As my avid readers know, I immensely love the nineties R&B sound. While SWV, TLC, and Xscape were the premier girl groups until Destiny Child hit the scene, I wanted to show some love to Bad Boy’s female R&B trio Total.
After signing with Bad Boy Records, the group made an uncredited appearance singing the hook on The Notorious B.I.G’s “Juicy” in 1994. Frank White would later return the favor providing a memorable Hot 16 to the group’s debut single, “Can’t You See,” which would start building momentum for the group.
Hip Hop vibes continued with the second single, “No One Else.” However, the album’s third single, “Kissing You,” put the group in a different light for me. The legendary Raphael Saadiq wrote and produced this bop which showcased the trio’s voices. When creating the song, Saadiq wanted to represent NYC and linked up with guitarist Brian Julian.
Group member Keisha handled the first verse and the bridge. Pam sang the second verse while Kima joined in on the hook. I’ve always loved the song because it reminds you of the newness in a relationship. I was in middle school when the song hit the airwaves, so naturally, I felt like the trio was singing to me.
It would be a crime if I didn’t mention Puff Daddy’s remix of the song “Kissin’ You/Oh Honey.” Puff was already known for using samples to make hits, and for this remix, he used Delegation’s 1978 hit “Oh Honey” to create an even mellow vibe that tops the original.
F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, “Then he kissed her. At his lips’ touch, she blossomed for him like a flower, and the incarnation was complete. I think that quote effectively solidifies Total’s “Kissing You.”
Final Grade: A
“Kissing You” and the remix are available on all streaming platforms.
I’ve always been a fan of Eric Bellinger. My admiration stems not only from the records he has released under his own name but also from the impressive career he built behind the scenes. Long before casual R&B listeners recognized his face, they were already familiar with his songwriting through tracks he penned for artists like Chris Brown, Usher, Justin Bieber, and Wale.
As many of you know, I had the opportunity to visit Paisley Park earlier this week while vacationing in Minnesota. During the tour, our guide shared that an expanded edition of Prince’s album “Parade” is expected to be released to celebrate its 40th anniversary. After spending the day exploring the Twin Cities, it felt like the perfect excuse to revisit one of the most fascinating and underrated albums in Prince’s legendary catalog.
One of the reasons I’ve always considered Prince to have the edge over Michael Jackson is his remarkable collection of ballads and