Blaque

Infobox musical artist
Name = Blaque

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Img_capt =
Background = group_or_band
Alias = Blaque Ivory
Origin = Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Genre = R&B, Pop, Hip Hop
Years_active = 1999–Present
Label = Columbia (1996-2001)
Elektra (2002-2005)

URL = [http://www.blaquefan.com/ BlaqueFan.com (U.S.)]
[http://www.blaqueivory.net/ BlaqueIvory.net (UK)]
Current_members = Natina Reed (1999-2004, 2004-present)
Shamari Fears (1999-present)
Brandi Williams (1999-present)
Past_members = Erica Pullins (2004)

Blaque is an American R&B vocal trio. Blaque stands for Believing in Life and Achieving a Quest for Unity in Everything. The group was originally known as Blaque Ivory and is still known by that name outside the United States. The group consists of members Natina Reed, Shamari Fears and Brandi Williams.

Natina Reed departed the group to go into ministry in 2003. They replaced her with Erica Pullins. Blaque never debuted with their new member. Shamari was signed with Darkchild and set to debut in 2006, but plans were changed when she and the other original Blaque members reunited.

Musical career

Discovery

Reed and Fears both moved to Atlanta, Georgia and met while in high school. Reed formed Blaque Ivory while Fears formed another group called Intrigue. Intrigue won a recording contract with Elektra Records, and Fears met up with Williams at a talent show while a member of that group. Fears left Intrigue to join up with Reed in Blaque Ivory and Williams joined the group shortly thereafter. Reed met Ronald Lopes while singing jingles to earn extra cash and he introduced her to his sister Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes of TLC. Lisa Lopes signed the group to her "Left Eye Productions" and then to Columbia Records.

1997-2001: Rise to Fame

In 1997, the group made a cameo appearance in the video Lil' Kim's "Not Tonight (Remix)." Their self-titled debut "Blaque" debuted at number 23 on "Billboard"'s Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart, and at number 53 on the official Billboard 200 and was certification platinum by RIAA. The album's lead singe "808" was a success in the U.S. reaching number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and Gold certification. The follow up single "Bring It All to Me" which featured JC Chasez, was a hit making #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The last single "I Do" wasn't a success like the previous singles with only reaching #73 on the R&B/Hip-Hop single chart. The album also featured a cover version of "Time after Time" originally recorded by Cyndi Lauper. Their single "I Do" was nominated for a MTV Video Music Award for Best Editing. Blaque was also one of the opening acts for TLC's FanMail Tour.

They later made their film debut in "Bring It On" in 2000.

2001-2002: Car crash and album trouble

While their self-titled album went platinum, their second album "Blaque Out" was set for release in 2001, but the group was dropped from Columbia Records for unknown reasons. Their video for the first "Blaque Out" single; "Can't Get It Back" was never released. The album was soon leaked on the Internet. When their mentor Lisa Lopes died in a car crash on April 25, 2002 in Honduras they signed with Elektra Records and began work on their 3rd album. An alternate version of the shelved album was released to iTunes on May 22, 2007

2003-2004: Torch

Their third album "Torch" featured a number of A-list music industry figures including Missy Elliott, songwriter Linda Perry, and producer Rodney Jerkins. The buzz single was "No Ganksta" which was an answerback song to 50 Cent's song "Wanksta". Missy Elliott produced the intended first single "Ugly". However, because radio did not pick up the song, it was decided to release "I'm Good" instead.

"I'm Good" also appeared on the soundtrack for the film "Honey" as well as themselves.

Due to the poor success "I'm Good" achieved, the release date for "Torch" was pushed back. Finally, news came up their next single would be "Hopeless" - a man bashing, Darkchild produced song. But it failed to be released. In 2004, Natina left the group to go into ministry. She was soon replaced by singer/rapper Erica Pullins who performed with them overseas. They recorded some new songs and re-recorded old ones with new member, but the album failed to be released and Blaque disbanded.several bootleg copies were sold on the ebay site by dodgy German sellers, some copies fetching as much as £300.Torch was confirmed to be released exclusively to iTunes in 2008, nearly 5 years after its completion. A release date has yet to be determined due to pending legal rights between Atlantic Records (the current legal owner of the album), Geffen & Music World Productions.

Temporary Split

Natina went into ministry in early 2004. She has a son named Tren with rapper Kurupt.

Shamari was signed to Darkchild Records in 2005. Brandi managed to get a record deal and started working on a solo album. She also appeared on Nelly's first single, from his 2005 album "Sweatsuit," "Grillz". Grillz features Nelly, Paul Wall, Ali & Gipp and, of course, Brandi Williams although she is not credited, promo wise. There is no information regarding Erica.

Reunited

In 2004 Shamari Fears, Brandi Williams & Natina Reed reformed Blaque. They performed on several occasions in Germany and other countries. During that time, Erica Pullins kept fans up to date via the internet. She stated she is currently working on a solo record.

A new album is in fact being recorded and the process is being chronicled on a new reality series titled, "Blaque in the House". (See 'reality series')

Other media

In addition to their recording work, Reed, Fears, and Williams appeared in the 2000 film "Bring It On" as members of the East Compton Clovers cheerleading squad fronted by Gabrielle Union. Williams also had a small role (playing herself) in the 2001 movie On the Line. Blaque also appears on Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes's 2001 solo debut album, "Supernova", on the track titled "Head to the Sky", which was only released internationally. In 2005, two clips of Shamari's solo songs titled "The One" (Covered & released by Megan Rochell in 2006) and "NJ2" were leaked onto the internet.

Reality Series

Recently in November 2007, it has been reported that the group is in the post-production stages of filming a TV reality show called “Blaque In The House,” which will include the members living under the roof of TLC's Tionne (T-Boz) Watkins. It is said that the show will highlight the group's past separation and the predicted success of their highly anticipated 2008 CD release. The reality show's trailer was released via YouTube in March 2008.

Trivia

*50 Cent once wrote for Blaque when he was signed to Trackmasters.

Discography

Albums

* 1999: "Blaque"
* 2002: "Blaque Out"
* 2008: "Torch (Recorded in 2003)"
* 2009: "Beauty"

Compilations

* 2007: "Blaque By Popular Demand"

ingles

BET Awards

Filmography

Films

*2000: "Bring It On"
*2003: "Honey" (cameo)

External links

* [http://www.187fm.com/YoungKay]
* [http://www.blaque.net/ Columbia Site (No Longer Active)]
* [http://www.blaquemusic.com/ Elektra Site (No Longer Active)]
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=B0ikbikbkbb79/ All Music Guide page]
* [http://www.mtv.com/music/#/music/artist/blaque/artist.jhtml MTV page]
* [http://www.geocities.com/onenoble_2000/ Blaque Unlimited]