Electrik Red
Encyclopedia
Electrik Red is an R&B
girl group
comprising Kyndra "Binkie" Reevey, Lesley Lewis, Naomi Allen and Sarah Rosete. The members began their individual careers as back-up dancers in New York City
and Toronto
. The group formed in 2005 and signed with Def Jam Recordings
in 2008. Their music is mainly written and produced by songwriter The-Dream
and his production partner Tricky Stewart
.
in his 2004 Confessions
tour, Reevey and Lewis asked Rosete if she wanted to be a part of their girl group. Rosete agreed to join, but requested that they meet her best friend, Allen, who they "fell in love with" and invited to join as well. The group moved to Los Angeles
, where they began working with different producers, including Shannon "Slam" Lawrence and Rodney Jerkins
. The quartet officially convened as Electrik Red in 2005.
The four group members continued to work as professional dancers, individually appearing in videos for Mariah Carey
, Janet Jackson
, Akon
, Ludacris
, Chris Brown and in the film Dreamgirls
. After individually performing as dancers and models, they appeared together in Ciara
's video for "Like a Boy
". In late 2007, Allen and Rosete were cast in the video for The-Dream
's single "Shawty Is a 10
". Shakir Stewart
, then the Executive Vice President of Def Jam Recordings
, organized an audition for the group with label chairman L. A. Reid
, and the group was signed to Def Jam on February 23, 2008. Shakir Stewart then organized a meeting for the group with The-Dream and Tricky Stewart
, who cosigned Electrik Red to their Def Jam-affiliated label, Radio Killa. The-Dream and Tricky Stewart then became the group's executive producers for their debut album How to Be a Lady: Volume 1
, which was released on May 26, 2009. The group explained the album title as a "play on the stereotype of what a lady is supposed to be, how she is supposed to act and what she is supposed to say. We're bringing a new age woman to the world." The group wanted to show that it was "okay to be different".
How to Be a Lady: Volume 1 has spawned three singles, "Drink in My Cup", "So Good", and a remix of "So Good" featuring Lil Wayne
. Music videos were filmed for "Drink in My Cup" and "Friend Lover," with both directed by Marc Klasfeld
. Another video was shot with Lil Wayne for the "So Good" remix.
), Midi Mafia (Fantasia
) and others. The group premiered a new track at the E World Awards in Atlanta, GA on January 27, 2010 entitled, "I'm That Chick". On February 3, 2010 a 2-minute teaser sample of the track was released via Youtube and about a month later, the full track was released via the Twitter account of group member Lesley Lewis. On July 1, 2010 Binkie confirmed that the album would have a new sound, and that it would be the second part of the How to Be a Lady volumes.
Later Lesley confirmed the label would not allow them to release "Bra & Panties".
The "So Good" remix video peaked at #6 on BET's 106 & Park.
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
girl group
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
comprising Kyndra "Binkie" Reevey, Lesley Lewis, Naomi Allen and Sarah Rosete. The members began their individual careers as back-up dancers in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. The group formed in 2005 and signed with Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings is an American record label, focused primarily on hip hop and urban music, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as a part of The Island Def Jam Motown Music Group...
in 2008. Their music is mainly written and produced by songwriter The-Dream
The-Dream
Terius Youngdell Nash , better known by his stage name The-Dream, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He is known for co-writing "Umbrella" for Rihanna and "Single Ladies " for Beyoncé, as well as for his three solo albums, Love Hate, Love vs...
and his production partner Tricky Stewart
Christopher Stewart (music producer)
Christopher "Tricky" Stewart is an American songwriter, music producer, music publisher, executive producer, recording industry executive and recording studio owner. In a career spanning 16 years, Stewart, at the helm of his company RedZone Entertainment, is responsible for over 25 million...
.
Music career
Electrik Red is made up of two sets of childhood friends, Reevey and Lewis from New York City and Allen and Rosete from Toronto. While working as back-up dancers for UsherUsher (entertainer)
Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
in his 2004 Confessions
Confessions (Usher album)
Confessions is the fourth studio album by American R&B recording artist Usher, released March 23, 2004, on Arista-imprint label LaFace Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2003 to 2004 with production by Jermaine Dupri, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Lil Jon...
tour, Reevey and Lewis asked Rosete if she wanted to be a part of their girl group. Rosete agreed to join, but requested that they meet her best friend, Allen, who they "fell in love with" and invited to join as well. The group moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, where they began working with different producers, including Shannon "Slam" Lawrence and Rodney Jerkins
Rodney Jerkins
Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins is an American songwriter, record producer, and musician. Jerkins received two Grammy nominations in 2011.-Biography:...
. The quartet officially convened as Electrik Red in 2005.
The four group members continued to work as professional dancers, individually appearing in videos for Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
, Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
, Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
, Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
, Chris Brown and in the film Dreamgirls
Dreamgirls (film)
Dreamgirls is a 2006 musical drama film, directed by Bill Condon and jointly produced and released by DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures. The film debuted in three special road show engagements beginning December 15, 2006 before its nationwide release on December 25, 2006...
. After individually performing as dancers and models, they appeared together in Ciara
Ciara
Ciara Princess Harris , known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha...
's video for "Like a Boy
Like a Boy
"Like a Boy" is a song performed by American singer Ciara for her second album Ciara: The Evolution . Written by Ciara, Candice Nelson, Balewa Muhammad, J. Que, Ezekiel Lewis, and Calvin Kenon, it is the third release in the U.S...
". In late 2007, Allen and Rosete were cast in the video for The-Dream
The-Dream
Terius Youngdell Nash , better known by his stage name The-Dream, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He is known for co-writing "Umbrella" for Rihanna and "Single Ladies " for Beyoncé, as well as for his three solo albums, Love Hate, Love vs...
's single "Shawty Is a 10
Shawty Is a 10
"Shawty Is a 10" is the first single from American singer-songwriter The-Dream's debut studio album, Love Hate. The track is produced by Los Da Mystro who also produced J. Holiday's single, "Bed". The album version features Fabolous...
". Shakir Stewart
Shakir Stewart
Shakir Stewart , a native of Oakland, California, was a US record executive in a number of companies, the latest being Def Jam...
, then the Executive Vice President of Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings is an American record label, focused primarily on hip hop and urban music, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as a part of The Island Def Jam Motown Music Group...
, organized an audition for the group with label chairman L. A. Reid
L. A. Reid
Antonio "L.A." Reid is a three-time Grammy Award-winning US record executive, songwriter, and record producer. Best known as the co-founder of LaFace Records, he is responsible for signing and helping bring Mariah Carey, Pink, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Kanye West, Avril Lavigne, Toni Braxton, TLC,...
, and the group was signed to Def Jam on February 23, 2008. Shakir Stewart then organized a meeting for the group with The-Dream and Tricky Stewart
Christopher Stewart (music producer)
Christopher "Tricky" Stewart is an American songwriter, music producer, music publisher, executive producer, recording industry executive and recording studio owner. In a career spanning 16 years, Stewart, at the helm of his company RedZone Entertainment, is responsible for over 25 million...
, who cosigned Electrik Red to their Def Jam-affiliated label, Radio Killa. The-Dream and Tricky Stewart then became the group's executive producers for their debut album How to Be a Lady: Volume 1
How to Be a Lady: Volume 1
How to Be a Lady: Volume 1 is the debut album of American R&B group Electrik Red, released May 26, 2009 on Radio Killa and Def Jam Recordings. Production and songwriting for the album was handled primarily by The-Dream and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart...
, which was released on May 26, 2009. The group explained the album title as a "play on the stereotype of what a lady is supposed to be, how she is supposed to act and what she is supposed to say. We're bringing a new age woman to the world." The group wanted to show that it was "okay to be different".
How to Be a Lady: Volume 1 has spawned three singles, "Drink in My Cup", "So Good", and a remix of "So Good" featuring Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
. Music videos were filmed for "Drink in My Cup" and "Friend Lover," with both directed by Marc Klasfeld
Marc Klasfeld
Marc Klasfeld is an American music video director. He has directed over two hundred music videos for artists such as Katy Perry, Jay-Z, Kid Rock, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nelly, Foo Fighters, Jewel, Sum 41, Avril Lavigne and many others with multiple MTV award wins and nominations...
. Another video was shot with Lil Wayne for the "So Good" remix.
2010-2011
As of early 2010, Electrik Red is recording their second album with guests and producers including Joi Starr, R. City (Pussycat DollsPussycat Dolls
The Pussycat Dolls are an American pop girl group and dance ensemble based in Los Angeles; currently consisting of Lauren Bennett, Vanessa Curry, Kristal "Lyndriette" Smith, Tiffany "Taz" Zavala, Kia Hampton and Paula Van Oppen. The Pussycat Dolls were founded by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995...
), Midi Mafia (Fantasia
Fantasia Barrino
Fantasia Monique Barrino commonly known as Fantasia, is an American R&B singer, Broadway and television actress who rose to fame as the winner of the third season of the reality television series American Idol in 2004. Following her victory, she released her debut single, "I Believe", which...
) and others. The group premiered a new track at the E World Awards in Atlanta, GA on January 27, 2010 entitled, "I'm That Chick". On February 3, 2010 a 2-minute teaser sample of the track was released via Youtube and about a month later, the full track was released via the Twitter account of group member Lesley Lewis. On July 1, 2010 Binkie confirmed that the album would have a new sound, and that it would be the second part of the How to Be a Lady volumes.
2011-Present
On January 22, 2011 the group announced a upcoming European tour via Twitter. On Valentines day February 14, 2011, Lesley premeiered a 1 minute teaser sample Bra's and Panties released via Youtube.Later Lesley confirmed the label would not allow them to release "Bra & Panties".
Solo Careers
Member Naomi Allen will be featured on the single "Take Me" by producer Kingdom on July 26, 2011Singles
- "Drink in My Cup"
- "So GoodSo Good (Electrik Red song)"So Good" is the lead single for the debut album How to Be a Lady: Volume 1 by Urban girl group Electrik Red. The single was released on February 3, 2009 in the US and internationally on April 7, 2009...
"/(Remix featuring Lil' Wayne)
Videos
- "Electric City"/"Top Rankin'" (2006)
- "Drink In My Cup" (2008)
- "Friend Lover" (2009)
- "So GoodSo Good (Electrik Red song)"So Good" is the lead single for the debut album How to Be a Lady: Volume 1 by Urban girl group Electrik Red. The single was released on February 3, 2009 in the US and internationally on April 7, 2009...
" (Original) (2009) - "So GoodSo Good (Electrik Red song)"So Good" is the lead single for the debut album How to Be a Lady: Volume 1 by Urban girl group Electrik Red. The single was released on February 3, 2009 in the US and internationally on April 7, 2009...
" (Remix) (featuring Lil WayneLil WayneDwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
) (2009)
The "So Good" remix video peaked at #6 on BET's 106 & Park.
Unreleased Tracks
- "Electric City"
- "On You" (Put It On Me)
- "Rush Into It"
- "Friend Zone"
- "Eye On You"
- "Blind"
- "Glamour Girl" (Produced By: Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins)
- "Top Rankin"
- "Imma Cheat" (Christina Milian Demo)
- "Touch Me"
- "Africa (Put Your Money On It)"