Electrik Red

Electrik Red
Origin Los Angeles
Genres R&B[1]
Years active 2005–present
Labels Radio Killa Records/Def Jam Recordings
Associated acts The-Dream Rodney Jerkins Lil Wayne Midi Mafia Tricky Stewart
Website Electrik Red official website
Members Kyndra "Binkie" Reevey
Lesley Lewis
Naomi Allen
Sarah Rosete

Electrik Red is a contemporary R&B girl group 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 in 2008. Their music is mainly written and produced by songwriter The-Dream and his production partner Tricky Stewart.

Music career

Electrik Red is made up of two sets 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,[2] 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.[3] The group moved to Los Angeles, where they began working with different producers, including Shannon "Slam" Lawrence and Rodney Jerkins.[3] The quartet officially convened as Electrik Red in 2005.[4]

The four group members continued to work as professional dancers, individually appearing in videos for Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson,[2] Akon, Ludacris, Chris Brown and in the film Dreamgirls. After individually performing as dancers and models, they appeared together in Ciara's video for "Like a Boy".[3] In late 2007, Allen and Rosete were cast in the video for The-Dream's single "Shawty Is a 10".[3] Shakir Stewart, then the Executive Vice President of Def Jam Recordings, organized an audition for the group with label chairman L. A. Reid, and the group was signed to Def Jam on February 23, 2008.[2][5] Shakir Stewart then organized a meeting for the group with The-Dream and Tricky Stewart, who cosigned Electrik Red to their Def Jam-affiliated label, Radio Killa.[3] 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".[5]

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. Music videos were filmed for "Drink in My Cup" and "Friend Lover," with both directed by Marc Klasfeld.[6][7] Another video was shot with Lil Wayne for the "So Good" remix.[8]

2010–2011

As of early 2010, Electrik Red is recording their second album with guests and producers including Joi Starr, R. City (Pussycat Dolls), Midi Mafia (Fantasia) and others. The group premiered a new track at the E World Awards in Atlanta, GA on January 27, 2010 entitled, "I'm That Chick". On February 3, 2010 a 2-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 July 1, 2010 Binkie confirmed that the album would have a new sound, and that it would be the second part of the How to Be a Lady volumes.

2011–2012

On January 22, 2011 Electrik Red announced an upcoming European tour via Twitter. On Valentine's Day February 14, 2011, Lesley premiered a one-minute teaser sample "Bra's and Panties" via YouTube. Later Lesley 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. Near the end of 2011 Electrik Red remade the song "That's My Bitch" by rappers Jay-Z & Kanye West.

2012 – present

Since the debut of their first album, Electrik Red has been in the studio working on their second album which has an unknown release date.

Solo careers

Member Naomi Allen will be featured on the single "Take Me" by producer Kingdom on July 26, 2011[9]

Discography

Albums

Singles

Videos

The "So Good" remix video peaked at No. 6 on BET's 106 & Park.

Unreleased Tracks

Film

References

  1. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "Electrik Red > Biography, Albums, & Streaming Radio > AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 2015-09-27. R&B group Electrik Red are based in Los Angeles but involve four vocalists of varying backgrounds
  2. 1 2 3 Odum, Shanel (January 28, 2009). "Electrik Red". Vibe. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Shepherd, Julianne Escobedo (February 2009). "Do you think I'm a nasty girl? With super sexuality and deep swagger, R&B BFFs Electrik Red bust heads... and give hugs". The Fader. pp. 1–2. Archived from the original on October 14, 2010. Retrieved April 12, 2009.
  4. ↑ Jordan, Chris (March 19, 2009). "Electrik Red lightens things up". Courier News. Retrieved April 10, 2009.
  5. 1 2 "Soul Rebel Speaks to Electrik Red: "It's Okay If You're Not A Stepford Wife"". SOHH. March 26, 2009. Archived from the original on March 30, 2009. Retrieved April 10, 2009.
  6. ↑ "Electrik Red Turns Up Voltage with Debut LP". Rap-Up. January 25, 2009. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  7. ↑ "Video: Electrik Red - "Friend Lover"". Rap-Up. March 2, 2009. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  8. ↑ "Lil Wayne Joins Electrik Red for Remix Video". Rap-Up. March 25, 2009. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  9. ↑ "New Kingdom: "Take Me" (ft. Naomi Allen)". Pitchfork Media. July 19, 2011. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  10. ↑ . Billboard. Retrieved on February 17, 2010.
  11. ↑ . Billboard. Retrieved on February 17, 2010.
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