Electrik Red is an American
Electro-
R&B/
pop girl group
A girl group is a music act featuring several female singers who generally harmonize together. The term "girl group" is also used in a narrower sense in the United States to denote the wave of American female pop music singing groups, many of who ...
, 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
Def Jam Recordings (also simply known as Def Jam) is an American multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It is based in Manhattan, New York City, specializing predominantly in hip hop, contemporary R&B, soul and pop.
The ...
in 2008. Their music is mainly written and produced by songwriter
The-Dream
Terius Youngdell Nash (born September 20, 1977), better known by his stage name The-Dream, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. His co-writing credits include songs with "Me Against the Music" (2003) for Britney Spears, "Ride ...
and his production partner
Tricky Stewart
Christopher Alan "Tricky" Stewart (born January 4, 1974) is an American record producer, record executive, songwriter, and music publisher. In a career spanning over 30 years, Stewart has won 5 Grammys and is responsible for over 50 million rec ...
.
Music career
Electrik Red is made up of two pairs of childhood friends, Reevey and Lewis from New York City and Allen and Rosete from Toronto. While working as back-up dancers for
Usher 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
Rodney Roy Jerkins (born July 29, 1977), also known by his stage name Darkchild, is an American record producer, rapper, and songwriter. He has collaborated with a broad range of popular artists.
Jerkins has won multiple Grammy Awards. Among hi ...
.
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 (; born March 27, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. Referred to as the " Songbird Supreme", she is noted for her five-octave vocal range, melismatic singing style and signature use of the whi ...
,
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreog ...
,
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam (; born April 16, 1973), known mononymously as Akon, is a Senegalese-American singer, record producer, and entrepreneur. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of " Locked Up" (featuring Styles P) ...
,
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges (born September 11, 1977), known professionally as Ludacris (, homophonous with 'ludicrous' in American English), is an American rapper, actor, record producer and record executive.
Born in Champaign, Illinois, Ludac ...
,
Chris Brown
Christopher Maurice Brown (born May 5, 1989) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. According to '' Billboard'', Brown is one of the most successful R&B singers of his generation, having often been referred to by many contempo ...
and in the film ''
Dreamgirls
''Dreamgirls'' is a Broadway musical, with music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen. Based on the show business aspirations and successes of R&B acts such as The Supremes, The Shirelles, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, and others,G ...
''. After individually performing as dancers and models, they appeared together in
Ciara
Ciara Princess Wilson ( ; Harris; born October 25, 1985) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, model and entrepreneur. She released her debut studio album, '' Goodies'' in 2004, which spawned four singles: " Goodies" (featuring Petey Pa ...
's video for "
Like a Boy
"Like a Boy" is a song performed by American singer Ciara for her second album '' Ciara: The Evolution'' (2006). Written by Ciara, Candice Nelson, Balewa Muhammad, J. Que, Ezekiel Lewis, and Calvin Kenon, it is the third release in the U.S. and s ...
".
In late 2007, Allen and Rosete were cast in the video for
The-Dream
Terius Youngdell Nash (born September 20, 1977), better known by his stage name The-Dream, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. His co-writing credits include songs with "Me Against the Music" (2003) for Britney Spears, "Ride ...
's single "
Shawty Is a 10
"Shawty Is a 10" (also known uncensored as "Shawty Is Da Shit") is the debut single from American singer, songwriter and record producer The-Dream's debut studio album, '' Love/Hate''. The track is written and produced by The-Dream alongside longt ...
".
Shakir Stewart
Shakir Stewart (April 12, 1974 – November 1, 2008), a native of Oakland, California, was a US record executive in a number of companies, the latest being Def Jam. At the time of his death he was the Senior Vice President of Island Def Jam Mu ...
, then the Executive Vice President of
Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings (also simply known as Def Jam) is an American multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It is based in Manhattan, New York City, specializing predominantly in hip hop, contemporary R&B, soul and pop.
The ...
, 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
Christopher Alan "Tricky" Stewart (born January 4, 1974) is an American record producer, record executive, songwriter, and music publisher. In a career spanning over 30 years, Stewart has won 5 Grammys and is responsible for over 50 million rec ...
, 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
Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. (born September 27, 1982), known professionally as Lil Wayne, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive. His career began in 1995, at the age of 12, when he was signed by rapper Birdman (rapper), ...
. Music videos were filmed for "Drink in My Cup" and "Friend Lover," with both directed by
Marc Klasfeld
Marc Klasfeld is an American music video director. He has directed over two hundred music videos for artists such as Slipknot, Sum 41, Katy Perry, Jay-Z, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Britney Spears, Kid Rock, Michael Bublé, Nelly, Foo Fighters, Kelly ...
. Another video was shot with Lil Wayne for the "So Good" remix.
2010–present
Electrik Red began recording a second album in early 2010, though that album has not yet appeared. The group premiered a new track at the E World Awards in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 27, 2010, titled "I'm That Chick". On February 3, 2010, a two-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 January 22, 2011, Electrik Red announced an upcoming European tour via Twitter. On Valentine's Day February 14, 2011, Lewis premiered a one-minute teaser sample "Bra's and Panties" via YouTube.
Later, Lewis confirmed the label would not allow them to release "Bra & Panties".
The group then released "Africa (Put Cha Money On It)" which received positive reviews from fans.
Naomi Allen were featured on the single "Take Me" by producer Kingdom on July 26, 2011. Near the end of 2011 Electrik Red remade the song "That's My Bitch" by rappers
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and founder of Manhattan-based conglomerate talent and entertainment agency Roc Nation. He is regarded as one of ...
&
Kanye West
Ye ( ; born Kanye Omari West ; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer.
Born in Atlanta and raised in Chicago, West gained recognition as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records in the ea ...
.
Discography
Albums
*''
How to Be a Lady: Volume 1'' (2009)
Singles
*"Drink in My Cup"
*"
So Good"/(Remix featuring Lil' Wayne)
Videos
*"Electric City"/"Top Rankin'" (2006)
*"Drink In My Cup" (2008)
*"Friend Lover" (2009)
*"
So Good" (Original) (2009)
*"
So Good" (Remix)
(featuring Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. (born September 27, 1982), known professionally as Lil Wayne, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive. His career began in 1995, at the age of 12, when he was signed by rapper Birdman (rapper), ...
) (2009)
The "So Good" remix video peaked at No. 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)"
*"I'm That Chick"
*"That's My Bitch(Remix)"
*"Black Chix" (Rucka Rucka Ali ft Electrik Red)
Film
*''
Alvin and the Chipmunks
Alvin and the Chipmunks, originally David Seville and the Chipmunks or simply The Chipmunks, are an American animated virtual band and media franchise first created by Ross Bagdasarian for novelty records in 1958. The group consists of three s ...
'' – Binkie – Dancer
*''
Delirious
Delirious may refer to:
* A state of delirium
Film and television
* Delirious (1991 film), ''Delirious'' (1991 film), an American comedy directed by Tom Mankiewicz, starring John Candy
* Delirious (2006 film), ''Delirious'' (2006 film), an Americ ...
'' – Binkie – Dancer No. 2
*''
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit''- Season 3, Episode 4 "Rooftop" – Binkie – Tanya
*''
Step Up 2 The Streets'' – Binkie – West Coast Rider
*''
Dreamgirls
''Dreamgirls'' is a Broadway musical, with music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen. Based on the show business aspirations and successes of R&B acts such as The Supremes, The Shirelles, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, and others,G ...
'' – Lesley – Stepp Sister
*''
Just Jordan
''Just Jordan'' is an American television sitcom that aired on Nickelodeon as a part of the network's TEENick lineup. The series debuted on January 7, 2007, and was canceled on August 23, 2008, with 29 episodes produced.
Since the series' cancel ...
'' – Lesley – Britney
*''
Viva Laughlin
''Viva Laughlin'' is an American musical dramedy television series adapted by Bob Lowry and Peter Bowker (creator of the original series) from the popular BBC British serial, ''Blackpool'', and taking its name from the latter program's sequel, ' ...
'' – Lesley – Casino Dancer
*''Cape Sin'' – Naomi – Friend
*''
From G's to Gents
''From G's to Gents'' is an American reality television series aired on MTV, which features misdirected young men willing to change their lives and become gentlemen. The show is hosted by Fonzworth Bentley
Derek Watkins (born February 13 ...
'' – Naomi – Writer/Producer
*''
Honey
Honey is a sweet and viscous substance made by several bees, the best-known of which are honey bees. Honey is made and stored to nourish bee colonies. Bees produce honey by gathering and then refining the sugary secretions of plants (primar ...
'' – Naomi – Miscellaneous Crew
*''
The Comebacks
''The Comebacks'' is a 2007 American satirical comedy film directed by Tom Brady. This film is a parody of the clichés and plots of the sports film genre. In the UK, Greece, Finland, Australia and New Zealand this film is called ''Sports Movie''. ...
'' – Sarah – Fantasy Dancer
References
{{Authority control
American girl groups
Def Jam Recordings artists
Musical groups established in 2005