Total (band)
Encyclopedia
Total was an American
R&B girl group
and one of the signature acts of Sean Combs
' Bad Boy Records
imprint during the 1990s.
's debut single, "Juicy". Garnering attention for the new group, they were also featured on the original version and "Hip Hop Remix" of his next single "One More Chance". They then immediately hit the studio with Bad Boy Records
CEO Sean "Puffy" Combs and began work on their debut album. The first single "Can't You See?", had The Notorious B.I.G.
returning the favor with a guest rhyme, the single peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100
and entered the top ten of the R&B Charts. Their self-titled debut album was released shortly thereafter, they produced two more R&B top ten singles, "No One Else" (and its remix featuring Foxy Brown, Lil' Kim
and Da Brat
) and '"Kissing You" (and its remix featuring Sean "Puffy" Combs). The album was certified platinum by the RIAA.
's "Loungin'/Who Do U Love?", Foxy Brown's "I Can't", and Mase
's "What You Want" and Pam sang the chorus to the massive "Hypnotize
" by The Notorious B.I.G.
. The group also released another single, the Missy Elliott
and Timbaland
track "What About Us" from the Soul Food
soundtrack.
Their follow-up album, Kima, Keisha, and Pam
, debuted to strong reviews, sales, and was certified gold by the RIAA. The first single, another Missy Elliott
collaboration, "Trippin'", reached the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100
chart. Their next release, "Sitting Home", which made Billboard Top 10 R&B Singles didn't garner the same attention. Despite this, in Bad Boy tradition it did get a second life in the hip hop
community when a remix of the track featured controversial artist Shyne
.
, the girls sang the chorus to rap duo Gang Starr
's 1999 single "Discipline" and in 2000 they were featured on the Tony Touch
single "(I Wonder Why) He's the Greatest DJ". They also contributed to the songs"Crave" to 3 Strikes (film) and the songs "Quick Rush" to ""Bait (film) movie soundtracks.
In their last official appearance together, they were thanked in the credits for their collaboration with Da Beatminerz
and Talib Kweli
- Anti-Love Movement in 2001.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
R&B girl group
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
and one of the signature acts of Sean Combs
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
' Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records is a record label founded in 1993 by producer/rapper/entrepreneur Sean "Diddy" Combs. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records.-Beginnings:...
imprint during the 1990s.
Emergence & Total
New Jersey R&B trio Total made their first appearance singing the hook on The Notorious B.I.G.The Notorious B.I.G.
Christopher George Latore Wallace , best known as The Notorious B.I.G., was an American rapper. He was also known as Biggie Smalls , Big Poppa, and The Black Frank White .Wallace was raised in the Brooklyn borough...
's debut single, "Juicy". Garnering attention for the new group, they were also featured on the original version and "Hip Hop Remix" of his next single "One More Chance". They then immediately hit the studio with Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records is a record label founded in 1993 by producer/rapper/entrepreneur Sean "Diddy" Combs. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records.-Beginnings:...
CEO Sean "Puffy" Combs and began work on their debut album. The first single "Can't You See?", had The Notorious B.I.G.
The Notorious B.I.G.
Christopher George Latore Wallace , best known as The Notorious B.I.G., was an American rapper. He was also known as Biggie Smalls , Big Poppa, and The Black Frank White .Wallace was raised in the Brooklyn borough...
returning the favor with a guest rhyme, the single peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and entered the top ten of the R&B Charts. Their self-titled debut album was released shortly thereafter, they produced two more R&B top ten singles, "No One Else" (and its remix featuring Foxy Brown, Lil' Kim
Lil' Kim
Kimberly Denise Jones , better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and actress who was a member of the group Junior M.A.F.I.A.....
and Da Brat
Da Brat
Shawntae Harris , better known as Da Brat, is an American rapper and actress. Her debut album, Funkdafied, sold one million copies, making her the first female rapper to have a platinum-selling album.-Early life:...
) and '"Kissing You" (and its remix featuring Sean "Puffy" Combs). The album was certified platinum by the RIAA.
Guest Appearances & Kima, Keisha, and Pam
While recording their second album, they appeared on numerous top ten singles, including LL Cool JLL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
's "Loungin'/Who Do U Love?", Foxy Brown's "I Can't", and Mase
Mase
Mason Durell Betha , better known by stage name Mase who was previously known as Murda Ma$e, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor and inspirational speaker...
's "What You Want" and Pam sang the chorus to the massive "Hypnotize
Hypnotize (The Notorious B.I.G. song)
"Hypnotize" is the Grammy-nominated hip-hop song recorded by rapper The Notorious B.I.G. It was released as the first single from his album Life After Death in December 13, 1996. It was the fifth song to hit #1 posthumously for a credited artist....
" by The Notorious B.I.G.
The Notorious B.I.G.
Christopher George Latore Wallace , best known as The Notorious B.I.G., was an American rapper. He was also known as Biggie Smalls , Big Poppa, and The Black Frank White .Wallace was raised in the Brooklyn borough...
. The group also released another single, the Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott
Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott , is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and actressA five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over seven million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have five albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one...
and Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
track "What About Us" from the Soul Food
Soul Food (film)
Soul Food is a 1997 American comedy-drama film, produced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Tracey Edmonds, and Robert Teitel, and released by Fox 2000 Pictures. Featuring an ensemble cast, the film stars Vanessa L. Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long, Michael Beach, Mekhi Phifer, Jeffrey D. Sams, Irma...
soundtrack.
Their follow-up album, Kima, Keisha, and Pam
Kima, Keisha, and Pam
Kima, Keisha, and Pam is the second and final studio album from American R&B girl group trio Total. The record reached Gold status in the U.S, surpassing sales of over 500,000 copies. Among many producers and guest artists, it also features writing from 112, Kelly Price and Keli Nicole Price, Jack...
, debuted to strong reviews, sales, and was certified gold by the RIAA. The first single, another Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott
Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott , is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and actressA five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over seven million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have five albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one...
collaboration, "Trippin'", reached the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart. Their next release, "Sitting Home", which made Billboard Top 10 R&B Singles didn't garner the same attention. Despite this, in Bad Boy tradition it did get a second life in the hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
community when a remix of the track featured controversial artist Shyne
Shyne
Moshe Levi Ben-David , better known by his stage name Shyne, is a Belizean rapper.-Background:...
.
Return of the Bad Girls?
After the release of Kima, Keisha, and PamKima, Keisha, and Pam
Kima, Keisha, and Pam is the second and final studio album from American R&B girl group trio Total. The record reached Gold status in the U.S, surpassing sales of over 500,000 copies. Among many producers and guest artists, it also features writing from 112, Kelly Price and Keli Nicole Price, Jack...
, the girls sang the chorus to rap duo Gang Starr
Gang Starr
Gang Starr was an influential East Coast hip hop duo that consisted of the late MC Guru and DJ/producer DJ Premier. Their style combined elements of New York jazz and hip hop.-Background:...
's 1999 single "Discipline" and in 2000 they were featured on the Tony Touch
Tony Touch
Tony Touch is an American hip hop break dancer, rapper, DJ, producer and actor of Puerto Rican descent.Tony Touch began as a B-boy during the rap music renaissance era of the early 1980s...
single "(I Wonder Why) He's the Greatest DJ". They also contributed to the songs"Crave" to 3 Strikes (film) and the songs "Quick Rush" to ""Bait (film) movie soundtracks.
In their last official appearance together, they were thanked in the credits for their collaboration with Da Beatminerz
Da Beatminerz
Da Beatminerz are a hip-hop production crew from Bushwick, Brooklyn, and are known for their dark, gritty sound that is very popular with the underground hip-hop scene.-History:The crew, originally composed of brothers Mr...
and Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
- Anti-Love Movement in 2001.
Currently
- Keisha Spivey married actor Omar EppsOmar EppsOmar Hashim Epps is an American actor, singer, songwriter, and record producer. His film roles include Major League II, Juice, Higher Learning, Scream 2, The Wood, In Too Deep, and Love and Basketball. Epps' television work includes the role of Dr. Dennis Gant on the US medical drama series ER,...
in 2006 and is living in California. They have daughter K'marie Epps (July 2004) and son Amir Epps (Dec 2007) together; as well as Omar's daughter Aiyanna Epps from a previous relationship.
- Pamela Long still lives in New Jersey. She is also a member of Agape Family Worship Center in Rahway. Pam is also working on a new album project entitled "Undeniable" coming out soon in 2011. Her website is www.pamelalongonline.com
- A track by Kima featuring her sister, rapper Vita, called "What U Want", also recently leaked.
- As of 2008, Total have no interest in pursuing to reband.
Videography
- From Total (19961996 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January – At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the fact...
)- No One Else
- No One Else (Puff Daddy Remix)
- Kissin' You
- Kissin' You / Oh Honey
- Can't You See
- Can't You See (Bad Boy Remix)
- Do You Think About Us
- From Kima, Keisha, and PamKima, Keisha, and PamKima, Keisha, and Pam is the second and final studio album from American R&B girl group trio Total. The record reached Gold status in the U.S, surpassing sales of over 500,000 copies. Among many producers and guest artists, it also features writing from 112, Kelly Price and Keli Nicole Price, Jack...
(19981998 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1998.-Events:*January 28 – "Weird Al" Yankovic gets LASIK surgery to cure his myopia...
)- Trippin'
- Sitting Home
- From Soul Food (soundtrack)Soul Food (soundtrack)Soul Food is the soundtrack to the 1997 film, Soul Food. It was released on August 19, 1997 through LaFace Records and mainly consisted of R&B music with a bit of some hip hop. The soundtrack was a huge success, peaking at #4 on the Billboard 200, #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and was...
(19971997 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1997.-January:*January 9 – David Bowie performs his 50th Birthday Bash concert at Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA with guests Frank Black, The Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of The Cure, Lou Reed, and Billy...
)- What About Us? (19971997 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1997.-January:*January 9 – David Bowie performs his 50th Birthday Bash concert at Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA with guests Frank Black, The Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of The Cure, Lou Reed, and Billy...
)
- What About Us? (1997
- As Guest Artists
- LL Cool JLL Cool JJames Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
- Loungin' (Who Do U Love?) (19951995 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1995.- January–February :*January 18 – Jerry Garcia crashes his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California, USA, but is not injured in the accident....
) - MaseMaseMason Durell Betha , better known by stage name Mase who was previously known as Murda Ma$e, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor and inspirational speaker...
- What You Want (19971997 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1997.-January:*January 9 – David Bowie performs his 50th Birthday Bash concert at Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA with guests Frank Black, The Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of The Cure, Lou Reed, and Billy...
) - Foxy Brown - I Can't (19981998 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1998.-Events:*January 28 – "Weird Al" Yankovic gets LASIK surgery to cure his myopia...
) - Tony TouchTony TouchTony Touch is an American hip hop break dancer, rapper, DJ, producer and actor of Puerto Rican descent.Tony Touch began as a B-boy during the rap music renaissance era of the early 1980s...
- I Wonder Why (He's The Greatest DJ) (20002000 in musicSee also:* 2000 in music Record labels established in 2000-Events:*January – Gary Glitter is released from jail, two months before his sentence for sexual offences ends.*January 1**John Tavener is knighted in the New Year's Honours List....
)
- LL Cool J
- Cameos
- Craig MackCraig MackCraig Mack is an American Grammy nominated rapper, who gained fame on Puff Daddy's Bad Boy Entertainment record label in the 1990s. Although his first single was released under the name MC EZ in 1988, he is best known for his 1994 hit single "Flava In Ya Ear", which was released under his real name...
- Flava In Ya Ear (Remix) (Keisha from Total) (19941994 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1994.-January–February:*January 25 – Alice in Chains release their Jar of Flies album which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the first ever EP to do so....
) - The Notorious B.I.G.The Notorious B.I.G.Christopher George Latore Wallace , best known as The Notorious B.I.G., was an American rapper. He was also known as Biggie Smalls , Big Poppa, and The Black Frank White .Wallace was raised in the Brooklyn borough...
- One More Chance/Stay With Me (19941994 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1994.-January–February:*January 25 – Alice in Chains release their Jar of Flies album which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the first ever EP to do so....
) - Soul For RealSoul for RealSoul for Real is an R&B group from Wheatley Heights, New York, made up of brothers Andre , Brian , Christopher , and Jason Dalyrimple...
- Every Little Thing I Do (19951995 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1995.- January–February :*January 18 – Jerry Garcia crashes his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California, USA, but is not injured in the accident....
) - 112112 (band)112 is an American R&B quartet from Atlanta, Georgia. Formerly artists on Diddy's Bad Boy Records, the group signed to the Def Soul roster in 2002. They had great success in the late 1990s and early 2000s with hits such as "Only You", "Anywhere" and "Peaches & Cream"...
- Only You - Bad Boy Remix (Keisha from Total) (19961996 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January – At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the fact...
) - Missy ElliottMissy ElliottMelissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott , is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and actressA five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over seven million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have five albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one...
- The Rain (Supa Supa Fly) (19971997 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1997.-January:*January 9 – David Bowie performs his 50th Birthday Bash concert at Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA with guests Frank Black, The Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of The Cure, Lou Reed, and Billy...
) - Jerome - Too Old For Me (Keisha from Total) (19971997 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1997.-January:*January 9 – David Bowie performs his 50th Birthday Bash concert at Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA with guests Frank Black, The Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of The Cure, Lou Reed, and Billy...
) - Lil' KimLil' KimKimberly Denise Jones , better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and actress who was a member of the group Junior M.A.F.I.A.....
- Not Tonight (Remix) (19971997 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1997.-January:*January 9 – David Bowie performs his 50th Birthday Bash concert at Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA with guests Frank Black, The Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of The Cure, Lou Reed, and Billy...
) - The LoxThe LOXThe Lox are an American hip hop group composed of Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, and Styles P. They were originally signed to Sean Combs' Bad Boy Records before joining Ruff Ryders Entertainment, and are now a part of their own label, D-Block Records-Early career:...
- We'll Always Love Big Poppa (19981998 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1998.-Events:*January 28 – "Weird Al" Yankovic gets LASIK surgery to cure his myopia...
) - The Bad Boy Family - You (20012001 in musicSee also:* 2001 in music Record labels established in 2001-Events:*January 1**Comeback of Guns N' Roses in House of Blues**Hum disbands.*January 17 – Bass player Jason Newsted leaves Metallica after 14 years with the band....
) [Featuring Pam & Keisha]
- Craig Mack