3LW

Last updated

3LW
Also known as3 Little Women
Origin Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1999–2007
Labels
Past members

3LW (initialism of "3Lil Women") was an American girl group formed in 1999 by Adrienne Bailon, Kiely Williams, and Naturi Naughton. Jessica Benson later replaced Naughton after she left the group in 2002. 3LW was signed to the label Epic Records, and later moved to So So Def. [3] They are best known for their singles "No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)", "Playas Gon' Play" and "I Do (Wanna Get Close to You)".

Contents

History

1998–2001: 3LW

In 1999, the group 3LW was formed by sisters Michelle and Tse Williams. Michelle's daughter and Tse's younger sister/niece Kiely Williams was the first member into the lineup and the group would soon be rounded out by Adrienne Bailon and Naturi Naughton, with both Michelle and Tse as head of the group's management. [4] Their debut single, "No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)", was released in the fall of 2000. "No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)" was a chart success, and was followed by "Playas Gon' Play" in early 2001. The group's self-titled debut album, 3LW was released on December 5, 2000. The album went on to be certified platinum by the RIAA, selling 1.3 million copies in the US. [5] In the summer of 2001, the group embarked on the MTV Total Request Live Tour along with Destiny's Child, Dream, Nelly, Eve, and Jessica Simpson.

In 2001, 3LW recorded "What More Can I Give" as part of a supergroup of various artists including Michael Jackson, Reba McEntire, Usher, Beyoncé, Luther Vandross, Céline Dion, and Mariah Carey in response to the September 11 attacks. In late 2001 they collaborated with Lil' Romeo and Nick Cannon for a cover of "Parents Just Don't Understand" on the Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius soundtrack.

2002–2003: A Girl Can Mack and Naughton's departure

3LW spent the first half of 2002 in the studio, recording an album tentatively titled Same Game, Different Rules. The album and its intended lead single "Uh Oh" were presented to the label, who felt it did not have enough urban radio appeal. The tracks from Same Game, Different Rules were leaked to the Internet in MP3 format, and Epic considered dropping the girls. A fan support campaign for 3LW named 'Never Let Go Of 3LW' (after their song "Never Let Go") gained traction, and the act was retained.[ citation needed ]

Recording a new set of tracks, the group returned in the summer of 2002 with the P. Diddy–produced single "I Do (Wanna Get Close To You)", featuring Loon. That same summer, the group performed a concert special on Nickelodeon titled Live on Sunset. By August, the group was set to release its newest LP, A Girl Can Mack , when member Naughton left the group. [6] In an interview on Wendy Williams' radio show, Naughton alleged that she had a number of conflicts with Bailon, Williams, and their management, which led to an August 2002 altercation involving a plate of food from KFC. [7] [8] Naughton later claimed that she was forced out of the group. [9]

Williams and Bailon continued as a duo while using the "3LW" name, causing the press to jokingly refer to them as "2LW". [6] The departure of Naughton greatly affected the group's popularity and album sales. According to a cover story for the October 2002 issue of Sister 2 Sister magazine, Williams and Bailon said they received death threats. A Girl Can Mack's release date was pushed back a month and debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 with 53,000 copies sold in the first week. [10] After the second single released from the album, "Neva Get Enuf", underperformed, the group released a Christmas-themed LP Naughty or Nice , which failed to appear on any major Billboard charts. [11] After nationwide auditions for a new third member, fifteen year old Jessica 'J' Benson was selected as the third member and made her first public appearance with the group in March 2003. [12]

2003–2007: Canceled album and breakup

In the midst of 3LW's public drama, Bailon and Williams signed on to star in the Disney Channel Original Movie, The Cheetah Girls in 2003, alongside Raven-Symoné and Sabrina Bryan. [13] Due to the success of the film, Disney decided to turn the project into a real girl group. [14] As the Cheetah Girls project grew, with albums released and world tours, 3LW was on hiatus. [15] The progress on 3LW's third studio album, titled Point of No Return, became a background for Bailon and Williams and was delayed several times. [16] [17] [18] [19] Only on August 15, 2006, after four years, the group released their new single, "Feelin' You". Despite this, Point of No Return was shelved and Bailon and Williams continued working on The Cheetah Girls. On January 7, 2008, Bailon confirmed in an interview with BlogTalkRadio that 3LW officially disbanded in 2007. [20]

In 2022, three previously unreleased songs recorded in 2003-2004 – Trouble", "After This" and "How U Gonna Act" – were released on iTunes. [21] [22]

Past members

Discography

Studio albums

Awards and nominations

YearAward
2001 Soul Train Lady of Soul Award Win for "Best New R&B or Hip-Hop Artist"
Soul Train Lady of Soul Award Win for "Album of the Year"
BET Award Nominated for "Best Female Group"
2002 BET Award Nominated for "Best Group"
2003 Source Award Nominated for "Best Female R&B act"
2003 BET Award

"Nominated for "Best Group"

2003 Soul Train Music Award Nominated for "Best Group, Band or Duo R&B/Soul Single"

Related Research Articles

<i>The Cheetah Girls</i> (film) American TV series or program

The Cheetah Girls is a 2003 American musical television film based on the book series of the same name by Deborah Gregory. This film marks the first Disney Channel Original Movie as a musical.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adrienne Bailon-Houghton</span> American singer, actress, and television personality

Adrienne Eliza Bailon-Houghton ; born October 24, 1983) is an American television personality, singer, and actress. She is a former member of the girl groups 3LW and The Cheetah Girls. From 2013 to 2022, Bailon was a co-host of the daytime talk show The Real; for which she has since won a Daytime Emmy Award. From 2022 to 2023, Bailon-Houghton was a co-anchor of the entertainment news show, E! News.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiely Williams</span> American singer

Kiely Alexis Williams is an American singer, dancer and actress. She is known for her membership in the girl groups 3LW, the Cheetah Girls and BluPrint.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naturi Naughton</span> American actress and singer

Naturi Cora Maria Naughton-Lewis is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Naughton is best known as one-third of the R&B group 3LW and for her acting roles in the films Fame and Notorious, playing rapper Lil' Kim in the latter film. Naughton was a series regular on the NBC series The Playboy Club as Bunny Brenda, starred in the first season of the Lifetime drama series The Client List as Kendra and starred in the Starz drama Power as Tasha St. Patrick, a role she reprised in the spin-off series Power Book II: Ghost. In 2022, she starred as Jill “Da Thrill” in the ABC series Queens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sabrina Bryan</span> American actress, dancer and singer-songwriter

Reba Sabrina Hinojos, known professionally as Sabrina Bryan, is an American actress, singer, songwriter, dancer, choreographer, fashion designer and television personality. She was best known as a member of the girl group The Cheetah Girls, and starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie of the same name and its sequels, The Cheetah Girls 2 and The Cheetah Girls: One World. Before she appeared on television, Bryan was a dancer, and trained at Hart Academy of Dance, located in La Habra, California.

<i>3LW</i> (album) 2000 studio album by 3LW

3LW is the debut studio album by American girl group 3LW. It was released through Epic Records on December 5, 2000. The album contains their debut single "No More " which peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, and their follow-up single "Playas Gon' Play". 3LW peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard 200 and was certified Platinum by Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). As of March 2003, the album has sold 1.3 million copies in the US.

<i>A Girl Can Mack</i> 2002 studio album by 3LW

A Girl Can Mack is the second studio album by American girl group 3LW. A follow-up to their self-titled debut album (2000), it was released by Epic Records on October 22, 2002. With A Girl Can Mack, the group attempted to shed their youthful image and craft a mature look. The album combines both ballads and upbeat songs, with several serving as a declaration of equality in romantic relationships. The album was considered at lot "racier" and sexier than their debut.

<i>Naughty or Nice</i> (album) 2002 studio album by 3LW

Naughty or Nice is a Christmas album, as well as the third and final studio album by American girl group 3LW, released in 2002. The album was recorded without Naturi Naughton who had recently left the group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)</span> 2000 single by 3LW

"No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)" is the debut single of American girl group 3LW from their self-titled debut album (2000). The single was released on August 22, 2000, in the United States reached number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was then issued in other countries in early 2001, peaking inside the top 10 in the United Kingdom and the top five in New Zealand. The song features lead vocals by Kiely Williams and Adrienne Bailon. There are two versions of the song, both with different rap verses by Kiely Williams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Playas Gon' Play</span> 2001 single by 3LW

"Playas Gon' Play" is the second and final single from American girl group 3LW's self-titled debut album (2000). The single was released in April 2001 and peaked at number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100. It performed moderately on the UK Singles Chart, where it peaked at number 21. In 2017, Billboard named the song number 89 on their list of "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time". The song featured lead vocals by Naturi Naughton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Do (Wanna Get Close to You)</span> 2002 single by 3LW featuring P. Diddy and Loon

"I Do (Wanna Get Close to You)" is the first single from 3LW's second album A Girl Can Mack and featured P. Diddy and Loon. The single peaked at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 during 2002. It achieved greater success in New Zealand, where it peaked at number 13 on the New Zealand Top 40. It is the last single to feature Naturi Naughton.

"Neva Get Enuf" is the second single released from 3LW's second album A Girl Can Mack and features Lil Wayne, it heavily samples Teddy Pendergrass's "Close the Door". The song is a trio but the video was released by the group as a duo, after the exit of group member Naturi Naughton and before the introduction of Jessica Benson in her place. Naughton's vocals are still present on the track.

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<i>Taina</i> (TV series) American television sitcom (2001–2002)

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nate Butler</span> Musical artist

Nate Butler is an American songwriter, music producer, vocal producer, and recording artist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He has been a part of 45 plus million records sold worldwide at last count. Butler has worked with multi-platinum artists such as A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Luther Vandross, Victoria Beckham aka Posh Spice, Houston, Craig David, Backstreet Boys, 3LW, Christina Milian, Stacie Orrico, JoJo, Aaron Carter, The Cheetah Girls and others. Butler launched the career of the platinum R&B group 3LW by writing their hit singles: No More and Playas Gon' Play. Two of the members of 3LW, Kiely Williams and Adrienne Bailon, went on to become members of the worldwide Disney sensation The Cheetah Girls. Butler also penned the notable chart topping R&B smash single "Afterparty" by Koffee Brown, also referred to as a R&B classic.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Cheetah Girls (group)</span> American girl group

The Cheetah Girls was an American girl group formed in 2003, consisting of Raven-Symoné, Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Kiely Williams and Sabrina Bryan.

References

  1. 1 2 Paoletta, Michael (December 16, 2000). "Reviews & Previews - Albums". Billboard . Vol. 112, no. 51. p. 26. Retrieved June 12, 2022. With its eponymous debut, the young ladies of 3LW (3 Little Women) are the latest pop-infused R&B act to join the youth-driven musical movement
  2. ↑ Carter, Brooke (March 13, 2017). "What Happened to 3LW 2018 – News & Updates". Gazette Review. Retrieved September 24, 2022. The all-girl hip hop trio, 3LW first made themselves known to the world with the release of their debut single, No More (Baby I'ma Do Right) in 2000.
  3. ↑ "3LW : 3LW Sign To So So Def, Ask 50 Cent To Get 'Gangsta' With Them – Rhapsody Music Downloads". VH1. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  4. ↑ Now A Duo, 3LW Is Still ‘Mackin’ Billboard
  5. ↑ "3LW Is A Trio Again". Billboard. March 4, 2003. Archived from the original on June 20, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  6. 1 2 Oh, Minya (August 21, 2002). "3LW Become 2LW – News Story". MTV News. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  7. ↑ "3LW: One Story, Two Sides". MTV. March 9, 2006. Archived from the original on September 28, 2009. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  8. ↑ "3LW: One Story, Two Sides". MTV. March 9, 2006. Archived from the original on April 19, 2009. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  9. ↑ "3LW : Naturi Describes Alleged 3LW Fist Fight That Led To Split". VH1. Archived from the original on April 19, 2009. Retrieved 2010-03-15.
  10. ↑ D'angelo, Joe (October 30, 2002). "Santana's Shaman Blessed; Foos At #3 On Albums Chart". MTV . Archived from the original on September 12, 2014. Retrieved June 13, 2008.
  11. ↑ Moss, Corey (September 30, 2002). "3LW Holiday Album Due; Members Land Film Roles". MTV News . Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  12. ↑ "3LW Become a Trio Again ... Finally". MTV .
  13. ↑ Moss, Corey (October 4, 2002). "Remaining 3LW Pair Too Busy To Hold Auditions For New Member". MTV News . Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  14. ↑ Dangelo, Joe (October 29, 2002). "3LW Don't Judge Others By Color Of Their Spots In 'Cheetah Girls'". MTV News . Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  15. ↑ Miller, Gerri (August 25, 2006). "CHEETAH GIRLS 2". Scholastic . Archived from the original on October 25, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  16. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (July 25, 2005). "Jermaine Dupri Boosting Grown-Up 3LW With Their Sexy Return". MTV News . Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  17. ↑ Moss, Corey (July 2, 2003). "3LW Celebrate New Beginning". MTV News . Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  18. ↑ "3LW". MTV. Archived from the original on March 15, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Platinum R&B Female Group 3LW Set to Release Their Third Anticipated Album Point of No Return August 15th!!". Sony. May 22, 2006.
  20. ↑ Carter, Brooke (March 13, 2017). "What Happened to 3LW 2018 – News & Updates". Gazette Review. Minneapolis, Minnesota. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Trouble - Single by 3LW on Apple Music". iTunes. February 14, 2022.
  22. ↑ "After This - Single by 3LW on Apple Music". iTunes. March 15, 2022.
  23. ↑ "GameSpot Video: NBA Street Movie 12". Gamespot.com. June 18, 2001. Archived from the original on April 10, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Taina - Blue Mascara - Part 1" . Retrieved December 26, 2022– via YouTube.
  25. ↑ "Taina - Blue Mascara - Part 2" . Retrieved December 26, 2022– via YouTube.
  26. ↑ "Taina - Blue Mascara - Part 3" . Retrieved December 26, 2022– via YouTube.
  27. ↑ "Disney's The Jersey - S02E19 "Speaking of Coleman"" . Retrieved December 26, 2022– via YouTube.
  28. ↑ "3LW - All That Skit 2002" . Retrieved December 26, 2022– via YouTube.
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