702 (pronounced "seven-oh-two") is an American musical girl group whose most notable line-up consisted of LeMisha Grinstead, Irish Grinstead, and Meelah Williams. The group began their musical career as Sweeter than Sugar, formed in 1993 in Las Vegas. After years of limited success, the original quartet comprising LeMisha Grinstead, Irish Grinstead, Orish Grinstead, and Amelia Cruz were signed in 1995 to Biv 10 Records as 702. The group first had mainstream success following the release of their 1996 single, "Steelo".
In mid-1996, Villarreal quit after a few months, leaving the group as a trio. In 2001, Cree Lemore replaced Williams after her departure from the group. This lineup released a single "Pootie Tangin'" before Lemore left and Williams re-joining the group. The group released their final album Star in 2003 and disbanded in 2006. The group reunited at 2017 Soul Train Music Awards.[6] 702 has sold over 4 million records as of 2006.[4]
History
1993–1996: Early beginnings and Sweeter than Sugar
LeMisha Grinstead wanted to pursue a solo career and with the support of her parents, she began performing in local competitions and churches. After performing in the lobby of Caesars Palace, she attracted the attention of actor/comedian Sinbad. Sinbad approached her parents with an opportunity in music, her parents encouraged their twin daughters Irish and Orish to perform alongside their sister LeMisha as a trio. Sinbad entered the quartet into a music competition in Atlanta under the group name Sweeter than Sugar.[7][8][9][10] Although they finished second in the competition, Michael Bivins agreed to work with the group. They also added singer Amelia Cruz to the lineup. After signing the group to his record label Biv 10 Records, Bivins renamed the group "702", after the area code for Las Vegas.[7]
In November 1994, 702 debuted on Subway's first single "This Lil' Game We Play". The single peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 4 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It eventually became certified gold, selling over 500,000 copies in the United States of America.[11] LeMisha, who sang lead vocals on the song, was the only one to go on tour with Subway in 1995. In 1995, 702 began recording their first album. During the recording of the album, Bivins dismissed Orish Grinstead and Amelia Cruz from the group because of his lack of support in their vocal abilities. They were replaced by classmates Meelah Williams (born Kameelah Williams) and Tiffany Villarreal. Six months after joining the group, Villarreal left the group during the recording of the first album, leaving 702 to continue as a trio.
702 released their first album No Doubt in October 1996. No Doubt peaked at number eighty-two on the Billboard 200 and number twenty-four on the BillboardTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It managed to sell over half of a million copies in the United States, earning a gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[4] The album's singles "Steelo" and "Get It Together reached the top twenty on the BillboardHot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. Both of the singles earned gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America. In 1997, 702 became the opening act for New Edition's "Home Again Tour". In the same year, their album No Doubt won a Lady of Soul Award for "Best R&B/Soul Album, Group, Band, or Duo" in 1997. Their single "Get It Together" was nominated for "Best R&B/Soul Single, Solo" and "Best R&B/Soul Song of the Year", while the group was nominated for "Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist".[12]
In 2001, Williams departed from the group and signed a management deal with Todd Russaw's Pedigree MGI Management. During that time, she sang backup and wrote three songs for Faith Evans' album, Faithfully. She also sang backup for Missy Elliott's song "Take Away", the third single from her 2001 album Miss E...So Addictive. Cree Lemore replaced Williams in the group.[5] 702 released a single "Pootie Tangin" on the soundtrack of comedy film Pootie Tang. The single received of Lady of Soul Train nomination for "Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band or Duo" in 2002.[19] Shortly after the release of the single, Lemore departed from the group and Williams rejoined the group.[5]
In March 2003, 702 released their third album Star. The album peaked within the top 50 on the Billboard 200. The lead single "Star" peaked at number ninety-eight on the R&B chart. Their follow-up single "I Still Love You" peaked at number 49 on the R&B chart. Also in 2003, 702 shared lead vocals on the track "Gamble It" from the album Emotions by Sirena. Orish Grinstead appeared in The Brewster Project in 2004.
In 2005, the group officially disbanded to pursue solo careers. Williams continued a career in the music industry as a background vocalist for Faith Evans and Macy Gray. LeMisha began a career as a wedding chapel manager at Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.[20] Irish also pursued a career in accounting. In 2006, the original lineup of 702 (LeMisha, Irish, and Orish Grinstead) appeared on E Sharp's album E Sharp presents Vol. I.[21] In 2007, LeMisha released a song titled "What I Got" on the E Sharp's second album E Sharp Presents Vol. II.[22] On April 20, 2008, original member Orish Grinstead died from autoimmune hepatitis.[23]
In 2014, Williams joined the season three cast of reality television show R&B Divas: Atlanta.[24] Williams used the opportunity to bring awareness to children born with autism.
2017–present: Reunion
In November 2017, the group reformed and attended the 2017 Soul Train Music Awards.[6] In 2018, the group appeared in the music documentary program Unsung.[25] Also in 2018, the group began touring together for the first time in fifteen years.[6] In 2019, the group performed a tribute medley to Xscape at the Black Music Honors.[26] In May 2021, Irish and LeMisha Grinstead were among the lineup of cast members for the BET Networkreality television showBET Presents: The Encore.[27] On December 15, 2022, it was announced on the group's Instagram page that Irish Grinstead would be taking a medical leave from the group to address serious health concerns.[28] In May 2023, the group performed "Where My Girls At?" in tribute to Missy Elliott at the Black Music Honors.[29] On September 16, 2023, Irish Grinstead died after a long battle with an undisclosed illness.[30][31]
702 recorded R&B songs with styles that encompass rap, soul, contemporary, gospel, and jazz.[33][34] In the group's original lineup, LeMisha was the lead vocalist, Irish was on alto, Orish and Amelia were on soprano. After the lineup change, LeMisha later alternated as second soprano and alternate lead vocalist in the group's trio lineup as Meelah often sang lead for the majority of their songs.[35] In their first album No Doubt (1996), each member sings lead in the majority of the songs. Williams, however, completely led songs like "Steelo" and "Get It Together". The group explored themes of women's empowerment in songs such as "Where My Girls At?" and "Better Day (Ghetto Girl)".[36]
Legacy
702 have been recognized as one of the most influential female R&B groups of the 1990s.[37] 702's final lineup as a trio has been widely noted as the group's most recognizable and successful lineup, having sold over 4 million records worldwide.[4]
The group's single "Where My Girls At?" (1999) was ranked number 46 on Billboard's list of "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time",[38] ranked number 72 on their "The 99 Greatest Songs of 1999" list,[39] and was listed on their "Greatest of All Time Top Songs of the 90s" list.[40] The term "Steelo" became popularized by 702's single of the same name as a slang word for "style".[41] The group has also been credited as a musical influence or inspiration to several artists including Solange Knowles,[42] and FLO.[43]
Members timeline
Current members
LeMisha Grinstead (1993–2006), (2017–present)
Meelah Williams (1995–2001), (2002–2005), (2017–present)
Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year – Group, Band or Duo For: "No Doubt"
1999
Nominated
Best R&B/Soul Single – Group, Band or Duo For: "Where My Girls At?"
2000
Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year – Group, Band or Duo For: "702"
2002
Best R&B/Soul Single – Group, Band or Duo For: "Pootie Tangin"
2003
Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year – Group, Band or Duo For: "Star"
2003
Best R&B/Soul Single – Group, Band or Duo For: "I Still Love You"
References
^"702: Star". PopMatters. October 15, 2003. Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2022. 702, a trio of mid-tempo R&B queens who started out in 1995 creating a bit of a stir with the Missy Elliott-produced "Steelo".......
^Johnson, Beth (June 25, 1999). "702 – Music – EW.com". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2022. 702's hip-pop is catchy, though hard to distinguish from the swelling tsunami of R&B girl groups.
^Johnson Publishing Company (August 2, 1999). Destiny's Child among the hottest new female groups. Jet, Volume 96: No. 9, Page 26. Retrieved from https://books.google.com
