Black British Female Music Acts from the 2000s People Forgot About | BFTV

Video edited by Aalyiah: aalyiahvictoria...
Where pop culture & Black women meet.
INTRO SONG: • Michael Watford - Happ...
INSTAGRAM: / blackfemininitytv
SERIOUS BUSINESS INQUIRIES: [e-mail]

[@gloriaemon6624]

As a black British girl who grew up in London, all these acts meant soo much to us black girls growing up in the UK. I genuinely feel like if social media existed back then alotttt of these groups would’ve lasted a lot longer just by popular demand. The same way we root for Normani and Chloe Bailey would be how we would’ve rooted for them :(

[@MsTeo91]

Facts, me and my best friends at the time thought we were Mis-teeq 🙈

[@angelstarbaby]

💯 talented yet unique ladies....agree they would have been around for longer.

[@rvegas81]

Please don’t forgot about samatha mumba. I used to be obsessed with that cd. Lol!

[@MsTeo91]

@@rvegas81 oh yeah Samatha Mumba do you remember Eternals ?

[@missfefeloves]

Yes! I hate that they didn't go so far

[@marciaa6125]

As a black girl from London you don't know how much this video means to us!!! In the Early 2000s we were really represented in the media... now there is nothing....

[@FirstnameLastname-hm9vl]

There’s nothing? So what about all the black female rappers? And singers like Jorja smith, flo and so many other underrated acts. I hate when people say there’s “nothing” when there is but people like you who complain don’t support those who are talented but underrated

[@marciaa6125]

@@FirstnameLastname-hm9vl jorja Smith is of mixed heritage. Let's not do the one drop rules here please.

[@akeme25]

Ella Mai seems to be doing well

[@marciaa6125]

@@akeme25 again mixed heritage. I'm talking about fully black, brown and dark-skinned girls. You can't name a successful one now from this era.

[@sohnaminta.9264]

@@marciaa6125 cat Burns, Rachel chinouri and Arlo Parks are all dark skinned black British female acts

[@ThriftedDadHat]

As a Black American, I’m glad I got to experience Cleopatra in my youth. ☺️ they were so ahead of their time 😭 also, they’re proof that Black girls are marketable af and can do pop/crossover.

[@cecec9403]

I loved that group. I had their debut album. It was great.

[@deljean]

Same

[@ThriftedDadHat]

@@cecec9403 I remember their Disney performances 🥰

[@JordanWilliams-ix2td]

"Cleopatra coming at ya!" 😂😂😂 that used to be MY JAM! I made sure to clear my elementary school schedule & get all my homework done to watch their concert on Disney Channel...good times lol xoxo #Mychildhood

[@ThriftedDadHat]

@@JordanWilliams-ix2td that’s sweet you prioritized school work, as for me… 😅😭 but those were them days 🥰

[@jacarriusdoesthings]

Black Femininity TV doesn’t disappoint at all. I’m loving the new intro for sure. I sure remember Jamelia and Mis-teeq (especially when Scandalous released in 2004 in the US).

[@skottie222]

I remember being a little girl jumping on my trampoline in the backyard blasting "Cleopatra...coming atcha!!" I had all of their albums...wow, the nostalgia. Those were the good days 💫

[@lovejones0686]

Same except I was jumping on my bed. Lol

[@skottie222]

@@lovejones0686 it was such a hype song it made you want to jump and dance lol I wish we could go back to those times!

[@lovejones0686]

@@skottie222 me too!!! Good music was made in the 90s/00s

[@Team90sBABE]

Lol same but definitely jumping on my bed. My sister and I got in sooo much trouble! 🤣🤣🤣

[@Tha90sKid]

@@lovejones0686 Same!

[@FirstnameLastname-hm9vl]

Nothing better than getting a notification that black femininity tv posted

[@khalilahd.]

Exactly 💛

[@sin5027]

especially while im eating, BEST FEELING

[@taijohnson9878]

Right I'm just like can we get weekly videos ?

[@michaellakosia6876]

Seriously! I love her content so much!

[@Laura-sg6ss]

Ikrr

[@Belihoney]

One thing I love about black Brits in girl groups is that a lot of them kept the mc style you would hear in black uk music (garage, drum and bass, dub, bassline etc etc) like the style alesha in misteeq sings. Even in spice gorls, if you wanna be my lover- Mel b was rapping using black uk mc lingo/ candence. It was a cute way to pay local homage in pop

[@samuellaonaiwu]

Right. They always ate

[@missfefeloves]

Agreed!

[@Laura-sg6ss]

EXACTLY!!! EXACTLY THIS!!! 🔥🔥🔥 the Afro-Caribbean influences, beautiful to see😭 makes it unique!!

[@GraduateJLN]

Why they don’t keep the accent?

[@prettyroses4742]

That’s just naturally how all of their voices come out when they sing, I don’t think it’s done on purpose. Other nationalities sing the same way, where their voices sound more Americanized.

[@olciac1989]

Jamelia's "Superstar" and Mis-Teeq's "Scandalous" were SO popular in Poland when I was a kid/teenager!

[@ynazzra]

Being British, I love you that you’re representing and the way you say “Garage”

[@rbags934]

Lol I’m loving how she says garage 🥰

[@aceee9813]

I’ve always had a deep love for black uk female artist and wish they had more success.

[@missfefeloves]

Same here they always gave me that girl pop and enthusiasm I was looking for

[@brooklynjones6220]

I love FLO!! Their voices go so well together, based off the single and some of their covers on tiktok. Can't wait for the EP!!!

[@bougiebohemian5393]

I’m a black American but I vividly remember Cleopatra. I LOVED them when I was a preteen. I thought they were different and incredibly dope. Beautiful voices. I wanted them to go further.

[@Yh-vi2sv]

2000s was the peak/top tier era of American AND British culture no one can change my mind.

[@dezinechic]

this!

[@soniadevlin487]

90s for the USA because it was still mostly black owned. But, definitely late 90s/early 2000s for black British culture

[@missfefeloves]

@@soniadevlin487 👏🏼

[@BadBoiBritish]

I loved that you have highlighted black British pop culture in this it’s nice to see appreciation from the other side of the pond ,but I wish u had highlighted SAMANTHA MUMBA she was our black Irish Britney Spears !

[@APimpNamedNastyNesto]

She was big in the US for a minute and had two popular pop songs and even put her little brother on Disney Music play. She has new music out now

[@alidhere9806]

I can’t express how much Jamelia meant to me growing up. I felt so seen! Superstar, thank you, boy’s eyes!

[@thetruesoulofanaquarius9302]

Cleopatra really did have some beautiful voices and they were/ still is so pretty. ❤️❤️❤️

[@feathersofdxhlia8122]

so true, i remember seeing them on tv and magazines when i was like 6/7, i thought they were sooooo pretty and i loved their voices, they remind me so much of young Tatayani Ali as adorable little ashley in Fresh prince, but with british accents like mine!

[@ginisekgampu8379]

Who remembers their TV show?

[@Daniela-xj4fj]

As a black British girl from London, we usually don’t get much representation. I LOVEEE This video!

[@luckysaira4470]

Does anyone notice how beautiful all of these women are? Growing up black and British, seeing all of this gorgeous representation helped to make me LOVE who I am in my blackness. It's really sad how today in this social media driven world, blk women are swelling up their faces with fillers and obscuring their natural beauty and all looking like clones of each other instead of celebrating their unique beauty.

[@brooklynjones6220]

I like the unique braid styles that Cleopatra had!!

[@usagifelton]

Lol, as an American girl from Texas I remember Cleopatra and their song that played all the time on Disney. From the moment you showed the first pic I was like "Oh, hey! I remember them!"

[@annaisiomaful]

As a Black British woman in her lte 20’s this means a lot this is our history. 🇬🇧

[@HyphenatedHistoryUK]

So good I had to comment twice! This video unlocked deep memories I didn’t know I had because I remembered EVERYBODY and every song 😭 special mention to Keisha Buchanan as well, who was in the Sugababes and is someone I think a lot of us will remember as being one of the most visible Black singers in the 2000s

[@hotspot171]

Period, I love Keisha. That band did her really dirty in the later years of their tenure

[@JiminsLeftElbow]

I said the same! Wished she mentioned Sugababes.

[@carlocarnaje6918]

KEISHA PERIOD

[@alkahinat4558]

Keisha is so pretty!

[@co_7523]

As a Black British woman born and raised in London, I just to say thank you for bringing attention to these acts! This video has brought back some fond memories. I absolutely loved Jamelia and Mis-Teeq and I was gutted when the band broke up. Cleopatra's Theme is one of my favourite tunes.

[@EmpressIslandBeauty]

We had a Black Brit girl group in the 70s called 15,16,17. Not much online about them unfortunately, but they were a big deal at the time. Great nostalgic vid, I appreciate it!

[@susanfarrell1128]

We need uk black women singing

[@AemiliaJacobus]

Lots of lovers rock singers were just teenagers when they recorded their music and then went back to their normal lives. That's why there's little about them. Only a few like Janet Kay and Carroll Thompson continued.

[@EmpressIslandBeauty]

@@AemiliaJacobus Yes hence the name of the group. I believe Christine still performs though.

[@ReadLoveListen]

I was a huge Mis-teeq fan! I would play a lot of UK R&B and grime on AOL & Yahoo Music. Alesha had some good albums. Sabrina had some good hits too. Cleopatra was so cool to see when I was a kid.

[@MCharlerySmith]

I certainly didn’t forget about Jamelia, Shola Ama, Cleopatra, Honeyz, Mis-Teeq, Fierce and the others sprinkled around the charts at that time. It’s important to glance back at this time so we don’t believe the lie that we (as Black people) were never represented in the UK. We most definitely were, but you’d need to consider the 90’s too because that was probably our most prolific decade in British media and even some of these acts debuted in the latter part of it. I’m not entirely sure why many couldn’t gain traction in the US but it’s probably because we didn’t have a strong enough equivalent to Whitney Houston and our girl groups couldn’t compete with Destiny’s Child, TLC, En Vogue, SWV and the like. Btw, Eternal are underrated and unappreciated for what they did for Black British music. They were the best suited to conquer America but it didn’t happen.

[@TGFLdn24]

Yes all were talented but this island does everything to hold back Black British talent, the only time Black British talent could do what they wanted was when they controlled thier own narrative (soul2Soul, So Solid, Dizzy rascal etc). And we all know they treat Black British Woman the worst in the industry and in British media. Especially how these record labels were quick to push the light skin woman or run to try/or add a certain type of white woman in any group that had dark skin Black woman. Look at the way they tried to push Louise from enternal into a lead solo artist when she was the least vocally talented out of all the woman....etc

[@rvegas81]

I agree. I’m shocked that folks never mention cleopatra or Sam mantua mumba

[@rra7490]

You got to remember those girl groups in the U.S. had heavy rotation of MTV and the radio which made them blow up, something that lacked with UK groups except Spice Girls, if it wasn’t on MTV then most didnt know of them in the U.S.

[@missfefeloves]

@@rra7490 right

[@skottie222]

Cleopatra is honestly LEGENDARY 🥰🤎

[@TiaLaMuneca]

“Cleopatra Come’n Atcha” has been randomly stuck in my head since my childhood

[@carlissapowell7069]

I still love Cleopatra they impacted me so much being an all black group with beautiful dark skinned girls. I'm dark skinned so seeing them come through with their first single was everything. Thanks for the video!

[@franklantic]

Love how FLO and Cardboard Box are getting this much hype. Hopefully they take off as they should. The girls deserve it. ❤

[@gurlwhowants2dj]

I am in the US but got hooked on the UK garage scene while in high school. This brings back memories 😍thanks for this!

[@HyphenatedHistoryUK]

This channel is one of the best. I can’t believe how good this video is. You’re really here for ALL of us and you do your RESEARCH girl. Much love from the UK. You’ve done such an awesome job 💕

[@kay-marie1076]

I remember all of them here in the UK. I was born and raised in North Staffordshire near Manchester. This was during my teen years as a black girl. We needed that growing up because we tend to look towards the USA for Black icons. Thank you so much for giving us Black British folks recognition. Much Respect 😀

[@missfefeloves]

The 90s and early 2000s were times when girlhood was being celebrated all round. I try miss those days. You had girl groups or bands all over and they were all making it in the charts. Girlhood was stronger and so much more exciting back then. Wish I could go back and remain there lmao I truly miss those days🙂

[@missfefeloves]

Tbh in my opinion the British girl groups were so much better than the Americans but hey it is what it is🤷‍♀️

[@diijahlove]

Love this sooooo much! Black UK representation in the 2000's was everything to me. I was 14 at the turn of the millennium. Ahhh the nostalgia! Well done BFTV. Love. ❤️🇬🇧

[@brittanyguyton3987]

I never heard of any of these groups, but I'm going to check out all of their music. The Cleopatra girls group, so cute 😍 I wish they could have went further.

[@marisolania2696]

I’ve never heard of any of these groups but I wish Cleopatra & Jamelia had been able to go further. The music industry is so dicey, you can have the hottest song of the year but if you don’t repeat that every year after they will drop you with the quickness! (Also colorism/racism/sexism probably didn’t make it any easier).

[@luckysaira4470]

If you look at most 90's British singers up until just before Misteeq- most of them were brown skinned or darker skinned and many like Jamelia had HUGE careers. It was more label issues and politics- most of these acts failed at their second albums for example. However, I would say colourism came into play when they started introducing 'black' groups with predominantly mixed race girls like Misteeq and the 411 etc and from there, there was definitely a decline of unambiguously black British female acts like we'd seen previously. The legacy of that exists today but in the 90's up to 2000 I would say colourism wasn't the issue because brown skinned and darker skinned black British singers were the prototype in the 90's.

[@moonhoneymami]

Omg I can’t wait for the male singers video just to see Craig David

[@brebre23461]

Me too😩 He was fine!❤ lol

[@thetruesoulofanaquarius9302]

Me too I use to be in love with him back in the day.

[@BLACKFEMININITYTV]

Excuse me that is my husband so slow down ☝🏾😭

[@nomsantuli6023]

he is fine and have met him

[@neutralsnoir2509]

Being from the UK and a fan of your channel , makes me super excited to watch this x

[@ayash7363]

fun fact: "Cant Get It Back" was firstly recorded by Blaque. after their album got shelved, Miss Teeq took the song 🙂

[@RM-kl4cq]

Oh. Thought the other way round.

[@zzizahacallar]

I was living in the UK from 2002-2006. I remember most of the female acts you spoke about. There was many more groups that were interracial such as 411, Sugababes, SClub7, Liberty X, etc. I miss the UK and all the music.

[@RareMusicSpam]

Fun fact: Mis Teeqs garage hits are actually remixes of more normal sounding rnb songs. Both versions are really good

[@i_treasure_u_forever3523]

I can't wait for you to discuss the male singers as well. I love me some Craig David and he is still making music. Also, he is releasing a book this year.

[@Marvelous_M]

Craig is fine fine fine ♥️😂

[@popunderrated]

This is great and thank you for shining a light on some of the most underrated U.K. black singers and groups! Our little country really did produce some fantastic music back in the 00’s!

[@franklantic]

For that record company to give way for Victoria, banking on her pre-solo fame, was just so frustrating to say the least. Mis-teeq could have been so much bigger had that not happened! So sad.

[@iamvaleriee11]

In the uk we pronounce garage as gar-idge. Correct me if I’m wrong but that’s how I’ve always heard it growing up in London

[@janepatton8100]

I definitely remember Cleopatra from when I was stationed in Japan via the US military. I stole their first album from the Japanese national I was dating at the time, and bought their 2nd album when it debuted around 99-00. I loved those girls.

[@LL00123]

The Honeyz are one of the most underrated girl bands from the 90s!! Shola Ama also had some amazing songs aside from “you might need somebody” - her dark child song Imagine is a banger

[@nikkiogundelestwin4584]

Yesss, my favourite shola ama song was sweetest taboo featuring glamma kid, that was a big tune

[@alkahinat4558]

Her sister Sadie Ama is a good singer too That So Sure song she did with Kano, still love it

[@marianncollins3313]

Girl you deserve all the success coming to you! This video is so amazing and I’ve never heard of these ladies/groups in my life. You really opened me up to another world and I immediately went to go watch all their videos after I seen this. Keep up the good work!👏🏾💜

[@bgbgbtube]

I grew up in the late 90's to mid 2000s in the UK and I remember most of these songs! Memories being unlocked.

[@marvinsworld6160]

0:45 Gabrielle is still going and is probably one if the only one from this era. Sold out tours and tv appearances

[@nomsantuli6023]

FACTS

[@charlieedwards4331]

Jamelia is a great artist! “Money Don’t Say You Love Me” is still a bop to this day!

[@Jamerian2010]

As a girl that grew up in Europe, this era of music was amazing!!! Thanks for shining some light on it

[@DanielRandB]

You Know That Tagline "Peperidge Farm Remembers" They Should Change It To "Black Femininity TV Remembers"

[@KyaneTiger]

So happy you shouted out Flo. They give me 3LW vibes but make it their own and I really want to see a revival of girl and boy bands.

[@iampause]

They remind me more of The Honeyz's 2nd lineup, Kiely could only wish having FLO's talent.

[@Three_Diamonds]

I only remember "Cleopatra comin' at ya!"

[@jbuggin8811]

Omg I was just thinking of Cleopatra last week! I didn't realize they were British as a kid lol

[@Franniiv3]

Also did anyone else watch Cleopatra's TV series?! I think I saw every episode! It was on CITV once a week after school lol I loved it! xo

[@jasmineroy9982]

I remember scandalous and Cleopatra comin' at cha. All the other songs I never heard of before. I can't wait for part 2. I loved Craig David growing up.

[@chantellemarcu683]

Thank you so much for covering Black British female singers as a Black Brit I grew up listening to a lot of these girl bands, singers and duo’s. Miss Teeq were my favourite British girl group at the time and they did their thing in the prime years

[@ginoissac8009]

It is so crazy how Cleopatra was dropped from promotion with all that promise of a successful career.

[@abiola33]

I especially saved this video for my lunch break! Being a mid-thirties black female Londoner, these groups were a part of my childhood and teens! Thank you for this video, it is honeatly appreciated 😊💙💎.

[@MissJhane]

I grew up in Canada so we had the best of worldwide black music. The british industry is MUCH bigger that I remember. I still play Mis-Teeq last cd til this day. Ms Dynamite , Samantha Mumba also were my fav. The problem with Garage music groups is that when they cross over to the US, they lost their originality for most to compete with Black American groups that already had their own songs. Never knew about the S Club 7 girl, now wonder she was my fav of the group. I miss these times

[@cecesianity]

My teen year influences in 25 mins I'm 37 and I still play these tunes today Remember the routines for a few of them too 😂💃🏾

[@justyb2209]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 This really brought back memories, can’t wait for part 2 - LUV IT ✊🏾

[@JAllen-tx3di]

WELL DONE this put a huge smile on my face just going back in time.

[@khalilahd.]

I swear I always learn so much from this channel and I love it 💛

[@bittersweet3147]

This was such a great flashback. I loved seeing groups I knew and ones I need to check out. Awesome video as always

[@emem6935]

Cleopatra comin atcha!! I never forgot these ladies lol

[@Nperidot04]

@BLACK FEMININITY TV aww the nostalgia has hit hard...I remember listening to all these singers / groups growing up...I always wandered what happened to them - fantastic video!

[@TeeTV1]

This was brilliant, thank you. Thanks for thinking about those of us in the UK. Can't wait for part 2!!

[@bibinakajja2110]

Yessss BFTV! You don’t disappoint! Mis-Teeq were my favourite!

[@angelmelendez9056]

I had no idea Cleopatra was a UK girl group. Yall I blasted that everyday! Jumping on my bed and everything 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@SagittariusQueen1980]

Loving this channel, always telling stories about people and things from back in the day I totally forgot about, especially Cleopatra and Misteeq.

[@TooFeisty]

This was a fun revisit. Definitely enjoyed some of the songs mentioned.

[@anorbert38]

Brilliant content! Grew up listening to all of them! Thank you so much 💓

[@serena_observes84]

Loved this!! You did a great job of reserach, I grew up in the UK listening to these ladies, another group missed on the list was group Eternal. They originally sang Angel of mine before Monica

[@princessamani]

The Cleopatra tv show was everything. Used to watch it with a jam sandwich after school!

[@brebre23461]

Girl I was in the middle of studying and you posted this video. I was like welp its been 2hrs time for a study break😂. I love your videos it brings back so much nostalgia.❤ I remember Mis-Teeq and Jamelia

[@faithfullypenny]

We need part 2 because Samantha Mumba, Sugababes, Atomic kitten, Girls aloud, All saints, the list is endless.

[@daaiyahgreen]

Scandalous!!!! Girl that song was everywhere I used to love it so much!!!!

[@Laura-sg6ss]

AHHH!! Love this. BIG UP YOU FOR THIS 🔥🔥🔥! I was born in the 00s but I'm all about our groups. Black Brits stand up💃🏽❤🖤💚! Gwarnnn🤭

[@commentguru7952]

Who remember: MsDynamite, FebeDobson, SamanthaMumba, and Eternal (to name a few)

[@Kre8iviT27]

Fefe Dobson is Canadian and Samantha Mumba is Irish.

[@AshleyRozay1]

Cleopatra album still slaps TIL THIS DAY! I always ask people if they remember them. Great video!

[@ashblu3]

Superstar was so popular in Australia! I remember hearing it a lot as a kid and I’m glad I now know more about the person behind it. Love your videos

[@msbcheet6041]

Thank you for posting these great videos.

[@punkyreggaeparty8786]

Great docu. Loved Cleopatra! Was hoping you would include V.V. Brown. Keep up the great work.

[@fellicialubisi8461]

I am loving this channel you produce such high quality informative content,Thank You💚

[@hellobye7697]

Now THIS is the type of content i've been needing on youtube. Hats off to you x

[@ChampayneCole]

It was nice learning what happened to Cleo, I was a huge fan of them as a kid & was saddened when I no longer saw their music/faces on the common children networks here in the US. You always give great, thorough breakdowns of these topics.

[@lilmoby]

I just loveeeeeeee this channel ❤️ another awesome video with great research that brings back memories. I loved Jamelia, mis-teeq n shola Ama. Thank you BFTV ☺️

[@EEJAI]

Black Femininity TV is life. I really enjoyed this doc. Cleopatra was fire. Took me back to my teens. I can't wait for Part 2. I loved me some Craig David.

[@Team90sBABE]

I love Cleopatra! Anyone remember the Disney special when they performed on a Disney Cruise?? 🥰🥰

[@GabimaruSano]

This video is everything!! This was a moment for all UK black girls🙌🏾.

[@user-gm2ix2ii3k]

Black Brits STAND UP ❤️💯❤️💯

[@camarareid5921]

You need to the male version ASAP 😂 love these type of videos 🫶🏽💗

[@katyspry7619]

To this day I still listen to the majority of the songs featured in this video, always baffled how some of these brilliant acts weren’t more celebrated. So many of these tunes still hold up so well today, timeless. Thanks so much for this vid x

[@MB-ui9nw]

Wooo as a Brit, so happy you did this!! ❤️

[@Feyisvyo]

From a Black British babe that grew up in the 90s - Thank You, so many memories and feelings were unlocked with this one. :)

[@visionchildofreform]

omg, never knew there was a video for Touch of Love by Cleopatra! Love them and that is the best song on the album❤️