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Color Me Badd

From Alfawiki
Color Me Badd
Company typeVocal ensemble
IndustryMusic
Founded1985 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
FounderBryan Abrams, Mark Calderon, Sam Watters, Kevin Thornton
Headquarters
Oklahoma City
,
United States
ProductsMusic albums and singles

Color Me Badd is a vocal R&B ensemble from the United States, established in 1985 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The original lineup consisted of Bryan Abrams, Mark Calderon, Sam Watters, and Kevin Thornton. The group dissolved in 1998 but reunited in 2010 with different member configurations.

Famous for chart-topping tracks such as "I Wanna Sex You Up", "I Adore Mi Amor", and "All 4 Love", Color Me Badd has sold upwards of 12 million albums globally. Their achievements include two number one singles, nine Top 40 entries, and a triple-platinum-certified album. They have earned two Soul Train Music Awards, an American Music Award, and received two nominations for Grammy Awards. Their songs have been featured in movies and television shows including New Jack City, Mo' Money, No Strings Attached, and Glee. Additionally, they made a guest appearance as themselves on a 1992 episode of Beverly Hills, 90210.

1985–1990: Formation

Abrams and Thornton first met during junior high school, while Watters and Calderon were friends from childhood.[1] The quartet came together at Northwest Classen High School in Oklahoma City through participation in the school choir. Originally called Take One, they changed their name to Color Me Badd—named after a racehorse—to avoid confusion with the a cappella group Take 6. Drawing inspiration from acts like New Edition and New Kids on the Block, their goal was to form a vocal group influenced by doo-wop traditions.[2]

Their approach included auditioning for well-known artists visiting Oklahoma City. In 1987, Robert Bell from Kool & the Gang took notice of them and connected them with manager Adil Bayyan. Bayyan advised relocating to New York City to seek recording opportunities.[1][3] They also performed for musicians such as Huey Lewis and the News, Sheila E., and opened for Tony! Toni! Toné! in 1988.[4] A significant opportunity arose when they delivered an a cappella performance for Jon Bon Jovi in 1989, which resulted in opening for his band before an audience of 20,000.[5]

On September 23, 1989,[1] after moving to New York, they networked at the ASCAP Music Awards alongside Tony! Toni! Toné!, leading to collaborations with producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Encouraged to capitalize on their multicultural background, they co-wrote the bilingual hit "I Adore Mi Amor" with producer Hamza Lee.[4] Giant Records executive Cassandra Mills signed them on August 11, 1990,[1] officially launching their professional music career.

1991–1992: C.M.B.

Following their signing, Mills requested that producer Dr. Freeze compose a track for Color Me Badd to contribute to the New Jack City soundtrack, aiming for a sound comparable to "Do Me!" by Bell Biv DeVoe. Dr. Freeze provided "I Wanna Sex You Up," which became Color Me Badd’s debut single when released on March 2, 1991. Originally not intended as a single, the song had been rejected by Bell Biv DeVoe, Keith Sweat, and Christopher Williams. It emerged as the most successful track on the New Jack City soundtrack, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Due to its success, Giant Records encouraged Color Me Badd to rapidly produce an album; with just four or five completed songs, they recorded in Los Angeles over a span of two to three weeks.

Their first album, C.M.B., launched on July 23, 1991, achieved sales exceeding six million copies worldwide and earned triple platinum certification in the United States. It remained on the Billboard 200 chart for 77 weeks and peaked at number three. The album featured "I Wanna Sex You Up," followed by singles "I Adore Mi Amor" and "All 4 Love," both reaching number one on the Hot 100 and Hot R&B charts. Additional singles such as "Thinkin Back" and "Slow Motion" secured positions within the top twenty.

Color Me Badd was honored as Best New Group at the UK’s 1991 Smash Hits Poll Winners Party and garnered several awards for “I Wanna Sex You Up,” including Best R&B/Soul Single at the sixth annual Soul Train Music Awards. They received Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best R&B Performance in 1992 and won Favorite Soul/R&B Single at that year’s American Music Awards. The group supported Paula Abdul’s 1991 tour by performing some sets without instrumental accompaniment. According to The New York Times, their style combined pop-soul with group dynamics reminiscent of The Temptations. They also performed "I Wanna Sex You Up" during halftime of Super Bowl XXVI on In Living Color as part of Fox’s alternative programming.

In 1992, Color Me Badd appeared briefly on Beverly Hills, 90210 (season two, episode 26), which showcased their music video along with an a cappella performance for the cast.

On November 24, 1992, they issued a remix album titled Young, Gifted & Badd: The Remixes, featuring the track "Forever Love," which peaked at number fifteen on the Hot 100 and was included on the Mo' Money soundtrack. The remix collection reached number 189 on the Billboard 200 chart.

1993–1995: Time and Chance

In November 1993, Color Me Badd unveiled their sophomore album, Time and Chance, comprising 19 tracks. This release showcased a transition toward a richer, funk-infused and soulful style, featuring production from notable figures such as David Foster, DJ Pooh, and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Despite these efforts, the album faced challenges in matching the commercial achievements of their earlier work due to the music industry's prevailing emphasis on grunge and West Coast hip hop.

The album reached a peak position of number 56 on the Billboard 200 chart and maintained a presence there for 17 weeks.[2][6] Its lead single, "Time and Chance," directed by Ice Cube, climbed to number 23 on the Hot 100 and secured the ninth spot on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[7][8] The subsequent single, "Choose," also attained number 23 on the Hot 100.[8]

1996–1998: Later albums and breakup

Color Me Badd’s third studio effort, Now & Forever, was released in 1996 with production credits including Narada Michael Walden, Babyface, Jon B., and Boyz II Men's Nathan Morris.[2] The record peaked at number 113 on the Billboard 200, sustaining a 14-week run, ultimately achieving platinum status,[6] and reached the top position in Japan.[9] It featured the successful single "The Earth, the Sun, the Rain," which peaked at number 21 on the Hot 100 during a 22-week chart duration,[8] while also reaching number 69 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[7] The follow-up single, "Sexual Capacity," co-written and produced by Robin Thicke (credited as Rob Thicke), was included on the soundtrack for Striptease.[2] Despite these highlights, sales underperformed compared to earlier albums, resulting in their departure from Giant Records and subsequent signing with Epic Records.[9]

Their fourth album, Awakening, was released on July 28, 1998, under Sony’s leadership with Tommy Mottola. The label chose "Remember When" as the lead single despite resistance from Abrams and Calderon.[2][9] This track reached number 48 on the Hot 100.[8] During this era, internal conflicts surfaced: Abrams developed issues with alcohol; Thornton left to dedicate himself to ministry; Watters pursued individual songwriting and production projects. With only Abrams and Calderon remaining active, the group ultimately disbanded.[2]

1998–2010: Solo years

In October 1998, Kevin Thornton departed from Color Me Badd to focus on Christian ministry. He became an ordained minister, serving as an evangelist, youth pastor, and worship leader at Without Walls Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Thornton leads Kevin Thornton Ministries and released a solo album titled Conversions in 2008 that fuses hip-hop/rap with gospel and soul elements.

Sam Watters established a prolific career as a producer working with artists such as Jessica Simpson, Celine Dion, Fantasia, Anastacia, Natasha Bedingfield, Kelly Clarkson, 98 Degrees, and Blake Lewis. He is part of The Runaways production/songwriting collective alongside Rico Love, Wayne Wilkins, Ryan Tedder, and Louis Biancaniello. Watters married R&B vocalist and former American Idol contestant Tamyra Gray in 2006.

Mark Calderon collaborated with artists including Stevie Brock, whose 2002 cover of "All 4 Love" topped Disney charts, as well as IPV, signed with Wright Entertainment; his songs have been featured in television shows like House and Knight Rider. Calderon wed Color Me Badd's former stylist Lisa Smedley in 1992; they have two children together.

Bryan Abrams released a solo album entitled Welcome to Me in 2001. In 2007, he appeared on VH1’s reality show Mission: Man Band, which followed ex-boy band members forming a new group; it was canceled after seven episodes. That same year Abrams co-wrote and featured on Insane Clown Posse's track "Truth Dare," included in compilations such as Psychopathics from Outer Space 3 (2007) and Featuring Freshness (2011). In 2010, he contributed writing and lead vocals to three songs for Kool & the Gang.

On August 22, 2000, Giant Records issued a compilation album titled The Best of Color Me Badd.

2010–present: Reunion

In July 2010, Color Me Badd resurfaced as a duo consisting of Bryan Abrams and Mark Calderon, headlining a show in Hawaii alongside All-4-One and Shai. Later that same year, Kevin Thornton rejoined the ensemble. Early in 2012, Calderon and Abrams teamed up with Insane Clown Posse to produce "Ghetto Rainbows (Soft Ass R-N-B Remix)" for the bonus disc of The Mighty Death Pop!. In June 2013, the group released "Skywalkin'," their first new track in almost 15 years. On August 16, 2013, Abrams left the band; Calderon and Thornton continued as the core members, bringing Martin Kember on board to replace Abrams. This formation appeared at the 2014 BET Awards.

By 2015, Abrams and Calderon reunited without Thornton and Kember, embarking on a tour in Singapore. Thornton briefly returned but departed again within that year. Later in 2015, Adam Emil joined the group, joining Calderon and Abrams for a U.S. tour alongside Bell Biv DeVoe. In 2016, this trio recorded "In Case You Didn't Know" and performed for U.S. military personnel stationed in Okinawa. They also participated in the first-ever I Love the ‘90s Tour with Vanilla Ice, Salt-N-Pepa, Tone Loc, and Young MC.

On July 22, 2018, during a concert in Waterloo, New York, Abrams was taken into custody following an onstage altercation involving assault against Calderon; alcohol was reportedly involved. The following year, both Abrams and Calderon appeared separately on The Dr. Phil Show to address the incident and related personal struggles including addiction and legal challenges. Despite a restraining order between them, they fulfilled contractual obligations for performances but maintained minimal communication.

On August 31, 2019, Color Me Badd performed at a charity event themed around Beverly Hills, 90210 to support Generosity Water, an initiative organized by Brian Austin Green and Derek Russell.

Legacy

Color Me Badd was among the prominent groups such as Boyz II Men, Hi-Five, Shai, Silk, and All-4-One that spearheaded the early 1990s revival of post-doo-wop harmony ensembles. They introduced the phrase "hip-hop doo-wop" to characterize their fusion of four-part pop-soul harmonies with hip-hop elements. Recognizable for their vibrant suits, choreographed routines, and ethnically diverse lineup—Calderon (Latino), Abrams (White/Native American), Watters (White), and Thornton (Black)—the group was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2000.

Their impact on R&B endures today. The 2006 Saturday Night Live Digital Short "Dick in a Box," featuring Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg, satirized early ’90s R&B styles notably reminiscent of Color Me Badd’s aesthetic. Their hit single "I Wanna Sex You Up" was covered during Glee’s inaugural season (2009) and appeared in films such as New Jack City, You Don't Mess with the Zohan, and No Strings Attached. In November 2015, Abrams, Calderon, and Watters joined Brad Paisley on Jimmy Kimmel Live! for a "Mash-Up Monday" rendition of "I Wanna Sex You Up," performing under the name Color Me Bradd.

Discography

Studio albums

Awards

|- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="10"| 1992 | Color Me Badd | Grammy Award for Best New Artist | |- | "I Wanna Sex You Up" | Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal | |- | "I Wanna Sex You Up" | Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single – Group, Band or Duo | |- | "I Wanna Sex You Up" | Soul Train Music Award for R&B/Soul Song of the Year | |- | "I Wanna Sex You Up" | rowspan="2"| American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Single | |- | "I Adore Mi Amor" | |- | Color Me Badd | American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B New Artist | |- | Color Me Badd | American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group | |- | "I Wanna Sex You Up" | American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Single | |- | Color Me Badd | American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock New Artist | |-

External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named cdarling
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named rcollins
  3. ↑ Dennis Hunt
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named rennerbrown
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named sholden
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named billboard200
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named hiphopchart
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named hot100
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ctaylor
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