it seemed that Mini has faded into obscurity. Nothing has been heard from her since.

To see a fan-made music video for "I Think I'm Over You," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htfLfethqnw

To see a fan-made video for "100%," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mqU55aa3ZI


[updated on 05\31\13]

The Puppies

The Puppies were a pre-teen hip-hop/rap duo that consisted of brother and sister Calvin "Big Boy" and Tamara "Tamara Dee" Mills from Miami, Florida. They became the first music group from Miami, Florida to receive a major record deal with Sony Music.

In 1994, the Puppies released their self-titled debut album on Columbia Records which peaked at #33 on Billboard's Heatseekers album chart. Their father Calvin Mills II and uncle Carlton Mills handled the production on the album.

The first single "Funky Y-2-C" peaked at #40 on the Billboard Hot 100, #6 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart, #37 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart, #28 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #31 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.

The follow-up single, "Summer Delight" was  released and a music video was made for it, but it's unknown how or if it ever charted.

In 1996, the duo released their sophomore album, "Recognize" on Pandisc Records which didn't chart at all on the Billboard charts.

The only single to chart was "Hokey Pokey" which peaked at #46 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart. After that, it seemed as if the Puppies faded into obscurity.

These days, Calvin Mills is still in the music business as a DJ, earned a business degree at Florida International University and works at Advanced Auto Parts. It is unknown what Tamara Mills is up to  these days.

To see Calvin's MySpace page, go to:
http://www.myspace.com/bigboyandthesouthbassdjs1011fm

To see the music video for "Funky Y-2-C," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY2FbveZ6Xw

To see the music video for "Summer Delight," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZJvzmgGfY0

To see a fan-made video for "Hokey Pokey," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRWWQFSQlm8


[updated on 05/31/13]

Monie Love

Monie Love (born Simone Wilson on July 2, 1970 in London, England) is a British female rapper who became one of the first British hip-hop artists to be signed and distributed worldwide to a major record label. She is the daughter of a London-based jazz musician father and her brother is techno musician Dave Angel.

Monie began her career as an emcee in the British "Jus Bad" crew and the group released a single "Free Style\Proud" in 1988.

During that same year, Monie released the single "I Can Do This" which peaked at #37 on the U.K. Singles chart.

A year later, Monie released another single "Grandpa's Party" which peaked at #16 on the U.K. Singles chart.
During that same year, Monie Love got commercial success in the United States when she was featured on Queen Latifah's Grammy-winning single "Ladies First."

Monie also appeared on the Jungle Brothers "Doin' Our Own Dang" and De La Soul's "Buddy." Soon after, she was signed to Warner Bros. Records, becoming one of the first British hip-hop musicians to be signed to a major label.
In 1990, Monie released her debut album, "Down To Earth" which peaked at #109 on the Billboard 200, #26 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart and #30 on the U.K. Albums chart.
The first single from the album "Monie in the Middle" managed to top Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart, #2 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #7 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, and #28 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.

Monie's second single "It's a Shame (My Sister)" peaked at #26 on the Billboard Hot 100, #2 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, became Monie's second number-one hit on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart and peaked at #8 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 19 weeks.

The third single "Down 2 Earth" peaked at #30 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart, #75 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 5 weeks and #31 on the U.K. Singles chart.

During that same year, Monie was featured on her brother Dave's remix of Whitney Houston's song "My Name's Not Susan" and was featured in the music video.
In 1992, Monie was featured on the soundtrack to the movie "Class Act" with the song "Full-Term Love" which managed to chart at #96 on the Billboard Hot 100, #7 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart,  #47 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks and #34 on the U.K. Singles chart.
In 1993, Monie released her sophomore album "In a Word or 2" which peaked at #39 on Billboard's Heatseekers Albums chart and #75 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.
The first single "Born 2 B.R.E.E.D." peaked at #89 on the Billboard Hot 100, #7 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart, #9 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart for a week in April of 1993, #56 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks and #18 on the U.K. Singles chart.

The song was produced by Prince himself and after that, he asked Monie to write lyrics for Carmen Electra's album.

The second single from the album "In a Word Or 2/The Power" peaked at #33 on the U.K. Singles chart.

During that same year, Monie released the single "Never Give Up" which peaked at #41 on the U.K. Singles chart.
In 2000, she released the single "Slice of Da Pie" which managed to peak at #29 on the U.K. Singles chart.

From 2004 to 2006, Monie was the morning drive host on Philadelphia's WPHI-FM 100.3 radio station. These days, she resides in Miami, Florida and is the single mother of four children. She has a radio show on XM Satellite Radio called "Ladies First Radio with Monie Love" that airs at Thursdays at 6:00PM\ET and Sundays at 8:00PM\ET.

To see Monie Love's MySpace page, go to:
http://www.myspace.com/monielove

To see the music video for "Monie in the Middle," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWbOQazufso

To see the music video for "It's a Shame (My Sister)," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSU73awbZUw

To see a fan-made video for "Down 2 Earth," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BUUoolivxs

To see the music video for "Full Term Love," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH-OrJSQjcY

To see the music video for "Born 2 B.R.E.E.D," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjc0ehuyEZU



[updated on 05\31\13]

Baby DC

Baby DC (born Derek Coleman on January 7, 1986 in Oakland, California) was a young male hip hop/rapper from the '90s.

He began rapping as a toddler and by the age of five, Baby DC began performing professionally. After rapper Too $hort invited him to perform at a barbeque in San Jose, California attended by a crowd of 3,000 people, Baby DC began making live appearances across the country.

In September of 1998, Baby DC released his only album "School Dayz." It was the first album released on Too $hort and Jive Records' $hort Record imprint label.

The album was mostly produced by Too $hort collaborator Ant Banks. Due to limited promotion, it didn't reach the Billboard album charts.

Baby DC's album was released before So So Def' Records' artist Lil' Bow Wow and No Limit Records' group Lil Soldiers & artist Lil Romeo.

Baby DC's first single "Bounce, Rock, Skate Roll" featuring R&B group Imajin, peaked at #12 on Billboard's Rap Singles chart, #91 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles & Tracks chart, staying on the chart for 6 weeks and #45 on the U.K. Singles chart.

The follow-up singles "Get Your Hustle On" (featuring Too $hort) and "Candy Girl" (featuring Imajin once again) failed to make any impact on the charts.

After the release of his one and only album, Baby DC appeared on T.W.D.Y's 2000 album "Lead the Way" & Too $hort's 2001 "Chase the Cat" album and has since faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from him since.

To see the music video for "Bounce, Rock, Shake, Roll," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLCc6AHgQ4g

To see the music video for "Get Your Hustle On," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYjeCjUq2lg

To see the music video for "Candy Girl," go to:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3ljzn_baby-dc-imajin-candy-girl_news#.Ubd-y77n_IU


[updated on 06/11/13]