Hi-Five

Hi-Five is an American R&B quintet based in Waco, Texas. Hi-Five had a #1 hit on Billboard's Hot 100 in the early 1990s with "I like the Way (The Kissing Game)", also debut RIAA platinum gold self-title albums Hi-Five; their second 1992 studio album Keep it Goin On, however not as successful also reached platinum status. The band was formed in 1989; their New York management (Vincent “Vinnie” Bell and Robert Ford/ DRI) signed them to Jive Records, a subsidiary of RCA Records. The quintet music group consisted of the Waco, Texas and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma founding original members Tony Thompson, Torino Easley, Roderick "Pooh" Clark, Russell Neal, and Marcus Sanders. Around same time as the release of September 1990, Hi-Five debut studio album on Jive/RCA, an untimely event with member Easley and abruptly left the group; due to his departure an urgent and speedy search to find a teenager with similar vocal tone and range as Easley; also compliment the lead singer Thompson’s unique singing falsetto vocals as recorded; plus to meet Jive Records schedule release deadline for sale distribution; management found Bronx, New York native Trenton Irby, while walking from his high school, a back seat vehicle audition took place (Unsung 2014) and selected as Easley's replacement in "High V" quintet “Hi V” group, marketed as Hi-Five, the shield logo was used only with marketing of the first self-title album.

Following the highly successful self-title Hi-Five debut album, the two original managers (Bell and Ford) would be let go and a very young road manager would eventually take over. Toward the end of 1992 Neal left the group and was replaced by Oklahoma City native Terrence Murphy, in early 1993; by the last quarter of 1993 another replacement made by Waco, Texas native Shannon Gill, due to their (Thompson, Sanders, Irby, Clark) second album "Keep It Goin On" promotion in Miami, Florida, August 1992, an horrific auto crash and Clark's permanent injury, he would leave the group; they would carryon as a quartet of four until Gills arrival in late 1993; upon release of their third studio album "Faithful" October 1993, would they perform as a quintet of five members again; "Faithful" album considered a good album by music critics, but was not near as successful in sales, said to have not enough promotion for the reason, Hi-Five was poised to leave their longtime label Jive/RCA for Giant Records/Warner; the members wanted to have more creative power; as reported(Kinlock) is also Neal want to share more lead singing roles as Thompson; executives and producers were against. By year 1994, the original Hi-Five lineup changes with departure of Russell Neil and Roderick “Pooh” Clark made departures and replacement members Gill and Murphy were part of the final line-up by late 1993. This line-up did a music collaboration and video with Sacramento, California girl group Nuttin' Nyce, "What Can I Say to You (To Justify My Love)" was released as a single June 1994 and appeared on the Hi-Five Greatest Hits album, on the Jive label. Followed by a Hi-Five Greatest Hits final album on Jive/RCA, released October 11, 1994; it would include all the hits and favorites from 1990 to 1994, along with two new singles never release "That was then, and This is Now" and "What are you Doing Tonight" Also, a departure from their long time recording label Jive Records to the fairly new formed Giant Records; very shortly afterward the Waco, Texas/Oklahoma formed music group by end of 1994 was disband. Afterward, Hi-Five, founding member and their lead vocalist Tony Thompson went solo for 1995 on Giant Records recording label(Warner Music Group) with offices in the U.S. and in Sweden; in 1996 Thompson became a part of Sean "Puffy Combs" Bad Records Entertainment, he was part of the Bad Boy Family (R&B) for three years. By the early part of 2000 and back in his home state of Texas, Thompson started his own record label N-Depth Entertainment; performing solo and with other up-coming artist, and would reform the successful '90 group Hi-Five he sang as lead vocalist and background vocals on all Jive Records recording that turned into mega hit-classics, which are part of many motion of iconic motion picture soundtracks, such as Boyz N the Hood ’91 (Too Young) with Prodigy; Menace II Society ’93 (Unconditional Love); Beverly Hills 90210, The College Years ‘94 (What Your Love Means to Me); Low Down Dirty Shame ‘94 (Birthday Girl); Sister Act 2, Back in the Habit ’93 (Never Should Have Let You Go).

By 2005 it had been 11-years since the 90's Hi-Five last performance and appearance after being classified as disband (1994) far as the music industry. By early part of the 2000, Tony Thompson, as a business venture reach out to reunite the 1990's Hi-Five members, however his effort was unsuccessful in getting everyone on board due to disagreement with the financials; three new members were added, an early replacement member (Murphy 93-94) with Thompson sharing the spotlight equally; his reformation of 90’s Hi-Five quintet was a vocal singing group, everyone singing talent equally utilized. Their first effort was a “special limited edition” Christmas album and released November 2004, titled “Five Days to Christmas”. They would release in October 2005, a Hi-Five "The Return" album on label N-Depth Entertainment, a recording label Thompson started after leaving Bad Boy Records in early 2000’s; along with a business partner Thompson, are the executive producers; according to the media news release for “The Return” this was a ​2 ¹⁄₂-year project; several notable rap-artist collaborated, many of the industry artist came to Thompson aid and the album completion. Unfortunately, shortly following “The Return” CD’s release into sale distribution to music outlets, early November 2005, with major promotions already underway and tour schedule, while appearing on “The Wendy Williams Experience” national syndicated radio show, an attorney sent a cease and desist letter on behalf of two former members of 90’s Hi-Five, alleging ownership of the “Hi-Five” name; days later, along with a third former member (Neal, Irby, Sanders) would file a law suit against Thompson and his record label, the other four members, and several distribution companies; alleging ownership rights of the "Hi-Five" name and a demand for one-million dollar ($1,000,000.00); the law suit derailed all distribution sale of the newly released “The Return” effort, brought to full-stop, as frivolous litigation began; lasting years, when Court dismissed August 2009, long after original-founding member Tony Thompson death in June 2007.

By summer 2011–2012, there was another resurgence of Hi-Five; this reform group would have many brief line-up replacement members prior to August 2014 TV One Hi-Five Unsung documentary, TV airing; put together by two of same former 90's group members who brought the 2005 litigation against Thompson et.al, filed in state of New York, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging illegal use of name "Hi-Five" and its ownership as intellectual property, in accordance with state and federal laws; case ultimately dismissed; failure to prove the name "Hi-Five" is a famous trademark name etc. The popular 1990 Hi-Five, with lead vocalist made classic music that transcend generations and last; fans from their teenage years still listen to the music; it's heard around the world and enjoyed; played at social events and radio airways; social media outlets; the first platinum gold number-one single hit "I Like the Way, the Kissing Game" is still high celebrated and fun dance music, often performed by other acclaimed music artist who started as teen fans and now. The 1990-1994 Oklahoma City and Waco, Texas based quintet "Hi-Five" who started out as all American, high school teenagers, who quickly found stardom, that ended suddenly made their mark in the world, which is their remarkable legacy now. Music trends change and fans age demographics shift; far as good business, their new recording label Giant Records, decided Thompson was the only one from the Hi-Five quintet marketable; he would go on to record his debut studio album “Sexsational” in June 1995. According to the Hi-Five, TV One Unsung, their manager (Kinlock) said Giant Record, promised to record both, a Thompson album first, then a Hi-Five album, but they never recorded a Hi-Five album “their ride was over”. Hi-Five formed in Waco, Texas in 1989, the initial registered “High V” trademark expired in 1997; the quintet group Hi-Five was disband 1994.