What Happened To R&B Group Blaque? | How The Death of a Member Changed Everything

Blaque, an acronym that stands for Believing in Life and Achieving a Quest for Unity in Everything, was way ahead of their time when they burst onto the music scene on the cusp of the new millennium in 1999. They had multiple hit songs, a platinum album and worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry like TLC and NSYNC. Then after a long hiatus, they decided to make a comeback that ultimately was not meant to be when the group tragically lost one its beloved members. This is the story of R&B girl group Blaque.
#Blaque #ShamariFears #NatinaReed #BrandiWilliams
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ABOUT LET'S GET TO THE ROOT
Hi! I'm Genevieve and this is my second channel. I'm a lifestyle blogger who's obsessed with skincare, self love, 90's r&b music and anything chocolate! Don't forget to check out my main channel, Genuinely Genevieve!
Let's Get To The Root lives up to its name by going beyond just the surface. This channel is a deep dive into all the interesting and shocking information about all your favourite Hollywood celebrities, entertainers, movies, television shows and more from back in the day. Here we'll answer all your burning questions and give you all the juicy details you never knew before!

[@odette4059]

Lefteyes death impacted them greatly, Natinas was the cherry on top. it’s sad that they never got to carry on, they had so much potential 😣

[@dabnisbrickey6527]

They had been over for years before natina died. Even if she were still alive it wouldn't have made a difference

[@devintucker5483]

Agreed they are one of my favorites

[@michaelmclendon6368]

Yea west coast road to wrestlemaina

[@lindseydickey9282]

not really a cherry on top. more like the straw on a camel's back :(

[@lxspa529]

Those of us that grew up in the 90’s were really blessed. We got to experience some of the best artists at the height of their careers. Got to see a lot of artists grow, hear great music on the radio...what a time to be alive.

[@iamragdollsally]

H3ll yes!

[@packnetadaija]

I totally agree! I honestly wish I was really alive in the 90s so I could experience a lot of these things live and in person (I was born in 95 so I don’t have too much consciousness of back then)

[@marcusbernard2407]

That part !

[@mooncakespodcast]

You are so right. The music and style made it so much fun.

[@tammibartice2088]

💜✌you said it. What a special time. So just what the heck is going on today? Is anything real? I obvious ly enjoyed your comment. Have a wonderful day😋💜✌

[@itznia_ok8069]

There are so many similarities between Natina and Left Eye... RIP to those talented queens

[@jadaony4145]

Their song “As if” was everything! One of the highlights of the “bring it on” movie

[@Nelson_Swamp]

The Internet is the best thing to happen to the record business. How the FUCK can a group sell a MILLION COPIES of their debut album, yet have their sophomore effort shelved??? HOW???

[@julietcapps4821]

i wondered that too.

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

@@julietcapps4821 the powers that be at the label sometimes puts more money into their labelmates if they are selling more records they put the other acts on the back burner that is common in this industry .

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

@@julietcapps4821 record label politics smh.

[@stacyr4768]

@@julietcapps4821 I think it was due to Left Eyes death

[@maxjulianc]

I think the artist should be able to sue for breach of contract promises.

[@MzAbstractMind]

Natina and Lisa Left Eye Lopez...I always thought they has similar souls 🤔 it was and is still eerie to me 😳

[@jstun2318]

I thought they were the same person at one point. Lol

[@maryperry6573]

I said the same thing. Especially how they both died very similarly

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

@@maryperry6573 yeah that was eerie I will never forget hearing about left eye on the internet in my last year of high school and Natina on the radio early in the morning back then.

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

@@maryperry6573 I was a fan of both and I owned CDs by both groups back then.

[@pocahontas4583]

I always thought they were related. When the group came out people were saying Natina was Lisa’s “cousin” and that was how they became famous. Their personalities seemed very similar that’s for sure.

[@gummybears1339]

Boom like an 808 🎶 🖤

[@sp8813]

Boom baby Boom baby

[@loveangel102]

She ain’t got that boom like I do N she don’t move the room like I do And she ain't got that junk in her trunk or that bump that you want Ayeeee🎶

[@NellieKAdaba]

My jam

[@dorothyspeaks6997]

@@loveangel102 periodt

[@ripman21]

Just goes to show...you can't deny R Kelly 😆

[@mizzjacquettaxx6974]

I love Blaque also! They’re all beautiful ladies. R.I.P. Natina Reed🙏🏽❤️

[@antionettemathis430]

i feel so sorry for Blaque R.l.P Natina Reed 😞💝🌹🥀💐🌺🌼

[@dwyaneohmar9418]

Mathew Knowles is always somewhere in the mix

[@losgreensborogboro5804]

Mhmmmmmm... he shelved that album smh.

[@jtaylor875]

I don’t want no one coming for me but y’all know he knew that second album was gonna put them in the forefront and give DC some competition. Matthew was slick back then with trying to sabotage so many artist so no one overshadowed “Beyoncé and the girls”😂🤷🏾‍♂️

[@dwyaneohmar9418]

@@jtaylor875 ion know about competition with Destiny’s Child because they were on a different level .. however, he was going to try and prevent any further success by any means Necessary

[@jtaylor875]

@@dwyaneohmar9418 I agree. Promotion definitely killed “Blaque Out’ success. It featured the single As If which was from the bring it on movie and even their single “Can’t get it back” was projected to be a smash yet it tanked and the British group Mis-Teeq ended up recording a version of it in the UK and garnered more success from it. Just so wrong🤦🏾‍♂️

[@AfricanGirl]

Lol

[@turtlew1019]

I didn't realize Blaque was actually an acronym. ✊🏿

[@iamragdollsally]

Me too

[@tye958]

This group couldn't catch a break🤦🏽...They had Soo much talent just to stifled 😤 still much respect for their Perseverance!

[@NellieKAdaba]

👍🏾

[@fizzyfuzz5878]

It was interesting that song was always credited to being a *NSYNC feature. When it was only JC singing.

[@sharonjo7630]

If you listen closely to the chorus, it sounds like the other members of NSYNC are singing along, at least that what it sounded like to me years ago when having headphones on.

[@eyebrowstj]

JC was always underrated. He was my absolute favorite thing about Nsync. That boy had some soul! More so than Justin. Love me some Justin too, but JC owned them vocals!

[@eyebrowstj]

@@sharonjo7630 It was only JC on Bring It All To Me. Nsync had distinctive harmonies and I didn't hear it on Bring It All To Me.

[@TheLovesnowangel]

@@sharonjo7630 your ears are playing tricks on you. It was just JC featured on the song. Maybe you were hearing JC on the background vocals.

[@sharonjo7630]

@@TheLovesnowangel I thought I heard Justin in the background.

[@sabrinahudson6820]

Rip to Natina 🙏🏾😇 Its sad to kno tht she passed while going thru a tough time in her life. Her legacy lives on ❤

[@Tiajones333]

I agree they definitely was ahead of their time the label didn't know what to do with them1 after left eye died I love their music I love them and bring it on I wish they was in more stuff together

[@solongsuicide9]

*were

[@kevaunmitchell1316]

RIP natina reed

[@Tiajones333]

It always crazy how the Natina Reed and left eye died they both was the rappers in a group left eye died in a car accident and Natina got hit by a car and died 😢😭😭😡

[@penelopephelange]

Hit by a car? I'm rollin 😂

[@penelopephelange]

@Miracle Ma The fact that she prolly went flyin 💅

[@Estelle738l]

@@penelopephelange Wow! Smh

[@notyours143forlife2]

In this life, There are no coincidence

[@chantoya17]

both died around the same age too. Lisa was 30, just a month shy of her birthday and Natina was 31, just 2 days shy of her birthday.

[@ArmyOfMe1981Ry]

Blaque & Dream were among the hot girl groups of that era. Both groups dropped platinum albums...both had their 2nd albums shelved. The industry is shady af sometimes.

[@maryperry6573]

Well, we can blame Puffy for Dream

[@sharonjo7630]

Dream probably could've gone a bit further had Melissa not left.

[@mmsmith3341]

and 702

[@baazic2507]

Blaque released torch finally and they are still a group and still performing in 2021 ..(rip left eye, natina, and natinas sister who died a few years later)

[@BAMOORE94]

I honestly wish the full group BLAQUE. Got to work with the full group of TLC

[@BAMOORE94]

Like a song together

[@K.D24]

Crazy how left eye and natina both died in automobile accident and both had a lot of similarities as well

[@lamontking87]

Rest n Heaven Natina Reed

[@tyiingram9878]

The ‘90’s gave us some down right beautiful black girl groups. 😍

[@rolieperez29]

I was today old when I realized THEY WERE PART OF THE EAST COMPTON CLOVERS!!! 😍😍

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

Yes.

[@TheLovesnowangel]

How do you not..,nvm. Better late than never

[@tonnymitch4016]

Probably because a lot of ppl didn’t remember them being in the movie…. It’s not like they were that famous back then

[@glassbikes]

That Blaque album was my favorite album back in 1999. I owned it on cassette tape back than around the summer and used to play it heavy. Great memories around 1999 good year.👍🏽😊 When the Last Tear Drop Falls was one of my favorite songs and Right Next To Me also Rainbow Drive and 808. I generally loved that whole album till this day. I upgraded to CD a couple years later.🎶🎵🎼💿💿💿😊👍🏽 I was so heart broken back in 2012 when natina died cuz I just knew there would never be a come back for the ladies. Just so sad...😔😔💔💔💔. But their 1st and only official 1999 album will always have a special place in my heart. ❤❤ that was a highlight in my childhood growing up. RIP natina she's forever missed 🙏🏾🙏🏾 in my book.

[@loveangel102]

Blaque was the ishhhh bak then

[@KabbalahSherry]

Yessss 😏🎶 **sings** "Boom like an 808..."

[@ToLovelyJesus]

They were the epitome of dope to me.

[@sandracameron4515]

I had a feeling left eye had a huge impact on them. Amazing rest in peace to left eye and Katina

[@tonnymitch4016]

It’s Natina

[@sandracameron4515]

@@tonnymitch4016 it was a typo thanks for correcting that

[@jstnm]

Blaque's first album was really good! I never knew the story of how they actually formed.

[@JT_DePrince]

Shamari IS THAT GIRL *PERIOD*

[@damemarthafalker6738]

Wow. They've had a rough go at it. Most of the details in the video was all new to me. I do know this though - that debut album was FI-YAAAAAAH!

[@a.h.2667]

I always thought Brandy and Shamari were sisters. I couldn't tell them apart when they first came out.

[@amandaoakhart8081]

This similarity with Left Eye and Natina is so crazy. Before they said she died in a car accident, I thought “oh no. what if Natina is the one who died.” And then boom. It was 😔. I loved her in Bring it on. “You ve been touched by an angel girl “ ❤

[@simmonedavis98]

I really loved Shamari on RHOA lol

[@alluresearlesxxxgalaxyqueen]

loved the group blaque they remind me of tlc i loved there songs as well rip natina reed never forget her

[@cherishoneal9108]

They had the y2k vibe

[@jasongodfrey823]

Man folks slept on Bring it all to me ft.JC was fire that's still my jam👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@eyebrowstj]

Yasss! That track was fire and so was JC's vocals!

[@90syungin51]

They all were fine, but Natina Reed was always the finest to me. I was in love with her every time Bring it on came on

[@ranitagadling4312]

As someone who was in high school during the ' 90"s I was a huge fan of this particular group & also their mentor left eye.( Rip Left Eye & Natina Reed.)

[@deangelobox4342]

They need a blaque biopic on Netflix anybody agree

[@rickmusiq]

I feel like they can do another album in 2022 and keep the Blaque name, with just the two of them. They both still are very beautiful and can most definitely still sing both of them. Ahh I wish they would meet me I will do so well vocal arranging them. I heard Shamari on Encore on Bet in that group BluePrynt. And she can still SANG!

[@MERDADEGPLUS]

You said it, the group had never internal drama, that is why they tried re-uniting those many times, considering their bad luck with labels and albums being shelved. That's mostly due to their down-to-earth attitudes. Yes, I know Shamari is married to a legend and she's been in celebrity reality RHOA, but still she and Brandi are always very reasonable about what they do concerning their singing careers. Also, they hold an event every year to celebrate Natina's life in her birthday, and this year they held it online, due to the pandemic, they opened it to anyone who wanted to join. Natina's relatives, including her mother, her son and her ex husband, always attend this event. I think this says a lot of the kind of dynamics they had as a trio and the sisterhood relationship they had established, along with the fact they tried re-uniting a few times and pushed hard to get their shelved music see the light (you can also buy Blaque Out in iTunes, currently), when they are pretty clear their fanbase is limited now and it's all for the sake of our own nostalgia.

[@Ayurveduh]

We had great black role models growing up.. I don’t care what anyone says… from Laura Winslow to Brandy…. We were heavily and positively represented

[@kim1570]

Right! Now, its colourism 24/7 and the few unambiguously black women we have, have to twerk and show acres of skin to get and stay relevant. I really miss this 90s era.

[@lxspa529]

I had no idea Brandi was on Nelly’s song 😂 I didn’t even recognize her in the video.

[@marskeins]

I remember when natina passed away. I use to be fans of them. It was so eerie to me how both natina and left eye died due to cars. Just crazy how they died so similar. Also makes me wonder if Left eye hadn't died would blaque have went further. I say yes!!

[@jujub4553]

The actual follow up single to 808 was I Do. They then released Bring It All To Me and switched the singles due to the success of Bring It All

[@brandongordon2392]

Lisa’s death put them in a really tough place.. Columbia Records and various record labels/management screwed them over, Natina’s death unfortunately broke them… Their self titled was decent. A hell of a good CD.

[@blahblahh9276]

Bring it all to me is like a time machine for me I can go back to that summer like instantly when that plays

[@missezhoney2889]

R.I.Paradise Natina

[@TampaAries]

The one that died was so fine, I remember being hypnotize by her beauty as a young boy.

[@melodymariewager]

Their Blaque Out and Torch are my favorite from them I hope they get the rights to released Can't Get It Back video

[@mooncakespodcast]

Oh wow thanks for making the connections. I always liked Lisa Left Eye’s style and initially when I saw the group I thought they were just inspired by her. Very cool to know that she had a big hand in their style. Watched this during my deliveries and I couldn’t stop saying “oh no!! Why?!!!” To my phone. Such a tragic story. Natina was my fav.

[@saucyfaces]

I just listened to this entire album on a road trip this past weekend. Listen, it still goes hard! That music was/is amazing! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@Tiajones333]

I love this group

[@whatkaishasays]

I’m binging these when i should be sleeping but this channel is everything I didn’t know I needed!!!

[@SadityMeesh]

Y’all peep Destiny’s Child used their parking lot scene and used it for their “Lose My Breathe” scene in their video?

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

I did notice.

[@TheLovesnowangel]

Scenes were heavily similar and I just realized that!

[@scorpiokhaleesi]

Lose my breath came out first

[@loveangel102]

Can you do what happened to the group Divine they was a underrated group too

[@zahisking]

Yeah that song lately was my jam.

[@stacyr4768]

@@zahisking that’s the only song I know from them

[@zahisking]

@@stacyr4768 me too 😭😂

[@jtaylor875]

Man I really don’t know why Divine wasn’t bigger! “Lately” went to number 1 on the billboard hot 100 and their other singer “One More Try” was a top 30 single. Not to shade anyone but vocally they were better than some of the other girl groups out at that time (702, Blaque) in the way that all three of them could sing, not just one or two members. It’d be interesting to hear what happened.

[@loveangel102]

@@stacyr4768 go listen to one more try by them their voices were impeccable on that song

[@erich1070]

The intro is LEGENDARY😎

[@deebee6690]

Facts!

[@elenebarnhill4321]

Lovely E. Thanks for keeping us updated

[@MrBlaq]

‘Bring it all to me’ was sampled from Shalamar’s ‘I don’t wanna be the last to know’

[@jayd3455]

I just found ur page and I’m loving all the background stories on my favourite 90s artists!!! Thank u

[@dorianneutral1787]

They were all cute as hell! They look like sisters.

[@chrissystewart6268]

808 is my favorite song by Blaque beautiful ladies. In my childhood memories I was trying to rap like Left Eye & Natina Reed. Just want to say R.I.P. Left Eye & Natina 🙏

[@mzurilovebeautyfragranceslove]

This is a really cool channel, I’m waiting for a mini doc on my favourite girl band 702.

[@JZidor]

Hey they was with Columbia in 2001 and aren't they a trio Didnt survivor come out in 2001 by destiny's child who also is still on Columbia....... I'm just saying maybe Columbia didnt want D.C & blaque competing and plus beyonce dad was running Columbia cuz DC was soooooo hot

[@solongsuicide9]

*were *trio?

[@chantoya17]

Mathew wasn't running Columbia records lol he was a manager, not some record boss like a Clive Davis or LA Reid. Having influence at a label because you manage a priority act is one thing, but RUNNING a major record label is another thing entirely.

[@JZidor]

@@chantoya17 well obviously but like you said he had a priorities

[@JZidor]

@Alan lol

[@Sensoredcensored]

You hit the nail on the head. Matthew killed this group. They had a HUGE movie out. It doesn’t make sense that they didn’t release an album. I wouldn’t be surprised if Destiny’s Child wanted to do that movie. It was a GREAT movie. I can’t believe they shelved them after that. Claque had black and white eyes on them after that exposure. No reason why they were shelved. Sounds shady to me

[@LoveKanye-yz7ly]

They really should’ve been more popular 😣

[@Mo-yg2uk]

Can you do 702

[@jasminehill6312]

Did you watch 702's Unsung episode? It's very telling!

[@taureanmay7480]

I miss Blaque.

[@taureanmay7480]

I ❤ them.

[@beaniegee5129]

Bring it All to Me by Blaque is still a bop!

[@phillinsogood]

Honestly they deserve to be bigger. They were supposed to be the next TLC 😩

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

You sure about that? Seemed Destiny's Child already had that title.

[@ladydonna773]

“Rode hard & put away wet”...LAWD I done heard it all!!!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣

[@KabbalahSherry]

RIGHT, I - 🤭🥴🤣 LMFAOOOO

[@ladydonna773]

@@KabbalahSherry I DIED!!!!!! 🤣😂🤣😂

[@sillyhistory7401]

Yessss I love a good KZbin doc! Subscribed!!

[@Kev_-qm1je]

I use to have the biggest crush on the short one😍, she got a attitude on her

[@byronmyers5480]

wow good story about blaque

[@babynuggethead5576]

Thank you for this information

[@melissacarmack-epling6693]

Luv n light n respected from bloody Harlan Kentucky... Imma 80s baby, and the 90's for my best time I had my baby in 97" n 99" missed the 90's big time! ❄🎄❄🎄❄🎄😁🎄 happy holidays y'all!

[@userfriendly37]

I swear..these girls were beautiful!

[@sheldonfrazier6142]

Not "rode hard and put away wet" LOLOL bye KZbin.

[@blackamericanlesbianprofes4357]

I absolutely loved the singing group Blaque and I had the debuted cd single "808" when I was age 14 going on 15 in year 1999. Also I will never forget hearing "808 Remix" Summer Jam song in Summer 1999 when visiting one of my family reunions, I still love it today! And I had the Blaque debut cd album, I loved it and still do today! And I love and get hyped by the song "I'm Good". I was waiting for their second cd album as well as the third album. Rest in Power to rapper Left Eye and rapper Natina Reed. Date Stamp: 07feb22

[@amiehampton867]

I love your page.

[@jspurs22]

I really think they were the next TLC

[@katarinakrnjevic8183]

Rest in peace Natina . It's shame that Blaque music become so forgotten.

[@JVbraveblade]

There should be an episode of Unsung about this Girl Group!

[@RobD-jq7ry]

Kurupt featuring Natina...its over. Such a vibe.

[@shavell9447]

They're all so beautiful

[@cshell2001]

Thank you. Can you do what happened to Subway, Latif or Jesse Powell?

[@rama30]

RIP Lisa Left eye. And rest in peace Natina. You are both missed so much. As a 90's DJ I loved both of you so much and was proud to play your songs. So much beauty and talent gone way to soon. All my love.

[@taylorray2053]

Love them so much. Do you have a video on Xscape? More girl group videos please!

[@joydixon8244]

I love that music 😍 I was a kid when they came out.

[@miss.jporter7867]

R.I.P. Natina reed I love you blaque is the best girl group

[@sunesisyork3491]

So Iconic !

[@Jasmine-ot8br]

Did you mention “Grills”? I remember seeing the one men ever on that song and from then I loved the song lmfaoo

[@andrealedet9541]

@LetsGetToTheRoot love your videos! Can you please cover Mint Condition, Dru Hil, Force MDs, Troop,Zhaney, Tamia

[@skottie222]

More suggestions: Teedra Moses, Goapele, Young Gunz, Next, Brownstone, KP & Envyi, Isyss 🌹

[@annemariecandyflip6531]

Bring it on

[@ItsTigger-vx6po]

Blaque Is One Of My Favorite R&B Singing Groups And I Love The Song Bring It All To Me!!!!

[@AnonyMous-kj9er]

Wow never knew one of the members from this group was from my city (Detroit) 💪🏽 that’s dope a lot of great legends were breeded here

[@angelalove_]

The album was shelved because Natina got pregnant. They label decided not to promote because she was heavily pregnant.

[@missvida6251]

I mean all 3 of them were pretty as heck!!

[@steveirungu3132]

I'm extremely humbled by Steve Irungu Jermaine

[@SZAliaBanks]

Anyone else think it was weird that Shemari barely talked about Blaque (if at all) during Encore ? Maybe she’s still upset about it

[@beaniegee5129]

Brandi D from Blaque killed that hook on Nelly's hit Grillz!!

[@nicolefitzgerald1722]

I didn't know that was her