Mis-Teeq

Mis-Teeq
Mis-Teeq in 2001
Background information
Also known as	Face2Face
Origin	London, United Kingdom
Genres	R&B UK garage hip hop dance
Years active	1999–2005
Labels	Telstar Warner Reprise
Associated acts	Baby Cham Joe So Solid Crew Salaam Remi
Website	Official site
Past members	Sabrina Washington Alesha Dixon Su-Elise Nash Zena McNally Tina Barrett

Mis-Teeq were a British girl group, consisting of lead singer Sabrina Washington, rapper, singer and songwriter Alesha Dixon and singer Su-Elise Nash. The group had three top ten 2x Platinum albums and seven consecutive top ten singles with chart-topping success on the UK Singles Chart as well as across Europe. Originally a quartet which included Zena McNally before her departure in 2001, the group was formed in 1999.

The second line-up released their debut studio album Lickin' on Both Sides on 27 October 2001 which peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart. The album featured the group's first five singles including their debut single "Why?" with McNally and "All I Want". On 29 March 2003, the group released their second studio album Eye Candy following their hiatus. This album featured their biggest international hit "Scandalous" which peaked within the top 40 of the charts in the United States. In February 2005, the group announced they would be splitting to pursue solo careers due to the demise of their record label Telstar. The group released their greatest hits album, on 25 April 2005 to coincide with their separation.

History

1996–01: Formation and line-up changes

In 1997, Alesha Dixon and Sabrina Washington were introduced to each other through the creator of Mis-Teeq Louise Porter who was putting together the group for her production company Big Out Ltd. They met at Dance Attic studios in Fulham.^[1] The two worked together for a couple of years with Louise Porter ^[1] Based in London, they were later joined by Tina Barrett to form a trio that performed singing and dancing.^[2] Originally named Face2Face, yet unsigned and with all band members still working normal day jobs, Barrett soon left to join S Club 7 after a successful audition for Simon Fuller.^[2] After answering an audition call, she was replaced with Zena McNally and Su-Elise Nash.^[3] They were then introduced by their then Producer David Brant (Writer of 1st two hit singles "Why?" "All I Want") via DJ Darren Stokes (TinTinOut) to Inferno Records (sub pop) by A&R man Pat Travers, who went on to sign them to Telstar Records and finally changed their name to Mis-Teeq. After months of recording, including sessions with producers Norwegian duo Stargate along with David Brant (Vybrant Music), Ed Case, Blacksmith, Rishi Rich, and Ceri Evans, Mis-Teeq finally released their debut single, Latin-flavoured mid-tempo song "Why?". Co-written and produced by David Brant, a garage remix by Matt "Jam" Lamont soon became a success in the underground UK garage scene, and as a result a second music video for the song was filmed and released. While "Why" became a hit on the UK Singles Chart, with a peak position of number eight, McNally decided to leave the line-up in spring 2001 as she felt unhapppy about "an unbalance in the group."^[3]

2001–02: Lickin' on Both Sides, touring and hiatus

In 2001 the three remaining members went on to release their second single "All I Want" in June 2001 Co-written and originally produced by David Brant & Produced and Remixed by Ceri Evans aka Sunship. The song topped the success of the trio's debut single and became a number 2 hit in the UK, simultaneously entering the top 30 of the Australian singles chart. On 27 October 2001, the band finally released their debut album, Lickin' on Both Sides. The album became a platinum success and sold more than 300,000 copies domestically.

Nevertheless, Mis-Teeq saw instant international success with their Stargate-produced third single "One Night Stand": While the song peaked at number 5 on the UK singles chart, it also entered the top 20 in Australia, New Zealand, Norway, and Denmark. In 2002, the band's fourth single, "B with Me", continued the group's remarkable sales with another top 10 entry in the UK; once again entering at number 5. The last release from Lickin' on Both Sides was a double A-side of "Roll on" and the Montell Jordan cover "This Is How We Do It", latter song being featured on the soundtrack for Ali G's 2002 film Ali G Indahouse. This release entered the charts at number 7 on 29 June 2002. The band supported Shaggy on his UK tour in 2002.

2003–05: Eye Candy, international breakthrough and split

Returning from a short hiatus, Mis-Teeq released their second album, Eye Candy on 29 March 2003. The album featured production by Stargate, Ed Case, Salaam Remi, singer Joe, Delroy "D-Roy" Andrews and Jermaine Dupri and debuted at its peak position of number 6 on the UK Albums Chart, eventually receiving a gold certification. While Eye Candy's sales failed to link on the sudden success of Lickin' on Both Sides, pre-released lead single "Scandalous" became the group's most successful single by then: It reached number 2 in the UK and top 10 in Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and Denmark.

In June 2003, the album's second single "Can't Get It Back" became the band's seventh and final domestic top ten single. Originally a remake of the same-titled unreleased Blaque single from 2002, Mis-Teeq and Telstar agreed not to use album version, instead releasing the alternate "Ignorants Radio Edit" as an official single version which entered the UK charts at number 8 on 12 July 2003. The song also was included on a Special Edition of Eye Candy which was released in December of the same year and spawned a third single with "Style". The song peaked at number 13.

"Scandalous" was released in the US in May 2004 (under another label, Reprise Records) and reached number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in June, making it their only single to chart in the US. The song was featured as the theme of the film Catwoman, starring Halle Berry, in Summer 2004.

Also in 2004, Mis-Teeq began touring the US. After appearing on television shows such as Jimmy Kimmel, Pepsi smash and Carson Daly, the girls had built up their fan base. Unfortunately in 2005, the demise of their record label Telstar left Mis-Teeq in a situation where they were unsure of where to go or what to do next. Following the major release of their third album Mis-Teeq and the single "Scandalous" in 2004, the band's record label Telstar Records went bankrupt.^[4]

After the announcement of their split in 2005, they released a compilation album, Greatest Hits, containing a new track, a cover of the Andrews Sisters 1940s song "Shoo Shoo Baby", and they were awarded a 2005 Soul Train Lady of Soul Nomination for Best R&B/Soul Album - Group, Band or Duo for their album Mis-Teeq.

On 9 February 2011, it was reported that the group where in talks to reform for a comeback tour but this was denied by Dixon.^[5] Two years later, Dixon said that she would never rule out a reunion.^[6][7] In September 2014, Su-Elise stated in an interview with Fashion Plus Magazine that the group were in talks and were working on a reunion album.^[8]

Members

Alesha Dixon was the group's rapper and joined the group in 1999 alongside Washington. She would also frequently take on second lead vocals on the group's records. However, she was best known for her distinct sounding rapping voice and usually sung live in performances for the group. Following the group's split, Dixon went on to embark on a highly successful solo career, releasing four studio albums to date and appearing, firstly as a winning competitor, and then as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing and currently on Britain's Got Talent. As well as Strictly Come Dancing and Britain's Got Talent, Dixon also hosts Alesha's Street Dance Stars on CBBC.

Su-Elise Nash, who joined the group in 1999, was the group's backing singer. Her vocals were rarely heard on the group's records. However, she added a lower register vocal to many of the group's harmonies, which was a valuable contribution to the group's sound. She was also a talented rapper but only rapped on two of the group's records. Following the group's split, Nash has stayed out of the public eye.

Sabrina Washington was the group's lead singer and joined the group in 1999 alongside Dixon. Sabrina had a very strong voice and would also rap on occasion. Following the group's split, Washington appeared on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2010, and launched her solo career the same year. As of 2013, Washington was working on her debut solo album.

Zena McNally joined the group in 1999 and released only one single with the group before leaving in 2001, due to wanting to pursue her own solo career. McNally released two solo singles in 2003 and worked as a radio presenter; she is mostly known for co-presenting BBC Radio 1Xtra. McNally now resides in the United States with her husband Cory Gibbs.

Tina Barrett was part of the original line up however left before releasing any material. Barrett later went on to be a member of the pop group S Club 7.

Discography

References

External links

• Mis-Teeq MySpace Profile
• Interview with Alesha in 2006 on I Like Music