Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam

Last updated

Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam
Lisa Lisa, American singer.jpg
Lisa Lisa during a group performance in 1987
Background information
Origin New York, New York, United States
Genres
Years active1984–1991
Labels
Past members Lisa Lisa
Alex "Spanador" Moseley
Mike Hughes

Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam were an urban contemporary band and one of the first freestyle music groups to emerge from New York City in the 1980s. Cult Jam consisted of vocalist Lisa Lisa (born Lisa Velez), guitarist/bassist Alex "Spanador" Moseley, and drummer/keyboardist Mike Hughes. They were assembled and initially produced by Full Force. [1]

Contents

History

Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam was formed after Velez auditioned with Full Force, a production team from East Flatbush, Brooklyn, at the age of 14. [2] The group released their debut album Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force in 1985. [3] The group was signed by Columbia Records and the label released their single "I Wonder If I Take You Home" to the European division of CBS Records in 1983 for the compilation album Breakdancing. Stateside club DJs began playing the single from the import LP during 1984, and thus the U.S. division of CBS, Columbia Records, released the record. It quickly became a chart-topper on Billboard's Hot Dance/Disco chart. It then crossed over to the R&B chart where it peaked at No. 6, and then to the pop chart, peaking at No. 34 in summer 1985. The single eventually went gold.

"I Wonder If I Take You Home" was followed by another club hit, "Can You Feel the Beat", which also went to No. 40 on the R&B chart in late 1985. A sampling of the lyrics of this song would later be used by Nina Sky for their hit single "Move Ya Body" in 2004. Their third single, the ballad "All Cried Out", also went gold, going to number No. 3 R&B and No. 8 pop in summer 1986. "All Cried Out" was later recorded by Allure in 1997 and was a hit in 1998. Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force went platinum. [4]

Their second album, Spanish Fly , was a success in 1987. [3] It spawned two No. 1 pop hits, "Head to Toe" and "Lost in Emotion", [3] both of which went gold. "Head to Toe" also parked at No. 1 R&B for two weeks and stayed in the pop top 5 nearly three months, while "Lost in Emotion's" video became the fourth most played of 1987 on MTV. Spanish Fly went platinum, peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 chart. [3] Other singles from the album were the ballad "Someone to Love Me for Me" (No. 7 R&B), and "Everything Will B-Fine" (No. 9 R&B). [4]

In between albums they recorded "Go for Yours", which was featured in the movie Caddyshack II .

Their third album was titled Straight to the Sky and was released in 1989. [3] It featured the single "Little Jackie Wants to Be a Star". Their fourth and final album, Straight Outta Hell's Kitchen , was less of a success, though it did include a hit with "Let the Beat Hit 'Em", which was a No. 1 hit on both the R&B and club charts. The group disbanded in 1991.

Discography

Studio albums

YearAlbum detailsPeak chart positions Certifications
US
[5]
US
R&B

[5]
AUS
[6]
CAN
[7]
UK
[8]
1985 Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force
  • Release date: August 2, 1985
  • Label: Columbia
521696
1987 Spanish Fly
  • Release date: April 8, 1987
  • Label: Columbia
7718
1989 Straight to the Sky
  • Release date: April 12, 1989
  • Label: Columbia
771863
1991 Straight Outta Hell's Kitchen
  • Release date: August 20, 1991
  • Label: Columbia
13329125
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications
TitleYearPeak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[5]
US
R&B

[5]
US
Dance

[5]
AUS
[11] [6]
BEL
[12]
CAN
[7]
IRE
[13]
NL
[14]
NZ
[15]
UK
[8]
"I Wonder If I Take You Home"19853461244112
  • RIAA: Gold [9]
Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force
"Can You Feel the Beat"6940697
"All Cried Out"19868396
  • RIAA: Gold [9]
"Head to Toe"19871115215116982Spanish Fly
"Lost in Emotion"1188371558
  • RIAA: Gold [9]
"Someone to Love Me for Me"787
"Everything Will B-Fine"1988922
"Go for Yours"19 Caddyshack II
"Little Jackie Wants to Be a Star"1989293153169861090Straight to the Sky
"Just Git It Together"167
"Kiss Your Tears Away"26
"Let the Beat Hit 'Em"199137117227273017
  • RIAA: Gold [9]
Straight Outta Hell's Kitchen
"Where Were You When I Needed You"65
"Forever"95
"Let the Beat Hit 'Em Part 2"49Non-album single
"Something 'bout Love"1992194Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">After 7</span> American band

After 7 is an American R&B group founded in 1987 by brothers Melvin and Kevon Edmonds, and their friend Keith Mitchell. The Edmonds brothers are the older siblings of pop/R&B singer-songwriter and record producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, who named the group and helped them get a record deal with Virgin Records in 1988. After 7 released their platinum-selling self-titled debut album in 1989, which spawned three singles "Heat of the Moment", "Ready or Not" and "Can't Stop". "Ready or Not" and "Can't Stop" were No. 1 R&B hits and top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Their second album Takin' My Time, released in 1992, also went platinum and contained the R&B hit medley "Baby, I'm for Real/Natural High". After 7's Gold-selling 1995 album Reflections was their last album before the group disbanded in 1997. The album included the R&B hit "'Til You Do Me Right. Years later the group resumed touring with Jason Edmonds, son of Melvin Edmonds, replacing his father. Melvin rejoined the group for their successful 2016 comeback album Timeless, which featured 3 adult R&B top 10 hits "Runnin' Out", "I Want You" and "Let Me Know".

New jack swing, new jack, or swingbeat is a fusion genre of the rhythms and production techniques of hip hop and dance-pop, and the urban contemporary sound of R&B. Spearheaded by producers Teddy Riley, Bernard Belle, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, new jack swing was most popular from the late 1980s to early 1990s.

<i>Country Grammar</i> 2000 studio album by Nelly

Country Grammar is the debut studio album by American rapper and singer Nelly. It was released on June 27, 2000, by Universal Records. The production on the album was handled by Jason "Jay E" Epperson, with additional production by C-Love, Kevin Law, City Spud, Steve "Blast" Wills and Basement Beats. Nelly contributed to all lyrics on the album, with Epperson and City Spud also contributing. With the album’s release, Nelly and his “St. Lunatics” crew cemented the St. Louis sound firmly amongst other southern hip hop artists in the year 2000, such as Juvenile, Trina, Ludacris, OutKast, Three 6 Mafia and UGK. Country Grammar also introduced the world to Nelly's unique musical style of pop-rap and radio “singalongs” with a Missouri twang. It was supported by four successful singles: "Country Grammar ", "E.I.", "Ride wit Me" and "Batter Up". Its lead single, "Country Grammar ", peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart. Its second single "E.I." peaked at number 16 on the Hot 100, number 12 on the UK Singles Chart and number 11 on the ARIA Singles Chart. "Ride wit Me" peaked within the top five on the Hot 100, ARIA Singles Chart, Irish Singles Chart and UK Singles Chart. The album's fourth and final single, "Batter Up" featuring St. Lunatics members Murphy Lee and Ali, achieved moderate chart success.

<i>8701</i> 2001 album by Usher

8701 is the third studio album by American singer Usher, released in the United Kingdom on July 9, 2001, and in the United States on August 7, 2001, by Arista Records. Recording was handled by several producers including The Neptunes, Jermaine Dupri, Babyface, Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, Mike City, Bryan Michael Cox, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. Although intended for an October 31, 2000, release under the title All About U, the album was delayed numerous times, following the leak of several tracks onto the online music store Napster. Usher subsequently recorded new tracks and released the album under the new title, 8701, which is derived from Usher singing for the first time in his local church in 1987 and the album's US release date of August 7, 2001. The single "Can U Help Me" was supplied with Windows XP Service Pack 2 and later Windows versions to showcase Windows Media Player 11 and higher WMP versions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oh (Ciara song)</span> 2005 song by Ciara

"Oh" is a song by American singer, Ciara who wrote the song with Ludacris, Andre Harris, and Vidal Davis. "Oh" was produced by Harris and Davis, who work as Dre & Vidal. The song was released on March 1, 2005, as the third single from her debut album, Goodies. The downtempo R&B song features hip-hop elements and a heavy bassline, and can be seen as an anthem to her hometown, Atlanta, Georgia. Ciara sings about the many things the city has to offer, while Ludacris raps the third verse.

Full Force is an American music group of hip hop and R&B singers and producers from Brooklyn, New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U Got It Bad</span> 2001 single by Usher

"U Got It Bad" is a song by American singer Usher. It was released through Arista Records as the second official single from his third studio album 8701 (2001). It was written by Usher, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox, and produced by Dupri, with Cox credited a as co-producer. Released in the United States on August 21, 2001, "U Got It Bad" is an R&B ballad that, according to MTV, incorporates "digi-coustic" guitars, a "slow-burning bass line" and "sex funk" drums. The lyrics notably contain some quick direct allusions to other soul music ballads, mainly Maxwell's "Fortunate" and Prince's "Adore".

"Last Kiss" is a song released by Wayne Cochran in 1961 on the Gala label. It failed to do well on the charts. Cochran subsequently re-recorded his song for the King label in 1963. It was revived by J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers, who took it to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Wednesday, Pearl Jam, and several international artists also covered the song, with varying degrees of success. The song was one of several teen tragedy songs from that period.

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

American singer Brandy Norwood entered the music business as a backing vocalist for R&B boy bands such as Immature, prior to launching her own career in 1994. Her discography, as a solo artist, includes eight studio albums, one compilation album, one extended play, 42 singles, 46 album appearances and 25 soundtrack appearances. Norwood has sold over 8.6 million albums in the United States, and more than 40 million records worldwide. Additionally, she has won over 100 awards as a recording artist. In 1999, Billboard ranked Norwood among the top 20 of the Top Pop Artists of the 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Move Ya Body</span> 2004 single by Nina Sky

"Move Ya Body" is the debut single of American musical duo Nina Sky featuring rapper Jabba. It was released on April 12, 2004, as the lead single from their debut album, Nina Sky (2004). The song became the duo's only solo single to reach the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. The song was ranked at number 250 on Blender's "500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born" and is well known for the use of the recurring ostinato on the bongos known as the "Coolie Dance" riddim. This has been the subject and musical motif of many musical samples.

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

American singer Ciara has released seven studio albums, one extended play, one DVD, one promotional single, 54 singles and 28 music videos, including seven as a featured artist. She made her debut in 2004 with her debut album Goodies which debuted at three in the US and charted within the top 40 in several international markets. The album's title track peaked at number-one in the United States for seven weeks and gave the singer the title of "The First Lady of Crunk&B", while singles "1, 2 Step" and "Oh" reached the top three in the US. All three singles reached the top 10 in many international markets, with "Goodies" topping charts in the UK. Goodies was certified triple-Platinum in the United States, Platinum in Canada, and sold over five million copies worldwide. Ciara also participated in a number of successful collaborations, including US top five hits "Lose Control" with Missy Elliott, and "Like You" with rapper Bow Wow, as well as the US top 10 "So What" with group Field Mob.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let the Beat Hit 'Em</span> 1991 single by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam

"Let the Beat Hit 'Em" is a song by American urban contemporary band Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, released as the first single from their fourth and final studio album, Straight Outta Hell's Kitchen (1991). The song spent one week at number-one on the US R&B chart in the week of September 14, 1991, and also reached No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100. On the US dance charts, it was the third and final number-one for the group. It also peaked at number-one on the Canadian RPM dance chart.

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

American R&B singer Monica has released 8 studio albums, one extended play, and 48 singles. Since the beginning of her career in 1995, she has sold 5.3 million albums in the United States, In 1999, Billboard included her among the top twenty of the Top Pop Artists of the 1990s, and in 2010, the magazine ranked her 24th on its list of the Top 50 R&B and Hip Hop Artists of the past 25 years. With a career lasting over 20 years, Monica became the first artist to top the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wonder If I Take You Home</span> 1985 single by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam with Full Force

"I Wonder If I Take You Home" is a song recorded by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam with Full Force in 1984. Record Producer Kenny Beck discovered the song in a "discard bin" at Personal Records while looking for songs to include on his debut album with the label. He was so impressed that he created a compilation break-dancing album, CBS/SuzyQ, just to include the song. He released the album in Europe on CBS Records, and it immediately gained popularity as a dance hit with club DJs there. Soon American DJs began playing the song in the United States on Columbia Records. After the song received heavy play from these DJs, "I Wonder If I Take You Home" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart for one week in June 1985. On other US charts, it peaked at No. 6 on the R&B chart and reached No. 34 on the Hot 100. In 1991, the single was certified gold in the US by the RIAA. Overseas, it charted at No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart and number 41 in the Netherlands.

<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">En Vogue discography</span>

This is the discography of American pop/R&B quartet En Vogue who began their career in early 1990s. Their discography includes seven studio albums, two EPs, 28 singles—four as featured artists, and 21 music videos on their former record labels Atlantic, East West, Elektra, Discretion, and 33rd Street.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Head to Toe (Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam song)</span> 1987 single by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam

"Head to Toe" is a song recorded by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam that appeared on their 1987 album Spanish Fly. The song hit number one on three charts: Billboard Hot 100 on June 20, 1987, the Hot Black Singles charts on May 30 of that year, and the dance charts on May 30. In Canada, the song topped the RPM 100 national singles chart on July 25 of the same year. The song sports a retro Motown flavor mixed with the Freestyle sound for which they were known.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lost in Emotion</span> 1987 single by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam

"Lost in Emotion" is a song by urban contemporary band Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam that appeared on their 1987 album Spanish Fly. The song hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on October 17, 1987. The song was their second number-one single, after "Head to Toe" earlier in the year. The song also went to number one on the Black Singles chart, and number eight on the dance chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lisa Lisa</span> American singer

Lisa Velez, better known by her stage name Lisa Lisa, is an American singer. She rose to fame in the 1980s as one-third of the band Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam.

"All Cried Out" is a song recorded by American band Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam from their 1985 album Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force. The song became a major hit, reaching number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in October 1986. It was also a major hit on the US R&B singles chart, peaking at number three.

References

  1. Hur, Michael (July 25, 2014). Shadows of the Music Industry. Lulu.com. pp. 216–217. ISBN   9781312306059.
  2. Group, Vibe Media (June 1, 2002). Vibe. Vibe Media Group.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. pp. 1491/2. ISBN   0-85112-939-0.
  4. 1 2 "Biography - Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2007.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "US Charts > Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam". Billboard . Archived from the original on November 5, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  6. 1 2 "Lisa Lisa ARIA chart history 1988 to 2022, received from ARIA in 2022". ARIA. Retrieved December 2, 2023 via Imgur.com. N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.
  7. 1 2 "CAN Charts > Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam". RPM . Archived from the original on January 1, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  8. 1 2 "UK Charts > Lisa Lisa". Official Charts Company . Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "American certifications – Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  10. 1 2 "Canadian certifications – Lisa Lisa And Cult Jam". Music Canada . Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  11. Peaks in Australia:
    • All except noted: David Kent (1993). Australian Charts Book 1970—1992. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
    • "Let the Beat Hit 'Em": Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 167.
  12. "BEL Charts > Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam". VRT Top 30. Archived from the original on April 9, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  13. "IRE Charts Search > Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam". Irish Recorded Music Association . Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  14. "NL Charts > Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam". MegaCharts . Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  15. "NZ Charts > Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand . Retrieved June 18, 2012.