TKA

Infobox musical artist
Name = TKA


Img_capt =
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Background = group_or_band
Origin = New York, New York, USA
Genre = Latin freestyle
House music
Years_active = 1984–2005
Label = Tommy Boy/Warner Bros. Records
Associated_acts = George Lamond
Current_members = Tony Ortiz
Louis "Kayel" Sharp
Angel "Love" Vasquez
Past_members = India
Ralph "Aby" Cruz
Alejandro "Raymond/Escoto" Vasquez
Notable_instruments = Drum machine
Electronic keyboard
Sequencer

TKA was a Latin Freestyle trio that was prominent in the 1980s and early 1990s, mainly in New York City and Miami, Florida. Its members were Tony Ortiz, Louis "Kayel" Sharpe, and Angel "Love" Vasquez, and the initials "TKA" represent their collective initials. All of TKA's members are of Puerto Rican descent. Many Freestyle fans consider them the kings of freestyle, although Kayel resents this label, saying that "There are no kings in freestyle."

History

The trio, hailing from New York City, were discovered when they sang at a Sweet Sixteen party in an East Harlem church in 1984. Record producer Joey Gardner, who was at the party, was impressed with the trio, and, with his help, the group signed with Tommy Boy Records. The group originally consisted of Tony, Kayel, and Ralph "Aby" Cruz, but eventually Aby was replaced by Alejandro "Raymond/Escoto" Vasquez (although not widely known, India was a member of the group in its earliest days). The group’s first single was "One-Way Love," which was a major hit among the Latin club community in New York and Miami, and followed up with many other hits, such as "Scars of Love," "Tears May Fall," and "Come Get My Love."

The year 1991 proved to be a very critical year for TKA, and for many freestyle performers as well. TKA released its most important singles that year, "Louder Than Love," "Give Your Love to Me," and its house-music hit "Crash (Let's Have Some Fun)." That same year the trio also performed its song "Are You for Real" on the popular WNBC-TV show "It's Showtime at the Apollo". Despite being very popular and very influential in the Freestyle genre, Tommy Boy requested that the band switch to traditional pop instead of freestyle. Rather than sacrifice its artistic integrity, however, the group released one more single, "Maria," which, ironically, proved to be its biggest hit and then split up.

Following the split, the members of TKA went on to pursue independent interests. Kayel recorded under the name K7 and had a hit hip hop album called "Swing, Batta, Swing," which contained the hit single "Come, Baby, Come." Tony started a successful production company in New York, and Angel joined the contemporary R&B group Goodfellas.

The Year 2000 to Present

TKA reunited in 2001 and recorded the album "Forever". The actual release date for that album was November 6, 2001. Of the 12 songs contained on that album, only one was actually released as a single, which was the smooth, house-music song "Feel the Music." The album's promotional failure was because of Tommy Boy’s faltering relationship with Warner Bros. Records, and this led to its poor success. Alejandro left the group afterward and was replaced by popular freestyle singer George Lamond. After the making of an anticipated album titled "TKA Featuring George Lamond" was completed, the members of the group (along with George Lamond) decided to break up and go their own ways. The album was never released and only exists as demos that were given out to a few record companies. The name TKA, however, still continues to live among its front man, K7, who performs the well-known TKA hits in clubs throughout New York City. He also is a DJ on New York's popular dance-music station 103.5 KTU. Alhough the group parted ways, it is still very popular in New York City, Chicago, and Miami and has had a sudden resurgence of popularity thanks to a recent freestyle revival.

Impact

TKA was very notable for being very influential in the freestyle genre, having presented an opportunity for many other Latino performers to create dance music. Among many freestyle performers, TKA remains one of the most popular, and its music is a constant mainstay on freestyle playlists.

Discography

Albums

*"Scars of Love" (1987) The Billboard 200:#135
*"Louder Than Love" (1990)
*"Greatest Hits" (1992) The Billboard 200:#131
*"Forever" (2001)
*"TKA feat. George Lamond" (2004) (Unreleased) (Also Known as TKG)

ingles

* "Come Get My Love"
* "One Way Love";;;;;
* "Scars of Love"
* "Tears May Fall"
* "Don't be Afraid"
* "X-Ray Vision"
* "Crash (Have Some Fun)"
* "Louder Than Love"
* "Give Your Love to Me"
* "I Won't Give up on You"
* "Maria"
* "Feel the Music"
* "You are the One"

External links

* [http://www.mcgillismusic.com/tka.htm Official Site]