My obsession with 90′s girl groups goes hard. As far as three member groups go, I’d say they were more popular than Total – probably more accessible, having been on All That and having more of a pg-13 branding, but both groups are a far cry from SWV or TLC. They also made it to the three album mark, albeit the third and final release was late in the game (2003) and wasn’t all that popular. Total finished off with two, the last one being released in 98. Still, I think 702 was a really solid group; they were surely talented and produced by great people, but they were squarely in the realm of mid-upper mid r&b stardom. To get to TLC levels they would have needed to be on a label that was aspiring for huge success, which would coincidentally be the label that TLC was on, LaFace. It’s a trip though, 702 was on Michael Bivins’ offshoot label Biv ten which was attached to Motown. You’d think that with the success of Boyz II Men, Michael Bivins could work the same magic.
It’s really interesting to follow the popular acts in the 90s and to see the labels they were on, and the people behind said labels. LaFace being LA Reid and Babyface of The Deele fame. Teddy Riley signed SWV to RCA, and I shouldn’t even have to speak on what Teddy did for 90′s r&b. I can’t think of a reason why anyone outside of the industry would actually care about these things, other than just to know, really. Idle hands and wikipedia are a disastrous combination. I DIGRESS. The OG beat is Pharcyde – Y (Jay Dee remix).
Dope I share your sentiment for 90s groups as well. I miss groups today. Why don’t they seem to work?
Been following and featuring your mashup/remixes on my show since your “sunglasses & Hightops” mix. You are still hot!! RESPECT!