4 P.M. (group)

Last updated
4 P.M.(For Positive Music) a.k.a. The Official 4PM
Origin Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Genres R&B
Years active1991–Present
Labels The Official 4PM Records Next Plateau, 4PM, Pony Canyon
MembersRoberto Pena, Jr.
Reney "Ray" Pena
Larry McFarland
Past membersMartiz Ware

4 P.M. (For Positive Music) is an American male R&B group best known for their cover version of "Sukiyaki", which peaked at number 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in February 1995.

Contents

4 P.M. is an acronym meaning 'For Positive Music' meaning the band's music would not contain explicit lyrics, does not promote violence, and does not degrade women. The band has toured worldwide and remains popular, most notably in Japan. The group was started in 1991 in the suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland by brothers Roberto Pena, Jr. and Reney (Ray) Pena with Larry McFarland and Martiz Ware. They were originally known as IV Real, and played local talent shows.

After a 1994 performance at a record release party, they were signed by Next Plateau Records and moved to New York City. Their debut album, Now's the Time, which peaked at #96 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, [1] included a cover version of Kyu Sakamoto's 1960s hit "Sukiyaki". The group's version of "Sukiyaki" peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and was certified gold in 1995. [2] [3] It also reached the top 5 in Australia and New Zealand. [4] Now's the Time earned gold status in Canada and Japan,[ citation needed ] and went platinum in Australia.[ citation needed ]

Their second album, 1997's A Light in the Dark, did not fare as well, but did include the minor hit "I Gave You Everything", which peaked at #67 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. [2]

After a brief hiatus, the group—minus Martiz Ware—regrouped and started Pena Brothers Productions. In 2000, they released a third album, For Positive Music—a mix of pop, R&B, hip hop, and Latin music—on their own 4PM label. [5]

In 2001, they released a fourth album, Sweet Soul on the Japanese Pony Canyon label.

In 2022, they released the first single Some of the Time on their Independent label The Official 4PM Records. They also released an EP Some of the Time ReMix'd which includes remixes by DJ Soulchild, Mr. Mig, and Stereosoulz.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe (singer)</span> American R&B singer

Joseph Lewis Thomas, known mononymously as Joe, is an American R&B singer-songwriter and record producer. Born and raised in Ashburn, Georgia, he later relocated to Atlanta and signed a record deal with Polygram Records in 1992. He rose to prominence after releasing his debut album Everything the following year. He followed it with a series of successful albums under Jive Records, including All That I Am (1997), the international bestseller My Name Is Joe (2000) as well as the multi-certified albums Better Days (2001) and And Then... (2003). Several songs from these albums became hit singles on the pop and R&B record charts, including the number-one hit "Stutter", the top ten entries "All the Things ", "Don't Wanna Be a Player", and "I Wanna Know" as well as his collaborations "Faded Pictures", "Thank God I Found You" and "Still Not a Player".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sukiyaki (song)</span> 1961 song by Kyu Sakamoto

"Ue o Muite Arukō", alternatively titled "Sukiyaki", is a song by Japanese crooner Kyu Sakamoto, first released in Japan in 1961. The song topped the charts in a number of countries, including the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1963.

<i>Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous</i> 1995 studio album by Big L

Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous is the debut studio album by American rapper Big L, and the only to be released during his lifetime. It was released on March 28, 1995 by Columbia Records. Recording sessions took place primarily at Powerplay Studios in Queens, New York in mid-to-late 1994. Production was handled by Buckwild, Lord Finesse, Showbiz and Craig Boogie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alicia Keys discography</span> R&B recording artist discography

American singer Alicia Keys has released nine studio albums, two live albums, one remix album, four reissue albums, one extended play, seven box sets, 46 singles as lead artist, and six promotional singles. Throughout her career, Keys has sold over 65 million records worldwide. According to Recording Industry Association of America, Keys is the top certified female R&B artist of the millennium, with 20 million certified albums and 38 million certified digital singles in the United States. Billboard ranked her as the second top female artist of the 2000s decade, fourth top R&B/hip-Hop female artist of the 2010s decade and the 60th Greatest Artist of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beyoncé discography</span>

American singer Beyoncé has released seven studio albums, five live albums, three compilation albums, five EPs, one soundtrack album, two karaoke albums, and 83 singles. To date, Beyoncé has sold over 200 million records worldwide as a solo artist, and a further 60 million as part of Destiny's Child, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Billboard ranked her as the 37th greatest artist of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doo Wop (That Thing)</span> 1998 single by Lauryn Hill

"Doo Wop " is a song recorded by American recording artist Lauryn Hill for her debut solo studio album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998). It was written and produced by Hill. The song was released as the lead single from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill on August 10, 1998, by Ruffhouse Records and Columbia Records. No commercial release was originally intended for the single in the US, but limited-quantity physical formats were issued two months later, on October 27.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Not Tonight (song)</span> 1997 single by Lil Kim

"Not Tonight" is a song performed by the American rapper Lil' Kim featuring Jermaine Dupri for her debut studio album Hard Core (1996). A remix was released the following year featuring female rappers Da Brat, Missy "Misdeameanor" Elliott, Angie Martinez, and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes for the Nothing to Lose soundtrack. It was released on June 24, 1997, by Atlantic Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pony (Ginuwine song)</span> 1996 single by Ginuwine

"Pony" is a song by American singer Ginuwine, released as the debut single from his first album, Ginuwine...The Bachelor (1996). Ginuwine co-wrote the song with Swing Mob associates Static Major and Timbaland; the latter made his breakthrough as a producer with the song. It peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot Like Fire</span> 1997 single by Aaliyah featuring Timbaland

"Hot Like Fire" is a song recorded by American singer Aaliyah for her second studio album One in a Million (1996). The song was written by both Missy Elliot and Timbaland, with the latter producing the song. Musically, the album version is a Trip hop song, while the single remix version is a "jeep-friendly" funk song with a bouncing beat and features ad-libs from Timbaland. Lyrically, the song is sexually suggestive, with Aaliyah promising that she is worth the wait. The song was re-recorded and released as the fifth and final single from One in a Million with "The One I Gave My Heart To" on September 16, 1997 by Blackground Records and Atlantic Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If I Ever Fall in Love</span> 1992 single by Shai

"If I Ever Fall in Love" is the debut single by American R&B-soul quartet Shai, released in 1992 from their debut album of the same name. It reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1992 and peaked at number one on the Billboard R&B chart. It spent eight weeks at number two on the Hot 100, which at the time was the second-most number of weeks that a song held the position without topping the chart, behind Foreigner's "Waiting for a Girl Like You". The song was also their only top-40 hit in the UK, peaking at number 36.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TLC discography</span>

American R&B group TLC has released five studio albums, 13 compilation albums, six video albums, 25 singles, 11 promotional singles, and 24 music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Time (Lil' Kim song)</span> 1996 single by Lil Kim featuring Puff Daddy

"No Time" is a song by American rapper Lil' Kim. It was released as her debut single in 1996 which served as the first single from Kim's debut album Hard Core. It peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached the Top 10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. "No Time" topped the US Rap Songs for nine weeks, becoming Kim's first number 1 hit on that chart. Additionally, the song charted at number 45 on the UK Singles Chart. The single was certified Gold by the RIAA. "No Time" contains a sample of Vicki Anderson's "Message from the Soul Sisters" and Lyn Collins's "Take Me Just As I Am".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nobody Knows (Tony Rich song)</span> 1995 single by Tony Rich

"Nobody Knows" is a song by R&B singer Tony Rich from his 1996 debut album, Words. Released as his debut single on November 7, 1995, the song peaked at number two on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks charts. It also became a hit in several other countries, topping the Irish Singles Chart and reaching number two in Australia and Canada, number four in the United Kingdom, and the top 20 in the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Sweden. Rich received a nomination for the 1997 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everything (Mary J. Blige song)</span> 1997 single by Mary J. Blige

"Everything" is a song by American singer Mary J. Blige. It was written and produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis for Blige's third album, Share My World (1997). The song contains samples from "You Are Everything" (1971) by American soul group The Stylistics and "The Payback" (1973) by American singer James Brown, also incorporating elements from "Sukiyaki" (1961) by Japanese singer Kyu Sakamoto. Due to the inclusion of the samples, Brown, Hachidai Nakamura, Rokusuke Ei, Linda Creed, Thom Bell, John Starks, and Fred Wesley are also credited as songwriters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Time Around (Michael Jackson song)</span> 1995 single by Michael Jackson

"This Time Around" is a song by American singer Michael Jackson from his ninth studio album, HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, with a guest appearance by rapper the Notorious B.I.G. It was released as a promotional single in the US, and is the album's fourth single overall. The song, which details a musician's problems with being famous and dealing with stardom, was written by Jackson, while the music was composed by Dallas Austin, Bruce Swedien and Rene Moore. Dallas Austin and Michael Jackson produced the song, while Bruce Swedien and René Moore served as co-producers. In the United States, "This Time Around" entered three Billboard component charts, respectively peaking at numbers 18, 23, and 36 on the Dance Music/Club Play Singles, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, and Rhythmic Top 40, having charted solely due to radio airplay throughout the country. It received positive reviews from contemporary music critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'll Be (Foxy Brown song)</span> 1997 single by Foxy Brown

"I'll Be" is a song recorded by American rapper Foxy Brown for her debut studio album, Ill Na Na (1996), featuring Brooklyn-based rapper Jay-Z. It was released as the second single from the album on March 4, 1997, by Violator and Def Jam Recordings. The song was written by Shawn Carter, Jean-Claude Olivier, Samuel Barnes, Angela Winbush, René Moore, Bobby Watson and Bruce Swedien with production by Trackmasters, and samples René & Angela's 1985 song "I'll Be Good". It was recorded at Chung King Studios in New York City, while the mixing of the track was finished at The Hit Factory. "I'll Be" is a hip hop and R&B song with explicit lyrics that revolve around sex and money.

<i>Kelly</i> (Kelly Price album) 2011 studio album by Kelly Price

Kelly is the sixth studio album by American R&B singer-songwriter Kelly Price released on May 3, 2011 on the labels My Block Records and Malaco Records. The album was preceded by the release of three singles, "Tired", "Not My Daddy" and "Himaholic".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can We</span> 1997 single by SWV

"Can We" is a song by American R&B trio SWV featuring guest vocals from Missy Elliott and production by Timbaland and Elliott. The song was eventually included on SWV's third album, Release Some Tension (1997), but was originally a hit earlier in the year when it was included on the soundtrack to the 1997 film, Booty Call.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Downtown Venus</span> 1995 single by P.M. Dawn

"Downtown Venus" is the first single released from American hip hop-R&B act P.M. Dawn's third studio album, Jesus Wept (1995). The second track on the album, the song was written by the duo's lead vocalist, Prince Be and produced by P.M. Dawn. It is built around a sample of "Hush" by Deep Purple, so writer Joe South was given a writing credit.

"Thinkin' Back" is an R&B and Pop song by American music group Color Me Badd from their debut album, C.M.B. (1991). It was released as the fifth single in January 1992. The song is about a deteriorating relationship, and while the protagonist's partner did them wrong, they are still lonely, and want to turn back time to go back to when their relationship was in a good place.

References

[http://www.theofficial4pm.com/