3rd Party
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Long Island, New York , United States |
| Products | Dance-pop music |
3rd Party was a United States-based trio specializing in dance-pop music, who issued a single album in 1997. They gained recognition primarily for their dance tracks "Can U Feel It" and "Love Is Alive," both of which charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
Background
Maria Christensen, the group's lead vocalist and a lifelong songwriter, initially entered the music scene in 1988 as a member of the Latin freestyle duo Sequal. Her songwriting portfolio includes contributions to artists such as Nana Mouskouri, Eternal, 'N Sync, and Celine Dion. Christensen's solo debut came in 1993. The ensemble was rounded out by backing vocalists Karmine Alers and Elaine Borja, creating a diverse lineup that emerged during the mid-1990s dance-pop wave inspired by acts like the Spice Girls. Their sole album, Alive, recorded in Long Island, New York, was produced by Rick Wake. Christensen penned four songs on this record. The group released two singles: "Can U Feel It," which reached number 43 on the Billboard Hot 100, and "Love is Alive," a rendition of Gary Wright's track from The Dream Weaver, which climbed to number 61. Additionally, the album included "Waiting for Tonight," later famously covered by Jennifer Lopez in 1999; Lopez’s version peaked at number eight on the charts.
Maria Christensen
In 2004, Christensen independently launched her sophomore solo project titled Beautiful Now. Departing from the dance orientation of 3rd Party, her solo compositions adopt a more soulful and introspective tone, comparable to artists like Norah Jones. She performed the song "Someone to Someone" on "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy". The financial success from Jennifer Lopez’s interpretation of "Waiting for Tonight" provided Christensen with the resources to produce this album.
Karmine Alers
Karmine Alers, who grew up in Spanish Harlem, has been active in performance since her teenage years. While attending college, she participated in various bands. After her tenure with 3rd Party concluded, she auditioned for and secured the role of Mimi in the 2001 Broadway production of Rent, following in the footsteps of her sister Yassmin Alers. In 2005, she released her solo album For You..., produced by Jimmy Greco, which included the single "It Matters to Me" accompanied by a music video. She returned to Broadway in 2015 with On Your Feet! and has also been featured in national tours of these theatrical productions.