Every so often there comes a group that hits the music scene only for the lead member to leave the group for hopes of monumental success.
This trend has been ongoing since the birth of Motown’s 1960’s girl group The Supremes.
The Supremes originally consisted of Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Diana Ross (at the time Diane Ross). When the group came to Motown they were originally considered to be Ballard’s group.
They were signed to Motown in 1961 and Diane Ross became Diana Ross.
The Supremes yielded such hits as “Where Did Our Love Go” which was there first #1 hit and “Baby Love”. The Supremes became the first all girl group to reach number one in England. Their success was cut short by the departure of Diana Ross who went on to enjoy solo and movie success.
“I feel that the lead singer is considered to be the most talented one and if they are doing all the singing they might as well go solo,” said Damario Bullard, a freshman majoring in accounting from Oakland.
The Jackson Five which consisted of brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael became a phenomenal child band. They shared such hits like “I Want You Back”, “Who’s Lovin’ You” and “I’ll Be There.” Michael Jackson eventually left the group to do his first solo album Off the Wall. It was the first album ever to release a record breaking four #1 singles in the U.S. He also released Thriller, which became the world’s largest selling album of all time. That album consisted of seven hit singles and sold over 50 million copies worldwide.
More recently the world was introduced to the New Jersey based group The Fugees who sold over four million copies of there album The Score which featured such hits like “Fu- Gee-La” and “Killing Me Softly.”
After the group’s break up, Lauryn Hill the only female in the group went on to create her first solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill which received Billboard’s Best R&B Album Music Award and five Grammy awards including Album of the Year. In the hip-hop world we experienced Brooklyn’s own The Junior Mafia which released their 1995 album Conspiracy which led to the only female member Lil Kim going solo. Lil Kim released her Hardcore album in 1996 and followed in 2000 with Notorious K.I.M. and 2003 La Bella Mafia.
Destiny’s Child who came in on the scene in 1997 with their first single “No No No” and then had their 1998 self titled album. They then followed with there 1999 The Writings on the Wall, which became their first US Chart Topper. Though the group has not broken up the lead singer Beyonce’ Knowles has went on to do her own solo project Dangerously in Love.
“It’s messed up but you got to do what you got to do. When you’re in a group you have to share the proceeds and everybody’s trying to make the big bucks. But if your going to be in a group, share the spotlight so if you do split up you all have the same opportunities,” said Eian Woodward a freshman majoring in architecture from Houston.
