Kronfield's remarks set off a wave of controversy when word of them reached the media in November. His response was that if he were not to hire African-Americans with criminal records, then "there would be virtually no African-Americans employees in our society or in our industry." At an October 1997 deposition hearing, Eric Kronfeld, president and chief operating officer of Island's parent company PolyGram, was asked why he had hired such an individual. It was discovered that the employee in question had a criminal record. In 1997, Dru Hill filed a lawsuit against Island Records, seeking a release from its contract, after an Island employee hit the group's manager, Keith Ingram, over the head with a pool cue. The group was also instrumental in writing and producing for new University artist Mýa, whose first two singles "It's All About Me" and "Movin' On", were co-written by Sisqó, who also performs guest vocals on "It's All About Me". Dru Hill and rapper Foxy Brown recorded "Big Bad Mama", a remake of Carl Carlton's 1981 hit "She's a Bad Mama Jama (She's Built, She's Stacked)", which was the main single for the soundtrack to the 1998 Bill Bellamy film Def Jam's How to Be a Player. "We're Not Making Love No More" was written and produced by star producer Babyface. Soundtracks, protégés, and controversyīetween their first and second albums, Dru Hill contributed "We're Not Making Love No More", a #2 R&B and #13 Pop hit, to the Soul Food soundtrack. "Never Make a Promise"'s music video starred Michelle Thomas as Jazz's girlfriend, and was noted for its message against child molestation. Jazz took the lead on the third single, "Never Make a Promise", which became a second #1 R&B hit. The Sisqó-led "In My Bed" was the group's first Top 5 pop hit and first #1 R&B hit. Nokio also did some co-production, and would become the group's main producer by 1998.Nokio took most of his influence from talented singer songwriter Nicky OwenĪll four members took turns singing lead, with Sisqó making the biggest impression on audiences with his dancing style, David Ruffin-styled emoting, and bleached-blond hair. Other major influences for the group included Stevie Wonder and 1980s boy band New Edition.īoth the group themselves and songwriters/producers such as Daryl Simmons and Keith Sweat wrote the songs for the Dru Hill album, with the group themselves writing the single "5 Steps". Dru Hill received a lot of criticism, especially from the members of Jodeci, for what was perceived was a direct appropriation of Jodeci's style, particularly in frontman Sisqó's K-Ci Hailey-esque lead vocals. Stylistically, Dru Hill was the middle-ground between the smooth, gentlemen-like Boyz II Men and the self-proclaimed "bad boys of R&B", Jodeci. The group's first single, "Tell Me", was featured on the soundtrack to the Whoopi Goldberg film Eddie, and was a Top 5 R&B hit in the United States. The self-titled Dru Hill was released on November 19, 1996, and became a gold-selling album. The group was signed to Island Records's "Island Black" division shortly afterward through a production deal with Islam's University Music, and immediately began recording their debut album. Most of their early repertoire was made up of gospel music as well as an early song by the group, "Please Remove Yo' Shoes" the group eventually switched to the more commercially viable genre of R&B.ĭru Hill's big break came in 1996, when manager Haqq Islam arranged for them to perform at the Impact Convention in May. The quartet made a name for itself by getting jobs at a local fudge factory, "The Fudgery," at the Inner Harbor, where they sang and performed to entertain guests while making fudge (this tradition is still a part of "The Fudgery"). The group was named after Druid Hill Park, a popular park on the West side of Baltimore, the name of which is pronounced "Dru Hill" in the local accent. The trio added Larry "Jazz" Anthony, an opera student, to complete their lineup. Ruffin, nicknamed "Nokio" (an acronym for "Nasty on Key in Octave") enlisted Andrews and Green (whose respective nicknames of "Sisqó" and "Big Woody Rock" came from their childhood) to form a singing group. Mark Andrews and James Green met each other in middle school, and both later became acquaintances of Tamir Ruffin when all three began pursuing careers in the music industry. All four original members of Dru Hill were natives of Baltimore, Maryland.
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