Brownstone (band)

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Brownstone
Origin Flag of United States Los Angeles, CA
Country United States
Years active 1994-1998
Genres R&B/Hip hop soul
Labels MJJ Music (1994-1997)
Members Nicole "Nicci" Gilbert
Charmayne "Maxee" Maxwell
Past members Monica "Mimi" Doby
Kina Cosper

Brownstone was a Grammy Award nominated female R&B group popular during the mid-1990s. They are best known for the 1995 hit single, "If You Love Me". They also had some success with the singles "Grapevyne", and "I Can't Tell You Why", a song originally recorded by the Eagles.

The three original members of Brownstone were Nicole "Nicci" Gilbert, Charmayne "Maxee" Maxwell and Monica "Mimi" Doby. The group was founded in Los Angeles after the three singers met each other after going to different auditions around the city. They formed the group, and less than a year later were signed to Michael Jackson's MJJ Music Record Label. They recorded their debut album, From the Bottom Up which spawned the hit "If You Love Me". In 1995 the band was awarded with a Grammy nomination and a Billboard Music Award.

After extensive touring around the globe, Doby left the group after what was released in the media in an interview with BET Video Soul host Donnie Simpson as a medical problem of bronchitis, but was later revealed through radio interviews to be because of internal strife with the other two members of the group. She was replaced by Kina Cosper and after a difficult transition period where their audience was not very receptive to the change in both physical makeup and harmony, Brownstone had a brief showing with "5 Miles to Empty". However, the group failed to regain their popularity, and their subsequent albums were considered commercial failures.

Since the group broke up Gilbert has had small roles in a few movies and TV. Maxwell had an on again, off again career in Europe as a recording artist. Doby left the business, married and has two children.

Contents

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

[edit] Singles

Year Title Album US US R&B US Dance UK
1995 "If You Love Me" From the Bottom Up 8 2 8
1995 "Grapevyne" From the Bottom Up 49 6 16
1995 "I Can't Tell You Why" From the Bottom Up 54 22 27
1995 "Freedom" Panther soundtrack 38 18
1997 "5 Miles to Empty" Still Climbing 39 6 38 12
1997 "Kiss and Tell" Still Climbing 41 21

[edit] Awards & nominations

Year Award
1995 Billboard Music Award Win for Top Hot R&B Singles Airplay for "If You Love Me"
1995 Billboard Music Award nomination for Top Hot R&B Singles Artist - Duos/Group
1995 Billboard Music Award nomination for Top Hot R&B Singles Artist
1995 Billboard Music Award nomination for Top New R&B Artist
1995 Billboard Music Award nomination for Top R&B Artist - Duos/Group
1995 Billboard Music Award nomination for Top Hot R&B Singles & Tracks for "If Your Love Me"
1995 Grammy Award nomination for Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Duo or Group ("If You Love Me") [1]
1995 Lady of Soul Music Award nomination for Best R&B/Soul Song of the Year for "If You Love Me"

[edit] References