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| The group re-emerged in 1996 with their fourth album '']'' . With high-profile producers including ], ], ], and ], this album was well received by both critics and R&B fans alike. However, once again, sales were well below those expected from the group, with intial sales of only |
The group re-emerged in 1996 with their fourth album '']'' . With high-profile producers including ], ], ], and ], this album was well received by both critics and R&B fans alike. However, once again, sales were well below those expected from the group, with intial sales of only 32 units in the U.S. | ||
| The album produced one major hit single, "The Earth, The Sun, The Rain" which peaked at U.S.#21. However, it became a popular airwave staple, and remained on the Billboard Charts for 19 weeks (the group's second most enduring single).The second single,"Sexual Capacity" was a minor hit and appeared on the soundtrack to the ] film '']'' (This song was co-produced by ] under the name "Rob Thicke" who would go on to carve a niche for himself as a ] vocalist in the next century). | The album produced one major hit single, "The Earth, The Sun, The Rain" which peaked at U.S.#21. However, it became a popular airwave staple, and remained on the Billboard Charts for 19 weeks (the group's second most enduring single).The second single,"Sexual Capacity" was a minor hit and appeared on the soundtrack to the ] film '']'' (This song was co-produced by ] under the name "Rob Thicke" who would go on to carve a niche for himself as a ] vocalist in the next century). | ||
Revision as of 19:56, 21 August 2007
Color Me Badd was a male R&B vocal group which was formed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US. The members were Bryan Abrams (born November 16, 1969), Mark Calderon (born September 27, 1970), Kevin Thornton (born June 17, 1969) and Sam Watters (born July 23, 1970).
Biography
The a cappella, pop, and hip hop outfit, whose R&B harmony vocals were offset by mild rap interjections and a post-New Kids on the Block street dance image, were discovered by Kool & The Gang's Robert Bell in 1990.
Early success
The group enjoyed 5 U.S. hit singles from their debut album C.M.B. throughout 1991 and 1992. These were "I Wanna Sex You Up" (U.S.#2), "I Adore Mi Amor" (U.S.#1), "All 4 Love" (U.S.#1), "Thinkin Back" (U.S.#16) and "Slow Motion" (U.S.#18). "I Wanna Sex You Up" was also on the New Jack City soundtrack, and hit number 1 on the UK Singles Charts.
Their debut album, C.M.B. was released in September 1991, eventually selling over 6 million copies worldwide, and being certified 3x platinum in the United States by the RIAA.
Color Me Badd performed at the 1991 Smash Hits Poll Winners Awards in the UK, winning the Best New Group trophy. In January 1992, they were awarded the Favourite Single, Soul/R&B trophy at the 19th annual American Music Awards, held at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles. March 1992 also saw Color Me Badd win the Best R&B / Soul Single, and Song Of The Year, categories at the sixth annual Soul Train Music Awards.
The group released a remix album in October 1992, titled Young, Gifted & Badd: The Remixes. It contained the hit single "Forever Love" (U.S.#15), which was also featured on the Mo' Money soundtrack. However, the album peaked at U.S.#189, which was the first hint of the bubble bursting.
The group's third album Time & Chance was released in November 1993. A hugely ambitious project, consisting of nineteen new tracks, this album represented a slight shift in musical style for Color Me Badd. Working with top producers including David Foster, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, a more soulful and funky sound had clearly emerged.
Although some critics gave it positive reviews, the album did not fare well on the Billboard Album Charts, eventually peaking at #56. It was certified Gold in the U.S., for shipments of more than 500,000 units. With the music industry at the time embracing groups such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam, it was difficult for Color Me Badd to deliver the same success on the singles charts as they had done before.
The album's title track "Time & Chance" peaked at U.S.#23, while its follow-up "Choose" also topped out at U.S.#23.
Downhill slide
The group re-emerged in 1996 with their fourth album Now & Forever . With high-profile producers including Narada Michael Walden, Babyface, Jon B, and Boyz II Men, this album was well received by both critics and R&B fans alike. However, once again, sales were well below those expected from the group, with intial sales of only 32 units in the U.S.
The album produced one major hit single, "The Earth, The Sun, The Rain" which peaked at U.S.#21. However, it became a popular airwave staple, and remained on the Billboard Charts for 19 weeks (the group's second most enduring single).The second single,"Sexual Capacity" was a minor hit and appeared on the soundtrack to the Demi Moore film Striptease (This song was co-produced by Robin Thicke under the name "Rob Thicke" who would go on to carve a niche for himself as a blue-eyed soul vocalist in the next century).
After moving to Epic Records, Color Me Badd's fifth album Awakening was released in July 1998. Remaining true to their R&B roots, they again received critical acclaim for their vocal harmonies. "Remember When" achieved minor success on radio and has a companion video shot as well.
The Break-up
After Epic Records decided not to renew the band's recording deal, Color Me Badd officially disbanded in May 2000, culminating in the release of their final album The Best Of Color Me Badd. Sam Watters pursued a second career as a record producer, achieving success in later years with Jessica Simpson. Watters married R&B singer and former American Idol contestant Tamyra Gray in 2006. Kevin Thornton has just released a new solo album which features contemporary hip hop/rap material with gospel and soul music. Mark Calderon currently resides in Cincinnati, Ohio and works for a local insurance company. In October 2006, it was announced that Bryan Abrams would participate in the new VH1 reality TV series, Man Band. The singer plans to release a solo debut album in 2007.
The 2006 SNL Digital Short "Dick in a Box" parodies the aesthetic of the "I Wanna Sex You Up" era, from the smooth-yet-smutty vocal delivery of the lotharios played by Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg to their groomed facial hair and early '90s fashion.
They are listed on Billboard as the 7th biggest musical act of the 90s.
Discography
Albums
- C.M.B. (Giant, 1991)(U.S. 3x Platinum)
- Young, Gifted & Badd: The Remixes (Giant, 1992)
- Time and Chance (Giant, 1993)(U.S. Gold)
- Now and Forever (Giant, 1996)
- Awakening (Epic, 1998)
- The Best of Color Me Badd (Giant, 2000)
Singles
| Year | Song | US Hot 100 | US R&B | UK singles | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | "I Wanna Sex You Up" | 2 | 1 | 1 | C.M.B. |
| 1991 | "I Adore Mi Amor" | 1 | 1 | 44 | C.M.B. |
| 1991 | "All 4 Love" | 1 | - | 5 | C.M.B. |
| 1991 | "Color Me Badd" | - | 56 | - | C.M.B. |
| 1992 | "Thinkin' Back" | 16 | 31 | - | C.M.B. |
| 1992 | "Slow Motion" | 18 | - | - | C.M.B. |
| 1992 | "Heartbreaker" | - | - | 58 | C.M.B. |
| 1992 | "Forever Love" | 15 | - | - | Young, Gifted & Badd |
| 1993 | "Time And Chance" | 24 | 9 | 62 | Time and Chance |
| 1994 | "Choose" | 23 | - | 65 | Time and Chance |
| 1994 | "The Bells" | - | 73 | - | Time and Chance |
| 1996 | "The Earth, The Sun, The Rain" | 21 | 69 | - | Now & Forever |
| 1998 | "Remember When" | 48 | - | - | Awakening |
Trivia
- In the episode Friday Night, Beavis and Butt-head confuse Color Me Badd for a "super suck group" consisting of George Michael, Kenny G., and Snow.
- Bryan Abrams will appear in VH1's reality show Mission: Man Band
- In the episode "Things to do on a Rainy Day" of the long-running television show Beverly Hills, 90210, David leads Brenda, Kelly and Donna to the Bel Air Hotel on a mission to meet Color Me Badd when they come to town. All four members of the band appear in the episode.
References
- Samaad, Michelle A. (December 19, 2006). "Color Me Badd Singer Back On The Black: Decade in the Making, Bryan Abrams Poised for Solo Debut in 2007 -- Pt1". EURweb.
- Samaad, Michelle A. (December 21, 2006). "Color Me Badd Singer Back On The Black: Decade in the Making, Bryan Abrams Poised for Solo Debut in 2007 -- Pt2". EURweb.
External links
- Bryan Abrams' Official Web Site
- Template:Amg
- Color Me Badd VH1 Profile
- Color Me Badd Lyrics
- Kevin Thornton's Official Web Site