With all this talk about Prince proteges, does anyone know whatever happened to the four-member girl group that was in the "U Make My Sunshine" video? I remember seeing them perform at the NPGMC launch in Chicago back in 2001, I think. Overall, their performance was so forgettable, though.

Does anyone remember them or the group's name? Did they ever release an album or single? How did they even hook up with P? Man, I just can't keep up with all the protege projects that never happened or the ones that shouldn't have happened.

The name of the group is BLAQUE. They were never affiliated with Prince prior to this song, and as to what they're doing now I have no idea. At least one of the ladies in the group was related to Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, and this is where what I know of them ends.

UncleGrandpa said:

Really? I remember when Left Eye was putting out that group Blaque. Didn't they have a mild hit with "Bring it Home to Me?"

I do not remember them being associated with Prince at all. I didn't even remember them as the girls in the video. I thought that was a totally different group of ladies. I remembered Blaque having three members not four. Are you sure they weren't two different groups with the same name? I'm so confused.

On the single release, the group was not credited, of course Angie Stone got her due. I only remember them when I saw the video of the song and may have seen their name credited there. If I had the willingness, I should look it up to be factual.

bellanoche said:

Oh my goodness. I was just trying to find out the name of that video in the "What video would you like to see next?" and mentioned it was a song about sunshine, and you just figured out the name for me. Thanks.

Wasn't Angie Stone in that vid?

UncleGrandpa said:

Okay you just confirmed for me that Angie Stone was in that video thanks. Like your sig...it references "Fela Kuti's song doesn't it?

2elijah said:

I was just going to edit my post to comment on the Fela Kuti sig reference.

OT: I love Fela. I have so many of his 20 minute plus jams.

I read that someone was trying to make a biopic about him and folks wanted Chiwetel (sp?) Ejifor to play him. That would be interesting.

UncleGrandpa said:

I didn't think that was the same group? I thought Blaque was different looking then what I recalled those girls from the U Make My Sunshine video looking???

I guess today's challenge is to find out what the group's name is since were at a stalemate.



p.s..... I became a fan of Fela Kuti only recently when a fellow orger hipped me to his music, The African James Brown is sho nuff' FONAKAEY!

Ok, I just did some searching and I have found them. They were called Milenia. In a review I found on Amazon.com someone mentioned them as singing backup on the "U Make My Sunshine" duet with Angie Stone.

Here is a link to them on CDBaby.com. It says Prince co-wrote songs on their album, so this has to be them. However, for some reason I remembered four girls being in the group.



Prince co-wrote and produced several songs on this disc. These ladies served as his back up singers and have toured all over North America and Mexico. They have appeared on Jay Leno and other nationaly televised shows as well as opening for some of the biggest names in the business. Kent Christon, A&R 101 Distribution.

http://cdbaby.com/cd/milenia
[Edited 4/5/09 15:33pm]

Cool, with a little effort we have an answer. It seems that their career didn't flourish, but that was chance encounter with P that most groups would kill for.

bellanoche said:

Chiwetal?? Oh my lawd, that would be fantastic if he played Fela. I love Chiwetal's acting and can't ignore how handsome he is. My son was the one who introduced me to Fela's music. Now Fela's son, Femi follows in his footsteps. I love Fela's song "Expensive Sh*t"..it is awesome, with it's socio/political msg.

I certainly hope Chiwetel gets picked bo play Fela. Okay, getting back to that "Sunshine" video. I couldn't figure out that full name of the vid, and mentioned on another thread that I would like to see that video up there, and I knew Angie Stone was in it as well, so I only mentioned that I knew the word "Sunshine" was in it, but now thanks to you, I have the name of the video. That song has a nice gospel feel to it. Hopefully, they'll put it up on the video site soon. I alos hope they put "Willing and Able" on there too, that is one of my favorite vids.
[Edited 4/5/09 17:12pm]

2elijah said:

I love the video version of Willing and Able! I have always wanted an audio version of that one.
[Edited 4/5/09 17:21pm]

More on Milenia - Niyoki. Maybe this is the fourth one I remembered. She is making gospel music now.



This part about Prince was very interesting.

"After years with the family's gospel group, Niyoki and her sisters decided to venture out on their own, even changing management, a role previously filled by their parents. That act of rebellion took them into the world of R&B as “MILENIA,” where they worked with such stellar talents as Boyz II Men and Prince, who would change their lives. “We got to work with Prince in so many different ways. We worked in the studio, doing all of his background vocals. We toured with him and we had the opportunity to be featured in his concerts. It was such an amazing experience. Prince was such a master musician and he taught us so much. He taught me how to control my voice. I was used to riffing and using my voice in elaborate ways. He taught me the simplicity of singing and how best to use my voice as an instrument. A lot of people might look down on this part of my life, but God is always working everything out for the good of those that love Him.”

While it sounds like the beginnings of an illustrious career in music, it was really the first of many false starts. “We would have people say they were going to sign us and then nothing would happen. Prince was excited about us, but nothing happened. After a while, it got very discouraging for us. I just stopped singing. I have to be honest. I was crushed by so many ‘close call' moments.”

http://www.reverbnation.com/niyoki

Yup that's them - Milenia. They sung most of the back up vocals on The Rainbow Children, and you can hear them quite prominently in The Work, Everywhere, and The Last December.

I remember meeting them during the Celebration 2001--they were very down to earth and friendly. I remember a some longtime fans pulling them to the side, and telling them to make sure they looked out for themselves 'cuz we'd seen so many come and go through Paisley's halls and leave with nothing to show for it.

UncleGrandpa said:

Fela is THE MAN! His songs were musical marathons! 30 minutes for just one song and they were funky!!! Two basses, horns, African chants...good stuff!

Now that I know who they are, I stand corrected. Sorry Blaque and Milenia, I won't post again till I'm sure of what I'm talking about.


p.s.... an unfortuante truth came from that interview with Miyoki, their career faltered after Prince but its not necessarily his fault, thats just the way the music business is. Some win, some loose.

UncleGrandpa said:

No problem at all! At least you tried to help me out. Your post made me stop being lazy and actually search for the answer. Who knew that I would have found it by reading a review on Amazon.com?

You are right about the truths of the entertainment industry in general. Sometimes when I hear singles or one-off albums from artists or even when I watch one-off feature roles with actors, I think about how they probably thought they were on their way but then they just disappear. It is sad, but happens all too often.

NuPwrSoul said:

Milenia is from my hometown of Fort Wayne, Indiana. They are part of The White family which pretty much runs one of the local churches. I believe most of the family is involved in gospel music as well.
I met one of the ladies a few times out in the clubs. She either quit or got released from the group. She was pretty cool. The group kinda just fizzled out.
Haven't seen or heard much from them locally either.
[Edited 4/6/09 8:14am]

UncleGrandpa said:

Isnt it Milenia? So wrong
[Edited 4/6/09 10:30am]

I thought they were pretty good. Man they got RIPPED apart on the org back in 2001.

SPYZFAN1 said:

Why did they get ripped apart on the Org? And why am I not surprised.

UncleGrandpa said:

Nope. It wasn't Blaque.

You know how it is. Straight hating. Everything from the looks, to the wardrobe, to lack of talent, etc.

Sadly, pretty close to some of the same things that are being said about Bria today.

Wasn't one of their songs featured on one of the NPG Ahdio Shows?

pacey68 said:

Might have been. They got a bit of attention around that time, but quickly disappeared. They were on Leno too when he performed "The Work".