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Jodeci, the influential R&B group of the 1990s, comprised of K-Ci, JoJo, and producers Mr. Dalvin and DeVante Swing, made a lasting impact on the R&B music scene with their soulful and evocative hit â Freekân You,â a sultry banger that showcased their distinctive fusion of sensuality and silky vocals.
In a video posted on the Golden Stories Instagram page on June 1, K-Ci revealed the backstory of the provocative track during a radio interview. He recounted how Swing allegedly surprised him with naked ladies in the booth as an incentive to sing the song.
Growing up singing gospel in church, K-Ci initially hesitated when the producer proposed the song, feeling conflicted about its suggestive lyrics and how they aligned with his devout Christian upbringing.
âI canât see myself singing that song,â K-Ci recalled telling his groupmate. However, Swing reassured the R&B hitmaker that he would be able to sing the tune easily with a little rest and motivation.
ââGo home. I bet you tomorrow when you come back, you gon sing this song,ââ Swing told the Grammy nominee, according to the throwback interview clip. ââTrust me K-Ci. I bet you, you will sing the hell out of that song.ââ
When he returned to the studio the next day, K-Ci claimed that Swing blew him away with an unforgettable surprise. The singer alleged that he stepped into the booth to find â10 to 15 butt-naked womenâ standing there.
Jodeciâs history.
Itâs unclear if Swingâs naughty surprise had anything to do with the success of â Freekân You, â but K-Ci and the group sang the heck out of the song, especially given their strict Christian upbringing. Released in 1995 on their third studio album, The Show, The After Party, The Hotel , âFreekân Youâ immediately captured fansâ attention for its seductive undertones, sultry production and infectious rhythm.
The song peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard chart. Before the success of âFreekân You,â the group had cemented their name in R&B books with classics like âCome & Talk To Meâ and âCry For You,â both of which soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Top R&B charts, according to the groupâs website.
Did Jodeci breakup?
K-Ci and JoJo ventured off in 1997 to pursue their solo career, but Jodeci never lost their inspiration for making music together. In a 2015 interview with The Fader, the iconic R&B group addressed rumors suggesting they had broken up during their hiatus.
âWe never broke up. That was the misconception people had,â the group said. âJodeci never broke up. We just stopped putting out records. We went through a transitional period where the business changed, music changed, and we just stepped back.â
Mr. Dalvin noted that during the rise of hip-hop, the group encountered difficulty releasing music. They observed their favorite R&B artists being overshadowed and sought ways to stay ârelevant.â In an attempt to boost their visibility, they enlisted Wu-Tang Clan members Raekwon and Ghostface Killah for a remix of âFreekân You.â While the collaboration initially created a buzz, the hype didnât last long.
âThen, it was like, letâs just let the hip-hop era come through,â Dalvin said.
Thankfully, the music industryâs changing landscape did not stop the North Carolina-bred stars. Jodeci remains a force in music today, extending their legendary sound to audiences far and wide. They are gearing up to headline a Las Vegas residency titled The Show, The Afterparty at the House of Blues, running from July 5 to July 14. The group also has tour dates lined up in cities including Detroit, Michigan, Gary, Indiana, and several other locations.
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