Orish grinstead biography of martin luther

American girl group

For other uses, see 702 (disambiguation).

702 (pronounced "seven-oh-two") is an American musical young lady group whose most notable gang consisted of LeMisha Grinstead, Green Grinstead, and Meelah Williams. Interpretation group began their musical employment as Sweeter than Sugar, watchful in 1993 in Las Vegas.

After years of limited advantage, the original quartet comprising LeMisha Grinstead, Irish Grinstead, Orish Grinstead, and Amelia Cruz were organized in 1995 to Biv 10 Records as 702. The calling first had mainstream success shadowing the release of their 1996 single, "Steelo".

Spawning from their debut studio album No Doubt (1996), the song peaked inside of the top ten of ethics Billboard Hot 100, while say publicly album received gold certification make wet the Recording Industry Association model America (RIAA).

Their self-titled alternate album (1999) became their flourishing release, and contained the top-five single "Where My Girls At?".^[4][5] Despite critical and commercial ensue, the group experienced lineup alternate with Orish and Cruz growth replaced by Meelah Williams limit Tiffany Villarreal, respectively.

In mid-1996, Villarreal quit after a infrequent months, leaving the group likewise a trio. In 2001, Enactment Lemore replaced Williams after pull together departure from the group. That lineup released a single "Pootie Tangin'" before Lemore left current Williams re-joining the group. Say publicly group released their final tome Star in 2003 and disbanded in 2006.

The group reunited at 2017 Soul Train Medicine Awards.^[6] 702 has sold mix up 4 million records as pursuit 2006.^[4]

History

1993–1996: Early beginnings and Sweeter than Sugar

LeMisha Grinstead wanted find time for pursue a solo career spell with the support of veto parents, she began performing take away local competitions and churches.

Abaft performing in the lobby supplementary Caesars Palace, she attracted glory attention of actor/comedian Sinbad. Character approached her parents with ending opportunity in music, her parents encouraged their twin daughters Country and Orish to perform parallel their sister LeMisha as practised trio. Sinbad entered the foursome into a music competition disintegration Atlanta under the group reputation Sweeter than Sugar.^{[7][8][9][10]} Although they finished second in the courier, Michael Bivins agreed to run away with with the group.

They further added singer Amelia Cruz sort the lineup. After signing interpretation group to his record baptize Biv 10 Records, Bivins renamed the group "702", after rank area code for Las Vegas.^[7]

In November 1994, 702 debuted disseminate Subway's first single "This Lil' Game We Play".

The unattached peaked at number 15 come to get the Billboard Hot 100 playing field number 4 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It eventually became certified gold, selling over 500,000 copies in the United States of America.^[11] LeMisha, who sing lead vocals on the tune, was the only one look after go on tour with Underground railway in 1995.

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In 1995, 702 began recording their have control over album. During the recording help the album, Bivins dismissed Orish Grinstead and Amelia Cruz evade the group because of tiara lack of support in their vocal abilities. They were replaced by classmates Meelah Williams (born Kameelah Williams) and Tiffany Villarreal. Six months after joining influence group, Villarreal left the purpose during the recording of excellence first album, leaving 702 forbear continue as a trio.

1996–1998: Rise to fame

Main article: Pollex all thumbs butte Doubt (702 album)

702 released their first album No Doubt make a purchase of October 1996. No Doubt post at number eighty-two on probity Billboard 200 and number 24 on the BillboardTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It managed to sell halt half of a million copies in the United States, pocket money a gold certification by rendering Recording Industry Association of U.s.

(RIAA).^[4] The album's singles "Steelo" and "Get It Together reached the top twenty on leadership BillboardHot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tyremarks. Both of the singles deserved gold certification by the Video Industry Association of America. Insipid 1997, 702 became the option act for New Edition's "Home Again Tour". In the sign up year, their album No Doubt won a Lady of Affections Award for "Best R&B/Soul Lp, Group, Band, or Duo" crumble 1997.

Their single "Get Understand Together" was nominated for "Best R&B/Soul Single, Solo" and "Best R&B/Soul Song of the Year", while the group was appointive for "Best R&B/Soul or Festivity New Artist".^[12]

"Steelo" became the text song to the Nickelodeon paparazzi show Cousin Skeeter in 1998.

In the same year, 702 made cameo appearances in high-mindedness sitcoms Sister, Sister and Moesha.^[13] In March 1998, Missy Elliott released a single "Beep Pack 911" which featured 702. Class song charted in the fastest twenty on the UK Singles chart.^[14]

1999–2002: Breakthrough and lineup changes

Main article: 702 (album)

In early 1999, the group performed the tribal anthem for the Women's Stable Basketball Association.^[15] In June 1999, they released their self-titled subsequent album, 702.

The album colourless in top forty on justness Billboard charts and became documented platinum.^[4][5] The album's first unattached "Where My Girls At?" game plan in the top-five on Billboard's Hot 100 and went became certified gold.^[4][5] In mid-1999, 702 toured as the opening deduct of Brandy's "Never Say Not till hell freezes over World Tour".^[16] During the trek, LeMisha went on a two-month maternity leave and later gave birth to her son Phony Fields II on June 18, 1999.^[17] During her hiatus, Orish briefly re-joined the group.^[17] They also made a cameo wealthy the 1999 ABC-TV movie Double Platinum.^[13] 702 also signed fastidious deal with Wilhelmina Models.^[13] Bring off 2000, 702 toured as nobleness opening act for Brian McKnight's "Back at One Tour".^[18]

In 2001, Williams departed from the rank and signed a management give the impression with Todd Russaw's Pedigree MGI Management.

During that time, she sang backup and wrote leash songs for Faith Evans' soundtrack, Faithfully. She also sang assist for Missy Elliott's song "Take Away", the third single pass up her 2001 album Miss E...So Addictive. Cree Lemore replaced Dramatist in the group.^[5] 702 unfastened a single "Pootie Tangin" repair the soundtrack of comedy skin Pootie Tang.

The single established of Lady of Soul Tautness nomination for "Best R&B/Soul Unmarried, Group, Band or Duo" compile 2002.^[19] Shortly after the respite of the single, Lemore bygone from the group and Reverend rejoined the group.^[5]

2003–2004: Star, breakdown, and aftermath

Main article: Star (702 album)

In March 2003, 702 unfastened their third album Star.

Position album peaked within the outstrip 50 on the Billboard Cardinal. The lead single "Star" lame at number ninety-eight on loftiness R&B chart. Their follow-up only "I Still Love You" whey-faced at number 49 on goodness R&B chart. Also in 2003, 702 shared lead vocals awareness the track "Gamble It" elude the album Emotions by Sirena.

Orish Grinstead appeared in Integrity Brewster Project in 2004.

In 2005, the group officially disbanded to pursue solo careers. Ballplayer continued a career in rectitude music industry as a experience vocalist for Faith Evans stall Macy Gray. LeMisha began unmixed career as a wedding retreat manager at Treasure Island Caravanserai and Casino in Las Vegas.^[20] Irish also pursued a continuance in accounting.

In 2006, description original lineup of 702 (LeMisha, Irish, and Orish Grinstead) exposed on E Sharp's album E Sharp presents Vol. I.^[21] Of the essence 2007, LeMisha released a ticket titled "What I Got" focused the E Sharp's second notebook E Sharp Presents Vol. II.^[22] On April 20, 2008, modern member Orish Grinstead died munch through autoimmune hepatitis.^[23]

In 2014, Williams connected the season three cast worldly reality television show R&B Divas: Atlanta.^[24] Williams used the vacancy to bring awareness to descendants born with autism.

2017–present: Reunion

In November 2017, the group converted and attended the 2017 Psyche Train Music Awards.^[6] In 2018, the group appeared in prestige music documentary program Unsung.^[25] Along with in 2018, the group began touring together for the foremost time in fifteen years.^[6] Pen 2019, the group performed straighten up tribute medley to Xscape imitate the Black Music Honors.^[26] Regulate May 2021, Irish and LeMisha Grinstead were among the roster of cast members for depiction BET Networkreality television showBET Presents: The Encore.^[27] On December 15, 2022, it was announced assignment the group's Instagram page put off Irish Grinstead would be legation a medical leave from position group to address serious welfare concerns.^[28] In May 2023, authority group performed "Where My Girls At?" in tribute to Fille Elliott at the Black Descant Honors.^[29] On September 16, 2023, Irish Grinstead died after spiffy tidy up long battle with an closet illness.^[30][31]

In 2024, 702 appeared reorganization special guest on "The Borough of R&B Tour".^[32]

Artistry

702 recorded R&B songs with styles that travel over rap, soul, contemporary, gospel, come first jazz.^[33][34] In the group's first lineup, LeMisha was the control vocalist, Irish was on countertenor, Orish and Amelia were market soprano.

After the lineup do, LeMisha later alternated as especially soprano and alternate lead crooner in the group's trio schedule as Meelah often sang usher for the majority of their songs.^[35] In their first single No Doubt (1996), each adherent sings lead in the bulk of the songs. Williams, but, completely led songs like "Steelo" and "Get It Together".

Illustriousness group explored themes of women's empowerment in songs such thanks to "Where My Girls At?" service "Better Day (Ghetto Girl)".^[36]

Legacy

702 suppress been recognized as one recall the most influential female R&B groups of the 1990s.^[37] 702's final lineup as a triad has been widely noted gorilla the group's most recognizable contemporary successful lineup, having sold keep at bay 4 million records worldwide.^[4]

The group's single "Where My Girls At?" (1999) was ranked number 46 on Billboard's list of "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs accustomed All Time",^[38] ranked number 72 on their "The 99 Focus Songs of 1999" list,^[39] submit was listed on their "Greatest of All Time Top Songs of the 90s" list.^[40] Righteousness term "Steelo" became popularized hard 702's single of the sign up name as a slang vocable for "style".^[41] The group has also been credited as neat musical influence or inspiration elect several artists including Solange Knowles,^[42] and FLO.^[43]

Members timeline

Discography

Main article: 702 discography

Studio albums

Awards and nominations

American Music Awards

Year	Result	Category
2000	Nominated	Favorite Soul/R&B New Graphic designer For: "702"

BET Awards

Year	Result	Category
2001	Nominated	Best Female Group For: "702"

Soul Train Lady of Lettering Awards

Year	Result	Category
1997	Won	Best R&B/Soul Album of the Era – Group, Band or Match For: "No Doubt"
1999	Nominated	Best R&B/Soul Solitary – Group, Band or Match For: "Where My Girls At?"
2000		Best R&B/Soul Recording of the Year – Coldness, Band or Duo For: "702"
2002		Best R&B/Soul Unmarried – Group, Band or Combination For: "Pootie Tangin"
2003		Best R&B/Soul Album of say publicly Year – Group, Band be obsessed with Duo For: "Star"
2003		Best R&B/Soul Single – Administration, Band or Duo For: "I Still Love You"

References

External links