4 Non Blondes, the band known for their hit song ‘What’s Up?’ in 1993, had a short-lived yet impactful presence in the music scene. Originally formed in 1989, the group consisted of Linda Perry on vocals, Shaunna Hall on guitar, Christa Hillhouse on bass, and Wanda Day on drums. Despite initial struggles in finding the right marketing strategy, the band’s unique sound attracted attention from major labels and local radio stations like KUSF. Dawn Richardson later replaced Wanda Day, leading the group to sign with Interscope Records and release their successful album ‘Bigger, Better, Faster, More?’ in 1992. Linda Perry’s distinctive high-pitched voice in ‘What’s Up?’ propelled the song to mainstream success, reaching number 11 on the Billboard Top 200.
The music video for ‘What’s Up?’ became a sensation on MTV, boosting the album sales to over six million copies worldwide. The track earned accolades, winning Best Song at the Bay Area Music Awards, with Linda Perry receiving the Best Female Vocalist award and ‘Bigger, Better, Faster, More?’ taking home the Best Album title. 4 Non Blondes embarked on tours with renowned artists like Neil Young, Pearl Jam, and Bob Dylan, and contributed to the soundtracks of popular movies like Wayne’s World 2 and Airheads. However, feeling that the band was drifting towards a more mainstream pop sound, Linda Perry chose to depart from 4 Non Blondes. In 1995, she launched her solo career with the release of ‘In Flight,’ followed by parting ways with Interscope Records in 1998 to create her own label, Rockstar Records, where she recorded her second album, ‘After Hours.’