702 | |
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 702 in a promotional photo from 1999; (from left to right): Orish Grinstead, Meelah Williams, and Irish Grinstead | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Sweeter than Sugar |
| Origin | Las Vegas,Nevada, U.S. |
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702 (pronounced "seven-oh-two") is an American musicalgirl group whose most notable line-up consisted of Misha Grinstead, Irish Grinstead, and Meelah Williams. The group began their musical career asSweeter than Sugar, formed in 1993 inLas Vegas. After years of limited success, the original quartet comprising Misha Grinstead, Irish Grinstead, Orish Grinstead, and Amelia Cruz were signed in 1995 toBiv 10 Records as 702. The group first had mainstream success following the release of their 1996 single, "Steelo".
Spawning from their debut studio albumNo Doubt (1996), the song peaked within the top ten of theBillboard Hot 100, while the album receivedgold certification by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Theirself-titled second album (1999) became their best-selling release, and contained the top-five single "Where My Girls At?".[4][5] Despite critical and commercial success, the group experienced lineup changes with Orish and Cruz being replaced by Meelah Williams andTiffany Villarreal, respectively.
In mid-1996, Villarreal quit after a few months, leaving the group as a trio. In 2001, Cree Lemore replaced Williams after her departure from the group. This lineup released a single "Pootie Tangin'" before Lemore left and Williams re-joining the group. The group released their final albumStar in 2003 and disbanded in 2006. The group reunited at2017 Soul Train Music Awards.[6] 702 has sold over 4 million records as of 2006.[4]
LeMisha Grinstead wanted to pursue a solo career and with the support of her parents, she began performing in local competitions and churches. After performing in the lobby ofCaesars Palace, she attracted the attention of actor/comedianSinbad. Sinbad approached her parents with an opportunity in music, her parents encouraged their twin daughters Irish and Orish to perform alongside their sister LeMisha as a trio. Sinbad entered the quartet into a music competition inAtlanta under the group name Sweeter than Sugar.[7][8][9][10] Although they finished second in the competition,Michael Bivins agreed to work with the group. They also added singer Amelia Cruz to the lineup. After signing the group to his record labelBiv 10 Records, Bivins renamed the group "702", after the area code for Las Vegas.[7]
In November 1994, 702 debuted onSubway's first single "This Lil' Game We Play". The single peaked at number 15 on theBillboard Hot 100 and number 4 onHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It eventually became certifiedgold, selling over 500,000 copies in the United States of America.[11] LeMisha, who sang lead vocals on the song, was the only one to go on tour with Subway in 1995. In 1995, 702 began recording their first album. During the recording of the album, Bivins dismissed Orish Grinstead and Amelia Cruz from the group because of his lack of support in their vocal abilities. They were replaced by classmates Meelah Williams (born Kameelah Williams) andTiffany Villarreal. Six months after joining the group, Villarreal left the group during the recording of the first album, leaving 702 to continue as a trio.
702 released their first albumNo Doubt in October 1996.No Doubt peaked at number eighty-two on theBillboard 200 and number twenty-four on theBillboardTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It managed to sell over half of a million copies in the United States, earning a gold certification by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[4] The album's singles "Steelo" and "Get It Together reached the top twenty on theBillboardHot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. Both of the singles earned gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America. In 1997, 702 became the opening act forNew Edition's "Home Again Tour". In the same year, their albumNo Doubt won a Lady of Soul Award for "Best R&B/Soul Album, Group, Band, or Duo" in 1997. Their single "Get It Together" was nominated for "Best R&B/Soul Single, Solo" and "Best R&B/Soul Song of the Year", while the group was nominated for "Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist".[12]
"Steelo" became the theme song to theNickelodeon television showCousin Skeeter in 1998. In the same year, 702 made cameo appearances in the sitcomsSister, Sister andMoesha.[13] In March 1998,Missy Elliott released a single "Beep Me 911" which featured 702. The song charted in the top twenty on theUK Singles chart.[14]
In early 1999, the group performed the national anthem for theWomen's National Basketball Association.[15] In June 1999, they released their self-titled second album,702. The album peaked in top forty on the Billboard charts and became certified platinum.[4][5] The album's first single "Where My Girls At?" charted in the top-five onBillboard's Hot 100 and went became certified gold.[4][5] In mid-1999, 702 toured as the opening act ofBrandy's "Never Say Never World Tour".[16] During the tour, LeMisha went on a two-month maternity leave and later gave birth to her sonTony Fields II on June 18, 1999.[17] During her hiatus, Orish briefly re-joined the group.[17] They also made a cameo in the 1999ABC-TV movieDouble Platinum.[13] 702 also signed a deal withWilhelmina Models.[13] In 2000, 702 toured as the opening act forBrian McKnight's "Back at One Tour".[18]
In 2001, Williams departed from the group and signed a management deal with Todd Russaw's Pedigree MGI Management. During that time, she sang backup and wrote three songs forFaith Evans' album,Faithfully. She also sang backup forMissy Elliott's song "Take Away", the third single from her 2001 albumMiss E...So Addictive. Cree Lemore replaced Williams in the group.[5] 702 released a single "Pootie Tangin" on thesoundtrack of comedy filmPootie Tang. The single received of Lady of Soul Train nomination for "Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band or Duo" in 2002.[19] Shortly after the release of the single, Lemore departed from the group and Williams rejoined the group.[5]
In March 2003, 702 released their third albumStar. The album peaked within the top 50 on the Billboard 200. The lead single "Star" peaked at number ninety-eight on the R&B chart. Their follow-up single "I Still Love You" peaked at number 49 on the R&B chart. Also in 2003, 702 shared lead vocals on the track "Gamble It" from the albumEmotions by Sirena. Orish Grinstead appeared in The Brewster Project in 2004.
In 2005, the group officially disbanded to pursue solo careers. Williams continued a career in the music industry as a background vocalist forFaith Evans andMacy Gray. LeMisha began a career as a wedding chapel manager atTreasure Island Hotel and Casino inLas Vegas.[20] Irish also pursued a career in accounting. In 2006, the original lineup of 702 (LeMisha, Irish, and Orish Grinstead) appeared on E Sharp's albumE Sharp presents Vol. I.[21] In 2007, LeMisha released a song titled "What I Got" on the E Sharp's second albumE Sharp Presents Vol. II.[22] On April 20, 2008, original member Orish Grinstead died from autoimmune hepatitis.[23]
In 2014, Williams joined the season three cast of reality television showR&B Divas: Atlanta.[24] Williams used the opportunity to bring awareness to children born withautism.
In November 2017, the group reformed and attended the2017 Soul Train Music Awards.[6] In 2018, the group appeared in the music documentary programUnsung.[25] Also in 2018, the group began touring together for the first time in fifteen years.[6] In 2019, the group performed a tribute medley toXscape at the Black Music Honors.[26] In May 2021, Irish and LeMisha Grinstead were among the lineup of cast members for theBET Networkreality television showBET Presents: The Encore.[27] On December 15, 2022, it was announced on the group's Instagram page that Irish Grinstead would be taking a medical leave from the group to address serious health concerns.[28] In May 2023, the group performed "Where My Girls At?" in tribute toMissy Elliott at the Black Music Honors.[29] On September 16, 2023, Irish Grinstead died after a long battle with an undisclosed illness.[30][31]
In 2024, 702 appeared as special guest on "The Queens of R&B Tour".[32]
702 recordedR&B songs with styles that encompassrap,soul,contemporary,gospel, andjazz.[33][34] In the group's original lineup, LeMisha was the lead vocalist, Irish was onalto, Orish and Amelia were on soprano. After the lineup change, LeMisha later alternated as second soprano and alternate lead vocalist in the group's trio lineup as Meelah often sang lead for the majority of their songs.[35] In their first albumNo Doubt (1996), each member sings lead in the majority of the songs. Williams, however, completely led songs like "Steelo" and "Get It Together". The group explored themes of women's empowerment in songs such as "Where My Girls At?" and "Better Day (Ghetto Girl)".[36]
702 have been recognized as one of the most influential female R&B groups of the 1990s.[37] 702's final lineup as a trio has been widely noted as the group's most recognizable and successful lineup, having sold over 4 million records worldwide.[4]
The group's single "Where My Girls At?" (1999) was ranked number 46 onBillboard's list of "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time",[38] ranked number 72 on their "The 99 Greatest Songs of 1999" list,[39] and was listed on their "Greatest of All Time Top Songs of the 90s" list.[40] The term "Steelo" became popularized by 702'ssingle of the same name as aslang word for "style".[41] The group has also been credited as a musical influence or inspiration to several artists includingSolange Knowles,[42] andFLO.[43]
Current members[edit]
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Studio albums
| Year | Result | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Nominated | Favorite Soul/R&B New Artist For: "702" |
| Year | Result | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Nominated | Best Female Group For: "702" |
Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards
| Year | Result | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Won | Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year – Group, Band or Duo For: "No Doubt" |
| 1999 | Nominated | Best R&B/Soul Single – Group, Band or Duo For: "Where My Girls At?" |
| 2000 | Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year – Group, Band or Duo For: "702" | |
| 2002 | Best R&B/Soul Single – Group, Band or Duo For: "Pootie Tangin" | |
| 2003 | Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year – Group, Band or Duo For: "Star" | |
| 2003 | Best R&B/Soul Single – Group, Band or Duo For: "I Still Love You" |
702, a trio of mid-tempo R&B queens who started out in 1995 creating a bit of a stir with the Missy Elliott-produced "Steelo".......
702's hip-pop is catchy, though hard to distinguish from the swelling tsunami of R&B girl groups.
Their music, often mid-tempo jams, struck the perfect balance between soulful pop and mature fun.
| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
