| SWV | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Sisters with Voices |
| Origin | New York City, New York, United States |
| Genres | R&B |
| Years active | 1990–1998, 2005–present |
| Labels | RCA, Mass Appeal Entertainment/E1 Music |
| Associated acts | Teddy Riley, Brian Alexander Morgan, Allstar |
| Website | http://www.therealswv.com |
| Members | |
| Cheryl "Coko" Clemons Tamara "Taj" Johnson-George Leanne "Lelee" Lyons |
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Sisters with Voices, better known as SWV, is an American female R&B trio from New York. Formed in 1990 as a gospel group,[1] SWV became one of the most successful R&B groups of the 1990s. They had a series of hits, including "Weak", "Right Here/Human Nature", "I'm So Into You", and "You're the One". The group disbanded in 1998 to pursue solo projects, and reunited in 2005. SWV is currently ranked #100 on the Top 500 Pop Artists of the Past 25 Years at the website Rock on the Net.[2]
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SWV (an abbreviation for Sisters With Voices) was formed by three friends: Cheryl Gamble, Tamara Johnson and Leanne Lyons (the group's founder).[3] SWV got its start after the three friends sent a five song demo to record labels in the United States. Soon after, they were signed to a record deal with RCA Records in 1992 after producer Teddy Riley, a former member of Guy, heard the demo. With Riley's help, the group's 1992 debut album, It's About Time, went triple platinum and produced several Top Ten hits.[4]
SWV's first single, "Right Here", was released in the fall of 1992, reaching #16 on the R&B charts. Their second single, "I'm So Into You," peaked at #2 on R&B and reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The third single, "Weak", reached #1 on both the R&B and Hot 100 charts. "Right Here/Human Nature," the fourth single and a remix of their first single, "Right Here", featured samples of Michael Jackson's hit "Human Nature." "Right Here/Human Nature" peaked at #1 on R&B and #2 on the Hot 100. It was followed up with the additional Top10 R&B hits, "Downtown" (#2), and "Always On My Mind" (#8).[4][5]
Following the success of their first album, SWV appeared on the soundtrack for the 1994 film Above the Rim. The single, "Anything", became a Top Ten R&B hit and reached #18 on the Hot 100 in the spring of 1994. That same year, SWV released The Remixes, which went gold by the end of the year. In the summer of 1995, the trio lent vocal harmonies to Blackstreet's Top 40 R&B hit "Tonight's the Night." In 1995, SWV recorded New Beginning, which was released in 1996 and led by the #1 R&B (and #5 Hot 100) hit "You're the One"[5] The second single "Use Your Heart" was the first ever credited to the production team The Neptunes. Also, in 1995 SWV appeared on the Waiting to Exhale: Original Soundtrack Album, recording the track, "All Night Long".
1997 saw the release SWV's third album, Release Some Tension as well as A Special Christmas four months later in 1997, the group's last studio album. Shortly after the release of A Special Christmas, SWV parted ways to pursue various solo projects.[4]
In 2005, SWV reunited and announced plans to record a new album the following year[4] (the album has not materialized). In 2007, the group performed dates with After 7, Bobby Brown, New Edition, and Blackstreet.[6]
In 2007, Johnson-George appeared in the TV One reality series I Married a Baller which documented her life with husband Eddie George, former NFL player and present Nashville entrepreneur.[7] SWV members Coko and Lelee (who sing the theme song along with Taj) appear in a couple of the show's episodes.
On June 24, 2008, SWV made a special appearance at the BET Awards of 2008, performing "Weak" with Alicia Keys. They also sang the chorus to TLC's "Waterfalls". Coko currently resides in Virginia Beach, Lelee in Atlanta and Taj in Nashville..
Tamara "Taj" Johnson-George was a contestant on Survivor: Tocantins, in which she came in fourth place. She was blindsided by her former alliance of James "J.T." Thomas, Jr. and Stephen Fishbach. She became the sixth Jury Member.[8] She participated in a 2009 national tour of the Vagina Monologues with an all-black cast, most of whom are also former reality show contestants.[9]
SWV appeared on The Mo'Nique Show on February 2, 2010, performing Patti LaBelle's "If Only You Knew". Lelee and Coko provided the lead vocals. As of 2011 SWV has recently signed a record deal with Mass Appeal Entertainment and E1 Entertainment. On June 10, 2011 SWV was featured on the official remix of Chris Brown's remake of their Right Here/Human Nature song, "She Ain't You".
SWV released their first single "Co-Sign" on December 15, 2011 via iTunes off their yet untitled album to be released in early 2012.[10][11]
Studio albums
Extended plays
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SWV featured a number of successful female groups as opening acts throughout their various touring engagements. Those groups included such contemporaries as Xscape, Jade, Total, 702, and Destiny's Fugly Bitch Child.
| Year | Result | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Nominated | American Music Award | Favorite New Artist - Pop/Rock |
| 1993 | Nominated | Favorite Band, Duo or Group - Soul/Rhythm & Blues | |
| 1993 | Nominated | Favorite Album - Soul/Rhythm & Blues for It's About Time | |
| 1993 | Nominated | Favorite New Artist - Soul / Rhythm & Blues | |
| 1993 | Win | Kids Choice Awards | Female Group Of The Decade |
| 1993 | Win | Billboard Music Award | Top Hot 100 Singles Artists - Duos/Group |
| 1993 | Win | Top R&B Artists - Duos/Group | |
| 1993 | Win | Top R&B Singles Artists - Duos/Group | |
| 1993 | Win | Top Pop Artists - Duo/Group | |
| 1993 | Win | Top New Pop Artist | |
| 1993 | Win | Top Hot 100 Singles Artist | |
| 1993 | Win | Top Hot 100 Airplay Track for "Weak" | |
| 1993 | Win | Top R&B Artist | |
| 1993 | Nominated | Top New R&B Artist | |
| 1993 | Nominated | Top R&B Album Artists - Duos/Group | |
| 1993 | Nominated | Top R&B Singles Artist | |
| 1994 | Nominated | Top R&B Singles Artists - Duos/Group | |
| 1994 | Nominated | Top R&B Artists - Duos/Group | |
| 1997 | Nominated | Soul Train Lady of Soul Award | Best R&B Soul single by a Group, Band, or Duo |
| 1997 | Nominated | Soul Train Lady of Soul Award | Best Soul/R&B album by a Group, Band or Duo |
| 1998 | Nominated | Soul Train Lady of Soul Award | Best Soul/R&B album by a Group, Band or Duo |
| 1998 | Nominated | Soul Train Lady of Soul Award | Best Soul/R&B single by a Group, Band or Duo |
| 1994 | Nominated | Grammy Award | Best New Artist |
| Book: SWV | |
| Wikipedia books are collections of articles that can be downloaded or ordered in print. | |
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