| Az Yet | |
| Origin: | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Genre: | R&B |
| Years Active: | 1989 - present |
| Label: | LaFace, DreamWorks, Az Yet Records |
| Current Members: | Kenny Terry Dyshon Benson Jibriel Patterson Jay Naught Drayton |
| Past Members: | Dion Allen Shawn Rivera Marc Nelson Darryl Anthony Claude Thomas Ali Hyman Tony Grant Parrice Smith LeDon Bishop ("Smith") Kris Gilder Dante Harper Damon Core (deceased) |
Az Yet is an American R&B group from Philadelphia, best known for their songs "Last Night" and the cover "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" originally performed by Chicago.
Formed in 1989 initially as a duo with Shawn Rivera and Dion Allen, the two were later joined by Kenny Terry, whom they met singing in the lobby of the Wyndham Hotel in Philadelphia, Claude Thomas, Ali Hyman, Damon Core, & Dyshon Benson.[1] [2]
Az Yet released their self-titled debut album in 1996 on LaFace Records. The album featured a "who's who" of musical heavyweights, including David Foster, Babyface, Sheila E., and Brian McKnight. The first single, "Last Night", reached #9 on the US Hot 100, #1 on the R&B chart, peaked at #2 on Australia's ARIA charts, and spent 2 weeks at #1 in New Zealand's RIANZ charts, ultimately achieving platinum status in the US. The group's second single, "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" (a cover of the Chicago hit), was nominated for a Grammy award (Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals),[3] reached #8 on the Hot 100, and achieved platinum status. Driven by these two singles, the album reached RIAA platinum status.[4]
Kenny Terry (1991-present)
Dyshon Benson (1992-1995; 2016-2019; 2023-present)
Jibriel Patterson (2023-present)
Jay Naught (2023-present)
Drayton (2023-present)
Dion Allen (1989-2023)
Shawn Rivera (1989-2015)
Marc Nelson (1995-1997; 2007-2010; 2015-2016; 2023)
Darryl Anthony (1995-2007)
Claude Thomas (1990-1995; 2014-2023)
Tony Grant (1997-1999; 2010-2011)
LeDon Smith (1999-2007)
Parrice Smith (2016-2022)
Kris Gilder (2004-2007)
Dante Harper (2004-2007)
Damon Core (deceased) (1990-1993)
Ali Hyman (1989-1990)
Fueled by two top ten hits, the group's popularity led them to several television appearances in their early years. Live performances include The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show, All That and two appearances on Soul Train (the first in 1996 with Marc Nelson as the lead singer and the second in 1997 with Tony Grant). The group was also cast as "TJ's Band" and appeared in several episodes of the short-lived television drama Fame L.A..[5]
Az Yet toured as featured actors/performers in 2013 with the Broadway musical, My Brother Marvin (The Secret Life of Marvin Gaye), starring Keith Washington, Tony Grant and actress Lynn Whitfield.[6]
Later that year, the group recorded "Magical Moment"[7] with Malaysian Idol winner Jaclyn Victor as a theme song for the animated feature film, Ribbit[8] (KRU Studios).
| Year | Title | Album | Label | Released | Hot 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | "Last Night" | Az Yet | LaFace Records | August 12, 1996 | 9 | |
| 1997 | "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" | Az Yet | LaFace Records | February 2, 1997 | 8 | |
| 1997 | "You're the Inspiration" (Peter Cetera featuring Az Yet) | You're the Inspiration | Platinum Entertainment | August 26, 1997 | 77 | |
| 2007 | "Keep on Pushin'" | Back Home | InnerSoul Records | May 5, 2007[11] | ||
| 2008 | "Share Life" | Single only | Az Yet Records | October 30, 2008 | ||
| 2008 | "She Loves the 90s" | Single only | Az Yet Records | November 12, 2008 | ||
| 2009 | "I Can't Let U Go" | Untitled | Az Yet Records | January 2009 | ||
| 2011 | "Ms. Behaving" | Single only | Az Yet Records | February 2011[12] | ||
| 2012 | "Star Spangled Banner" | Single only | Az Yet Records | July 2012[13] | ||
| 2013 | "All It Takes" | Single only | Az Yet Records | January 2013[14] | ||
| 2013 | "Magical Moment" | Ikut Rentakku | KRU Music | June 26, 2013[15] |