Brownstone (group)
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| Brownstone | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres | R&B Hip hop |
| Years active | 1994–1998 2008–present |
| Labels | MJJ Music/Epic/SME Records (1994-1997) |
| Associated acts | Michael Jackson Tatyana Ali Quo |
| Members | |
| Nicci Gilbert (1994-1998, 2007-) Maxee Maxwell (1994-1998, 2007-) Teisha Brown (2008-) |
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| Past members | |
| Mimi Doby (1994-1995) Kina Cosper (1995-1998) Racquel Roberts (2007-2008) |
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Brownstone is an American female contemporary R&B group that was popular during the mid-1990s. They are best known for their 1995 hit single "If You Love Me," which was nominated for a Best R&B Performance Grammy Award. "Grapevyne" and "Pass the Lovin'" also brought them some success, as well as their rendition of "I Can't Tell You Why," a song originally recorded by The Eagles.
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[edit] History
The three original members of Brownstone were Monica "Mimi" Doby, Charmayne "Maxee" Maxwell and Nichole "Nicci" Gilbert. Founded in Los Angeles, California, the singers met each other after attending various auditions around the city. They formed the group and were signed to Michael Jackson's MJJ Music record label less than a year later. The group soon recorded its debut album From the Bottom Up, which spawned the hit single "If You Love Me." In 1995, the group earned a Grammy Award nomination and a Billboard Music Award.
After extensive touring around the globe, Doby left the group for health reasons; in an interview with BET "Video Soul" host Donnie Simpson, the problem was cited as bronchitis. The cause of her split from the group was later said (in radio interviews) to be internal strife with the other two members. She was replaced by Kina Cosper of Detroit, Michigan, and Kymberli Wright also of Detroit Michigan and after a difficult transition period, Brownstone made a brief showing with the single "5 Miles to Empty," but the group failed to duplicate their initial success.
The members of Brownstone are now engaged in varying pursuits. Doby left the music business altogether and became a teacher. Gilbert released a solo album and is currently producing "Soul Kittens Cabaret," as well as a possible new Brownstone album. Maxwell had a sporadic career in Europe as a recording artist. Wright is now the lead singer of the all female Grammy winning jazz group "Straight Ahead" and is recording and touring live with a host of dance/electronic dance producers. Cosper released a self-titled solo album and is currently working on a second album.
Brownstone attempted a comeback in 2007, which included new member Racquel Roberts (an international performing artist with theater credits in "Hairspray," "Rent," and "The Lion King." They performed in Los Angeles, New York City, and Atlanta, GA.
On April 28, 2009, Maxee Maxwell of Brownstone confirmed that the group had not disbanded. The group is said to be recording new material for an album with an anticipated release date in 2011.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio albums
| Year | Album | Chart positions[1][2] | US certifications[3] |
Record label | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B |
UK | ||||
| 1995 | From the Bottom Up | 29 | 4 | 18 | Platinum | MJJ Music |
| 1997 | Still Climbing | 51 | 16 | 19 | — | |
| "—" denotes the album failed to chart or was not certified | ||||||
[edit] Compilation albums
| Year | Album | Chart positions | US certifications |
Record label | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B |
UK | ||||
| 2000 | All for Love | — | — | — | — | Sony Music |
| 2009 | Super Hits | — | — | — | — | |
| "—" denotes the album failed to chart or was not certified | ||||||
[edit] Singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions[2][4] | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B |
US Dance |
US A/C |
UK | |||
| 1994 | "Pass the Lovin'" | — | 58 | 42 | — | — | From the Bottom Up |
| "If You Love Me" | 8 | 2 | — | 38 | 8 | ||
| 1995 | "Grapevyne" | 49 | 6 | — | — | 16 | |
| "I Can't Tell You Why" | 54 | 22 | — | — | 27 | ||
| 1997 | "5 Miles to Empty" | 39 | 6 | 38 | — | 12 | Still Climbing |
| "Kiss and Tell" | 102 | 41 | — | — | 21 | ||
| "—" denotes the single failed to chart | |||||||
[edit] Featured singles
| Year | Single | Artist | Chart positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B |
||||||
| 1995 | "Freedom (Theme from Panther)" | Various Artists | 45 | 18 | Panther soundtrack | ||
| "—" denotes the single failed to chart | |||||||
[edit] Awards and nominations
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 1995 | Billboard Music Award for Top Hot R&B Singles Airplay for "If You Love Me" |
| 1995 | Billboard Music Award nomination for Top Hot R&B Singles Artist - Duos/Group |
| 1995 | Billboard Music Award nomination for Top Hot R&B Singles Artist |
| 1995 | Billboard Music Award nomination for Top New R&B Artist |
| 1995 | Billboard Music Award nomination for Top R&B Artist - Duos/Group |
| 1995 | Billboard Music Award nomination for Top Hot R&B Singles & Tracks for "If Your Love Me" |
| 1995 | Grammy Award nomination for Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Duo or Group ("If You Love Me")[5] |
| 1995 | Lady of Soul Music Award nomination for Best R&B/Soul Song of the Year for "If You Love Me" [6] |
[edit] References
- ^ "Brownstone US albums chart history". allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p141648. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
- ^ a b "Brownstone UK chart history". chartstats.com. http://www.chartstats.com/artistinfo.php?id=7365. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
- ^ "The USA Certifications of Brownstone". RIAA. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=Brownstone&format=Album&go=Search&perPage=25. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
- ^ "Brownstone US singles chart history". allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p141648. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
- ^ Theenvelope.latimes.com
- ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=zAsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA22&vq=brownstone&source=gbs_search_r&cad=1_0
- Billboard.com (2006) Discography - Brownstone
- Billboard.com (2006) Artist Chart History - Brownstone
