In 1995 the West Coast vocal power trio MoKenStef (Monifa, Kenya, and Stephanie) was known as much for defying convention in the R&B/Hip-Hop world as they were for their beauty, talent, and musical appeal. With a sound described as a "collective-moan" and with material designed to form a strong identity with their mostly female audience, Mokenstef's music can be defined as "straight-up and to the point." But success didn't come easy. When most African-American female groups were required to possess near-impossible vocal grandiosity or conform to extremely limited stylistic and support parameters to survive, Mokenstef prospered briefly by concentrating on what really matters: the music. Maintaining a close association with R&B, the group made enough crossover inroads into the Hip-Hop culture that they earned the respect of both genres while managing to keep from alienating either. Althought most people consider them a one-hit onder with "He's Mine," people who follow the R&B charts know that "Sex in the Rain," and the "He's Mine" remix also charted very well. The tight trio known as Mokenstef came together in 1990, the girls first started out as Hip Hop dancers, before pursuing a singing career. The girls are Los Angeles natives: Kenya and Stephanie were cheerleaders in High School while Monifa went to Hollywood High School in LA. Mokenstef worked on their music careers between college classes and their normal 9-5 jobs. Their big break happened when Mokenstef dropped in at the offices of Outburst Records: some local artists were clownin' around, tossin' out rhymes. Monifa chimed in with a few notes and suddenly the trio had a captive audience.

In late 1995 their first album "Azz Izz" was released. Mokenstef not only perfomed their music but they also wrote all the songs on their album. Mokenstef hasn't made an album since their debut, and everyone sadly thought they had broken up but fortunately that's not as it seemed to be! Right now the three girls are doing some individual projects: Monifa is moving forward with her solo singing career, Kenya is moving forward with Directing and Stephanie is pursuing a solo career as a rapper. Anyway they are planning to have another album done after finishing their solo projects. MoKenStef appear also as featuring artists on Cool Dre's "He Say She Say", on Luniz "Is It Kool?" and on Domino's "Ballin".

Credit: www.underground-soul.com
[This message was edited Wed Jan 21 16:31:00 PST 2004 by JANFAN4L]

I was in one of their videos. It was shot in L.A.
I had dinner with MoKenStef on the set. They were very cool and down to earth. Domino also stoped by the set that night. Cool peeps.
[This message was edited Wed Jan 21 17:45:45 PST 2004 by Eleventeen]

on "He's Mine" there is a Prince credit in the insert. For what?

paisleypark4 said:

The song samples a part of "Do Me Baby".

Ewww! I hated "He's Mine!" it's so (Jerry)Springer. Fighting over a man. No offense, gentlemen, but that wouldn't be me!

UptownDeb said:

I feel ya, Deb. I remember thinking "What a stupid bitch".

He's mine
You might've had him once but I got him all the time


WTF?

I agree,it was a dumb song.The lead singer doesn't seem the least bit concerned that her man cheated on her...lol..

Can I pull one Out? Another Bad Creation

Did they ever go to Neverland? go to college? sing back up for BBD?

jthad1129 said:

I dont know bout all that by "AIESHA" and "PLAYGROUND" were off the hinges!!!

VANITYSprisonBYTCH said:

Go Ro Ro! Go Ro Ro! Go Ro Ro!

Monifa had a cool solo song or two, but I HATED MoKenStef.

I like this game.. Since we've got a ghetto vibe goin'.. how 'bout Michel'le.

Too deep? Well what about Chucki Booker or The System
[This message was edited Thu Jan 22 20:38:46 PST 2004 by marcdeondotcom]

UptownDeb said:

I feel you. I still can't stand this song. But I'm ashamed to say I did like the remix and "Sex In The Rain."

marcdeondotcom said:

Aww, man. I was listening to Michel'le debet cd yesterday. "Something In My Heart," "If," "Nicety," "Keep Watching."

musicman said:

I can only remember "No More Lies" and a bit of "Nicety".
NML kicked ass.

musicman said:

I almost forgot about "Something in My Heart." Wasn't she married to Dr. Dre?

Here's one: Zhané

crazyhorse said:

"Hey you really turn me.. on and on and on and on".. who could forget that Starpoint joint. I have Chubb's album "And The Winner Is..." Can't remember Treat 'Em Right but I remember liking just about every song on the album.

UptownDeb said:

The feel good anthem of the decade.. love Zhané. I think Michel'le was married to Dre. She was definitely rolling with the Dre/Ice Cube/NWA posse.

marcdeondotcom said:

I know Michel'le had his baby. And I love Zhane' also. They're singles never reflected how awesome their 2 albums were. I hope they come back.