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Force M.D.’s

Staten Island’s Force M.D.’s were a vital crew in the early history of street hip-hop and one of the first vocal groups to fuse doo wop-influenced harmonies with hip-hop beats. Originally a street troupe known as the LD’s, the group sang and danced on Greenwich Village street corners and the Staten Island ferry. Its members included brothers Stevie D and Antoine “TCD” Lundy, their uncle Jesse Lee Daniels, and friends Trisco Pearson and Charles “Mercury” Nelson. The group hooked up with DJ Dr. Rock and, billing themselves as Dr. Rock & the MC’s, began playing in local hip-hop venues. However, by the time the group signed to Tommy Boy in 1984 as the Force M.D.’s (M.D. standing for “musical diversity”), they evolved into a more straightforward R&B vocal group, distinguished mostly by their street attitude.
The M.D.’s had a string of R&B hits through the ’80s, but their only pop hit was the Top Ten Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis-penned ballad “Tender Love,” which was featured in the movie Krush Groove. 1987 produced the group’s first R&B number one, “Love Is a House,” but their popular appeal began to ebb the following year. Mercury and Trisco left in 1990 and were replaced by Rodney “Khalil” Lundy and Shawn Waters. The group released the album Get Ready in 1994 as several members worked with other artists as producers. Though Nelson, Lundy, and DJ Dr. Rock each died an early death (Nelson of a heart attack, Lundy of Lou Gehrig’s disease), the group returned in 1998, signed to a contract thanks to fellow Staten Island natives Wu-Tang Clan.
2000’s The Reunion, however, failed to chart, and while the group continued to play occasional live shows, they were once again touched by tragedy in 2016 when Trisco Pearson died following a battle with cancer. In 2017, a new lineup of the Force M.D.’s — Jesse Daniels, Stevie D. Lundy, and Rodney “Khalil” Lundy — appeared with a new album, Our Favorite Joints. Jesse Lee Daniels died on January 4, 2022 at the age of 58.

Stephanie Mills

Stephanie Mills, known as the ‘little girl with the big voice,’ rose to fame by starring as Dorothy in the Broadway hit The Wiz, based on L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz. Her successful career includes R&B hits like ‘I Have Learned to Respect the Power of Love,’ ‘I Feel Good All Over,’ and ‘Never Knew Love Like This Before,’ along with gold albums such as Whatcha Gonna Do with My Lovin’ and Home.
Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1957, Mills began singing gospel music at a young age and won multiple talent contests, leading to her Broadway debut at age nine. Over the years, she collaborated with notable artists like the Isley Brothers and Jermaine Jackson, achieving chart-topping success with songs like ‘I Feel Good All Over’ and ‘Something in the Way You Make Me Feel.’ Mills’ career encompasses multiple record labels, hit albums, and memorable collaborations, solidifying her status as an R&B icon.

Poo Bear

Jason Boyd, known as Poo Bear, is a highly acclaimed songwriter and singer who has made significant contributions to the music industry. He has penned hit songs such as Usher’s ‘Caught Up,’ 112’s ‘Peaches and Cream,’ and Chris Brown’s ‘I Can Transform Ya.’ Starting his career at a young age, Boyd co-wrote 112’s ‘Always’ when he was just 14. Over the years, he has collaborated with renowned artists like Whitney Houston, Jagged Edge, P!nk, Dr. Dre, and Drake, showcasing his versatility and talent.
In 2014, Jason Boyd ventured into a solo singing career, supported by frequent collaborator Justin Bieber. His songwriting prowess led to the success of tracks on Usher’s ‘Confessions’ album in 2004 and Lil Wayne’s ‘Make It Rain’ in 2007. Boyd continued to excel, releasing his debut track ‘Work for It’ in 2014, featuring Tyga and Justin Bieber. His partnership with Bieber extended to the Journals project and later to Bieber’s Purpose album, producing hits like ‘Where Are U Now’ and ‘What Do You Mean.’ In 2018, Boyd unveiled his debut album, ‘Poo Bear Presents: Bearthday Music,’ featuring collaborations with Bieber, Zara Larsson, Ty Dolla $ign, and Jennifer Lopez, solidifying his position as a prominent figure in the music scene.

Ruff Endz

Ruff Endz has made a triumphant return to the music scene! Their comeback single, “No More”, soared to the top spot on the R&B/Hip Hop charts and secured the 5th position on the prestigious Billboard Hot 100 chart. Following this success, in 2002, the dynamic duo unveiled their second album titled “Someone To Love You”, which quickly ascended to the top 10 on the R&B charts and broke into the top 50 on the Billboard chart. The album’s lead single, “Someone To Love You”, dominated the AC charts for an impressive 11 weeks, while their subsequent single, “Cash, Money, Cars, Clothes”, claimed a spot in the top 50 on the Billboard chart.
After a temporary hiatus in 2004, the talented duo resolved to reunite, inspired by the significant events unfolding in their hometown of Baltimore during a historic uprising. Witnessing their beloved city engulfed in turmoil, Ruff Endz felt compelled to address the prevalent issues through music, culminating in their poignant track, “Time 4 Change”, a powerful anthem advocating for justice not only in their city but across all communities. Paying homage to the legacy of Martin Luther King, this impactful song serves as a testament to their commitment to social change. Furthermore, fans can catch Ruff Endz’s stirring performance on the new Fox TV show, “Shots Fired”, featuring their soul-stirring track, “Speak to My Heart”, in the seventh episode scheduled to air on March 22, 2017. With a steadfast dedication to delivering their signature blend of raw vocals and timeless R&B harmonies, Ruff Endz has made a remarkable comeback with their latest album titled “Soul Brothers”. Boasting captivating tracks like “Don’t Leave”, “Better Man”, and “Virtuous Woman”, this eagerly anticipated album is now widely available online, showcasing the enduring appeal of the Hip-Hop Soul Duo Ruff Endz.

Minnie Riperton

The legendary Minnie Riperton, whose life was tragically cut short at the age of 31 in 1979, left an indelible mark on the world of soul music with her unparalleled vocal talent. Her angelic five-octave vocal range captivated audiences, especially with her iconic chart-topping ballad “Lovin’ You.” Riperton was born on November 8, 1947, in Chicago. An artist from a young age, she honed her skills in music, drama, and dance at the Abraham Lincoln Center in the city. Initially considering a path in opera, Riperton’s journey into pop music began in 1961 when she became part of the local group, the Gems, and signed with the renowned Chess label. Over the years, she lent her exceptional vocals as a backing singer to artists like Fontella Bass, the Dells, and Etta James. Her solo career took off after joining Rotary Connection as the lead vocalist and releasing her debut solo single, “Lonely Girl.”
In 1968, Riperton’s career took a significant turn when she became the frontwoman for the psychedelic soul band Rotary Connection. Despite modest success with singles like “Amen” and “Lady Jane,” the band didn’t achieve mainstream recognition. However, Riperton’s solo journey continued alongside her band commitments. Collaborating with her husband Richard Rudolph and Charles Stepney, she released her remarkable debut album, “Come to My Garden,” in 1970. Following the dissolution of Rotary Connection, Riperton and Rudolph took a break before moving to Los Angeles, where she worked with Stevie Wonder and embarked on a successful solo career. Wonder co-produced Riperton’s hit album, Perfect Angel, featuring the timeless track, “Lovin’ You.” Despite battling breast cancer, Riperton remained a source of inspiration and activism, earning accolades for her courage in fighting the disease. Her legacy lives on through albums like “Adventures in Paradise” and the final record she completed during her lifetime, “Minnie.” Her posthumous release, “Love Lives Forever,” showcased her unmatched talent in collaboration with artists like Peabo Bryson, earning her further recognition posthumously.

Adina Howard

Delivering a strong debut in 1995 with her edgy RIAA certified gold & platinum hit single “Freak Like Me” and album “Do You Wanna Ride?” Famed award-winning American singer, songwriter, actress, and chef, Adina Howard made a remarkable impact on the music industry and achieved worldwide stardom.
Widely ridiculed for her salacious lyrics and provocative image, Adina Howard is revered as a pioneer of sexual expressionism in urban music. Her artistic contributions changed the soundscape of urban music and set the stage for many of the female recording artists known today.

Fabolous

Fabolous, the Brooklyn rapper, emerged in 2001 with his first Top 40 pop hit, ‘Can’t Deny It,’ showcasing his street-savvy toughness and crossover appeal. He was among the pioneering East Coast MCs to blend the bling mentality of the South and the gangsta swagger of the West Coast while infusing a subtle pop essence into his music. Fabolous achieved significant success in the 2000s with five Top Ten albums, including the platinum records Ghetto Fabolous (2001), Street Dreams (2003), and the chart-topping Loso’s Way (2009) featuring the Grammy-nominated ‘Money Goes, Honey Stay.’ Affiliated with Def Jam since 2007, Fabolous transitioned into a veteran artist with a mix of albums and mixtapes, securing additional Top Ten projects with collaborations like Friday on Elm Street (2017) and Summertime Shootout 3: Coldest Summer Ever (2019). ‘Say Less’ in 2022 marked his return as a headlining single in the 2020s.
Born as John David Jackson, Fabolous rose to fame after his appearance on DJ Clue’s Hot 97 radio show. Signed with Clue’s Desert Storm label, Fabolous made waves with his debut single ‘Can’t Deny It’ in 2001, reaching number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100. His debut album, Ghetto Fabolous (2001), and follow-up Street Dreams (2003) solidified his success with hits like ‘Trade It All,’ ‘Can’t Let You Go,’ and ‘Into You.’ Achieving platinum status by 2003, Fabolous continued his musical journey with More Street Dreams, Pt. 2: The Mixtape (2003) and Real Talk (2004), showcasing his versatility as an artist. Collaborations like ‘Make Me Better’ with Ne-Yo and ‘Money Goes, Honey Stay’ with Jay-Z further expanded his reach, leading to Grammy nominations and critical acclaim.
Throughout the years, Fabolous maintained a strong presence in the hip-hop scene with hits as a featured artist on tracks like ‘Dip It Low’ with Christina Milian. Despite facing challenges and delays, his music remained impactful, reflected in albums like The Young OG Project (2014) and collaborations with artists like Lil Wayne and Jadakiss. Fabolous’ seamless blend of street credibility and mainstream success continued into the 2020s, highlighted by his return with singles such as ‘Say Less’ in collaboration with French Montana, solidifying his position as a respected figure in the rap industry.

Evelyn “Champagne” King

Evelyn ‘Champagne’ King, a prominent figure in the music industry, rose to fame with her iconic song ‘Shame’ in 1977. Despite being a newcomer, King showcased her exceptional talent in funk, pop-R&B, and quiet storm soul genres through her debut album, Smooth Talk, which went on to achieve gold certification. Collaborating with renowned artists like T. Life, Morrie Brown, and Kashif, King continued to dominate the post-disco era with hits like ‘I’m in Love’ and ‘Love Come Down,’ solidifying her position as a versatile and enduring artist.
The discovery of King’s musical prowess was serendipitous, occurring when she filled in for her sister at Philadelphia International Records and caught the attention of T. Life. Despite initial rejections, King’s determination led to the release of successful albums like ‘Smooth Talk’ and ‘Music Box.’ With a string of chart-topping singles and collaborations with industry giants, King played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of contemporary R&B, especially during the transition to drum machines and synthesizers in the early ’80s.
Throughout her career, King continued to innovate and adapt, releasing hit albums like ‘I’m in Love’ and ‘Get Loose,’ which featured timeless tracks such as ‘I’m in Love’ and ‘Love Come Down.’ Despite changes in the music landscape, King’s effervescent voice remained a constant, earning her critical acclaim and commercial success well into the ’90s and 2000s. With a diverse discography and a lasting impact on the music industry, Evelyn ‘Champagne’ King remains an iconic and influential figure in the realm of R&B and soul music.

Mase

Best known as Puff Daddy’s favorite sidekick, Mase secured his place as a Bad Boy label favorite through a series of guest appearances on hit singles by other artists. By the time he issued his debut album, the Bad Boy promotional machine had effectively already made him a star. His flow was slow and relaxed, and his raps often unabashedly simple, which helped make him especially popular with the younger segment of Puff Daddy’s pop-rap audience (they could understand him and rap along). Of course, he was never much of a critical favorite for exactly the same reason, but that became a moot point when, just before the release of his second album, he announced his retirement from rap to pursue a career in the ministry. Mase was born Mason Durrell Betha in Jacksonville, FL, on August 27, 1975. His family moved to Harlem when he was five, but at age 13, he was sent back to Florida amid concerns that he was falling in with the wrong crowd. He returned to New York two years later, and began rapping to entertain the other members of his school basketball team. He was a good enough basketball player to win a scholarship to SUNY, but hip-hop soon grew to be more important; under the name Mase Murder, he joined a rap group called Children of the Corn, which disbanded when one of its members died in a car accident. Mase went solo and started making connections around New York’s hip-hop club scene. In 1996, he traveled to Atlanta for a music conference, hoping to hook up with Jermaine Dupri; instead, he met Sean Puffy Combs, who signed him to Bad Boy after hearing him rap.
Mase debuted on Combs’ remix of the 112 single “Only You,” and quickly became a near-ubiquitous guest rapper on Bad Boy releases and other Combs-related projects. He was a credited featured guest on the Puff Daddy smashes “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” and “It’s All About the Benjamins,” handled the first verse of the Notorious B.I.G.’s number one hit “Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems,” and made prominent appearances on Mariah Carey’s “Honey,” Brian McKnight’s “You Should Be Mine (Don’t Waste My Time),” Junior M.A.F.I.A.’s “Young Casanova,” and Busta Rhymes’ “The Body Rock,” among others. By showcasing Mase in such high-profile settings, not to mention spotlighting him in several videos as well, Combs ensured that by the time Mase actually released his own album, every hip-hop fan in America would already know who he was.
Thus, when Mase’s debut album, Harlem World, appeared in late 1997, it was an instant smash, spending its first two weeks of release on top of the Billboard album charts. It was a star-studded affair, naturally featuring Combs (both rapping and producing) and a galaxy of guests: Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, DMX, Lil’ Kim, Monifah, 112, the L.O.X., Eightball & MJG, Black Rob, and Lil’ Cease, not to mention additional production by the Hitmen, Jermaine Dupri, and the Neptunes, among others. Reviews of the record were mixed; some critics praised Mase’s unique rapping style, but others were far more harsh. Nonetheless, Harlem World was a smash hit, eventually going platinum four times over; its first single, “Feels So Good” (which also appeared on the soundtrack of Money Talks), was a Top Five pop hit, and the follow-up “What You Want” was a fast-selling success as well.

Casting Crowns

One of the most enduring and highly decorated bands in the CCM community, Casting Crowns is a Grammy- and Dove Award-winning collective founded and led by youth pastor Mark Hall. Characterized by searing guitar work, uplifting melodies, and super-sized production, the band has won over secular audiences as well as believers via acclaimed LPs like The Altar and the Door (2007), Come to the Well (2011), The Very Next Thing (2016), and Scars in Heaven (2021). Since emerging in the late ’90s, Casting Crowns have sold over ten million albums and dominated Christian radio via chart-topping singles like “Lifesong,” “Until the Whole World Hears,” and “Courageous.” The band formed in 1999 as a student worship group in Daytona Beach, Florida. Led by singer, songwriter, and youth pastor Mark Hall, the group’s initial lineup also included violinist Melodee DeVevo and a pair of guitarists, Juan DeVevo and Hector Cervantes. The musicians relocated to McDonough, Georgia in 2001 and expanded their lineup by adding bassist Chris Huffman, keyboardist Megan Garrett, and drummer Andy Williams. This augmented version of Casting Crowns released two independent albums, both of which were well-received in the Atlanta area. One of the albums then found its way into the hands of Mark Miller, lead singer for the country group Sawyer Brown, who was struck by Casting Crowns’ driving pop/rock style plus Hall’s vocal delivery of his hard-hitting but devout songs. Miller signed Casting Crowns to his fledgling Beach Street Records, a division of Reunion Records with distribution by the Provident Label Group, and took the group into the studio along with co-producer Steven Curtis Chapman, himself a popular artist on the CCM musical scene. The resulting album, Casting Crowns, was released in 2003 on the Beach Street imprint. It fared extremely well in Christian markets, eventually going platinum and peaking at number two on the CCM charts. A sampler with five songs, Live from Atlanta, was issued on Reunion Records in 2004, packaged with a bonus DVD containing band interviews and a music video. Lifesong, released in August 2005, became the band’s most successful record yet, cracking the Top Ten in the secular market while maintaining the group’s religious fan base as well. Like its predecessor, the record went platinum, and Casting Crowns’ increased popularity helped send their follow-up album, 2007’s The Altar and the Door, to number two on the Billboard album chart. Meanwhile, the single “East to West” spent a record-breaking 16 consecutive weeks atop the Christian chart. The Christmas album Peace on Earth appeared in 2008, tiding over the group’s fans (and yielding a number one hit, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”) while Casting Crowns readied another LP of original material, Until the Whole World Hears, which arrived late in 2009. Inspired by the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, Come to the Well, the band’s fifth studio album, was released in October 2011. The following year, guitarist Josh Mix replaced Cervantes, and in early 2013 the band issued The Acoustic Sessions, Vol. 1. The Top Ten album Thrive came a year later. In 2015, Casting Crowns released a compilation of singles, hymn covers, and alternate acoustic versions called Glorious Day: Hymns of Faith, as well as A Live Worship Experience, which was recorded that summer at Eagle’s Landing Baptist Church, where Hall worked as a youth pastor. September 2016 saw the release of The Very Next Thing, Casting Crowns’ studio follow-up to the chart-topping Thrive. For their next release, they offered the holiday-themed EP It’s Finally Christmas in late 2017. In November 2018, the veteran band returned with Only Jesus, which hit number two on the Christian chart and picked up Dove and Grammy nominations. The group’s 12th studio album, Scars in Heaven, arrived in 2021 and featured songwriting contributions by Matthew West and production by Sawyer Brown frontman Mark Miller, a longtime associate of the band. ~ Steve Leggett, Rovi

Whodini

Coming out of the fertile early-’80s New York hip-hop scene, Whodini were one of the first rap groups to add a straight R&B twist to their music, laying the groundwork for the new jack swing movement. The group scored several major hits throughout the ’80s, including Thomas Dolby-produced ‘Magic’s Wand’ from their self-titled 1983 debut, to dancefloor classics like ‘Friends’ and ‘Freaks Come Out at Night’ from 1984’s platinum Escape. Whodini slowed down in the ’90s, releasing no new music after 1996’s Six, but the impressions left by their earliest material continued to be felt in new waves of rap, pop, and dance music.
Whodini formed in 1982, consisting of rappers Jalil Hutchins and John ‘Ecstasy’ Fletcher, and legendary DJ Drew ‘Grandmaster Dee’ Carter, known for being able to scratch records with nearly every part of his body. Whodini’s self-titled 1983 album made a splash with rhythm-heavy hip-hop songs like ‘Magic’s Wand’ (the first rap song to feature an accompanying video), and ‘The Haunted House of Rock,’ a rewrite of ‘Monster Mash.’ The next year’s Escape would be the group’s biggest commercial success, selling in platinum numbers on the back of singles ‘Big Mouth,’ ‘Friends,’ and ‘Freaks Come Out at Night.’ The band explored the intersection of rap and R&B on the album, and their stage shows when touring in support of the album were the first rap concerts to feature official dancers (U.T.F.O. members Doctor Ice and Kangol Kid).
Third album Back in Black arrived in 1986, selling less than Escape but still performing respectably. Following their fourth album, 1987’s Open Sesame, Whodini went on hiatus due to problems with their record company and to concentrate on their respective new families. The group signed on with MCA Records for their 1991 album Bag-a-Trix, at this point known more for their samples being used by newer artists than their contemporaneous output. In 1996, the group released their sixth album, Six, on Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def label; it would be the final album of new material from the group, though their legacy and influence continued to grow over the next several decades as new fans and artists discovered their innovative albums.

Rude Boys

A 90s R&B vocal group from Cleveland, Ohio, Joe N Little III, Edward Lee Banks, Larry Marcus, and Melvin Sephus were discovered by Gerald Levert. Their 1990 LP, Rude Awakening, included the single ‘Written All Over Your Face’, which made it to #1 on the Billboard R&B charts and #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also won the 1991 Billboard Award for R&B Single of the Year. ‘Are You Lonely for Me’ also reached #1 on Billboard’s R&B charts. The group is now comprised of the original lead singer Joe Little III, also known as Lil Joe, G Labeaud, and Keni Myles.