Heather B. Gardner

Heather B. Gardner

Gardner at a book signing for Common's 2011 memoir in Manhattan,
September 13, 2011.
Background information
Also known as Heather B.
Genres Rap, hip hop
Occupation(s) Singer, actress, reality television personality
Years active 1992–present
Labels Elektra, Pendulum Records, MCA Records, Sai Records International, GIWOM Entertainment
Associated acts Boogie Down Productions, M.O.P.

Heather B. Gardner, billed professionally as Heather B., is an American hip hop artist who first gained fame as a member of the hip hop group Boogie Down Productions before becoming a cast member on The Real World: New York, the first season of MTV's reality show The Real World.[1]

Career

From February 16 to May 18, 1992, Gardner filmed The Real World: New York, the first season of MTV's reality television series, The Real World, on which she appeared as a cast member.[2] The series premiered May 21 that year. On the show, she was depicted as a hip-hop artist with the group Boogie Down Productions, on the verge of getting her big career break[3] During the season, she is seen recording her album, The System Sucks.[3][4] According to MTV's biography for her: "She has a lot of drive and dedication to whatever she is doing. She makes friends quickly and always speaks her mind regardless of the consequences."[3]

Gardner was affiliated with the rap group Boogie Down Productions,[1] and was signed to Pendulum Records in 1995. In 1996, she released her first album, Takin' Mine. The single "All Glocks Down", an anti-gun violence anthem, received radio play, as did the follow-up single "If Headz Only Knew."[5]

In 1997, Gardner signed with MCA Records and in 1998 she released the single, "Do You," which had a considerable amount of television and radio airplay.

In 2002 Gardner produced her second album, Eternal Affairs, with production from Pete Rock and DJ Premier. The album met with positive reviews despite not charting on Billboard.[6]

Outside of her music career, Gardner has appeared in various projects and television specials related to The Real World. She also appeared in the film The Wedding Video directed by Real World alum Norman Korpi, and a 2005 television commercial for America Online anti-virus software.[7]

Heather B's third studio album, Open Bar, which was executive-produced by DJ Premier.[6]

As of 2012, Gardner is the co-host of the Sirius Satellite Radio show Sway in the Morning with former MTV reporter Sway Calloway.[8]

Discography

Albums

Singles

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Kurutz, Steve (2008). "Heather B.". Allmusic. All Media Guide. Retrieved 2008-02-21.
  2. "SoHo Loft". realworldhouses.com. November 28, 2010
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Biography page for Heather B. Gardner. MTV.com. accessed September 14, 2011.
  4. "Julie and Eric...Could it be Love?". The Real World: New York. Season 1. Episode 2. MTV.
  5. "Chart Listing For The Week Of Feb 06 1993:". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1993-02-06. Archived from the original on 2008-05-26. Retrieved 2008-02-21.
  6. 6.0 6.1 AbduSalaam, Ismael. "Heather B. Returns With DJ Premier For 'Open Bar'". AllHipHop. March 12, 2010
  7. Cooper, Gael Fashingbauer. "Will reality TV return to ‘Paradise’?". Today Reality TV. MSNBC. March 15, 2005
  8. Chudnofsky, Lisa. "Heather B From The First Season Of ‘Real World’: Where Is She Now?". article. mtv.com. Retrieved 2014-01-20.

Notes

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Heather B. Gardner.