Brownstone (group)

Brownstone is an American female contemporary R&B group that was popular during the mid-1990s. They are best known for their 1994 hit single "If You Love Me", which was nominated for a Best R&B Performance Grammy Award. "Grapevyne", "5 Miles to Empty" and "Pass the Lovin'" also brought them some success, as well as their rendition of "I Can't Tell You Why", a song originally recorded by The Eagles. In 2019, it was announced that Brownstone are to reunite with the two remaining original members for the 25th anniversary of the Essence Festival in July as well the 25th anniversary of the group.[1]

Brownstone
Also known asThe Brownstone Experience
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
GenresR&B
Years active1994–1998; 2014-2015, 2019-present
LabelsMJJ Music/Epic (1994–1997)
Associated actsMichael Jackson
Craig Mack
Quo
MembersNicci Gilbert Daniels
Teisha J. Lott
Arin Jackson
Past membersMonica "Mimi" Doby Davis
Charmayne "Maxee" Maxwell (deceased)
Kina Cosper
Racquel Roberts
Kymberli Wright

Career

The three original members of Brownstone were Monica "Mimi" Doby, Charmayne Maxena "Maxee" Maxwell and Nichole "Nicci" Gilbert.[2] Founded in Los Angeles, the singers met each other after attending various auditions around the city. They formed the group and were signed to Michael Jackson's MJJ Music record label less than a year later. The group soon recorded its debut album From the Bottom Up, which spawned the hit single "If You Love Me".[3] In 1995, the group earned a Grammy Award nomination and a Billboard Music Award. After extensive touring around the globe, Doby left the group for health reasons; in an interview with BET Video Soul host Donnie Simpson, the problem was cited as bronchitis. The cause of her split from the group was later said (in radio interviews) to be internal strife with the other two members. She was replaced by Kina Cosper of Detroit; other members over the years includes Kymberli Wright of Detroit, Racquel Roberts of Los Angeles and current member Teisha Brown of Detroit.

After a difficult transition period, Brownstone released the song "5 Miles to Empty" from their sophomore album Still Climbing.[3] In 1998, Brownstone was featured on the soundtrack for the film The Players Club with the song "Don't Play Me Wrong".[4]

Charmayne Maxena "Maxee" Maxwell died on February 27, 2015 at age 46 following what has been reported publicly as an accidental fall.[5][6]

Discography

Studio albums
Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
US
[7]		 US
R&B
[7]		 AUS
[8]		 CAN
[9]		 GER
[10]		 NLD
[11]		 NZ
[12]		 UK
[13]
1995 From the Bottom Up
  • Released: January 10, 1995
  • Label: MJJ Music
  • Formats: CD, cassette, LP
 29 4 17 40 91 14 25 18
1997 Still Climbing
  • Released: June 24, 1997
  • Label: MJJ Music
  • Formats: CD, cassette, LP
 51 16 — — — 73 — 19
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilation albums
  • All for Love (2000, Sony Music)
  • Super Hits (2009, Sony Music)

Singles
Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[7]		 US
R&B
[7]		 US
Dan
[7]		 US
A/C
[7]		 AUS
[8]		 CAN
[9]		 IRE
[16]		 NLD
[11]		 NZ
[12]		 UK
[13]
1994 "Pass the Lovin'" — 58 42 — — — — — 22 — From the Bottom Up
"If You Love Me" 8 2 — 38 13 69 15 16 1 8
1995 "Grapevyne" 49 6 — — 44 — — — 15 16
"I Can't Tell You Why" 54 22 — — 57 — — — 6 27
1997 "5 Miles to Empty" 39 6 38 — — — — — 5 12 Still Climbing
"Kiss and Tell" 102 41 — — — — — — 47 21
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
Year Title Artist Peak positions Album
US US
R&B
1995 "Freedom (Theme from Panther)" Various Artists 45 18 Panther

Awards and nominations
YearAward
1995Billboard Music Award for Top Hot R&B Singles Airplay for "If You Love Me"
1995Billboard Music Award nomination for Top Hot R&B Singles Artist – Duos/Group
1995Billboard Music Award nomination for Top Hot R&B Singles Artist
1995Billboard Music Award nomination for Top New R&B Artist
1995Billboard Music Award nomination for Top R&B Artist – Duos/Group
1995Billboard Music Award nomination for Top Hot R&B Singles & Tracks for "If You Love Me"
1995Grammy Award nomination for Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance – Duo or Group ("If You Love Me")[19]
1995Lady of Soul Music Award nomination for Best R&B/Soul Song of the Year for "If You Love Me"[20]

References
  1. "Nicci Gilbert on Instagram: "#EssenceFestival Here We Come to SANG OUR FACES OFF!!! @brownstoneofficial @teishajbl @monidee08 Thank You #MUA @queendeenmua #HAIR…"". Instagram.com. Retrieved 2019-12-02.
  2. "Brownstone | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-11-14.
  3. Colin Larkin, ed. (2000). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 68. ISBN 0-7535-0427-8.
  4. "The Players Club". IMDb.com. 1998-04-08. Retrieved 2016-11-14.
  5. "Sängerin der 90er Jahre-Band Brownstone stirbt nach mysteriösem Sturz". T-online.de (in German). Mar 2, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  6. Bobb, Maurice (Mar 1, 2015). "Charmayne Maxwell, Member Of '90s Group Brownstone, Died In Mysterious Fall". MTV News. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  7. "US Charts > Brownstone". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  8. Australian (ARIA) chart peaks:
  9. "CAN Charts > Brownstone". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-09-26. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
  10. "GER Charts > Brownstone". Media Control Charts. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
  11. "NLD Charts > Brownstone". MegaCharts. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
  12. "NZ Charts > Brownstone". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
  13. "Official Charts > Brownstone". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
  14. "American certifications – Brownstone". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  15. "Brownstone: From the Bottom Up". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  16. "IRE Charts Search > Brownstone". Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on 2006-06-30. Retrieved 2016-11-13.
  17. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  18. "Brownstone: If You Love Me". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  19. "Awards". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2019-12-02.
  20. Billboard – Google Boeken. Books.google.com. Retrieved on 2012-05-04.
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