Check out the one hit wonders from back in the day, some even from when you were just a kid. These young male artists had their one hit song or album and vanished from the R&B limelight. The name of the group or artists may have been forgotten but the songs will never be.
P.M. Dawn – “Set Adrift On Memory Bliss”
‘Of the Heart, of the Soul and of the Cross’ featured the international hit “Set Adrift on Memory Bliss,” which sampled the Spandau Ballet song “True,” and featured a cameo by Spandau Ballet singer Tony Hadleyin the music video of the song. The song hit #1 the week of November 30, 1991, and holds the distinction of being the first #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart following the introduction of NielsenSoundScan.
Mark Morrison – “Return of the Mack”
“Return of the Mack” followed in spring 1996, and was the first single by a solo Black British male artist to reach the number 1 spot in the UK Singles Chart in the 1990s. It also sold more than two million copies in the US.
Tony Rich Project- “Nobody Knows“
In November 1995 Rich released the hit single, “Nobody Knows,” which made it to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Under the moniker “The Tony Rich Project,” he released his debut album ‘Words’ in early 1996. Both the album and single went platinum and in 1997, Rich won a Grammy Award for the “Best R&B Album.”
Houston – “I Like That”
Best known for his hit single featuring Nate Dogg and Chingy, positioned to #14 on the Bill Board charts in 2004. It eventually went gold with more than 500,000 copies sold. After injuring his eye, he left the music scene for good.
Rome – “I Belong to You“
Rome released his debut album in 1997 via RCA, which went on to sell over half a million copies in the U.S., mainly on the strength of the single “I Belong to You (Everytime I See Your Face),” which peaked at #6 in the U.S
Jimmy Cozier – “She’s All I Got”
His 2001 self-titled debut hit the Billboard Top 200, peaking at #65 and hitting #15 on the Top R&B Albums chart on the strength of the single “She’s All I Got.” The record rose to #26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and to #4 on the Hot Hip Hop/R&B Singles chart.
Jesse Powell – “You”
Powell is best known for his hit “You,” which peaked at #2 on the R&B chart and #10 on the Pop. Powell has released 4 studio albums to date.
Trey Lorenz – “Someone to Hold”
Lorenz began his career supporting singer Mariah Carey on her first promotional tour in 1990, and the following year he provided background vocals on her album ‘Emotions.’ Lorenz was subsequently offered a record deal and recorded a critically successful self-titled debut album. The single “Someone to Hold,” co-written and co-produced by Carey, who also sang backup vocals, peaked at number nineteen on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The album itself, however, performed poorly and Lorenz was dropped by his label.
H-Town – “Knockin’ Da Boots”
H-Town’s debut album ‘Fever for Da Flavor’ was released on April 15,1993. The group achieved hit status in the United States with”Knockin’ Da Boots,” which became H-Town’s biggest hit and also their signature song. “Boots” was a #1 hit on the R&B charts, and peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Lick U Up,” the bands follow-up single, was less successful on the charts. H-Town won the 1993 SoulTrain Music Award for Best New Artist.
Mista – “Blackberry Molasses”
Mista burst onto the music scene in 1996 with their hit “Blackberry Molasses.” The group quickly drew comparisons to Boyz II Men and New Edition, releasing their Organized Noize produced self-titled debut album July of the same year. Despite the success of “Blackberry Molasses,” the group’s second single “Lady” along with their album were moderately successful. Mista peaked at No. 37 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
Which song do you remember the most?
—— By: Karina Martinez
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