They Made Us Weak
Who: SWV
Hit We Love: “Weak” “Right Here,” “Downtown”
Hometown: New York City
What They’re Up To Now: Doing some dates and performances as part of a reunion, but each of the women has had some success after their stint in SWV
The Story: Like a lot of young women, the ladies of SWV – Sisters With Voices, had a dream to become a famous girl group. Unlike a lot of those young women, Tamara “Taj”Johnson-George, Cheryl “Coko” Clemons, and Leanne “Lelee” Lyons actually saw it come true. In the 90’s the three friends formed a group and were eventually signed to RCA from a demo tape. Producer Teddy Riley, then at the top of his game, heard it an agreed to work with the group. Their first record 1992’s “It’s About Time” put them on the industry fast track. They toured with all the other hitmakers of the moment and were the reigning hip-hop/R&B girl group.
They blew up so quickly that they weren’t quite prepared and rumors of their hard-partying ways chipped at their reputation. But it didn’t stop the hits from flowing as all three of their studio albums went at least gold and the first two are multiplatinum.
Their run was over when the group disbanded in 1997, after their final album together “A Special Christmas.”
Already a mother of two when she joined the group, Lelee is pursuing a college education majoring in accounting and communications and is an active Coko, released a secular solo CD “Hot Coko” in 1999, the released a gospel CD “Grateful” in 2006. Taj married NFL star Eddie George and starred in a TV One reality show “I Married A Baller,” that documented their relationship. They now have two sons. Taj also appeared on the CBS reality juggernaut “Survivor” finishing in a respectable fourth place.
In 2008, SWV appeared on the BET Awards with Alicia Keys and that sparked renewed interest in a comeback, which the ladies have mounted doing spot dates through this year. Their February appearance on “The Mo’Nique Show” earned the chatfest some of its highest ratings ever. They ladies are in the studio and are expected to release a brand new SWV record by the end of this year.
If you’re in the New York City area this summer, you can join Coko and SWV on June 13 at BB King’s in Times Square for Coko’s musical birthday tribute party. Click here for tickets and info: TheRealSWV.com
You can follow Coko on Twitter @Only1Coko, Taj @ TajGeorge and Lelee @LeLeeLyons to see what they’re all up to, though Coko’s account is the most active. You can also get updates on their appearances and upcoming CD via their official website TheRealSWV.com
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