- Az Yet
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Az Yet 
Az Yet - taken on July 15, 2008Background information Origin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Genres R&B Years active 1989–present Labels LaFace, DreamWorks, Az Yet Records Associated acts Boyz II Men, Blayse, BabyFace, Peter Cetera Members Marc Nelson (1995–1997; 2007-present)
Dion Allen (1989–present)
Shawn Rivera (1989–present)
Kenny Terry (1991–present)
Tony Grant (1997-1999; 2008-present)Past members Darryl Anthony (1994–2007)
LeDon Bishop ("Smith") (1999-2007)
Kris Gilder (2004-2007)
Dante Harper (2004-2007)Az Yet is an American R&B group from Philadelphia, best known for their hit "Last Night" and their cover of the Chicago song "Hard to Say I'm Sorry."
Contents
Biography
Formation
Formed in 1989 initially as a duo with Shawn Rivera and Dion Allen, the two were later joined by Kenny Terry, who they met singing in the lobby of the Wyndham Hotel in Philadelphia.[1] Two other members, Dyshon Benson & Claude Thomas, left the group, and Darryl Anthony came on board. A demo by the group found its way into the hands of Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds through his mother-in-law, Jacqueline McQuam, who would one day hold various showcases to highlight their work. Impressed by their sound, Edmonds asked them to perform at a concert with After 7 and El DeBarge. Subsequently, the group added Boyz II Men founding member Marc Nelson. Az Yet first hit it big with a song from The Nutty Professor soundtrack, "Last Night." [2]
Debut album
Az Yet released their self-titled debut (and only) album in 1996 on LaFace Records. The album featured a "who's who" of musical heavyweights, including David Foster, BabyFace, Sheila E., and Brian McKnight. The first single, "Last Night," reached #1 on the R&B charts, #9 on the Hot 100, peaked at #2 on Australia's ARIA charts, and spent 2 weeks at #1 in New Zealand's RIANZ charts, ultimately achieving platinum status. The group's second single, "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" (a cover of the Chicago hit), was nominated for a Grammy award (Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals),[3] reached #8 on the Hot 100, and achieved platinum status. Driven by these two singles, the album reached RIAA platinum status.[4]
Television
Fueled by 2 Top Ten hits, the group's popularity led them to several television appearances in their early years. Live performances include 'The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show', 'All That' and two appearances on Soul Train (the first in 1996 with Marc Nelson as lead singer and the second in 1997 with Tony Grant). The group was also cast as "TJ's Band" and appeared in several episodes of the short-lived television drama "Fame L.A.".[5]
Soundtracks
Az Yet appeared on movie soundtracks for "Hav Plenty" (1998 Sony Music) and "Kingdom Come" (2001 GospoCentric Records), as well as on the soundtrack for "Fame L.A." (1998 Polygram Records). "Kingdom Come" was nominated for a Dove Award in 2002.
Group changes
Marc Nelson
Marc Nelson was removed from the group in 1997 due to "personal differences" and pursued a solo career. Nelson was replaced by Tony Grant.
Nelson's television appearances include "All That" and the group's first appearance on "Soul Train."
Tony Grant
During Tony Grant's tenure with Az Yet, the group recorded the popular remake of "You're The Inspiration" with Chicago's Peter Cetera in 1997. Grant was a part of the group during their cameo appearances on the T.V. series "Fame L.A." and the recording of the "Fame L.A." soundtrack. He was replaced by LeDon Bishop after a dispute with the group's management team.
Grant's television appearances include "The Keenon Ivory Wayans Show", "Fame L.A." and the group's second appearance on "Soul Train". Traditionally, performers on "Soul Train" lip synched, however, the recorded tracks contained Marc Nelson's vocals prompting the group to perform live, a rarity for the long-running show.
LeDon Bishop
After Tony Grant's replacement with LeDon Bishop, the group (now consisting of Shawn, Dion, Kenny, Darryl and LeDon) recorded "Every Woman" written by Kirk Franklin and appearing on the Kingdom Come Movie Soundtrack.
New formation
In 2002, Az Yet parted from DreamWorks Records. Original group member Darryl Anthony then composed a new group with replacement member LeDon Bishop and brought aboard new members Kris Gilder and Dante Harper, changing the dynamics of the group from a quintet to a quartet. This formation of Az Yet released the EP "That B U" in 2004 and disbanded in late 2007.
Original members reunited
Original members reunited - July 21, 2008 (From left to right: Dion, Kenny, Shawn, Marc)
In November 2007, the four remaining original members - Marc Nelson, Kenny Terry, Shawn Rivera and Dion Allen - reunited and began recording their second album, set for release in January 2009. The group released their first single, "Share Life", on October 30, 2008.[6][7]
On July 21, 2008, the reunited members made their first appearance as a group, performing with their mentor Babyface and former Yab Yum Records counterpart and fellow Babyface protege Jon B in Los Angeles at a concert benefiting Leeza Gibbons' Memory Foundation.
In October 2008, Az Yet released a statement announcing that past member Tony Grant was re-added to the group, bringing the dynamics of the group back to a quintet.
On December 18, 2008, the group confirmed that they were planning a world tour from April 2009. The tour will mark the long-awaited world premiere of their second album which was originally set for release in March 2009.
Discography and soundtrack appearances
Albums
- 1996: Az Yet (LaFace Records)
- 2006: Back Home 2007 LP (Az Yet Records)
Singles
Year Title Album Label Released 1996 Last Night Az Yet LaFace Records August 12, 1996 1997 Hard to Say I'm Sorry (originally preformed by Chicago) Az Yet LaFace Records February 2, 1997 1997 You're the Inspiration (Peter Cetera featuring Az Yet) You're the Inspiration Platinum Entertainment August 26, 1997 2007 Keep on Pushin' Back Home InnerSoul Records May 5, 2007[8] 2008 Share Life Untitled Az Yet Records October 30, 2008 2008 She Loves the 90s Untitled Az Yet Records November 12, 2008 2009 I Can't Let U Go Untitled Az Yet Records January 2009 Soundtracks
- 1996: The Nutty Professor
- 1997: Steel (Warner Bros. Records)
- 1998: Hav Plenty (Polygram)
- 1998: Fame L.A. Soundtrack for the TV Series (Polygram)
- 2001: Kingdom Come (GospoCentric Records)
References
External links
Categories:- American rhythm and blues musical groups
- American boy bands
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