H-Town (band)
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H-Town
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Origin | Houston, Texas, United States |
Genres | R&B |
Years active | 1991–present |
Labels | Luke Records Relativity Records H-Town Music |
Members | Solomon "Shazam" Conner Darryl "G.I." Jackson |
Past members | Keven "Dino" Conner (deceased) |
H-Town is an American R&B/hip hop vocal group. It was originally founded by twin brothers Keven “Dino” Conner, Solomon “Shazam” Conner, and their longtime friend Darryl “G.I.” Jackson in 1992.
History
Growing up in a family of singers, brothers Keven and Solomon Conner began their careers singing in talent shows and plays before a local producer sent their demo tape to onetime 2 Live Crew rapper and record label executive Luther "Luke" Campbell. After an impromptu audition, Campbell signed the group to his label, Luke Records.[1]
Albums
Fever for Da Flavor
H-Town's debut album Fever for Da Flavor was released on April 15, 1993.[2] The group achieved hit status in the United States with "Knockin' Da Boots," which became H-Town's biggest hit and also their signature song. "Boots" was a #1 hit on the R&B charts,[3] and peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.[4] "Lick U Up," the bands follow-up single, was less successful on the charts. H-Town won the 1993 Soul Train Music Award for Best New Artist. That same year, they signed on as a part of the Coca-Cola Summerfest tour, which also included Shai, SWV, Jade, Naughty by Nature, LL Cool J and Silk.[1]
Beggin' After Dark
In 1994, H-Town returned the studio to record their second album Beggin' After Dark . It was released on November 8, 1994.[5]
The most popular single from this album was "Emotions." It became a #11 hit on the Billboard R&B chart and reached #51 on the Hot 100.[4] Other tracks from the album included "Sex Bowl," "Full Time," "Much Feelin' (And It Tastes Great)," "Buss One," featuring reggae singer Papa Reu, and "Baby I Love Ya," featuring Roger Troutman.
Ladies Edition, Woman's World
By the time H-Town returned to the studio to record Ladies Edition, they had undergone some changes. They recorded a cover version of The Persuaders' "A Thin Line Between Love and Hate" for the 1996 film of the same name. The song became H-Town's first Top 40 pop hit in three years, peaking at #37.[4]
They then cut ties with Luther Campbell, underwent a spiritual awakening of sorts, and became more aware of women's issues on their third album Ladies Edition, Woman's World.[6] It was released on October 28, 1997.[7] The album's general theme centers on a man's penitence for his past transgressions with his woman, a theme conveyed in songs such as "Don't Sleep on the Female," "Julie Rain" (a sobering account of spousal abuse), and "Jezebel." According to the liner notes, the album was dedicated to Nicole Brown Simpson and "all the women of the world." Twenty national women's telephone helplines were also listed on the back cover.[8]
2000 - Present
In July 2000, Solomon "Shazam" Conner released a solo album entitled Bringing the Heat. Selected tracks from Shazam's solo effort were included on H-Town's 2004 album Imitations Of Life.
On January 28, 2003, Dino was killed in an automobile accident in Houston, Texas. According to police, Dino had just left a recording studio and was a passenger in a car being driven by his girlfriend, 22-year-old Teshya Rae Weisent. Their vehicle was struck by an SUV that ran a red light, and both Dino and Weisant were killed.
Three people were in the SUV, all of whom fled after the accident. One of them, Juan Diaz, was later apprehended, however, and faced a felony charge of failure to stop and render aid.[9]
At the time of Conner's death H-Town was said to have just finished what would become their fourth album.[9] They eventually released their reunion album Imitations of Life on October 12, 2004.[10]
In mid 2009, the remaining two members, Solomon "Shazam" Conner and Darryl "G.I." Jackson released the single "Knocking Your Heels" from their upcoming album "Child Support." The single's remix features Jodeci and Pretty Ricky. The release date of "Child Support" is still TBA with iMG Recordings as of January 2011 .
Discography
Albums
Fever for Da Flavor
|
Beggin' After Dark
|
Ladies Edition, Woman's World
|
Imitations of Life
|
Child Support
|
Singles
Year | Title | US | US R&B | Album |
---|---|---|---|---|
1993 | "Knockin' Da Boots" | 3 | 1 | Fever for Da Flavor |
"Lick U Up" | 67 | 21 | ||
"Keepin' My Composure" | - | - | ||
1994 | "Baby I Wanna" | - | 87 | |
"Part Time Lover" | 57 | 9 | Above the Rime soundtrack | |
"Back Seat (With No Sheets)" | - | 58 | Beggin' After Dark | |
1995 | "Emotions" | 51 | 11 | |
1996 | "A Thin Line Between Love & Hate" | 37 | 6 | A Thin Line Between Love and Hate soundtrack |
1997 | "They Like It Slow" | 35 | 12 | Ladies Edition |
2009 | "Call Me Mr. Pacman" | - | - | Child Support |
Other collaborations
Year | Title | Artist | Album |
---|---|---|---|
1993 | "It's Your Thang" | Various | Addams Family Values: Music from the Motion Picture |
1994 | "Bust a Nut" | Luke Featuring H-Town | In the Nude |
"Take It Slow" Featuring Dino | Trellini Featuring Dino | Trellini | |
1995 | "Ain't No Fun" | Various | Original Gangstas Soundtrack |
Awards and nominations
Year | Result | Award | Category | Single |
---|---|---|---|---|
1993 | Won | Soul Train Music Award | Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist | |
Nominated | Soul Train Music Award | Best R&B/Soul Single - Group, Band or Duo | "Knockin' Da Boots" |
See also
References
- ^ a b Joseph, Stanley (2001-03-22). "H-Town: Learning the Lessons of Fame". youthoutlook.org. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
- ^ "H-Town - Fever for da Flavor ". mtv.com. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales: Chart Listing For The Week Of June 12, 1993". billboard.com. Retrieved 2008-06-05. [dead link]
- ^ a b c "H-Town Chart History". billboard.com. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
- ^ "H-Town - Beggin' After Dark". mtv.com. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
- ^ "H-Town Give Shout Out To "Women Of The World"". mtv.com. 1997-10-15. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
- ^ "H-Town - Ladies Edition". mtv.com. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
- ^ Leroy, Dan (1997-10-28). "Ladies Edition: Album Review".
- ^ a b Reid, Shaheem (2003-02-03). "H-Town Lead Singer Dies". mtv.com.
- ^ "H-Town - Imitations of Life". mtv.com. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
- ^ "Fever for Da Flavor". billboard.com. Retrieved 2008-06-05. [dead link]
- ^ "Beggin' After Dark". billboard.com. Retrieved 2008-06-05. [dead link]
- ^ "Ladies Edition". billboard.com. Retrieved 2008-06-05. [dead link]
H-TOWN = HANDSWORTH B21
External links
- Template:MySpace
- H-Town at Allmusic
- http://twitter.com/htown4life at {{ Twitter}} template missing ID and not present in Wikidata.
- http://twitter.com/gijackson at "GI" {{ Twitter}} template missing ID and not present in Wikidata.
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/H-Town/75058581883 Facebook Fanclub
- http://www.youtube.com/user/htown4lifetv?feature=mhum H-TOWN on YouTube
- http://www.myspace.com/htowngi Myspace-"GI"
- http://www.facebook.com/htowngi Facebook-"GI"
- Keven "Dino" Conner at Find A Grave