Fu-Schnickens

Fu-Schnickens were a hip-hop music trio from East Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York known for their cartoonish lyrics, pop culture references and the first hip-hop artists to rap in backwards fashion.

The members consisted of Roderick "Chip Fu" Roachford, Joe "Moc Fu" Jones and Lennox "Poc Fu" Maturine.

In the group's name, "Fu" stood for "For Unity" and "Schnicken" was a made-up word that meant "coalition." After performing at a rap event at Howard University, the trio was signed to Jive Records.

In November of 1991, they released their debut single, "Ring the Alarm" which peaked at #6 on Billboard's Rap Singles chart by the next year.

In February of 1992, Fu-Schnickens released their debut album "F.U. Don't Take it Personal" which peaked at #64 on the Billboard 200, #13 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart and topped Billboard's Heatseekers Albums chart.

The recording sessions for the album took place at Battery Studios in New York, New York. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA by late 1992, shipping 500,000 copies in the U.S.

The second single from the album "La Schmoove" featuring A Tribe Called Quest member, Phife Dawg, peaked at #3 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart, #36 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #30 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks.

The last single from the album "True Fuschnick" peaked at #18 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart, #14 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, #45 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #97 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for a week.

In 1993, the trio started working on their follow-up album. They recorded a fast-paced song entitled "What's Up Doc?" which featured cartoon Bugs Bunny saying his famous catchphrase, but they couldn't get a sample clearance from Warner Bros. and ended up shelving the song.

Then-rookie NBA star, Shaquille "Shaq" O'Neal talked about his love of hip-hop music and stated that Fu-Schnickens were his favorite rap group which prompted them to contact Shaq for a collaboration.

Shaq recorded a verse that was added on the already-recorded "What's Up Doc?" with the trio and Shaq saying, "What's up, doc?" to replace the Bugs Bunny sample.

Even though the album wasn't completed, the song was released quickly as a single to capitalize on Shaq's popularity.

The lead single from their soon-to-be second album entitled "What's Up Doc? (Can We Rock?)" became a hit, peaking at #39 on the Billboard Hot 100, #22 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart, #26 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, #16 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #56 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 13 weeks.

The song was also featured on Shaq's debut album "Shaq Diesel."

In 1994, Fu-Schnickens released their second album "Nervous Breakdown" which peaked at #81 on the Billboard 200 and #19 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

During that time, the rap music scene had changed dramatically and there wasn't much of an audience for their style of music.

The follow-up single "Breakdown" peaked at #67 on the Billboard Hot 100, #7 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart, #10 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart, and #38 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.

During that same year, Fu-Schnickens appeared on the finale of "The Arsenio Hall Show" with other artists such as KRS-One, the Wu-Tang Clan, Naughty by Nature, MC Lyte, Guru, Mad Lion, Yo-Yo, Das EFX, CL Smooth and A Tribe Called Quest.

In 1996, Fu-Schnickens' greatest hits compliation album was released. By that time, it seemed as if Fu-Schnickens faded into obscurity.

Today, Chip Fu is a solo artist and now goes under the name "Jungle Rock Jr." He continues to be active in the music business. It is unknown what Poc Fu and Moc Fu are up to today.

To see Chip Fu's official website, go to:
http://www.chip-fu.com/

To see the music video for "Ring the Alarm," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M60tICT4NAY

To see the music video for "La Schmoove," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XF_aZvcb-c

To see the music video for "True Fuschnick," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeTFKOsQ0Tw

To see the music video for "What's Up Doc? (Can We Rock?)," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDDGx9sJhZo

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

Los Umbrellos

Los Umbrellos was a Latin pop/dance music group from Copenhagen, Denmark that was formed by record producer, Kenneth Bager led by African rapper Al Agami and singers/former models Mai-Britt Grøndahl Vingsøe and Grith Höifeldt, who won an audition held by Flex/EMI in Copenhagen. 

Al Agami released his solo album, "Covert Operations" in Denmark in 1993.

In 1997, the group released their only album "Flamenco Funk" which peaked at #10 on Austria's albums chart and #30 on Switzerland's albums chart.

The first single "No Tengo Dinero" became a hit, topping the charts in Austria, peaking at #2 on Denmark's Tracklisten chart, and  making the top 5 in New Zealand, Switzerland and Italy. The song was certified Platinum in Austria.

In the U.K., the song peaked at #33 on the U.K. Singles chart. In the United States, the song peaked at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100, #40 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart and #27 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart.

The follow-up single, a cover version of the Cars' hit song "Drive" flopped, failing to make the charts at all.

Two more singles: "Easy Come, Easy Go" and "Gigolo" were released, but also didn't chart. 

In 1998, Mai-Britt was replaced by Stine Kinck and by 1999, Los Umbrellos had disbanded. Al Agami still continues to be active in the music business. 

Mai-Britt Vingsøe (now Mai-Britt Vingsøe Watt) is active in television, hosting the Denmark reality show, "4-stjerners middag" in 2011. It is unknown what Grith Höifeldt is up to today.

To see the music video for "No Tengo Dinero," go to:

http://vimeo.com/22532835

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfQYta-Clhw

To see a fan-made video for "Easy Come, Easy Go," go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tybh00ythPA

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq3BV41GAQ8

Valerie George

Valerie George (born in New Orleans, Louisiana) is a female R&B singer from the 90s. She started singing when she was 8 years old.

She attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (or NOCCA) for music while attending Walter L. Cohen Sr. High School. She led her senior high school band to win first place.

Valerie later attended Southern University where she majored in Music Education and minored in Instrumental Music. She played and sang with the Southern University Marching Band and Jazz Ensemble.

In 1983, she sang on national television when her singing group perform at a Saints & Jets football game on Monday Night Football. In 1987, Valerie sang for millions of people on Bourbon Street.

Six years later, Valerie moved to New York City to start a music career. Music producer Kyle West brought Valerie to  the studio where she sang a song that she wrote for Toni Braxton, but the song never got to her because Uptown Records president, Andre Harrell liked the song so much, he signed Valerie in 1996 and took her to Motown Records.

During that same year, Valerie released her debut single "Being Single (Ain't Easy)" on Motown Records, which peaked at #87 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 4 weeks.

Her song "Emotionally in Love" was also featured in the movie, "The Nutty Professor."

These days (according to Valerie's MySpace page), she is the mother of two and continues to perform in New Orleans with her band, L.A. Band.

To see Valerie's MySpace page, go to:
http://www.myspace.com/valgeorgegg007

To see the music video for "Being Single (Ain't Easy)," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJM8Vrp4xzo

To see a fan-made video for "Emotionally in Love," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smz30gs4X48

New Horizons

New Horizons were an R&B/funk band that consisted of the Thomas brothers: singer Mark, keyboardist Varges, bassist Bart and drummer Art along with their cousin, guitarist Timothy Abrams.

In 1983, the band released their debut album "Something New" on Columbia Records, which peaked at #51 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The only single to chart from the album was "Your Thing is My Thing" which peaked at #39 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.

The song was produced by late musician/producer, Roger Troutman (of R&B band, Zapp).

In 1984, New Horizons released their follow-up album, "Gonna Have Big Fun" which didn't appear to make much impact on the charts.

After that, it seemed as if the band had faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from them since.

To see a fan-made video for "Your Thing is Your Thing," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYSNUamWzXA

No Half

No Half was a hip-hop duo that consisted of Mark Sexx (born Mark Skeete) and Kavon Shah (born Shawn Tyrone). They merged social commentary hardcore with explicit party rap.

In 1990, the duo released their only album "Wake Your Daughter Up" which peaked at #73 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

Their first single "Strictly Rated X, Y'All" which didn't appear to make the Billboard charts at all.

The second single "Half" (featuring Ed Lover) peaked at #47 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks.

The last single from the album "Fake Hair Wearin'" (featuring the 2 Live Crew) failed to make any impact on the Billboard charts at all.

No Half released two more singles: "Payback (Is a Mutha)" in 1993 and "No Brothas Allowed" in 1994 before fading into obscurity.

Kavon Shah worked with the Soul Society who remixed songs for artists such as En Vogue, Lil' Kim, Busta Rhymes, Noreaga, Ray J., Syleena Johnson, Old Dirty Bastard, Tweet and Yolanda Adams.

Kavon has also written songs for Public Enemy. Mark Sexx also wrote and produced songs during the early '90s.

To see the music video for "Half," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73VBuAqx_rw

To see the music video for "Fake Hair Wearin'," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FRZ_aZFClQ

To see the music video for "No Bruthas Allowed," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWhQVTZKzG8

Nonchalant

Nonchalant (born Tanya Pointer on October 18, 1970 in Washington, D.C.) was a female rapper\songwriter that was signed to MCA Records.

In 1996, Nonchalant released her debut single, "5 O'Clock" which peaked at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100, topped Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart, #5 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #33 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart and #8 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks. In the U.K., the song managed to peak at #44 on the U.K. Singles chart.

In March of that same year, she released her debut album, "Until the Day" which peaked at #94 on the Billboard 200 and #20 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The title song managed to peak at #25 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart and #88 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 4 weeks. After that, Nonchalant was featured on the "Dangerous Ground" movie soundtrack with female rappers MC Lyte, Yo-Yo, and Bahamadia with the track, "Keep on Pushin'."

In 1998, Nonchalant released the single, "Take It There" which peaked at #8 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart and #56 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 4 weeks. She made her last appearance on the "Half Baked" movie soundtrack with the song, "Flyin'" before fading into obscurity.

To see the music video for "5 O'Clock," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQy1knJmGXg

To see the music video for "Until The Day," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbQM9WFhin0

To see the music video for "Take It There," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68_KMl66ITg
 

Maurice Massiah

Maurice Massiah was a male R&B/dance singer from the early 80s. Not much information is given about him, but he was signed to Quality Records.

In 1982, he released his only album, "Seventh Heaven." It's unknown how or if the album made the charts.

Maurice charted with the single, "We Can Go To Your House/50\50 Love" which managed to peak at #33 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play Singles chart.

His last musical appearance was in 1991 on Carl E.'s single, "Friends." After that, it seemed as if Maurice had faded into obscurity.

To see a fan-made video for "We Can Go To Your House," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxMOirxKBSQ

To see a fan-made video for "50/50 Love," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S2BfvJInYQ

L.A. Style

L.A. Style were a dance music/techno duo from the Netherlands that consisted of producers/musicians Denzil Slemming (or Michiel Van Der Kuy) and Wessel Van Diepen (or Maxx Mondino).

In 1991, the duo released their debut single, "James Brown is Dead" which peaked at #59 on the Billboard Hot 100, #4 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, and #14 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart. Internationally, the song was successful, topping the charts in Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain and reached the Top 10 in Australia, Germany, Sweden, Italy, and Switzerland.

In 1992, L.A. Style released their debut album, "The Album." When the album was released in the United States a year later, it managed to peak at #21 on Billboard's Heatseekers albums chart. The album marked the first appearance of female trip-hop vocalist Nicolette as a featured singer and lead artist FX (or Frans Zid Merkx).

The duo's follow-up single, "I'm Raving" peaked at #120 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and #9 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart. Despite L.A. Style's international success, they faded into obscurity in 1995 after FX left.

In recent years, there have been rumors of L.A. Style being reformed with FX, but since then, Wessel van Diepen works as a popular DJ in the Netherlands while FX has has been working with the main producer and old friend behind DJ Chukie Fabian Lennsen.

To see the music video for "James Brown Is Dead," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN8e9b2ON8s

To see the music video for "I'm Raving," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1omnXnz0ejo

Sudden Change

Sudden Change was a female R&B trio from New Jersey that consisted of Linne & Jesse Modestin and Katia Pinard.

In 1994, the trio released the single "Comin' on Strong" which peaked at #58 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #20 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.

Their follow-up single "Nodd Your Head" failed to make any impact on the charts at all.

According to Allmusic.com, the trio's debut album "All of a Sudden" was released in April of 1995, but I can't seem to find any other information confirming it.

After that, it appears as if Sudden Change has faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from them since.

To see the music video for "Comin' on Strong," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpo-P_Aiqhc

To see the music video for "Nodd Your Head," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0mS-53z1Y8

[Updated on 12\29\2015]

Trinna

Trinna was an R&B singer from the 80s. Not much information is given about Trinna, but she was signed to Sun Valley Records.

In 1983, she released the single, "For Everlasting Love" which didn't appear to make the Billboard charts at all.

After that, it seemed as if Trinna faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from her since.

[There are no videos available for this entry]

Pamela Nivens

Pamela Nivens (born in 1960 from Kansas) was a female R&B singer from the early 80s. Not much information is given about her, but she was signed to Sun Valley Records.

In 1983, she released her only single "It's You I Love (So In Love)" which peaked at #58 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks.

After that, nothing much was heard from Pamela and she had seemingly faded into obscurity.

To see a fan-made video for "It's You I Love (So In Love)," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG4Wshe8ePQ

Nu Romance Crew

Nu Romance Crew was an R&B trio from New Jersey featuring Fa Mtume, the son of musician James Mtume. Not much information is given about them, but they were signed to EMI America Records.

In 1987, the trio released their debut album "Tonight" which didn't appear to make the Billboard album charts.

The title song managed to peak at #59 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks.

After that, it seems as if Nu Crew Romance has faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from them since.

To see a fan-made video for "Tonight," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmJNvZQ5RE4

Lois Lane

Lois Lane [not to be confused with Superman's girlfriend] (born in Memphis, Tennessee) was a female hip-hop/R&B artist from the 90s.

In 1998, Lois released her only album, "The Adventures of Lois Lane" which didn't appear to make the Billboard album charts at all.

The only single to chart was "Chinese Checkers" which peaked at #82 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 7 weeks.

To see a fan-made video for "Chinese Checkers," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gihXB4NxAX4

Oliver Who?

Oliver Who? (born Darryl W. Caliman from Detroit, Michigan) was a male R&B singer from the 90s. Not much information is given about him, but he was signed to the Zoo Entertainment record label.

In 1992, he released his debut album "Shaka Who Who?" which didn't appear to make the charts at all.

The only single to chart was "Clever" which peaked at #91 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 3 weeks.

After that, nothing much was heard from Oliver Who? since the 90s. It's unknown what he's doing today.

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

James Arthur Johnson

James Arthur Johnson (born in Los Angeles, California) was a male R&B singer from the 80s. Not much information is given about him, but he was signed to the Tuxedo Music Ltd. record label.

In 1986, James released his only single "Too Much is Never Enough" which peaked at #73 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 5 weeks.

After that, it seems as if he has faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from him since.

To see a fan-made video for "Too Much is Never Enough," go to:
http://www.wat.tv/audio/james-arthur-johnson-too-much-44ux5_2o5j3_.html

Kym

Kym was a female dance singer from the 80s. Not much information is given about her, but she was signed to Award Records.

In 1984, Kym's single, "Give Me the Dance" peaked at #67 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 8 weeks. After that, it seemed as if Kym had faded into obscurity.

To see a fan-made video for "Give Me the Dance," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUEOjDGYN2o

Robe

Robe was an R&B studio band that was formed by music producer Alvin Davies. Not much information is given about them, but they were signed to the 2000 AD Music label.

In 1987, Robe released their sole single, "Turn on the Moon" which peaked at #70 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks. After that, it seems as if Robe has faded into obscurity.

[There are no videos available for this post]

Ileana

Ileana (born Ileana Holland) is a female dance\freestyle\pop singer from the late 80s. She grew up in a musical family; her parents were a Latin music group called Los Deltos while Ileana and her sisters performed as singers & dancers (under the name The Sound City Girls) on a Puerto-Rican television show, "The Nydia Caro Show."

Ileana later moved on to join a group called Triple Exposure with her husband, Glen. She also performed in the Disneyland house band, Krash.

In 1989, Ileana released her self-titled debut album on Telarc Records, which didn't appear to make the Billboard charts.

The only single released from the album, "Ay, Ay, Ay (Si Papi)" was released, but didn't appear to make the charts. After that, it seemed as if Ileana had faded into obscurity.

According to the Isle of Deserted Pop Stars blog, Illeana has continued to perform as the lead singer for corporate & wedding band, Soulville. She has also done commercials and television work along with being the lead arranging vocalist for the "American Idol" live shows.

To see a fan-made video for "Ay, Ay, Ay (Si Papi)," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4rjkdXZdxA