2-4 Family
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hip hop music |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Founder | Jo O'Meara, Jay Dogg, Joseph Jazz, Essence Woods |
| Headquarters | Germany |
Area served | Germany, Austria, Switzerland, United Kingdom |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
2-4 Family was a hip hop ensemble from Germany that emerged in the late 1990s. The founding members comprised English vocalist Jo O'Meara alongside American artists Jay Dogg, Joseph Jazz, and Essence Woods.
History
Jay Dogg and Joseph Jazz first crossed paths in 1989 while serving in the United States Army, where they began collaborating as a DJ and rapper duo. Their encounter with Essence Woods and British singer Jo O'Meara during a 1997 trip to Germany led to the establishment of 2-4 Family in 1998.
Career
The group's initial release, "Stay", came out in mid-1998, showcasing O'Meara’s lead vocals accompanied by rap verses from the other members. They participated in the charity project "Hand in Hand for Children - Children of the World" and issued a seasonal re-release of "Stay". In addition, as part of Rap Allstars, they produced a rendition of Wham!'s "Last Christmas".
Following O'Meara's departure to join the pop ensemble S Club 7, Joanna Biscardine became her replacement. The act's second single, "Lean on Me (With the Family)", was released in January 1999, achieving top 10 chart positions in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany, and peaking at number 69 on the UK Singles Chart.
Two months later, their sole album, Family Business, was launched featuring twelve tracks including various remixes. Mid-1999 saw the release of their final single titled "Take Me Home".
The group dissolved at the beginning of 2000. A subsequent formation without any original members did not attain commercial success and soon disbanded.
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Certifications (sales thresholds) |
Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUT | FRA | GER | NED | SUI | ||||
| 1998 | "Stay" | 24 | 99 | 8 | 57 | 11 |
|
Family Business |
| 1999 | "Lean on Me (With the Family)" | 6 | — | 9 | — | 7 | ||
| "Take Me Home" | — | — | 79 | — | — | |||
| 2006 | "Stand Up!" | — | — | - | — | — | Template:Non-album singles | |