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Biography
Infobox musical artist | | name = Az Yet| image = AzYet2008-1.jpg| caption = Az Yet - taken on July 15, 2008| image_size = | alias =| background = group_or_band| origin = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States| genre = R& B | years_active = 1989& ndash;present| label = LaFace , DreamWorks , Az Yet Records| associated_acts = Boyz II Men , Blayse , BabyFace , Peter Cetera | website =| current_members = Marc Nelson (1995& ndash;1997; 2007-present) Dion Allen (1989& ndash;present) Shawn Rivera (1989& ndash;present) Kenny Terry (1991& ndash;present) Tony Grant (singer)|Tony Grant (1997-1999; 2008-present)| past_members = Darryl Anthony (1994& ndash;2007) LeDon Bishop ("Smith") (1999-2007) Kris Gilder (2004-2007) Dante Harper (2004-2007) Az Yet is an United States|American R& B group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia , best known for their hit "Last Night" and their Cover version|cover of the Chicago (band)|Chicago song " Hard to Say I'm Sorry ."
Biography
Formation
Formed in 1989 initially as a duo with Shawn Rivera and Dion Allen, the two were later joined by Kenny Terry, whom they met singing in the lobby of the Wyndham Hotel in Philadelphia. http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Az-Yet-Biography/9CE1F943D6C4B87E48256BF800051D9C "Az Yet biography on Sing365.com" Two other members, Dyshon Benson & Claude Thomas, left the group, and Darryl Anthony came on board. A demo by the group found its way into the hands of Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds through his mother-in-law, Jacqueline McQuam, who would one day hold various showcases to highlight their work. Impressed by their sound, Edmonds asked them to perform at a concert with After 7 and El DeBarge . Subsequently, the group added Boyz II Men founding member Marc Nelson . Az Yet first hit it big with a song from The Nutty Professor soundtrack, "Last Night." http://www.rockonthenet.com/artists-a/azyet_main.htm "Rock On The Net - Az Yet Timeline"
Debut album
Az Yet released their self-titled debut (and only) album in 1996 on LaFace Records . The album featured a "who's who" of musical heavyweights, including David Foster , BabyFace , Sheila E. , and Brian McKnight . The first single, " Last Night (Az Yet song)|Last Night ," reached #1 on the R& B charts, #9 on the Hot 100, peaked at #2 on Australia's ARIA charts , and spent 2 weeks at #1 in New Zealand's RIANZ charts, ultimately achieving platinum status. The group's second single, " Hard to Say I'm Sorry " (a cover of the Chicago (band)|Chicago hit), was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R& B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals#1990s|Grammy award (Best R& B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals), http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1998/grammys.htm "Rock On The Net - 1998 Grammy Nominees" reached #8 on the Hot 100, and achieved Music recording sales certification|platinum status . Driven by these two singles, the album reached RIAA platinum status. http://www.riaa.com "RIAA"
Television
Fueled by 2 Top Ten hits, the group's popularity led them to several television appearances in their early years. Live performances include 'The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show', 'All That' and two appearances on Soul Train (the first in 1996 with Marc Nelson as lead singer and the second in 1997 with Tony Grant). The group was also cast as "TJ's Band" and appeared in several episodes of the short-lived television drama "Fame L.A.". http://www.tv.com/fame-l.a./show/440/episode.html? tag=tabs;episodes "Fame L.A. Episode List"
Soundtracks
Az Yet appeared on movie soundtracks for "Hav Plenty" (1998 Sony Music) and "Kingdom Come" (2001 GospoCentric Records), as well as on the soundtrack for "Fame L.A." (1998 Polygram Records). "Kingdom Come" was nominated for a Dove Award in 2002.
Group changes
Marc Nelson
Marc Nelson was removed from the group in 1997 due to "personal differences" and pursued a solo career. Nelson was replaced by Tony Grant (singer)|Tony Grant .
Nelson's television appearances include "All That" and the group's first appearance on "Soul Train."
Tony Grant
During Tony Grant's tenure with Az Yet, the group recorded the popular remake of "You're The Inspiration" with Chicago (band)|Chicago's Peter Cetera in 1997. Grant was a part of the group during their cameo appearances on the T.V. series "Fame L.A." and the recording of the "Fame L.A." soundtrack. He was replaced by LeDon Bishop after a dispute with the group's management team.
Grant's television appearances include "The Keenon Ivory Wayans Show", "Fame L.A." and the group's second appearance on " Soul Train ". Traditionally, performers on " Soul Train " lip synched, however, the recorded tracks contained Marc Nelson's vocals prompting the group to perform live, a rarity for the long-running show.
LeDon Bishop
After Tony Grant's replacement with LeDon Bishop, the group (now consisting of Shawn, Dion, Kenny, Darryl and LeDon) recorded "Every Woman" written by Kirk Franklin and appearing on the Kingdom Come (2001 film)|Kingdom Come Movie Soundtrack.
New formation
In 2002, Az Yet parted from DreamWorks Records. Original group member Darryl Anthony then composed a new group with replacement member LeDon Bishop and brought aboard new members Kris Gilder and Dante Harper, changing the dynamics of the group from a quintet to a quartet. This formation of Az Yet released the EP "That B U" in 2004 and disbanded in late 2007.
Original members reunited
update|type=section|date=September 2011 In November 2007, the four remaining original members - Marc Nelson, Kenny Terry, Shawn Rivera and Dion Allen - reunited and began recording their second album, set for release in January 2009. The group released their first single, " Share Life ", on October 30, 2008. http://www.rnbhaven.com/90s-music/artists/Az-Yet/56 "Az Yet biography on RnBHaven.com" http://www.rhapsody.com/azyet/sharelife Share Life on Rhapsody.com
On July 21, 2008, the reunited members made their first appearance as a group, performing with their mentor Babyface (musician)|Babyface and former Yab Yum Records counterpart and fellow Babyface protege Jon B in Los Angeles at a concert benefiting Leeza Gibbons ' Memory Foundation.
In October 2008, Az Yet released a statement announcing that past member Tony Grant was re-added to the group, bringing the dynamics of the group back to a quintet.
On December 18, 2008, the group confirmed that they were planning a world tour from April 2009. The tour will mark the long-awaited world premiere of their second album which was originally set for release in March 2009.
Discography and soundtrack appearances
Albums
1996 in music|1996 : Az Yet (album)|Az Yet ( LaFace Records )
2006 in music|2006 : Back Home 2007 LP (Az Yet Records)
Singles
Year
Title
Album
Label
Released
1996
Last Night
Az Yet
LaFace Records
August 12, 1996
1997
Chicago )
Az Yet
LaFace Records
February 2, 1997
1997
You're the Inspiration ( Peter Cetera featuring Az Yet)
You're the Inspiration
Platinum Entertainment
August 26, 1997
2007
Keep on Pushin'
Back Home
InnerSoul Records
May 5, 2007http:/ / www.soultracks.com/ story-az_yet-stroke
2008
Share Life
Untitled
Az Yet Records
October 30, 2008
2008
She Loves the 90s
Untitled
Az Yet Records
November 12, 2008
2009
I Can't Let U Go
Untitled
Az Yet Records
January 2009
Soundtracks
1996 in music|1996 : The Nutty Professor (1996 film)|The Nutty Professor
1997 in music|1997 : Steel (soundtrack)|Steel ( Warner Bros. Records )
1998 in music|1998 : Hav Plenty (Polygram)
1998 in music|1998 : Fame L.A. Soundtrack for the TV Series (Polygram)
2001 in music|2001 : Kingdom Come (2001 film)|Kingdom Come (GospoCentric Records)
References
reflist
External links
Official website| http://azyet.net
Allmusic|class=artist|id=p194881|label=Az Yet
http://www.rockonthenet.com/artists-a/azyet_main.htm Rock On the Net: Az Yet
MySpace|azyet|Az Yet
YouTube|aFTZTzdVNXo|"Last Night" by Az Yet
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Az-Yet/19316454521 Az Yet on Facebook
http://ilike.com/artist/Az+Yet Az Yet on iLike
YouTube|foreverazyet|Official Channel
DEFAULTSORT:Az Yet Category:American rhythm and blues musical groups Category:American boy bands
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Copyright Citations
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