Remember throwing your hands in the air, and turning up the volume when the 90s hit “Where My Girls At?” came on the radio?
In the late 90s, Las Vegas twin sisters Irish and Orish Grinstead along with their other sister LeMisha were discovered in the popular Ceasar’s Palace lobby where they occasionally sang by actor and comedian Sinbad.
Accompanied by their high school classmate Kameela Williams, the girls performed in Atlanta at a music convention as the Sinbad suggested moniker, “Sweeter Than Sugar.” Before the convention was over, the quartet met Michael Bivins (member of New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe) who agreed to record with the group and featured the girls on Subway’s hit “This Lil’ Game We Play.”
After recording demo’s for their hits “Get It Together” and “Steelo,” Orish would leave the group prior to seeing the release of their debut album and newly appointed group name, 702.
1996-1998: Rise to Stardom
Now a trio, 702’s album No Doubt would debut at the #1 spot on Top Heatseekers with hits like “Steelo,” written and produced by the legendary Missy Elliott. The album generated three top hits for the group making “Steelo”, Get It Together” and “All I Want” charting topping singles. “Steelo” would undergo lyrical surgery to create a theme song for the Nickelodeon hit television show, Cousin Skeeter. The second single “All I Want” would be featured in Nickelodeon’s movie Good Burger, starring Keenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell, resulting in a special performance on Nickelodeon’s teen show, All That.
702 would remain on top of the R&B and Billboard charts while joining New Edition, Keith Sweat, and Blackstreet as the opening act on the 1996-1997 New Edition Reunion Tour. No Doubt co-writer and producer Elliott released her 1998 debut album, Supa Dupa Fly, with a 702 feature on the hit, “Beep Me 911” which debuted at No. 14 on the UK singles chart.
The group’s debut album reached Gold status, as they released their self-titled, second album 702. The first single, “Where My Girls At?”, written and produced by Elliott debuted at No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot 100 generating major success for the group and earning them a 2000 Soul Train Lady of Soul Award Nomination.
From 2001-present the ladies of 702 continue to pursue personal endeavors as they live through the late group member, Orish (1982-2008) with numerous features, projects, and special guest roles on several sitcoms and television shows.
HERSource would like to recognize 702 as one of our favorite girl groups from the 90s during Women’s History Month. Enjoy this throwback as we celebrate the life and success of 702 in the video below.
