Jazzyfatnastees
Encyclopedia
Jazzyfatnastees is a vocal duo, Tracey Moore (born 1970) and Mercedes Martinez (born 1969). Originally, a vocal quartet, they landed a deal with Tommy Boy in 1993. In 1995, their association with Tommy Boy ended, two members left the group, and the current duo moved to Philadelphia.
Having opened for The Roots
in the past, the Jazzyfatnastees were signed to Motive Records, The Roots' imprint at MCA
. The duo also provided vocals for OutKast
's 1996 single Jazzy Belle
during this time.
In 1999, the group released their debut album, The Once and Future. The duo wrote and co-produced the album in conjunction with members of The Roots. Helping to feed the neo-soul movement, the girls started Black Lily, "A Women in Music Series." The series acts as a showcase for neo-soul artists including Alicia Keys
, Jill Scott
, and Bilal
.
In addition to recording their own album
s, they have toured with and sung background vocals for The Roots (Illadelph Halflife
, Things Fall Apart
; Martinez appeared on Game Theory
).
The Tortoise and The Hare, the group's second album, was released in September 2002 through Coolhunter/Ryko. Their third album, The World Is Coming, has been released for limited downloading, but has not yet seen wide commercial release.
Having opened for The Roots
The Roots
The Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals...
in the past, the Jazzyfatnastees were signed to Motive Records, The Roots' imprint at MCA
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
. The duo also provided vocals for OutKast
OutKast
Outkast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group's name to OutKast...
's 1996 single Jazzy Belle
Jazzy Belle
"Jazzy Belle" is the third and last single from hip-hop group OutKast's second studio album, ATLiens. It was released as a remix single and it peaked at #52 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song is the only single from the album ATLiens to be produced by Organized Noize, the other two singles being...
during this time.
In 1999, the group released their debut album, The Once and Future. The duo wrote and co-produced the album in conjunction with members of The Roots. Helping to feed the neo-soul movement, the girls started Black Lily, "A Women in Music Series." The series acts as a showcase for neo-soul artists including Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Alicia Augello Cook , better known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She was raised by a single mother in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan in New York City. At age seven, Keys began playing the piano...
, Jill Scott
Jill Scott
Jill Scott is an American soul and R&B singer-songwriter, poet, and actress. In 2007, Scott made her cinematic debut in the films Hounddog and in Tyler Perry's feature film, Why Did I Get Married? That year, her third studio album, The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3, was released on...
, and Bilal
Bilal (musician)
Bilal Sayeed Oliver , better known by his stage name Bilal, is an American neo soul/jazz singer-songwriter, musician and producer. He is also a core member of the loose collective, the Soulquarians. Bilal started out by singing in small clubs until he began classical training in jazz and big-band...
.
In addition to recording their own album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
s, they have toured with and sung background vocals for The Roots (Illadelph Halflife
Illadelph Halflife
The New York Times writer Neil Strauss called the album "one of the year's best rap offerings" and wrote that "The Roots move indiscriminately from politically conscious lyrics to silly rhymes "...
, Things Fall Apart
Things Fall Apart (album)
Things Fall Apart is the fourth studio album by American hip hop band The Roots, released February 23, 1999 on Geffen Records. Recording sessions for the album took place at Electric Lady Studios during 1997 to 1999, coinciding with recording for other projects of the Soulquarians collective,...
; Martinez appeared on Game Theory
Game Theory (album)
Game Theory is the seventh studio album by American hip hop band The Roots, released August 29, 2006, on Def Jam Recordings. The group's first release for the label after leaving Geffen Records, the album was recorded by the Roots mostly using the Apple-developed software application GarageBand...
).
The Tortoise and The Hare, the group's second album, was released in September 2002 through Coolhunter/Ryko. Their third album, The World Is Coming, has been released for limited downloading, but has not yet seen wide commercial release.
Albums
- The Once and Future (1999)
- The Tortoise & the Hare (2002)
- The World Is Coming (limited download)
- The World Is Coming (TBA)