Lifelong memories have been made to Dru Hill’s music: newly-married couples danced to “Share My World” during their wedding receptions while “5 Steps” was played in the bedroom where many babies were conceived.
“I’ve listened to Dru Hill my whole adult life and my husband and I have built memories on them from our marriage and we love Dru Hill and we wanted to show up for them,” explained Errika Fearbery Jones who got the chance to take in the R & B crooners when they performed at the Homewood Coliseum as part of their Red, White & Dru Tour earlier this month.
The group stated out as four high school friends singing for customers at a fudge shop in Baltimore’s inner harbor. Mark “Sisqo” Andrews and James “Woody Rock” Green met in middle school and became friends with Tamir “Nokio” Ruffin. By 1994, Larry “Jazz” Anthony joined the group. Which went through various names—Storm and then Legacy. Their repertoire consisted mostly of gospel music at the time and the boys would sing while customers waited for their orders. The boys caught the attention of local talent manager Kevin Peck and performed during Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater. The group officially became known as a gospel group after a recording deal with Elektra Records went bust.
In 1995 the president of Island Black Music saw the foursome at a talent show and were flown to the big apple to record the song “Tell Me” for the soundtrack for the movie, “Eddie,” starring Whoppi Goldberg. The song had been recorded by former BlackStreet member Dave Hollister who was trying to make waves as a solo performer, but when the record company president heard Legacy Hollister’s vocals were dumped and Legacy was signed that night. Once the group was signed to Island Records, it was suggested that its name be changed to Dru Hill to represent Druid Hill Park, which is located on Baltimore’s west side. A dragon is used to symbolize the group.
Dru Hill’s self-titled debut album went platinum in 1996 and the group’s sophomore release, 1998’s “Enter the Dru” surpassed it and went double platinum. The group, which has seven top-40 hits and has won various awards including the Soul Train Music Award for Best R & B/1Soul Album Group, Band or Duo in 1998, helped launch the career of many new artists including Mya whose first two singles were co-written by Sisqo. The group broke up to focus on solo endeavors after releasing the commercially disappointing “Dru World Order.”
In 2002, Dru Hill’s blond-haired front-man, Sisqo released his debut solo album, “Unleash the Dragon.” The record sold more than 51 million copies (more than any of Dru Hill’s records). James “Woody Rock” Green also branched out on his own, released a gospel album that attained moderate success on the gospel charts.
Following the solo projects, Dru Hill reunited and added singer Rufus “Scola” Waller who took Woody Rock’s position in the group. Scola remained a member of Dru Hill from 2002-2008 sang lead on such Dru Hill songs as “I Should Be” and “I Love You.”
Now the ’90s heartthrobs want to help their fans continue making memories. The quartet recently reunited and brought in new member Antwuan “Tao Soprano” Simpson in 2008.
It was surreal for Simpson who grew up listening to Dru Hill’s music in high school to suddenly be a member of the group.
“It’s a dream. You don’t expect it. I never really thought it would come to reality. It happened so fast. One night I was auditioning for them and the next night we were in Miami. Everything was a blur. I loved their music and I listened to it as a teen coming up so that was easy for me I didn’t have to learn anything new because I had all their albums. I’m having fun and I’m here now working hard,” said Tao who beat out 28 other hopefuls during the Dru Idol contest at the Belvedere Hotel to find the next Dru Hill member. “We blend well together. From day one we blended and we’re having fun. This is like vocal acrobats. We’re all brothers. We have our good days and our bad days but we have a good time and we enjoy life.”
“I could never fill Woody shoes he’s his own entity. I love the love that the Dru Hill fans have sent me in the beginning. A group of that stature fans don’t always accept you because they are used to one thing going on,” Tao continued. “When I came a lot of people would come out of the crowd and say we love you. I just brought my flavor and it just happened that the fans like it.”
The group has performed in Germany, Japan and Africa to wide acclaim. When stateside, Dru Hill sometimes performs in the same city two or three times a year and their fans come out in full force to support them.
“Who don’t like Dru Hill?” said Firecards.LLC promoter Paulishsa Hodges who helped Firecards. LLC owner Len Jordam bring the group to Pittsburgh. “They have a fan base and they have many, many albums. They have reunited and are coming back strong. You never lose that fan base.”
“Dru Hill is part of my history,” said the West End’s Mira Praytor who got the chance to see them during the Pittsburgh stop. “I have always loved their music.”
In 2010 Dru Hill released “in Drupendence Day,” the group’s first independently released record. It was released on Sisqo’s Dragon Records label.
In addition to touring, Dru Hill is currently working on an album to commemorate its 20th anniversary.
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