![]() ![]() The group broke up to focus on solo endeavors after releasing the commercially disappointing “Dru World Order.” The group, which has seven top-40 hits and has won various awards including the Soul Train Music Award for Best R & B/1Soul Album Group, Band or Duo in 1998, helped launch the career of many new artists including Mya whose first two singles were co-written by Sisqo. A dragon is used to symbolize the group.ĭru Hill’s self-titled debut album went platinum in 1996 and the group’s sophomore release, 1998’s “Enter the Dru” surpassed it and went double platinum. Once the group was signed to Island Records, it was suggested that its name be changed to Dru Hill to represent Druid Hill Park, which is located on Baltimore’s west side. The song had been recorded by former BlackStreet member Dave Hollister who was trying to make waves as a solo performer, but when the record company president heard Legacy Hollister’s vocals were dumped and Legacy was signed that night. In 1995 the president of Island Black Music saw the foursome at a talent show and were flown to the big apple to record the song “Tell Me” for the soundtrack for the movie, “Eddie,” starring Whoppi Goldberg. The group officially became known as a gospel group after a recording deal with Elektra Records went bust. The boys caught the attention of local talent manager Kevin Peck and performed during Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater. Their repertoire consisted mostly of gospel music at the time and the boys would sing while customers waited for their orders. Which went through various names-Storm and then Legacy. By 1994, Larry “Jazz” Anthony joined the group. ![]() Mark “Sisqo” Andrews and James “Woody Rock” Green met in middle school and became friends with Tamir “Nokio” Ruffin. The group stated out as four high school friends singing for customers at a fudge shop in Baltimore’s inner harbor. “I’ve listened to Dru Hill my whole adult life and my husband and I have built memories on them from our marriage and we love Dru Hill and we wanted to show up for them,” explained Errika Fearbery Jones who got the chance to take in the R & B crooners when they performed at the Homewood Coliseum as part of their Red, White & Dru Tour earlier this month. ![]() The songwriting tends to similar themes, as do the songs themselves, but having the most polished harmonies on the R&B block makes Dru Hill capable of smoothing over any of the rough spots on Dru World Order.Lifelong memories have been made to Dru Hill’s music: newly-married couples danced to “Share My World” during their wedding receptions while “5 Steps” was played in the bedroom where many babies were conceived. The single "I Should Be." is solid, if a little in the line of standard material for them, but "On Me" (featuring N.O.R.E.) and "Old Love" are two of the most inspired songs they've ever recorded. And with the gospel fervor of new addition Skola, Dru Hill sounds stronger and smoother than it has in the past. First of all, it's largely self-contained Nokio produced over half the album, and much of the songwriting was kept in-house as well. The third album, Dru World Order, proves the group possesses as much talent as any of their contemporaries in the R&B world. When the group finally returned in 2002, though, it not only welcomed Sisqó back to the fold but added a member ( Skola) to make the group a quintet. After Sisqó's solo debut pushed two big hits ("Thong Song," "Incomplete") to the top of the charts, it appeared Dru Hill was going to have to recruit a replacement for its best-known name. ![]()
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