Electrik Red

Electrik Red
Origin	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	R&B[1] pop[2] electronic[3] hip hop
Years active	2005–present
Labels	Radio Killa, Def Jam
Members	Kyndra "Binkie" Reevey Lesley Lewis Naomi Allen Sarah Rosete
Website	Electrik Red official website

Electrik Red is an American Electro-R&B/pop girl group, comprising Kyndra "Binkie" Reevey, Lesley Lewis, Naomi Allen and Sarah Rosete. The members began their individual careers as back-up dancers in New York City and Toronto. The group formed in 2005 and signed with Def Jam Recordings in 2008. Their music is mainly written and produced by songwriter The-Dream and his production partner Tricky Stewart.

Career

Electrik Red is made up of two pairs of childhood friends, Reevey and Lewis from New York City and Allen and Rosete from Toronto. While working as back-up dancers for Usher in his 2004 Confessions tour,^[4] Reevey and Lewis asked Rosete if she wanted to be a part of their girl group. Rosete agreed to join, but requested that they meet her best friend, Allen, who they "fell in love with" and invited to join as well.^[5] The group moved to Los Angeles, where they began working with different producers, including Shannon "Slam" Lawrence and Rodney Jerkins.^[5] The quartet officially convened as Electrik Red in 2005.^[6]

The four group members continued to work as professional dancers, individually appearing in videos for Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson,^[4] Akon, Ludacris, Chris Brown and in the film Dreamgirls. After individually performing as dancers and models, they appeared together in Ciara's video for "Like a Boy".^[5] In late 2007, Allen and Rosete were cast in the video for The-Dream's single "Shawty Is a 10".^[5] Shakir Stewart, then the Executive Vice President of Def Jam Recordings, organized an audition for the group with label chairman L. A. Reid, and the group was signed to Def Jam on February 23, 2008.^[4][7] Shakir Stewart then organized a meeting for the group with The-Dream and Tricky Stewart, who cosigned Electrik Red to their Def Jam-affiliated label, Radio Killa.^[5] The-Dream and Tricky Stewart then became the group's executive producers for their debut album How to Be a Lady: Volume 1, which was released on May 26, 2009. The group explained the album title as a "play on the stereotype of what a lady is supposed to be, how she is supposed to act and what she is supposed to say. We're bringing a new age woman to the world." The group wanted to show that it was "okay to be different".^[7]

How to Be a Lady: Volume 1 has spawned three singles, "Drink in My Cup", "So Good", and a remix of "So Good" featuring Lil Wayne. Music videos were filmed for "Drink in My Cup" and "Friend Lover," with both directed by Marc Klasfeld.^[8][9] Another video was shot with Lil Wayne for the "So Good" remix.^[10]

2010–present

Electrik Red began recording a second album in early 2010, though that album has not yet appeared. The group premiered a new track at the E World Awards in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 27, 2010, titled "I'm That Chick". On February 3, 2010, a two-minute teaser sample of the track was released via YouTube and about a month later, the full track was released via the Twitter account of group member Lesley Lewis.

On January 22, 2011, Electrik Red announced an upcoming European tour via Twitter. On Valentine's Day February 14, 2011, Lewis premiered a one-minute teaser sample "Bra's and Panties" via YouTube. Later, Lewis confirmed the label would not allow them to release "Bra & Panties". The group then released "Africa (Put Cha Money On It)" which received positive reviews from fans. Naomi Allen were featured on the single "Take Me" by producer Kingdom on July 26, 2011.^[11] Near the end of 2011 Electrik Red remade the song "That's My Bitch" by rappers Jay-Z & Kanye West.

Discography

Albums

• How to Be a Lady: Volume 1 (2009)^[12]

Singles

• "Drink in My Cup"
• "So Good"/(Remix featuring Lil' Wayne)

Videos

• "Electric City"/"Top Rankin'" (2006)
• "Drink In My Cup" (2008)
• "Friend Lover" (2009)
• "So Good" (Original) (2009)
• "So Good" (Remix) (featuring Lil Wayne) (2009)

The "So Good" remix video peaked at No. 6 on BET's '106 & Park'.

Unreleased tracks

• "Electric City"
• "On You" (Put It On Me)
• "Rush Into It"
• "Friend Zone"
• "Eye On You"
• "Blind"
• "Glamour Girl" (Produced By: Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins)
• "Top Rankin"
• "Imma Cheat" (Christina Milian Demo)
• "Touch Me"
• "Africa (Put Your Money On It)"
• "I'm That Chick"
• "That's My Bitch(Remix)"
• "Black Chix" (Rucka Rucka Ali ft Electrik Red)

Film

• Alvin and the Chipmunks – Binkie – Dancer
• Delirious – Binkie – Dancer No. 2
• Law & Order: Special Victims Unit- Season 3, Episode 4 "Rooftop" – Binkie – Tanya
• Step Up 2: The Streets – Binkie – West Coast Rider
• Dreamgirls – Lesley – Stepp Sister
• Just Jordan – Lesley – Britney
• Viva Laughlin – Lesley – Casino Dancer
• Cape Sin – Naomi – Friend
• From G's to Gents – Naomi – Writer/Producer
• Honey – Naomi – Miscellaneous Crew
• The Comebacks – Sarah – Fantasy Dancer

References

1. Kellman, Andy. "Electrik Red >Biography, Albums, & Streaming Radio > AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved September 27, 2015. R&B group Electrik Red are based in Los Angeles but involve four vocalists of varying backgrounds
2. "Electrik Red".
3. "Electrik Red, How To Be a Lady Vol 1".
4. Odum, Shanel (January 28, 2009). "Electrik Red". Vibe. Archived from the original on April 14, 2009. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
5. Shepherd, Julianne Escobedo (February 2009). "Do you think I'm a nasty girl? With super sexuality and deep swagger, R&B BFFs Electrik Red bust heads... and give hugs". The Fader. pp. 1–2. Archived from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved April 12, 2009.
6. Jordan, Chris (March 19, 2009). "Electrik Red lightens things up". Courier News. Retrieved April 10, 2009.
7. "Soul Rebel Speaks to Electrik Red: "It's Okay If You're Not A Stepford Wife"". SOHH. March 26, 2009. Archived from the original on March 30, 2009. Retrieved April 10, 2009.
8. "Electrik Red Turns Up Voltage with Debut LP". Rap-Up. January 25, 2009. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
9. "Video: Electrik Red - "Friend Lover"". Rap-Up. March 2, 2009. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
10. "Lil Wayne Joins Electrik Red for Remix Video". Rap-Up. March 25, 2009. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
11. "New Kingdom: "Take Me" (ft. Naomi Allen)". Pitchfork Media. July 19, 2011. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
12. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart". Billboard.