Where did Girl Groups go?

Written By Kensedeobong Okosun

The emergence of girl groups begin around the mid-1950s. African American music historian Portia K. Maultsby notes in her article on “Rhythm and Blues/R&B” (2015) that the incorporation of Latin American music features into rhythm and blues created a derivative named “uptown rhythm and blues” which was characteristically pop-oriented. This would become the formula adopted by many artists. Significantly, it would be the ladder climbed by many Black teenaged female groups to fame. Through this new formula, girl groups like the Shirelles, the Chantels, the Chiffons, the Crystals and the Ronettes would become household names (257).

The 1990s witnessed the upsurge of the girl group more than previous decades. It was their golden era. However, due to patriarchy, few women groups have existed in comparison to men because music proprietorship is predominantly controlled and dominated by men. The marginalisation, suppression, domination, economic and sexual exploitation of women singers in the music industry factors in their paucity.

‍ ‍ Spice Girls

The political economy operational within this domain, while affecting men, derails the women performers more. Women groups formed by women are often hijacked by patriarchal men and the originators side-lined (like Florence Ballard of the Supreme, Leanne Lyons of SWV, Crystal Jones of TLC, etc.). Furthermore, when women groups are formed by men, it is usually seen as an extension of themselves and disallows freedom and autonomy. The singing women are treated like slaves who must work to feed the master (like Prince’s Vanity 6, Keith Sweat’s Kut Close, Puffy Combs’ Total, R.Kelly’s Changing Faces, etc.). The divide and conquer patriarchal dynamic is also weaponized to foster disunity among them, as in the case of The Supremes, En Vogue, Jade, etc,.

‍ ‍ TLC

Women groups are seen as exploitable ventures by music men, as such women artists neither receive artistic support from a machine weaponized against them, nor can they exercise creative agency in songwriting as virtually all songs are male-written in conformity with patriarchal conditioning which objectifies and dehumanises women, while positioning men at the orbit of their universe. Subject matters that uplift, recognize and highlight the daily struggles of women are rarely underscored in songs.

‍ ‍ The Supremes

Following the paucity of women groups on the music scene, there has been a resuscitation and return of many 90s groups. These are in current times occupied with tours and music-making.

This post celebrates them for the immense joy delivered over the years with a playlist of 35 Songs from the 1960s to early 2000s.

  1. All Saints. “Pure Shores” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lz6Az4bEwhA Saints and Sinners (2000).

  2. Allure. “All Cried Out” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5SJGdX3-9k Allure (1997).

  3. Blackgirl. “90’s Girl” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lHKYRad6xk Treat U Right (1994).

  4. Blaque. “Bring It All To Me” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc7wC8BHp2g Blaque (1999).

  5. Choice. “Key To My Heart” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVEfT0mxXlo Soundtrack to Kazaam (1996).

  6. Destiny’s Child. “Bills, Bills, Bills” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwHz8l68xo8 The Writings On The Wall (1999).

  7. En Vogue. “Desire” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLTuItqBTbM Funky Divas (1992).

  8. Eternal. “I Wanna Be The Only One” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHNPlhUcpi4 Before The Rain (1997).

  9. Ex-Girlfriend. “You For Me” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTJu1tnC_ZQ It’s A Woman Thang (1994).

  10. Jade. “If The Mood Is Right” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nhv9MvUNuY8 Mind, Body & Soul (1994).

  11. Hi Inergy. “You Can’t Turn Me Off (In The Middle of Turnin’ Me On)” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGdIrYCGkvM Turnin’ On (1977).

  12. Klymaxx. “The Men All Pause” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xrGTNM_3Zs Meeting In The Ladies Room (1984).

  13. Kut Klose. “Get Up On It” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q854QHz00DI Surrender (1995).

  14. LaBelle. “Lady Marmalade” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn0-6n_dng4 Nightbirds (1974).

  15. Love Unlimited. “I’m So Glad That I’m A Woman” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDvtkKZZ6OI Love Is Back (1979).

  16. Mokenstef. “He’s Mine” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4YlYydOnWE Azz Izz (1995).

  17. Pure Soul. “Stairway To Heaven” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hEp9Gmo1KE Pure Soul (1995).

  18. Sister Sledge. “We Are Family” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBpYgpF1bqQ We Are Family (1979).

  19. Spice Girls. “Holler” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcMxd7btCTg Holler (2000).

  20. SWV. “You’re Always On My Mind” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEGCYDcNeEM It’s About Time (1992).

  21. The Crystals. “ Then He Kissed Me” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLZCGWCUtgY Then He Kissed Me (1963).

  22. The Emotions. “Best Of My Love” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbwXoN-XU5I Rejoice (1977).

  23. The Marvelettes. “Please. Mr Postman” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=425GpjTSlS4 Please.Mr Postman (1961).

  24. The Pointer Sisters. “I’m So Excited” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6m53yhdrGA So Excited (1982).

  25. The Ronettes. “Be My Baby” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSPpbOGnFgk Be My Baby (1963).

  26. The Shirelles. “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1xgI1oHOfE Tonight’s The Night (1960).

  27. The Supremes. “Where Did Our Love Go” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJMx8wSnW64 Where Did Our Love Go (1964).

  28. The Three Degrees. “When Will I See You Again” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdFMYvBQgQw The Three Degrees (1973).

  29. TLC. “Fanmail” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf1zznRZ71U Fanmail (1999).

  30. Total. “Kissin’ You” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA_-_2DejuU Total (1995).

  31. Vanity 6. “Nasty Girl” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsAFen9b2Qg Vanity 6 (1982).

  32. Wild Orchid. “Talk To Me” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTT89bWOjZM Wild Orchid (1997).

  33. X Scape. “Just Kickin’ It” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAxhNR8fIhs Hummin' Comin' At 'Cha (1993).

  34. 3LW. “No More (Baby I’m A Do Right)” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN6oVNIpT8M 3LW (2000).

  35. 702. “Where My Girls At” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U01ln0im_S4 702 (1999).

Kensedeobong Okosun

Kensedeobong Okosun (M.A Bielefeld University) is a music enthusiast, music researcher, music journalist with expertise in music selection & planning, vocalist and an author. Her academic article “Sisterhood and Soul Music as expressions of Black Power” is featured in the edited volume, Black Power in Hemispheric Perspective (Raussert & Steinitz, eds, 2022). She has reviewed Dorothea Gail’s Weird American Music for the Forum for Interamerican Research (fiar, 2019). Her literary review on Nigerian music titled “Nigerians and their Music” has been published on the Nigerian news platform Sun News Online, while her article “Remembering Victor Uwaifo, “Guitar Boy” and the quest to meet Mami Wata” graced The Nigerian Observer.

Kensedeobong’s blog highlights music’s interconnectivity with society and comprises personal music experiences, researched information, concept playlists for multiple themes, etc.

A hard-core 90s R&B fan, she utilises the vehicle of memory, to position long forgotten music of yesteryears on the front-burner.

She is persuaded that music is a core conduit of collective harmony, equanimity, vitality and healing. And as such requires criticality in the filtration process, in order to disseminate meaning. Her blog promotes music equality and diversity.

She resides in Germany.

Next

Where Did Boy Bands/Groups Go?