Az Yet

Last updated
Az Yet
Origin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Genres R&B
Years active1989present
Labels LaFace, DreamWorks, Az Yet Records
MembersKenny Terry
Dyshon Benson
Jibriel Patterson
Jay Naught
Drayton
Past membersDion Allen
Shawn Rivera
Marc Nelson
Darryl Anthony
Claude Thomas
Ali Hyman
Tony Grant
Parrice Smith
LeDon Bishop ("Smith")
Kris Gilder
Dante Harper
Damon Core (deceased)

Az Yet is an American R&B group from Philadelphia, best known for their songs "Last Night" and the cover "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" originally performed by Chicago.

Contents

Formation

Formed in 1989 initially as a duo with Shawn Rivera and Dion Allen, the two were later joined by Kenny Terry, whom they met singing in the lobby of the Wyndham Hotel in Philadelphia, Claude Thomas, Ali Hyman, Damon Core, & Dyshon Benson. [1] [2]

Debut album

Az Yet released their self-titled debut album in 1996 on LaFace Records. The album featured a "who's who" of musical heavyweights, including David Foster, Babyface, Sheila E., and Brian McKnight. The first single, "Last Night", reached #9 on the US Hot 100, #1 on the R&B chart, peaked at #2 on Australia's ARIA charts, and spent 2 weeks at #1 in New Zealand's RIANZ charts, ultimately achieving platinum status in the US. The group's second single, "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" (a cover of the Chicago hit), was nominated for a Grammy award (Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals), [3] reached #8 on the Hot 100, and achieved platinum status. Driven by these two singles, the album reached RIAA platinum status. [4]

Members

Kenny Terry (1991-present)
Dyshon Benson (1992-1995; 2016-2019; 2023-present)
Jibriel Patterson (2023-present)
Jay Naught (2023-present)
Drayton (2023-present)

Past members

Dion Allen (1989-2023)
Shawn Rivera (1989-2015)
Marc Nelson (1995-1997; 2007-2010; 2015-2016; 2023)
Darryl Anthony (1995-2007)
Claude Thomas (1990-1995; 2014-2023)
Tony Grant (1997-1999; 2010-2011)
LeDon Smith (1999-2007)
Parrice Smith (2016-2022)
Kris Gilder (2004-2007)
Dante Harper (2004-2007)
Damon Core (deceased) (1990-1993)
Ali Hyman (1989-1990)

Television

Fueled by two top ten hits, the group's popularity led them to several television appearances in their early years. Live performances include The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show, All That and two appearances on Soul Train (the first in 1996 with Marc Nelson as the lead singer and the second in 1997 with Tony Grant). The group was also cast as "TJ's Band" and appeared in several episodes of the short-lived television drama Fame L.A.. [5]

Az Yet toured as featured actors/performers in 2013 with the Broadway musical, My Brother Marvin (The Secret Life of Marvin Gaye), starring Keith Washington, Tony Grant and actress Lynn Whitfield. [6]

Later that year, the group recorded "Magical Moment" [7] with Malaysian Idol winner Jaclyn Victor as a theme song for the animated feature film, Ribbit [8] (KRU Studios).

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Singles

YearTitleAlbumLabelReleased Hot 100
1996"Last Night" Az Yet LaFace RecordsAugust 12, 19969
1997"Hard to Say I'm Sorry"Az YetLaFace RecordsFebruary 2, 19978
1997"You're the Inspiration"
(Peter Cetera featuring Az Yet)
You're the InspirationPlatinum EntertainmentAugust 26, 199777
2007"Keep on Pushin'"Back HomeInnerSoul RecordsMay 5, 2007 [11]
2008"Share Life"Single onlyAz Yet RecordsOctober 30, 2008
2008"She Loves the 90s"Single onlyAz Yet RecordsNovember 12, 2008
2009"I Can't Let U Go"UntitledAz Yet RecordsJanuary 2009
2011"Ms. Behaving"Single onlyAz Yet RecordsFebruary 2011 [12]
2012"Star Spangled Banner"Single onlyAz Yet RecordsJuly 2012 [13]
2013"All It Takes"Single onlyAz Yet RecordsJanuary 2013 [14]
2013"Magical Moment"Ikut Rentakku KRU MusicJune 26, 2013 [15]

Soundtrack appearances

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Isley Brothers</span> American musical group

The Isley Brothers are an American musical group originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, that began as a vocal trio consisting of the brothers O'Kelly Isley Jr., Rudolph Isley and Ronald Isley in the 1950s. With a career spanning over seven decades, the group has enjoyed one of the "longest, most influential, and most diverse careers in the pantheon of popular music".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Babyface (musician)</span> American singer, songwriter, and record producer

Kenneth Brian Edmonds, better known by his stage name Babyface, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He has written and produced over 26 number-one R&B hits throughout his career and has won 13 Grammy Awards. He was ranked number 20 on NME's 50 of The Greatest Producers Ever list.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirk Franklin</span> American gospel musician

Kirk Dewayne Franklin is an American gospel singer, choir director, record producer and rapper. He is best known for leading urban contemporary gospel and Christian R&B ensembles such as The Family, God's Property, and One Nation Crew (1NC). His accolades include 20 Grammy Awards. Variety dubbed Franklin as a "Reigning King of Urban Gospel", and is one of the inaugural inductees into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Musiq Soulchild</span> American hip hop and R&B singer and songwriter

Taalib Johnson, better known by the stage name Musiq Soulchild or simply Musiq is an American singer and songwriter whose style blends R&B, funk, blues, jazz, and gospel influences fused with hip hop. Soulchild has released several successful studio albums that went platinum in the United States.

<i>The Colour of My Love</i> 1993 studio album by Celine Dion

The Colour of My Love is the twelfth studio album and third English-language album by Canadian singer Celine Dion. It was released by Sony Music on 9 November 1993. The songs were produced mainly by David Foster, Ric Wake, Walter Afanasieff, Christopher Neil and Guy Roche, and four of them were written by Diane Warren. The album features cover versions of "The Power of Love" and "When I Fall in Love".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">India Arie</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1975)

India Arie Simpson is an American singer and songwriter. Her debut album, Acoustic Soul, was released in 2001, and she has since released six more studio albums. Arie has sold over five million records in the US and ten million worldwide, and has won four Grammy Awards from 23 nominations, including Best R&B Album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deborah Cox</span> Canadian musician and actress (born 1974)

Deborah Cox is a Canadian singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. Born and raised in Toronto, she began performing on television commercials at age 12, and entered various talent shows in her teenage years before becoming a professional backing vocalist for Celine Dion. In 1994, Cox relocated to the United States and was signed to Arista Records by Clive Davis, releasing her self-titled debut album the following year. Her second studio album, One Wish (1998), was certified platinum in the United States. It was marked by the commercial success of the pop crossover single "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here", which would become her most successful entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number two and remaining there for eight consecutive weeks. Cox signed with J Records for her third studio album The Morning After (2002), which saw moderate commercial success.

KRU is a Malaysian pop boy band formed in 1992. The group comprises three brothers, namely Datuk Norman Abdul Halim, Datuk Yusry Abdul Halim and Edry Abdul Halim'. Apart from revolutionising the Malaysian music scene with their blend of pop, R&B and hip hop, Dato' Norman Abdul Halim heads a successful business empire, KRU Studios, with Dato' Yusry Abdul Halim specialising in film, media content and live events, whilst Edry Abdul Halim is a successful composer/producer.

Samuel Joshua Watters is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and record executive. Watters was a member of the multi-platinum selling 1990s R&B group Color Me Badd and co-authored many of their hits including "I Adore Mi Amor", and "All 4 Love". Watters has also written and produced songs for Grammy-winning and nominated artists such as American Idol winners Fantasia, Kelly Clarkson and Jordin Sparks, and other superstars such as Céline Dion, Whitney Houston, Leona Lewis, and Anastacia. Watters is a member of the production/songwriting team The Runaways including fellow hitmakers Rico Love, Wayne Wilkins, Ryan Tedder, and Louis Biancaniello.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No I.D.</span> American music producer

Ernest Dion Wilson, professionally known as No I.D., is an American record producer, DJ and songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. He is known for his early work with Chicago-based rapper Common, as well as his career mentorship of rappers Kanye West, J. Cole and Logic. Wilson first gained success for his role as an in-house producer for Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings—leading to largely uncredited work on Dupri's productions "My Boo" by Usher, "Outta My System" and "Let Me Hold You" by Bow Wow—before reaching commercial success with his solo productions. He worked with Jay-Z to produce his singles "Run This Town" and "Holy Grail," West to produce "Heartless," and Drake to produce "Find Your Love" and "Nonstop"; all of which have peaked within the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Marc Nelson is an American singer and songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sergio Dalma</span> Musical artist

Josep Sergi Capdevila Querol, professionally known as Sergio Dalma, is a Spanish singer. He is one of Spain's best-selling recording artists, having topped Spain's official Productores de Música de España national album chart nine times, including an unbroken string of five number one albums between 2008 and 2013.

<i>The Heat Is On</i> (album) 1975 studio album by the Isley Brothers

The Heat Is On is the thirteenth studio album by American soul and funk group The Isley Brothers, released June 7, 1975, on T-Neck Records and Epic Records. Written and produced entirely by the group, the album was recorded in 1975 at Kendum Recorders in Burbank, California. The Heat Is On features musical elements of rock, and is divided between uptempo funk songs and soul ballads.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaclyn Victor</span> Malaysian singer

Jaclyn Joshua Thanaraj Victor is a Malaysian singer, actress and businesswoman who won the inaugural Malaysian Idol, Ikon Malaysia, Gegar Vaganza Season 9 & Gegar Vaganza All Stars. As the winner of Malaysian Idol, she won a recording contract with Sony BMG Music Entertainment. She represented Malaysia in the first Asian Idol and Ikon Asean. She has been dubbed "Asia's Divette" for her vocal prowess and a legend in Malaysia.

Michael Thompson is an American guitarist and songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marvins Room</span> 2011 single by Drake

"Marvins Room" is a song by Canadian recording artist Drake. It is the lead single from Drake's second studio album Take Care. Produced by 40, it features keyboard-based instrumentation and muted bass. "Marvins Room" is performed from the point of view of an inebriated Drake as he calls up an ex-girlfriend and rants about his various frustrations and loneliness. Adrian Eccleston and Gonzales provide additional musical contributions to the song. It was initially posted by Drake to his October's Very Own blog on June 9, 2011. Positive public reception to the song prompted its release as a single on June 28 to urban contemporary radio and as a digital download. "Marvins Room" was later included on Drake's second studio album Take Care, where it is followed by an interlude entitled "Buried Alive". The song features uncredited vocals from singer Ericka Lee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lira (singer)</span> South African singer (born 1979)

Lerato Moipone Molapo, known professionally as Lira, is a South African singer. Her name translates to "love" in Sesotho and she speaks four languages. She is a multi-platinum selling and an 11-time South African Music Award (SAMA)-winning Afro-soul vocalist, who refers to her music as "a fusion of soul, funk, elements of jazz and African."

<i>Ribbit</i> (film) 2014 Malaysian film

Ribbit is a 2014 Malaysian animated comedy film produced by KRU Studios and Crest Animation Studios Western Pictures. It is directed by Chuck Powers from a screenplay by Powers and Hamir Afizi and features the voices of Sean Astin, Russell Peters, Tim Curry, and Cherami Leigh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KRU Music</span> Record label

KRU Music Sdn Bhd is a Malaysian record label formed in 1996 by the singers-songwriters-producers jointly known as "KRU". Initially formed as KRU Records as a joint venture company with EMI, KRU Music changed its name and went fully independent in 1999 and have worked with Taiwan-based label Rock Records, Warner Music, EMI, United Studios and currently Sony Music as distributors for their physical album releases. One Stop Music has released KRU Music's catalogue on digital formats since 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linnea Deb</span> Swedish actor and songwriter

Linnéa Mary Hansdotter Deb, known professionally as Linnea Deb, is a Swedish singer, songwriter and record producer. She has worked with artists such as Fifth Harmony, JoJo, MiC Lowry and Akon.

References

  1. "Az Yet biography on". Sing365.com. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  2. "Az Yet Timeline". "Rock On The Net. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  3. "1998 Grammy Nominees". "Rock On The Net. 1998-02-25. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  4. "RIAA" . Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  5. TV.com. "Fame L.A. Episode List". Tv.com. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  6. "My Brother Marvin". Archived from the original on 2014-02-19. Retrieved 2014-02-03.
  7. "iTunes - Music - Ikut Rentakku by Jaclyn Victor". iTunes . Archived from the original on 2014-06-13.
  8. "Ribbit (2014) - IMDb". IMDb .
  9. "She's Magic - Az Yet | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic .
  10. "Az Yet | Album Discography". AllMusic .
  11. "Az Yet Teams with Heart Association "Power to End Stroke" Campaign | SoulTracks - Soul Music Biographies, News and Reviews". SoulTracks. 6 December 2007. Retrieved 2012-05-02.
  12. "iTunes - Music - Ms. Behaving - Single by Az Yet". iTunes . Archived from the original on 2014-06-13.
  13. "iTunes - Music - The Star Spangled Banner - Single by Az Yet". iTunes . Archived from the original on 2014-06-13.
  14. "iTunes - Music - All It Takes - Single by Az Yet". iTunes . Archived from the original on 2014-06-13.
  15. "iTunes - Music - Ikut Rentakku by Jaclyn Victor". iTunes . Archived from the original on 2014-06-13.