Cleopatra (band)
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| Cleopatra | ||
|---|---|---|
| Background information | ||
| Origin | Manchester, England | |
| Genre(s) | Pop | |
| Years active | 1998 - 2001 | |
| Members | ||
| Cleo Higgins Yonah Higgins Zainam Higgins |
||
Cleopatra was a musical group from the UK whose members were sisters Cleo, Yonah, and Zainam Higgins (see Band Members section).
Contents |
[edit] Band members
- Cleo Higgins - born Cleopatra Madonna Higgins, 30 April 1982, in Birmingham.
- Yonah Higgins - born Yonah Mawusi Higgins, 27 April 1984, in Birmingham.
- Zainam Higgins - born Zainam Mandisa Talibah Venetta Higgins, 5 December 1980, in Manchester.
[edit] Coming At You!
The first time the girls stepped on stage they were known as Cleopatra And The Attractions; at that point Cleo was the lead singer and her sisters were backing singers/dancers. They later dropped that name and became known as the band Cleopatra.
Their Debut single 'Cleopatra's Theme' was produced by Damien Mendis. It was taken off their Debut album 'Comin' Atcha!' and shot straight in at #.3 giving the girls their first top 5 hit in the UK's official top 40 singles charts.
The next 3 singles 'Life Ain't Easy', 'I Wan't You Back' and 'Thank Abba For The Music' all Followed the same success heading into the top 5 gaining the girls "Brit Awards" and "MOBO Awards" nominations. The girls performed at the '99 Brit Awards along side Steps, Tina Cousins, B*Witched and Billie and was also nominated for 'Best British Newcomer'. Madonna signed Cleopatra to her maverick label and introduced them to America on the Nickelodeon's 11th Annual Kids' Choice Awards were they performed their U.S debut single 'Cleopatra's Theme' it was released shortly after gaining them a 26 position on the Billboard Charts and a 16 in the R&B charts. The video was a popular choice as it was no..4 on the trl top 10 countdown, their U.S Debut album Comin Atcha sold over 300,000 copies.
Cleopatra were invited to perform at the Vatican for The pope John Paul II, backed by a 100-piece orchestra Cleopatra stole the show. Cleopatra covered the Bee Gees Song ("Gotta Get A Message To You") for the tribute album of the same name. They were also asked to record a cover of the disco song Right Back Where We Started From for An Extremely Goofy Movie by Disney.
[edit] Stepping Out
Cleopatra moved onto their second album 'Steppin Out', working with Legends Jam & Lewis Dallas Austin, Darryl Simmons, Cutfarther & Joe and Stargate. Steppin Out saw a mature sexier side to Cleopatra as they reveal they were no longer teeny boppers... They were now Women!
They toured the U.S Promoting the leading U.S single off of 'Steppin Out', 'U Got It' The girls found themselves on 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' and 'The Queen Latifah Show' And as the new spokeswomen for Make-Up Giant Covergirl. The girls sang the theme tune for there new make-up line 'Triple Lipstick' and featured in the U.S television advertisement, Making Cleopatra the first British female group to ever sign to Covergirl.
The girls toured the U.S with the likes of Brian Mcknight, Jessica Simpson, Next and Nelly. Cleopatra moved on to tour Japan and promote their Japanese single 'Yes, The Party's going right'. They were invited to go perform a mini concert for the Sultan of Brunei and his Royal family. Back home on the other hand things wasn't looking to good. With a massive wipe out including a change of M.D at Warners led to lack of promotion of their U.K single 'Come And get me' which entered the top 40 at no..29 Steppin Out release date for the U.K was pushed back and the Album eventually was never released. Wea had Meeting with Cleo as they now wanted her as a Solo artist as she wrote and sang All of Cleopatra's hits, leading to the group Parting ways with Waners.
[edit] T.V Sitcom
In 1998 CITV premiered Cleopatra's 1 hour Christmas Special for their brand new sitcom. With a host of stars to help launch the show it was a ratings smash. The show was 20 minutes per episode and followed the girls' lives on tour and at home with their family. The girls' mother and younger sister were featured as themselves. The show had two seasons: Season 1 'Comin' Atcha' and Season 2 'In The House' and was shown in numerous countries.
[edit] Covergirl
Cleopatra are the first Black British band to have ever featured in their own Covergirl advertisement. They sang and featured in the huge Covergirl campaign across America promoting their 'Triple Lipstick' line. It was filmed on Miami's South Beach in 2000 and saw the girls on stage performing the theme song.
[edit] Cleopatra Now
In 2005 the girls came together for a one off performance on ITV1's Hit Me Baby One More time. Cleo currently is signed and is set to release a new single in 2007
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Comin' Atcha! (1998) #20 UK
- Steppin Out (2000)
[edit] Singles
- "Cleopatra's Theme" (1998) #3 UK #26 US
- "Life Ain't Easy" (1998) #4 UK
- "I Want You Back" (1998) #4 UK
- "A Touch of Love" (1999) #24 UK
- "Thank ABBA for the Music" (with Steps, Tina Cousins, B*Witched and Billie) (1999) #4 UK
- "Come and Get Me" (2000) #29 UK
- "U Got It" (2000) US
- "Yes This Party's Going Right" (2001) Japan
[edit] B-Sides and Other songs
- We Haven't Finished Yet (Touch Of Love B-Side)
- Gotta Get A Message To You (Beegees tribute album)
- Right Back Where We Started (Another Goofy Move OST)
- Can't Stop (Come And Get ME B-Side)
- All Talk And No Action (Steppin Out Japanese Import)
- Feels So Good (Jenny Jones Theme Song)
- I Just Wanna Be (Yes This Party's Going Right B-Side)
