Silk (group) explained

Silk
Background:group_or_band
Origin:Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Genre:R&B
Years Active:1989–present
Label:Elektra
Liquid 8
Shanachie
Silk Music Group
Associated Acts:Keith Sweat, Tamar Braxton, Gerald Levert, Darrell "Delite" Allamby, Link, Heavy D, Soulshock & Karlin
Current Members:Tim "Timzo" Cameron
Jimmy Gates
Gary "Big G" Glenn
Johnathen "John-John" Rasboro
Gary "Lil G" Jenkins

Silk is an American R&B group, formed in 1989 in Atlanta, Georgia. They are best known for their 1993 hit single, "Freak Me", which reached number-one on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Career

Silk was discovered by the musician Keith Sweat. The group was originally a quintet made up of Timothy "Timzo" Cameron, James "Jimmy" Gates, Jr., Johnathen "John John" Rasboro, Tyga Graham & Albert “ NELLA” Allen. Gary "Big G" Glenn & Gary "Lil G" Jenkins joined shortly after the departures of Graham & Allen.

Silk is best known for their hit singles, "Freak Me", and "Happy Days" from their debut album, Lose Control. Another hit from Lose Control, "Girl U For Me", helped the album reach double platinum status. They later had success with singles such as "I Can Go Deep", "Hooked on You", "Don't Rush", "If You" (released February 23, 1999) "Meeting in My Bedroom", and "We're Calling You". In 1994, Silk won Album Of The Year for Lose Control at the Soul Train Music Awards.

In 2002, Silk left Elektra and took a hiatus. That same year, Jenkins went on to pursue other interests and made his stage debut as 'AJ' in the Tyler Perry play Madea's Family Reunion. He resurfaced musically in 2007 with his solo debut, The Other Side. Silk and Sweat both appeared in the group, Black Men United on the song "U Will Know" which is featured on soundtrack for the movie Jason's Lyric. Silk has also appeared on the soundtracks for Booty Call (Feel Good), Made In America (Does He Do It Good w/Keith Sweat),A Low Down Dirty Shame (I Can Go Deep), and Blankman (Cry On).

In 2003 and down to a quartet, Silk released their fifth studio album Silktime on their own label Silk Music Group. The album featured the songs "Silktime", "My Girl", "Alibi", "More", "You (The Baby Song)", "Check My Story" and a cover version of Blue Magic's "Sideshow". That song reunited them with their mentor Keith Sweat. The album appeared in the Billboard 200.

In 2006, the group returned with their sixth release, a covers album entitled Always And Forever on Shanachie Records. The album featured covers of R&B songs including "Adore" by Prince, "Always and Forever" by Heatwave, and "Secret Garden" by Quincy Jones. "Secret Garden" was the first and only single.

Jenkins has since rejoined Silk; their 7th album, Quiet Storm, was released on March 18, 2016 on Shanachie Records.

In 2018, Silk celebrated 25 years in the music business with two star studded concerts - one at B.B. King's in New York in February and the other in Atlanta in March. They were also honored with an episode on the popular series Unsung that same year.

Members

Former members

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

YearAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsCertifications
US
[1]
US
R&B
[2]
AUS
[3]
CAN
[4]
UK
1992Lose Control
  • Release date: November 17, 1992
  • Label: Elektra
71458
1995Silk
  • Release date: November 28, 1995
  • Label: Elektra
4610130
  • RIAA: Gold
1999Tonight
  • Release date: March 23, 1999
  • Label: Elektra
218
  • RIAA: Platinum
2001Love Session
  • Release date: June 12, 2001
  • Label: Elektra
202
2003Silktime
  • Release date: September 23, 2003
  • Label: Silk, Liquid 8
17830
2006Always and Forever
  • Release date: October 17, 2006
  • Label: Shanachie
23
2016Quiet Storm
  • Release date: March 18, 2016
  • Label: Shanachie
26
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

Singles

YearSinglePeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
US
[7]
US
R&B
[8]
AUS
CAN
NLD
[9]
NZ
[10]
UK
[11]
1992"Happy Days"8613Lose Control
1993"Freak Me"1134342946
"Girl U for Me" 264573067
"Lose Control"
"It Had to Be You"10945
"Baby It's You"44
1994"I Can Go Deep"7122A Low Down Dirty Shame / Silk
1995"Hooked on You"54121177Silk
1996"Don't Rush"9139
1999"If You (Lovin' Me)" 13428
  • RIAA: Gold
Tonight
"Meeting in My Bedroom"6215
"Let's Make Love"58
2001"We're Callin U"56Love Session
"Ebony Eyes"
2003"Silktime"Silktime
2004"Side Show"66
2006"The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)"Always and Forever
2016"Love 4 U 2 Like Me"Quiet Storm
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Silk Chart History > Billboard 200. Billboard. May 24, 2019.
  2. Silk Chart History > Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Billboard. May 24, 2019.
  3. Australian (ARIA) chart peaks:
    • Top 50 peaks: Web site: australian-charts.com > Silk in Australian Charts. Hung Medien. May 24, 2019.
    • Top 100 peaks to December 2010: Book: Ryan, Gavin. Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. 2011. Moonlight Publishing. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia. pdf. 251.
  4. CAN Charts > Silk. RPM. August 10, 2013.
  5. Web site: US Certifications > Silk. Recording Industry Association of America. August 10, 2013.
  6. Web site: CAN Certifications > Silk. Music Canada. August 10, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120225041920/http://www.musiccanada.com/GPSearchResult.aspx?st=. February 25, 2012. mdy-all.
  7. Silk Chart History > Hot 100. Billboard. May 24, 2019.
  8. Silk Chart History > Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Billboard. May 24, 2019.
  9. Web site: dutchcharts.nl > Silk in Dutch Charts. nl. Hung Medien. May 24, 2019.
  10. Web site: charts.nz > Silk in New Zealand Charts. Hung Medien. May 24, 2019.
  11. UK chart peaks:
  12. 251.