Craig Mack

Craig Mack (born on May 10, 1971 in Trenton, New Jersey) was a hip-hop rapper from the '90s.

As a teenager, Craig released his first single under the name "MC EZ" in 1988, but not a lot of success came out of it.

While working as a go-fer for hip-hop group EPMD, he hooked up with Sean "Puffy" Combs who offered him a spot on a remix version of Mary J. Blige's song "You Don't Have To Worry." Impressed with Craig's rapping skills, Puff Daddy signed him to a record deal with his record label, Bad Boy Entertainment.

In July of 1994, Craig released his debut single "Flava in Ya Ear" which became a hit, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 (making it his only highest appearance on the Hot 100), #4 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart (staying on the chart for 28 weeks) and topped Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart. It was also certified Platinum by the RIAA & sold 1,000,000 copies in the United States.

The remix version of "Flava in Ya Ear" featured late rapper The Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, Rampage & Busta Rhymes. The song was even nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Rap Solo Performance."

On September 20, 1994, Craig released his debut album "Project Funk da World" which peaked at #21 on the Billboard 200 and #6 on Billboard's Top R&B Albums chart.

Although the album received good commercial feedback, it was overshadowed by the huge success of the Notorious B.I.G.'s debut album "Ready to Die" (which was also released in September of that same year as well).

The follow-up single from the album "Get Down" peaked at #38 on the Billboard Hot 100, #2 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart and Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #17 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks).

The last single released from the album "Making Moves With Puff" failed to make any impact on the charts at all. During the '90s, Craig was featured on remixes by artists such as Veronica, Brownstone, Boyz II Men and Gina Thompson. He was also featured on the Sound of Blackness' song "Spirit."

On June 24, 1997, Craig released his sophomore album "Operation: Get Down" which peaked at #46 on the Billboard 200 and #17 on Billboard's Top R&B Albums chart. Unlike his debut album, the album didn't generate a lot of success.

The only single from the album to make the charts was "What I Need" which managed to peak at #16 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart, #9 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #55 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart (staying on the chart for 13 weeks). 

After his second album flopped, Craig had left Bad Boy Records and his popularity began fading away.

In 2002, it was announced that he was working on a third album which was supposed to be released in 2007, but apparently, those plans never materialized (although he did release a single in 2006 called "Mack Tonight.") Craig would later leave the music scene for the next few years.

In 2012, a video was leaked on YouTube, saying that Craig had joined a Christian ministry in Walterboro, South Carolina. In November of that same year, Beazylife Distribution released a new Craig Mack mixtape called "Operation Why2K? – Hosted by B-Eazy" through music website, DatPiff.com.

In 2017, Craig released his last album "The Mack World Sessions." The album contains 18 tracks that were recorded between 2000 and 2006.

Sadly on March 12, 2018, Craig Mack died from heart failure at a hospital near his residence in Walterboro, South Carolina. He was 47 years old.

Following his death, rapper Erick Sermon had written on Twitter that he was completing work on Craig Mack's new album. It's currently unknown whether or not the album will be released posthumously.

Rest in Peace, Craig Mack. You will be missed.

To see the music video for "Flava in Ya Ear," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNFqMx0gY7I

To see the music video of the remixed version of "Flava in Ya Ear," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMbELEUfmIA

To see the music video for "Get Down," go to:
https://vimeo.com/155333072

To see the music video for "Making Moves with Puff," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7oqzZQGUa8

To see the music video for "What I Need," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKShV0dpNR8

To see the music video of the remixed version of "What I Need," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NniiEf9JouU




[Updated on 03\13\2018]

Debbie Jacobs

Debbie Jacobs (born Debbie Jacobs-Rock in Baltimore, Maryland) is a female R&B\dance singer that started her career in the late '70s, but gained success in the early '80s. She is considered a classic disco diva throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Like most singers, Debbie started out singing in church. In 1979, she released her debut album, "Undercover Lover" which peaked at #153 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The first single from the album, "Don't You Want My Love" peaked at #106 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and #66 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 7 weeks.

The title song managed to peak at #6 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart along with the rest of the songs from the LP. Debbie was one of the few singers at that time to have four singles released off the LP to become successful.

In 1980, Debbie released her second album, "High On Your Love" which peaked at #178 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The title song became a hit for Debbie, peaking at #79 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart for a week in March of 1980.

In 1984, Debbie released the single, "Doctor Music" which peaked at #50 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart. She continued to release singles throughout the rest of the 1980s.

In 2000, she teamed up with Rosabel and Tommy Boy Silver and remixed “Don’t You Want My Love” which became a hit on the dance charts.

These days, Debbie is married with a daughter & she continues to sing in church. She has also devoted her life to fighting for the rights of individuals infected or affected with HIV and AIDS, founding the LIGHT Health & Wellness Comprehensive Services Inc.

To see a fan-made video for "Don't You Want My Love," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uROYHGheSQg

To see a fan-made video for "Undercover Lover," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNWpXVC2f1I

To see a fan-made video for "High On Your Love," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_lUUus7nzc

To see a fan-made video for "Doctor Music," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkhX6CgQj8M

To see a fan-made video for "Hot Hot (Give it All You Got)" [from her second album], go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhB9q4zLI-I


[Updated on 04\30\2016]

Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz

Lord Tariq (born Sean Hamilton) & Peter Gunz (born Peter Pankley) were a hip-hop\rap duo from the 90s.

Before becoming a duo, they were in a group called Gunrunners. Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz made an appearance on Whodini's 1996 album "Six" on the track "Can't Get Enough" and co-wrote two other tracks on the album.

In 1998, the duo released their only album, "Make it Reign" on Columbia Records. The album peaked at #38 on the Billboard 200 and #8 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart. It featured collaborations with rappers such as Fat Joe, Sticky Fingaz, Kurupt, Cam'ron, and the late Big Pun.

The first single, "Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)" peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March of 1998 and #4 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 41 weeks and topped Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart, becoming their biggest and only hit to date.

The song also peaked at #10 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart and topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart. It also peaked at #21 on the U.K. Singles chart and #6 on the Canadian Singles chart. The song was certified platinum by the RIAA, selling over 1 million copies.

The follow-up single, "We Will Ball" peaked at #49 on Billboard's Hot R&B Airplay chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks. The duo appeared on the remix to Mariah Carey's song, "My All/Stay Awhile" during that same year. In 1999, Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz broke up without releasing a sophomore album.

In 2004, Lord Tariq released his solo album "The Barcode" on the Team Saga Entertainment record label. It's unknown how or if the album was successful. Peter Gunz's son, Cory is a rapper who is currently signed to Young Money Entertainment.

To follow Peter Gunz on Twitter, go to:
https://twitter.com/IamPeterGunz

To see the music video for "Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdVefG2xuKo

To see the music video for "We Will Ball," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7haOnZIicc


[updated on 06/20/13]

Donna Lewis

Donna Lewis (born Donna Maree Lewis on August 6, 1973 in Cardiff, Wales, UK) is a female pop singer\songwriter from the 90s. Donna began playing the piano when she was 6 years old and as a young teen, she began writing songs thanks to the inspiration of her jazz pianist father.

Donna studied at the Welsh College of Music and Drama & majored in composition for piano and flute. After teaching music in Sussex for a year, she moved to Birmingham to sing in a bar band and during that time, she set up her own studio & began recording her own songs.

In late 1993, Donna began shopping her demo tape around and jumped at the opportunity to sign with American record label, Atlantic Records.

In May of 1996, Donna released her debut album, "Now in a Minute" which peaked at #31 on the Billboard 200 and #6 on Billboard's Heatseekers Albums chart.

Donna's first single "I Love You Always Forever" became a hit, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, #1 on Billboard's Top 40 Mainstream chart in August of 1996, #2 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart & #1 on Billboard's Adult Pop Songs chart in October of 1996. 

The song also peaked at #2 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 and #20 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart. It stayed at #2 on the Hot 100 for 9 weeks, becoming tied for 4th place among songs with the longest runs at #2.

The song also topped Billboard's Hot 100 Airplay chart. In the U.K., the song peaked at #5 on the U.K. Singles chart. It was certified Gold in the U.S., France, Germany, and Norway.

The follow-up single, "Without Love" peaked at #41 on the Billboard Hot 100 & #36 on Billboard's Adult Top 40 chart in February of 1997, #24 on Billboard's Top 40 Mainstream chart in January of 1997. It also peaked at #39 on the U.K. Singles chart.

Another single, "Fool's Paradise" peaked at #169 on the U.K. Singles chart, but did not appear to chart anywhere else.

In 1997, Donna was featured on the "Anastasia" movie soundtrack with Richard Marx on the track, "At the Beginning" which peaked at #45 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart.

In July of 1998, Donna released her second album, "Blue Planet" which didn't appear to make the Billboard 200.

The only single to chart was "Love Him" which topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play singles chart in November of 1998. After that, Donna departed from Atlantic Records. During the early 2000s, she was featured as a guest vocalist on several trance/house music recordings.

In 2002, Donna released her third album, "Be Still" independently on her own label, Peruzzi Records and is available on her official website.

In 2008, Donna released her fourth and latest album to date, "In the Pink" and the first single, "Shout" appeared on the soundtrack to the Marian Quinn film, "32A." She also sang lead vocals for her side project, Chute. They released their debut EP in April 2010. In May of 2012, she released the single, "Always It's You" with Hywel Jones.

In March of 2015, Donna released her fifth album "Brand New Day" (her first full-length album in nearly a decade). She is currently working on a new EP with music producer Ryan Farish.

To see Donna's official website, go to:
http://www.donnalewis.com/

To see the music video for "I Love You Always Forever," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqdWTeXWvOg

To see the music video for "Without Love," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_jEK7ipX4U

To see a fan-made video for "Fool's Paradise," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgYrtWroT7M

To see the music video for "At the Beginning," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP6kPVvIEC0

To see a fan-made video for "Love Him," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7POTmGoNjw

[Updated 04\06\2016]

Danny Madden

Danny Madden (born in Brooklyn, New York) is an R&B musician from the 90s. Danny is skilled in playing the drums, flute saxophone, trombone, cello and piano. He has performed with music legends Leonard Bernstein and Duke Ellington. 

He has studied music at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio, the Julliard School of Music in New York, the Interlaken Academy in Michigan and the American University in Washington, D.C. He has also been a back-up vocalist and songwriter for various artists.

In 1991, Danny released his debut album, "These Are the Facts of Life" on Giant Records. It's unknown how or if the album ever made the charts.

His only charting single, "Facts of Life" (from the "New Jack City" movie soundtrack) peaked at #91 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 4 weeks. It also peaked at #72 on the U.K. Singles chart.

Since then, Danny has continued in music, on Broadway and is one of New York City’s most sought-after voice teachers.

To see Danny's official website, go to:
http://danny-madden.com/index.html

To see the music video for "Facts of Life," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSroU3g3Cus

Luniz

Luniz were a rap duo from Oakland, California that consisted of friends Jerold "Yuckmouth" Ellis and Garrick "Knumskull" Husband that have known each other since junior high school. Their original name was Luni Tunz. They gained their first taste of fame when they appeared on Dru Down's "Explicit Game" album.

In 1994, they released the EP, "(Formally Known As The LuniTunes)" on C-Note Records. It's unknown how or if the EP was successful.

In 1995, Luniz released their debut album, "Operation Stackola" on Noo Trybe Records. The album peaked at #20 on the Billboard 200 and topped Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

Their first single, "I Got 5 on It" became a hit for the duo, peaking at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September of 1995 and #4 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart in August of 1995. The song was also successful internationally, even topping the charts in the Netherlands.

The song sampled Club Nouveau's "Why You Treat Me So Bad," Kool and the Gang's "Jungle Boogie," and Auto Two's "Top Billin'." It also featured vocals from Club Nouveau member, Michael Marshall. The success of "I Got 5 on It" helped make Luniz's debut album become their best-selling album.

The follow-up single, "Playa Hata" peaked at #51 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart and #13 on Billboard's Rap Singles chart.

In 1997, Luniz released their sophomore album, "Lunitik Muzik" which peaked at #34 on the Billboard 200 and #8 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart. The album sold roughly 500,000 copies and had appearances from rappers such as  Redman, Too Short and E-40. The album failed to produce any hit singles at all.

In 2002, Luniz released their last album to date, "Silver & Black" which peaked at #53 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart, but once again, it failed to produce any hit singles at all.

Since then, Yukmouth has released seven solo albums and is the CEO of Smoke-a-Lot Records and Knumskull has released two solo albums. According to research, the duo are "somewhat beefing" & "not getting along right now" and according to Knumskull, if the duo comes together to do something, it'll be for the money.

To see the music video for "I Got 5 On It," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSC9cgvtkRs

To see the music video for "Playa Hata," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiOBTLD76Rw


[Updated on 04\30\2016]

April Dawn

April Dawn was a dance singer from the 80s. Not much information is given about her, but she was signed to Easy Street Records.

In 1988, she released the single, "Love Crime" which didn't appear to make the Billboard charts at all. After that, it seems as if April Dawn has faded into obscurity.

To see a fan-made video for "Love Crime," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YERkKN0f6s

Emage

Emage was a female R&B group from Oakland, California that consisted of Kim Evans, Taura Stinson and Mykah Montgomery. They were signed to Mercury Records.

In 1994, they released their debut album "Soul Deep". It's unknown how or if the album charted at all.

The only single from the album to chart was "The Choice is Yours" which peaked at #81 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 4 weeks. After that, it seemed as if Emage has faded into obscurity.

These days, Mykah Montgomery continues to be active in music and has her own label Mylaan Entertainment. Taura Stinson also appears to be active in the music business and has worked with artists such as Destiny's Child, Lisa Stansfield, Outkast, Deborah Cox and Pink. It's unknown what Kimberly Evans is up to these days.

To see the music video for "The Choice is Yours," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAq6BfYpjho



[Updated on 04\30\2016]

The Cut

The Cut was an R&B\dance band from the 80s that was assembled by music producer Greg Brown. Not much information is given about them, but they were signed to Supertronics Records.

In 1986, their only single, "Kindness for Weakness" peaked at #77 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 5 weeks. After that, it seems as if the Cut has faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from them since.

To see a fan-made video for "Kindness for Weakness," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr5ag-gED6o

Robin Angel

Robin Angel is an R&B singer from the 80s. During the '70s, she was a jingle & background singer in Chicago, Illinois.

In 1986, she released her only self-titled album on CBS Associated Records. which didn't appear to make the Billboard charts at all. 

Robin has provided background vocals for artists such as Lisa Stansfield, Barry Manilow, Ruben Studdard, Peter Cetera, Celine Dion, R. Kelly, Bob Dylan, Richie Havens & Madonna. 

She has also performed live with singers such as Gladys Knight, Michael Bolton, Donnie McClurkin, Walter Hawkins and the late Gerald Levert.

These days, Robin continues to sing as a background vocalist & in gospel music along with being a licensed Evangelist Missionary for the Church of God & Christ and works with special education students in a Chicago high school. She is also the mother of seven children and grandmother to six grandchildren. 

To see a fan-made video for "Love Shine" (from her only album),  go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pGZUKw5t6k

To see a fan-made video for "The Power of Love" (also from her only album), go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuqFl_xQDwk&nohtml5


[updated on 04\06\2016]

Ali Thomson

Ali Thomson (born in 1959 in Glasgow, Scotland) is a singer\songwriter from the 80s. His brother is Doug Thomson, who was a member of the Alan Bown Set and Supertramp.

Ali began singing and playing piano & moved to London in the 70s where he got a songwriting gig at Mountain Records.  After Doug set up an audition for Ali at A&M Records, he relocated to Los Angeles, California.

In 1980, Ali released his debut album, "Take a Little Rhythm" which didn't appear to make the Billboard 200 chart.

Ali scored a hit with the title song which peaked at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart in August of 1980.

The follow-up single, "Live Every Minute" peaked at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1981, Ali wrote singer Gary Wright's last hit, "Really Wanna Know You."

During that same year, Ali released his last album to date, "Deception is Art" which didn't appear to go anywhere on the charts.

The only single released was "Foolish Child" which peaked at #105 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.

In 1989, Ali released the single, "What Dreams Are Made Of" on EG Records, but it's unknown how or if the single was ever successful.

These days, he continues to work in the music industry as a songwriter for artists such as A1, Steps, Lisa Stansfield, and Brian Kennedy.

To see a fan-made video for "Take a Little Rhythm," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B2eT2qLhaU

To see a fan-made video for "Foolish Child," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOkE96Mhrns

To see a fan-made video for "Live Every Minute," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5a1rtZNcXM