In 1995, Sean “Puffy” Combs signed New Jersey trio Kima, Keisha and Pam to his heavy hitting roaster of chart-topping artists known as the Bad Boy Family. Keepin’ it sexy, sultry and street, Total made their debut in the R&B world as a feature on the chorus of The Notorious B.I.G‘s rap classic, “Juicy.”
As Biggie’s ground-breaking single controlled the airwaves, sounding off in each borough throughout New York City and across the world, Total made their second feature on another B.I.G classic “One More Chance,” which also climbed the charts giving the trio the green light to record their debut album.
The first single,”Can’t You See” off their self-titled album featured a lyrical intro from Biggie and debuted on the New Jersey Drive Soundtrack. Although their debut album would take another year to be released, Total would go on to produce two more chart topping hits with, “No One Else” (including the remix featuring Foxy Brown, Lil’ Kim & Da Brat) and the classic R&B groove, “Kissing You.” Later that year, the self-titled album, Total, was certified platinum solidifying Kima, Keisha, and Pam the “Bad Girls” of Hip Hop.
During the recording of their highly anticipated second studio album Kima, Keisha & Pam, Total would be featured on numerous chart-topping Hip Hop hits including Foxy Brown’s “I Can’t,” LL Cool J’s banger, “Who Do You Love?” and “What You Want” by former Bad Boy label mate and Puffy protegé Mase. At the height of their success, Total would score another hit alongside Missy Elliott and Timbaland on their collaborative single, “What About Us” featured on the 1997 family classic, Soul Food soundtrack. And Pam’s vocals were featured on Biggie’s massive Hip Hop classic hit, “Hypnotize.”
The first single “Trippin” off the group’s gold-certified second album featured a collaboration with Missy Elliot, spawning the single into the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 charts. The second single “Sittin’ Home” barely hit the charts, and would rarely get air play from radio. However, the single’s video featuring legendary Yo! MTV Raps host Ed Lover would air in heavy rotation on networks like BET.
Total would go on to do a few more features throughout 1997-1998, only to discontinue recording together later that year. While it has been well over a decade since the trio has hit the studio, In 2015 Total would join R&B great R. Kelly on the sold out Funk Fest Tour.
During Women’s History Month, HERSource would like to recognize Total for being one of the most memorable and classic girl groups of the 90s.