Damon Butler, Dave Loeffler and Trey Parker formed the hip-hop combo E.Y.C. in the early '90s and released Express Yourself Clearly in 1993. After a long hiatus, the trio resurfaced in 1999 with I Feel It. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide Written by John Bush
The British teen-pop band S Club 7 was created in 1999 by pop impresario Simon Fuller, who chose the group's seven members -- Rachel Stevens, Hannah Spearritt, Bradley McIntosh, Paul Cattermole, Jon Lee, Jo O'Meara and Tina Barrett -- from nearly 10,000 hopefuls. S Club 7 then recorded their debut album S Club and began work on a BBC series, Miami 7, which featured the band as an aspiring group living in Florida;
Jesse Camp became an overnight star when in 1998 he won MTV's first "Wanna Be a VJ" contest, parlaying his popularity with the music video network's viewers into a record deal. Born November 4, 1979 in Granby, Connecticut. After graduating high school he relocated to Manhattan, playing drums in an East Village band named "Easy Action."
Known collectively as justincase, the Tosco siblings -- brothers Justin and Nick and sister Hannah -- have together fashioned one of the most refreshing and original sounds in recent musical memory. It's a sound front and center on justincase, their debut release on Maverick Records, featuring eleven originals tracks written by the band's frontman - and eldest brother - Justin Tosco.
Kelly Osbourne was born October 27, 1984, in London, England. Growing up during the heady days of Ozzy's '80s comeback, she split her time between proper English schooling and international hotel rooms. It was certainly an unconventional upbringing, but one that strengthened the Osbournes' familial bond in strange and interesting ways. Kelly and her family moved permanently to Los Angeles in 1995, and saw Ozzy's Ozzmosis LP sell three million copies, ably returning him from the edge of retirement. That resurgence led to Ozzfest, a perennially successful summer package tour that itself aided in the popular resurrection of the metal genre. Naturally, with Ozzy's reemergence came interviews and press.
As the scion of a well-heeled heavy metal icon and his clever manager wife, Kelly Osbourne's celebrity was perhaps inevitable. Still, it was a curious blend of bizarre reality TV success, talent for performance, typical teenage petulance, and a flair for Courtney Love-like self-promotion that ultimately posited Kelly fully in the public's consciousness.
Songstress Laura Turner was born in Houston, TX, and raised in Jackson Hole, WY. Though her vibrant singing voice was apparent from a young age, Turner didn't pursue singing seriously until high school, where she concentrated on the pop and country styles of artists like Pat Benatar and Emmylou Harris. She then studied at Italy's Chigiana Academy of Music with the intention of becoming an opera singer.
LFO (Lyte Funky Ones) formed in the boy-band mecca of Orlando, FL, in 1996; there singer Rich Cronin befriended aspiring model Brad Fischetti, and as a duo they spent the next two years honing their vocal, dancing, and songwriting skills. With the addition of third vocalist Devin Lima, LFO's lineup was complete, and the trio toured in support of the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC before releasing their self-titled debut album in 1999, scoring a hit with the single "Summer Girls." The attempted to do it again in summer 2001 with the release of Life Is Good, though by the following year the trio had broken up. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide Written by Jason Ankeny
Named after an opinion poll conducted by a teen magazine, LMNT is a reference to the four basic substances of the universe coexisting in harmony: earth, wind, fire, and water. Formed by finalists of the ABC reality show Making the Band, LMNT's original members teamed up with producer Matthew Morrison to became involved in the dance-pop music scene.
When a young star breaks onto the scene, demonstrating serious talent on multiple
levels, all we can do is stand back in awe. Get ready for Mishon (MY-shawn), a young
singer and fledgling songwriter who represents the next wave of pop R&B edged with
hip-hop fire.
The title track on Monty Lane Allen's debut album, Great Big World, brings to life the character of this South Carolina native and showcases a multi-talented singer, songwriter and performer. Monty Lane, who wrote or co- wrote the majority of the songs on his debut, draws inspiration from a wellspring of love for his wife and two beautiful daughters, illustrating his world of family and faith. Recording an album of his own, currently scheduled for a June 2007 release, marks the beginning of a new chapter in Monty Lane's life -- the small town boy with big city talent takes a new road on his musical journey into the Great Big World.
It's time for the artist who first posed that infamous question to do what he does best... generate infectious music and riveting performances that inspire the audience to get up and move!
The legendary, pimpadelic funkmaster, Morris Day, best known as the break out star of rock movie sensation Purple Rain, is releasing his new album through Hollywood Records, It's About Time.
The group gained six number one singles on the Christian charts, and have been featured in more secular media outlets than the average Christian band. Step Up to the Microphone, their first album for major label Virgin, followed in 1998; Love Liberty Disco appeared a year later. In celebration of the new millennium, the Newsboys also observed their own career with the greatest-hits package Shine...The Hits, issued in fall 2000.
One of the more media-exposed Christian rock bands of the '90s, Newsboys formed in the late '80s around a core of John James, Peter Furler, and Philip Urry. Though early in their career the band was panned for a perceived over-reliance on religious clichés in their lyrics, Newsboys later grasped secular music's alternative revolution in the early '90s for an image makeover, with good results.
As one of the Backstreet Boys, singer Nick Carter became an international superstar during the mid-'90s as his band became one of the best-selling teen pop bands in history. Born Nickolas Gene Carter on January 28, 1980, in upstate New York, Carter's life in entertainment began at an early age. He starred in various commercials and participated in countless talent shows as a child.
Born Nicholas Scott Lachey on the border of Kentucky and Tennessee in fall 1973, he and his younger brother Drew excelled in sports and academics while attending Cincinnati's School for the Creative and Performing Arts. There, the Lachey brothers honed their vocal abilities, but it wasn't until Nick was a student at Miami University in Ohio that he found himself seriously considering a career in music.
As the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC redefined pop music for the masses upon the closing of the 1990s, 98° were also making girls scream and swoon with their darling good looks and delightsome harmonies. Fronting the vocal group was the svelte charmer Nick Lachey. This onetime sports medicine major was a bona fide star thanks to his sensitive performance style, thus a career in Hollywood seemed destined for Lachey.
While in high school, Nicole Wray befriended hip-hop and R&B artist, Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot. Missy had so much faith in Nicole that in 1998, after numerous studio sessions, Nicole was deemed the first artist on Missy's Goldmind record label.
As its title suggests, there is a quality both instantaneous and enduring about Tonight And The Rest of My Life, the brilliant debut album from Nina Gordon on Warner Bros. Records. What grabs you instantly upon hearing these 13 pop gems (12 original and one cover) is the pure pleasure of Gordon's performance - an exuberance mixed with consummate craftsmanship; a passion seamlessly integrated in a rich range of styles; a point of view both hard-won and revealing, worldly wise and vulnerable. This is music made for the best possible reason: the sheer love of it.
Identical twins Natalie and Nicole Albino came up with the name Nina Sky by combining the first two letters of their first names for "Nina" and tacked "Sky" on the end to represent their shared aspirations. The teen pop duo grew up in the borough of Queens in New York City. Their stepfather was a DJ and introduced the young girls to a variety of music. Singing was always important to them, eventually so important they announced their desires to become professional singers to their parents.
Born Frank Ross, Nitty was raised in the shadows of the world famous Yankee Stadium. The importance of ethics and morals was instilled in Nitty early on by his caring family environment. Solace and motivation were found in his love for music and his yearning to be a performer. From the time he was a little kid in the 80's, when hip hop artists ruled the airways, he knew entertaining was his destiny. These artists and their music would eventually become the blueprint of Nitty's sound, which he calls "Playboy Rap."
No Authority was formed as a male vocal quartet in the early '90s in Southern California, consisting of lead singer Ric Felix (aka Ricky Godinez and later billed as Ricky G), born December 2, 1980, in San Bernadino, CA; lead singer Josh Keaton, born February 8, 1979, in Pasadena, CA; singer/rapper Danny Zavatsky, born June 1, 1982, in Long Beach, CA; and singer Eric Stretch, born June 22, 1980, in Yorba Linda, CA.
Teen pop sensation Nobody's Angel came together because of a bond made early on when four young girls were searching for creative outlets through signing, dancing, and acting. Amy Sue Harding, Sarah Smith, Stacey Harper, and Ali Navarro were first hanging out in Los Angeles enduring tough auditions and soon found themselves a close bunch who also had a passion for music. They soon discussed the possibilities of putting a group together, for their background in musical theater, song, and dance seemed to be a perfect fit.
Making the Band was the brainchild of teen-pop Svengali Lou Pearlman, the former manager of the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync. Equal parts the Monkees and MTV's The Real World, the show offered viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of a boy band, from their first audition to the signing of their first record deal. The show was a modest hit for ABC. More importantly for Pearlman, the show created legions of fans for O-Town before they even released their first album.
Boy bands such as Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync have fought hard to be perceived as a authentic musicians rather than manufactured puppets assembled by record executives. O-Town doesn't have to worry about that, after having the formation of their boy band chronicled in the ABC reality series Making the Band, O-Town wears their pre-packaged label with pride.
Led by Pauly Fuemana, a Polynesian native, OMC is a New Zealand-based urban soul group that relies heavily on Polynesian and worldbeat rhythms. Their American debut, How Bizarre,
was released in February 1997. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Phoebe Snow's last release, I Can't Complain on House Of Blues Music, was the platinum recording artist's first studio album in eight years. Since the release of her self-titled landmark debut in 1974, Snow has remained one of the most distinctive voices in popular music.
With style and tunes in the vein of those from the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync, Plus One was a brainstorm project idea that came to life in an amazing way. The group worked with producer and songwriter David Forster, who has won more than a dozen Grammy Awards during his career and is the chairman for Atlantic/143 Records. Other big names on the production team were Eric Foster White, Buster & Shavoni, Chris Farren, and Bradley Spalter, who have worked with many prominent and popular artists such as Britney Spears, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Whitney Houston, Brandy, and the Backstreet Boys.
As Jason Perry explains, "The new album’s about being more specific. Getting down to earth. Applying our faith and our message to real life, to the ways that people live everyday."
"It’s just much more us," enthuses Nate Cole, "On 10 out of the 12 songs, at least one of us has a co-writing credit. We took a lot more ownership creatively. It’s a real move ahead."
The remarkable group known as Plus One burst into the music world as a hot boy band with a twist -- the twist being a Christian message mixed in with the teen idol good looks, sexy smiles, and smooth vocal harmonies. Gabe Combs, Jeremy Mhire, Nathan Walters, Jason Perry, and Nate Cole make up Plus One. Each member is from a different location in the United States and was selected from tons of talented competitors.
Rachel Farris was playing piano, singing, and writing her own music before turning 13. She majored in music while in college and formed her own group, featuring songs she had written, but the project was nixed when she realized that it involved too much compromise.
Randy Newman was an anomaly among early-'70s singer/songwriters. Though he was slightly influenced by Bob Dylan, his music owed more to New Orleans R&B and traditional pop than folk. Newman developed an idiosyncratic style that alternated between sweeping, cinematic pop and rolling R&B, which were tied together by his nasty sense of humor. Where his peers concentrated on confessional songwriting, Newman drew characters, creating a world filled with misfits, outcasts, charlatans, and con men.
Randy Newman was an anomaly among early-'70s singer/songwriters. Though he was slightly influenced by Bob Dylan, his music owed more to New Orleans R&B and traditional pop than folk. Newman developed an idiosyncratic style that alternated between sweeping, cinematic pop and rolling R&B, which were tied together by his nasty sense of humor.
Raven-Symoné (aka Raven) stars as Raven Baxter, a confident, charismatic and occasionally clairvoyant teen who can see just enough of the future to compel her on comical misadventures to try and change it, in Disney Channel's original hit comedy series That's So Raven. Raven was named producer for the series' fourth season in production now.
The world has known Richard Marx for over a decade, when his first single, “Don’t Mean Nothing,” and his self-titled debut album kicked off his career as a solo artist in 1987. But Richard has been working in the music business for much longer, since singing commercial jingles written by his father when he was five years old. In the past 12 years, Richard’s five studio albums and Greatest Hits collection sold millions worldwide.
Rose's passion for writing and playing music was evident at the age of 3, when she began to play piano by ear. After various refusals from piano teachers to take her on (due to her tiny hands at age 3), her father finally found a music teacher who took her in and began conservatory training.
Samantha Ronson is a British DJ who may or may not also be Lindsay Lohan's girlfriend at this time. This is the subject of much debate in the celebrity gossip world. What's not up for debate: Samantha Ronson is a bit strange looking. Not in a bad way, just unusual. Anyway.
This celeb frequents the L.A. club scene pretty much every night, whether Lindsay Lohan is there or not. At some point in the spring and early summer of 2008, Ronson started getting awfully cozy with Lohan. Many have speculated that a lot more than friendship is going on.
Her stepfather's a jukebox hero — as in Foreigner's Mick Jones — and her brother's a star DJ — that'd be Mark Ronson — so for Samantha Ronson to get a word in at the dinner table, she had to know her tunes. It wasn’t until Ronson was 20 that she discovered her music talents.
Not much info on this band
"What else could I really do with my life besides music? I was surrounded by entertainers my entire life including my mom who was a dancer, my dad who is a highly respected music producer originally known for his 70's musical group, the "Hudson Brothers" and my cousin is actress Kate Hudson. It all came naturally to me and it's what I love more than anything.
During the late '90s, pop vocalist Sasha Alexander became one of Germany's biggest pop stars. After his initial introduction singing backup on hits for Young Deenay, Alexander's 1998 debut single I'm Still Waitin' made him the ultimate pinup; the single went Top 20. His first album Dedicated To went platinum, selling 750,000 copies in Germany alone, and bowed in at number three on the German charts.
During the late '90s, pop vocalist Sasha Alexander became one of Germany's biggest pop stars. After his initial introduction singing backup on hits for Young Deenay, Alexander's 1998 debut single I'm Still Waitin' made him the ultimate pinup; the single went Top 20. His first album Dedicated To went platinum, selling 750,000 copies in Germany alone, and bowed in at number three on the German charts.
Scene 23 were the group formed by the second season of the American version of the Popstars television show in 2001. The group was made up of Josh Henderson, Donavan Green, Monika Christian, Laurie Gidosh and Dorothy Szamborska. Their only release was a soundtrack of the show featuring seven songs of theirs featuring the single “I Really Don’t Think So”, which was unsuccessful. They broke up after their record label folded.
Shampoo is a duo of punk rock Barbie dolls barely out of their teens, hailing from Plumstead, England. Jacqui Blake and Carrie Askew both handle vocals in a highly energetic and barely intelligible fashion, and both have enough attitude and downright sass to make critics on both sides of the Atlantic go ga-ga over their primitive punk and sly innuendoes.
Sheila's Story In Her Own Words
I started playing when I was 3 years old and at my first real show I was 5. I got serious about playing at 14. By 15 I became a professional musician. There was one show at the age of 15 that I performed with my dad and it changed my life. I realized this is my gift and I must share it with people the best way I can.
Sheila's Story In Her Own Words
I started playing when I was 3 years old and at my first real show I was 5. I got serious about playing at 14. By 15 I became a professional musician. There was one show at the age of 15 that I performed with my dad and it changed my life. I realized this is my gift and I must share it with people the best way I can.
Straight out of Crazy Town, vocalist/lyricist/producer Shifty proved 2001's chart-topping "Butterfly" was no fluke when he was featured on Paul Oakenfold's "Starry Eyed Surprise" and watched it shake up dance floors and the charts. Now a solo artist, Shifty -- no Shellshock needed -- is primed to reach similar heights. Working under his own name has finally given Shifty the creative freedom to reveal his true identity and he's risen to the challenge on his debut solo set, Happy Love Sick.
Straight out of Crazy Town, vocalist/lyricist/producer Shifty proved 2001's chart-topping "Butterfly" was no fluke when he was featured on Paul Oakenfold's "Starry Eyed Surprise" and watched it shake up dance floors and the charts. Now a solo artist, Shifty -- no Shellshock needed -- is primed to reach similar heights. Working under his own name has finally given Shifty the creative freedom to reveal his true identity and he's risen to the challenge on his debut solo set, Happy Love Sick.
Skye Sweetnam grew up in the tiny Toronto suburb of Bolton, where she studied singing and dancing from a young age. By her early teens she'd moved on to songwriting, and recorded a demo with the help of a local Bolton music school.
Skye Sweetnam grew up in the tiny Toronto suburb of Bolton, where she studied singing and dancing from a young age. By her early teens she'd moved on to songwriting, and recorded a demo with the help of a local Bolton music school.
