From The Vault this week journey’s back to the mid 1990′s, a time where urban super-groups such as Boyz II Men, Blackstreet and Xscape were setting the charts alight.
Today’s pick comes courtesy of R&B legends Jodeci‘s ‘Love U 4 Life’.
The mellow serenade was released as the second offering of the boys’ third and last album, ‘The Show, The After Party, The Hotel’ back in 1995. It charted at #31 on the Billboard Hot 100 while faring much better on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles tally at #8.
‘Love’ is considered an all-time classic by many a music lover which is partly due to its epic accompanying video. The big-budget affair sees Run DMC’s very own Rev Run officiating a lavish wedding ceremony between group member Dalvin DeGrate and then girlfriend Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins from the mighty TLC. (side note: there is also a brief cameo by Timbaland and pals Ginuwine, Magoo and Playa).
With only three album released during their 5 year tenure, the quartet has established itself as a landmark in R&B music and has inspired a new breed of singers. Still, although the 00′s saw the rise of bands such as 112 and Jagged Edge – who we must say took many pages from the Jodeci book, and rightfully so – nothing ever came close to the real thing.
5 COMMENTS
aishaaguilerakeys
February 19, 2012 at 5:32 am
Sam, I LOVE this song, I often listen to it! I absolutely agree w/ u when u say that the 2000 boys bands never came close to them or any other 90s band.
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123456
February 19, 2012 at 10:16 am
je and 112 were already popular in the 90s.
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ebony
February 19, 2012 at 12:45 pm
Ths is real music with lyrics that has meaning. I can’t stand this techo bullshit artist are making today.
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MsThing485
February 19, 2012 at 1:33 pm
The word “legend” gets so loosely applied these days. I was a fan of Jodeci and they were definitely one of the forerunner acts of their era, but “legends” they aren’t.
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Life vault | Cartographix
August 29, 2012 at 7:23 am
[...] From The Vault: Jodeci – ‘Love U 4 Life‘ | ..::That Grape Juice …Feb 19, 2012 … From The Vault this week journey’s back to the mid 1990’s, a time where urban super-groups such as Boyz II Men, Blackstreet and Xscape were … [...]
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