Mis-Teeq
Template:Infobox musical artist 2
Mis-Teeq were an English R&B group. Originally a quartet, the group eventually became a trio, whose members were Alesha Dixon, Su-Elise Nash and Sabrina Washington. They had two studio albums and nine singles together. In January 2005 they announced their official split, instead pursuing solo careers in music.
History
Formation
In 1999, Alesha Dixon and Sabrina Washington met when they both joined Dance Attic (a popular dance class school in West London), and decided to form a duo. While the girls started recording a demo album titled Inspiration, they soon met Su-Elise Nash during an audition, and then together they formed a trio. They were soon signed to Telstar Records with the addition of a new member, Zena McNally, and became the Garage/R&B girl band, Mis-Teeq.
Lickin' on Both Sides
After months of recording - including sessions with producers Norwegian duo Stargate, Ed Case, Blacksmith, Rishi Rich, and Ceri Evans - Mis-Teeq finally released their debut single "Why?". Originally an R&B song, a remix version by Matt "Jam" Lamont soon became a smash in the underground UK garage scene, and as a result a second music video for the song was filmed and released. While "Why" became a hit on the UK singles chart, reaching the top 10 with a peak position of number 8 despite its appearance on a number of dance compilations, and an early lack of media support, Zena consequently decided to leave the lineup in spring 2001.
The three remaining girls went on to release their second single "All I Want" in June 2001. The song overtopped the success of the trio's debut single and became a number 2 hit in the UK, simultaneously entering the top 30 of the Australian singles chart. On October 27, 2001, the band finally released their debut album, Lickin' on Both Sides. Due to the sheer volume of interest the album became a double platinum success and sold more than 600,000 copies domestically. Outside the UK, however, Lickin' on Both Sides failed to chart or sell noticeably.
Nevertheless Mis-Teeq saw instant international success with their Stargate-produced third single "One Night Stand": While the song peaked at #5 on the UK singles chart, it also entered the top 20 in Australia, New Zealand, Norway, and Denmark. In 2002, the band's fourth single, "Be with Me", continued the group's remarkable sales with another top 10 entries in the UK. The last release from Lickin' on Both Sides was a double A-side of "Roll on" and the Montell Jordan cover "This Is How We Do It", latter song being featured on the soundtrack for Ali G's 2002 film Ali G Indahouse.
Eye Candy
Returning from a short hiatus, Mis-Teeq released their second album, Eye Candy on March 29, 2003. The album featured production by Stargate, Ed Case, Salaam Remi, singer Joe, and Jermaine Dupri and debuted at its peak position of number six on the UK albums chart, eventually receiving a platinum certification. While Eye Candy's sales failed to link on the sudden success of Lickin' on Both Sides, pre-released lead single "Scandalous" became the group's most successful single by then: It reached the top ten in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and Denmark.
In June 2003, the album's second single "Can't Get It Back" became the band's seventh and final domestical top ten single. Originally a remake of the same-titled unreleased Blaque single from 2002, Mis-Teeq and Telstar agreed not to use album version, instead releasing the alternate "Ignorants Radio Edit" as an official single version. The song also was included on a Special Edition of Eye Candy which was released in December of the same year and spawned a third single with "Style". However, the song failed to reach the UK top 10 and eventually peaked at number 13.
"Scandalous" was released in the U.S. in May 2004 (under another label, Reprise Records) and reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Dance Singles Chart in June, making it their only US hit. The song was featured as the theme of the movie, 'Catwoman', starring Halle Berry in summer 2004.
After the announcement of their split in 2005, they released a compilation album, Greatest Hits, containing a new track, a cover of The Andrews Sisters 1940s song "Shoo Shoo Baby", and they were awarded a 2005 Soul Train Lady of Soul Nomination for Best R&B/Soul Album - Group, Band or Duo for their album "Mis-Teeq".
A reworked version of their hit single "Scandalous" can be heard in the new Giorgio Armani commercial for their new fragrance - Armani Code.
Solo
Alesha will release her debut album Fired Up during 2007, featuring the lead singles Lipstick and Knock Down. Lipstick made it to number 14 on the UK Single Charts, and Knock Down was released on 30 October 2006.
Sabrina, who changed her stage title to Puma Washington, released a demo titled "Pocket Rocket" in June 2006. The single was expected to be released in Autumn 2006, but Puma has decided to work harder on her debut album and wait for a specific time to have her debut album (to be titled "Comfort Zone") released.
Su-Elise, who has gone back to university to get her business degree, is currently hard at work on her debut album said to be released next year. She describes it as "R&B" and is possibly the only member of Mis-Teeq to stay with the genre left from the band.
Discography
Albums
Year | Album | UK | U.S. | AUS |
---|---|---|---|---|
2001 | Lickin' on Both Sides | 3 | - | 152 |
2003 | Eye Candy | 6 | - | 100 |
2004 | Mis-Teeq | - | 125 | - |
2005 | Greatest Hits | 28 | - | - |
Singles
Year | Song | UK | U.S. | AUS | Album |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | "Why?" | 8 | - | - | Lickin' on Both Sides |
2001 | "All I Want" | 2 | - | 31 | |
"One Night Stand" | 5 | - | 17 | ||
2002 | "B With Me" | 5 | - | 19 | |
"Roll On / This Is How We Do It" | 7 | - | 42 | ||
2003 | "Scandalous" | 2 | 35 | 9 | Eye Candy |
"Can't Get It Back" | 8 | - | 80 | ||
"Style" | 13 | - | - |
External links
- Mis-Teeq MySpace Profile
- Official MySpace Profile For Sabrina Washington
- Official MySpace Profile For Alesha Dixon
- Interview with Alesha in 2006 on I Like Music
References
- 2005 Lady of Soul Awards
- Mis-Teeq: Posh Spice ruined our record label Contactmusic.com, 20 May, 2004.