IQ (girl group)
| Company type | Girl group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Defunct | 2008 |
| Headquarters | Lunenburg, Massachusetts , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
IQ was a teen pop and hip hop girl group originating from Lunenburg, Massachusetts, featuring sisters Sadiea and Nyla Williams alongside Gicelle Valerio and Lauren Mafera. The ensemble parted ways in 2008 as each member chose to focus on solo endeavors.
Members
- Nyla Williams (born 1990) earned the title of Miss Massachusetts Junior Teen in both 2005 and 2006. She contributed as both a rapper and vocalist, while also engaging in poetry and dance. Nyla has interests spanning modeling and fashion design. Together with her sister Sadiea, she possesses a diverse heritage including African-American, European, Asian, and Native American roots.
- Gicelle Valerio (born 1989) is of Latina background with Bolivian, Dominican, Spanish, and Italian ancestry. She fulfilled roles as a vocalist, rapper, and choreographer within the group. Valerio intended to pursue nursing studies at Fitchburg State College followed by graduate business education. Her passions include fashion, dance, gymnastics, and modeling.
- Sadiea Williams (born 1989) performed as a rapper and vocalist while excelling athletically in basketball, cross-country running, and track & field. She played all-star basketball at Lunenburg High School and received an acceptance to Brown University for basketball.
- Lauren Mafera (born 1989) served as the lead singer after replacing Mikayla Campbell who left to perform on Broadway. Mafera is also a photographer, singer, and dancer with plans to obtain a business degree alongside continuing her photography pursuits.
History
The formation of IQ began at a school talent show where sisters Sadiea and Nyla collaborated with their father who composed original songs. Their rendition of "School" was met with enthusiastic responses from young audiences. Within the group, the Williams sisters along with Valerio provided rapping and backing vocals while Mafera took on lead vocal duties.
To support their EP It's Like That, which they released on iTunes in May 2005, IQ toured cities including Boston, New York, and Los Angeles. They performed at the Radio Disney Jingle Jam in Boston on New Year's Eve 2005 alongside artists such as B5 and Everlife. In 2006, their debut single was a cover of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons' "Big Girls Don't Cry," distributed through Radio Disney.
IQ achieved recognition as an "Incubator" artist on Radio Disney and launched their first full-length album Roll Call in July 2006 via Bungalo/Universal.
In early 2008, the group began work on their second album titled Crush under Bungalo Records/Universal Music; however, this project was never officially released. The lead track "Crush on U" included remixes featuring collaborations with Jamaican artist Mighty Mystic, Baby Boy Da Prince, CL Smooth, and J. R. Writer from Dipset.
The group ultimately disbanded in 2008 when members decided to attend separate colleges.
Discography
- It's Like That EP (2005)
- Roll Call (2006)
- Crush (2008)