Oaktown's 3.5.7 were a female rap group formed by MC Hammer

MC Hammer

Stanley Kirk Burrell , better known by his stage name MC Hammer , is an American rapper, entertainer, business entrepreneur, dancer and actor. He had his greatest commercial success and popularity from the late 1980s until the mid-1990s...

 in 1989. They enjoyed minor success in the late 80s and early 90s. They were seen as a large surprise to the general audience

Audience

An audience is a group of people who participate in a show or encounter a work of art, literature , theatre, music or academics in any medium...

, since they were all ex-dancers.

Members

The core members of the group were Phyllis Charles (Lil' P), Tabatha King (Terrible T) and Djuana J. Johnican (Sweet L.D.). They began their career in the music and entertainment industry as background dancers in "Hammer's posse", featuring in his music video

Music video

A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...

 for "U Can't Touch This

U Can't Touch This

"U Can't Touch This" is MC Hammer's 1990 super hit signature song, from his album Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em. The album sold more than 10 million copies, due primarily to this single, and gaining multi-platinum certifications from the RIAA, and other Recording Industries.Rick James sued Hammer...

".

Their performances as dancers and their creative side as lyricists drew Hammer's interest, around the time when he was searching for a female singing group to create. After hearing Lil' P rapping on the microphone, rehearsing for a dancing show, Hammer decided to present the idea to all the ladies about becoming vocal performers. Shortly after this suggestion, Oaktown's 3.5.7 was formed.

Etymology

The name Oaktown is a nickname for Oakland, California

Oakland, California

Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...

 and .357 Magnum

.357 Magnum

The .357 S&W Magnum , or simply .357 Magnum, is a revolver cartridge created by Elmer Keith, Phillip B. Sharpe, Colonel D. B. Wesson of firearms manufacturer Smith & Wesson, and Winchester. It is based upon Smith & Wesson's earlier .38 Special cartridge. The .357 Magnum cartridge was introduced in...

 was chosen to represent their powerful dance moves.

Late 1980s

Oaktown's 3.5.7 Wild and Loose was their first album, released in 1989. Soon after the release of the first album, Phyllis Charles left the group. Sweet L.D. and Terrible T stayed and continued to show and prove they were more capable of being women hip-hop artists in a male dominated industry.

Early 1990s

Oaktown's 357's second release in 1991, Fully Loaded included more material written and co-written by Djuana J. Johnican, Tabatha King and Treasure Williams.

Later Work

Terrible T and Sweet L.D., along with M.C. Hammer were members of the West Coast Rap All-Stars

West Coast Rap All-Stars

"We're All in the Same Gang" is a 1990 single by the West Coast Rap All-Stars, a collaboration of West Coast hip-hop artists that assembled for this song that promoted an anti-violence message.Produced by Dr. Dre, the song featured rapped verses from:...

 who sang on the Grammy-nominated single "We're All in the Same Gang."

Disbandment

Due to internal conflict between the management

Management

Management in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...

 and record company representing Oaktown's 3.5.7, this group was unable to receive the consistent support they needed to be a successful act and they split up in 1992.