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A new century calls for a new kind of girl group: one that combines
the charm and character of the classic female trios of the late
20th century (from the Supremes to TLC) with the confidence and
individuality required for the 21st . Adrienne, Kiely, and Naturi-collectively
known as 3LW (3 Little Women)-are that kind of group for
the new millennium.
Their music
is a distinctive blend of pop, r&b and hiphop, right on time and
totally in tune with contemporary trends. Their vocal harmonies
sparkle, and their rhymes flow with wit and eloquence. Their backgrounds
reflect the growing diversity of their country as it enters the
new century.
This is the
new teen female trio called 3LW. Their Epic debut album, due out
in Fall 2000, features slammin' production by Full Force (N'Sync,
Backstreet Boys), Tony Nicholas (Gerald Levert, Subway), John John
(Jon. B), Joe P. (Mya), Co-Stars (Sisqo of Dru Hill, Miss Elliott)
and Sean Hall (Escape, 98 Degrees, Aaron Hall) among others.
One of four
sisters, Kiely Alexis Williams a/ka/ Keylay Keylay (Cancer,
born July 9, 1986) was born in Alexandria, Virginia but moved to
northern New Jersey just a few months later. She was just five years
old when she got her first taste of show business, acting in a network
TV pilot produced by Robert DeNiro and starring Lawrence Fishburne.
It came as no surprise to Kiely's parents when she first expressed
an interest in singing.
From her earliest
years, Kiely remembers hearing music in her home. "My mom managed
recording artists and had a recording studio in our home. I remember
whenever there was a session going on, I would sneak a peek, listening
and learning."
Surprisingly
for one her age, Kiely cites Fleetwood Mac and the Steve Miller
Band as two of her all-time favorite artists. "I always listened
to the music my sister played, and that's how I got into them. Groups
like TLC have mad energy and showmanship. They are more like role
models and an inspiration to me. They gave me the idea that if they
could do it, I could do it too."
Naturi Cora
Maria Naughton (Taurus, born May 20, 1984) was born and raised
in East Orange, New Jersey. Naturi vividly remembers one special
day when she was just five years old.
"I had joined
the choir of my Baptist church, and the choir director was leading
a song and asked who wanted to sing it. I just grabbed the mic and
started singing-I was so excited! And everyone was astonished, like
'Oh my God, I can't believe how this little girl can sing!'"
Fellow New
Jersey native Whitney Houston is Naturi's favorite singer, followed
closely by Mariah Carey and the late Selena. The making of her debut
album, says Naturi, "has been a learning experience. When I first
went into the studio, I was a little scared--I didn't know what
was going to happen. But when I got into the booth and started singing,
I felt so relieved. I was doing something I love to do!"
Adrienne
Eliza Bailon (Scorpio born October 24, 1983) is of Puerto Rican
and Ecuadorian de-scent. "Growing up, I heard a lot of music," Adrienne
explains. "I listened to lots of Celia Cruz and La Lupe. I also
love the music of Selena, Marc Anthony, and La India." Adrienne
say sher mother, stepfather and sister encouraged her to pursue
her dream of a career in music: "When family and friends came over,
my sister and I would sing for everybody. With 3LW, I'm fulfilling
my dream."
In 1999, Adrienne
was singing with her church choir at New York's Madison Square Garden
when Latin-pop superstar Ricky Martin walked through the venue.
"He was checking out the building before his concert," she recalls,
"and he asked that our choir sing background for his concert. I
was the smallest one in the choir, but my voice rang out loud and
clear! Now that was a moment to remember, singing with Ricky Martin
at Madison Square Garden."
On the forthcoming
3LW album, "No More" and "Crush On You" are two of Adrienne's personal
favorites. She's particularly taken with the production effects
of the latter track.
"The sound of
this track is very futuristic," she says, "and that reflects our
image as a group. 3LW are street-savvy, intelligent, into new technology-the
teenage girls of the new millennium."
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