Then: The Grammy-winning rapper began her career with Dr. Dre’s Aftermath records but soon became the first lady of Ruff Ryders, along with DMX and Swizz Beatz. She released three studio albums and produced hits like “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” (feat. Gwen Stefani) which earned her a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2002.
Now: The former first lady of Ruff Ryders releases her fourth studio album Lip Lock today after a 10-year hiatus. In the interim she moved to the U.K. to be with her racecar driver boyfriend, Maximillion Cooper.
Then: The four man band composed of brothers hit the scene in 1990 and released their hit album Forever My Lady, featuring songs like “Come and Talk to Me” and “Stay.” The group’s success lasted eight years before they decided to take a break in 1998, leaving K-Ci and JoJo to come together and become their own seperate entity apart from their group Jodeci.
Now: Since their heyday in the ’90s Jodeci’s career has been mired in scandal after scandal. Founding member Devante Swing was arrested in 2010 for drunken behavior and the group’s recent attempts at a comeback didn’t go so well—fans booed them off stage at a recent concert in London. But brothers K-Ci and Jojo are staying on the road having recently joined the Ladies Night Out Tour with other 90s bands like Silk, Jagged Edge and Dru Hill.
Then: Karyn White took the late 80s and early 90s by storm with her self-titled platinum album that garnered the help of big name producers L.A. Reid and Babyface. After a successful music career that lasted almost ten years, White left Warner Bros. records and decided to set her sights on starting a family.
Now: White works in real estate and runs an interior design company in California. She also released an album called Carpe Diem in the spring of 2012.
Then: Deemed the 18th most successful act of the 90s by Billboard Magazine, En Vogue no doubt had it going on back in the day. All six of the group’s albums seen success on the Billboard R&B charts and the quartet has received seven Grammy nominations, six American Music Awards and five Soul Train Awards throughout their group career.
Now: Following a legal battle, founding members Terry Ellis (left) and Cindy Herron-Braggs (right) recently won the exclusive right to use the name “En Vogue.” They also added a new bandmember named Rhona Bennett.
Then: The eight-time Grammy Award winning soul singer and rapper hit the hip-hop scene in 1991 as the front woman for the Fugees. Hill also made her mark on the silver screen in the 1993 film Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. After a successful run with her music group, Hill decided to begin a solo career in 1998, dropping The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which earned her five Grammies.
Then: Sister’s With Voices had us “Weak” in the 90s with a string of jams like “I’m So Into You” and “You’re the One.” Their 1992 debut album, It’s About Time, went triple platinum. Despite the group’s long-standing success, the trio decided to go their separate ways in 1998 and went on to pursuing solo careers until they made a group comeback in 2005.
Now: The trio reunited to record new music in 2012 after 15 years and won a Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Performance for their song “If Only You Knew.”
Then: Joe’s career saw it’s breakthrough in the latter part of the 90s when he signed to Jive Records in 1997 and dropped his first album under the label, All That I Am. The platinum album took the 13th spot on the Billboard 200 and contained hits like “Don’t Wanna Be a Player” and “All the Things Your Man Won’t Do.”
Now: Though no longer signed to a major label, Joe has continuously released music—his newest single being “I’d Rather Have a Love.” His 11th studio album “Double Back: The Evolution of R&B will be released this July.
Then: Jon B. kick started his career in 1992 as a songwriter for Babyface and wife Tracey Edmonds. During this time, the singer also wrote songs for legends like Michael Jackson and R&B diva Toni Braxton. Releasing two albums in the 90s, Bonafide in 1995 and Cool Relax in 1997, Jon B. was best known for his smooth R&B sound, especially on hits like “They Don’t Know,” “I Do” and “Are U Still Down,” featuring rap legend Tupac.
Now: The blue-eyed soul man has since released seven albums since his 1995 debut. His song “Camera” was sampled by Drake on “Take Care” (feat. Rihanna).
Then: Foxy Brown was only a teenager when she was discovered at a talent contest in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood. Mentored by Jay-Z, she quickly became one of the most successful female rappers of her time. She released two albums, 1996’s Ill Na Na and 1999’s Chyna Doll.
Now: For a while it seemed the Brooklyn-bred rapper made headlines for all the wrong reasons—everything from assault to menacing a neighbor with her cellphone. On the bright side, she has a fan in Nicki Minaj, who called her “one of my biggest influences in the game.”
Then: The Harlem World artist debut with Bad Boy Records in 1996 in his first feature on 112’s chart topping remix to “Only You.” Working alongside partner Sean “Diddy” Combs, Mase landed features on some of the biggest hits of the 90s, like B.I.G’s “Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems and “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down.” Harlem World, Mases’ first solo LP, peaked at #1 on the Billboard Pop and R&B LP charts in 1997.
Now: Mase retired from the music industry in 1999 to become a preacher. Pastor Mason Betha is founder of El Elyon International Church and Mason Betha Ministries.
Then: After ending their New Edition streak in the 1980’s, former group members Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe came together to create Bell Biv DeVoe. In 1990 the group released their first and most successful album Poison, which hit number 1 on the Billboard R&B/ Hip-Hop chart and tracks like “Poison” and “Do Me!” took the number 3 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
Now: Though reunited with New Edition, Bell, Biv, Devoe continue to tour as a trio. Their upcoming concerts include sharing the bill with the likes of Dru HIll and Guy.
Then: Jasmine Guy (pictured with Kadeem Hardison) made Whitley Gilbert on A Different World one of TV’s most memorable characters.
Now: Guy continues to act and direct, mainly in theater. She is currently the executive director of True Colors Theatre Company in Atlanta.
Then: The funny man jump started his career as the host of The Arsenio Hall Show from 1989 to 1994. One of his most notable roles was in the 1988 comedy Coming to America, but he also guest hosted Star Search.
Now: Away from the spotlight for over a decade, Arsenio Hall returned in 2012 to star Celebrity Apprentice. His new talk show debuts on September 9th, 19 years since his last stint as a late-night talk show host.
Then: Xscape had a long line of successful hits, including “Just Kickin’ It” and “Understanding.” Discovered by Jermaine Dupri in 1991, the group released their debut album, Hummin Comin’ at ‘Cha which topped the Billboard 200 at number seventeen and the R&B Albums chart at number three.
Now: Three members of the ’90s girl group are currently starring on reality shows. Kandi Burruss on Real Housewives of Atlanta, Latocha Scott on R&B Divas and Tameka “Tiny” Cottle on T.I. and Tiny’s Family Hustle.
Ginuwine’s sexy smooth vocals landed several of his songs on the top of the Billboard 200 charts in the early 90s. Working closely with Missy Elliott and Timbaland, Ginuwine shined with major hits like his 1996 “Pony.” In 1999 Ginuwine and Timbaland went their separate ways and the singer paired his talents with producers like R. Kelly.
