Wicked Wisdom
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founder | Jada Pinkett Smith |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California , United States |
| Products | Nu metal music |
Wicked Wisdom is a nu metal group originating from Los Angeles, California, established in 2002 by actress Jada Pinkett Smith.
History
The band was initiated in 2002 by actress Jada Pinkett Smith, also known as Jada Koren. The members consist of Pinkett Smith on lead vocals, Pocket Honore handling guitar and vocals, Cameron "Wirm" Graves contributing guitar, keyboard, and vocals, Rio Lawrence on bass and vocals, and Philip "Fish" Fisher playing drums, formerly associated with Fishbone. Their management is overseen by James Lassiter and Miguel Melendez from Overbrook Entertainment, a company co-founded by Pinkett Smith’s spouse, Will Smith, combining entertainment industry expertise with musical endeavors.
The Onyx Hotel Tour
During 2004, Wicked Wisdom gained notable exposure by joining Britney Spears' Onyx Hotel Tour as an opening act for eight European shows. This opportunity helped promote their debut album My Story and introduced the band to a broader mainstream audience amid a prominent pop tour.
Ozzfest 2005
In 2005, Sharon Osbourne encountered Wicked Wisdom performing at a small venue in Los Angeles and was impressed by Jada Pinkett Smith’s dedication to the metal genre. Subsequently, the band was announced to appear on the secondary stage of the 2005 Ozzfest in May. Although some fans initially questioned the band's authenticity, Pinkett Smith stressed their determination to earn respect. Guitarist Pocket Honore observed that audience reactions became increasingly favorable after several performances, particularly around the sixth or seventh show. Pinkett Smith confirmed that positive word-of-mouth contributed to the tour gaining momentum.
The band’s self-titled sophomore album was released on February 21, 2006, under Pinkett Smith’s label 100% Women in partnership with Suburban Noize Records, with executive production by Will Smith. In March 2006, the album achieved the position of number 44 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart. Critical reception from AllMusic highlighted Pinkett Smith’s emotive vocal delivery and recognized the group’s promise. To support the album, Wicked Wisdom toured alongside heavy metal band Sevendust throughout 2006.
Wicked Evolution
In September 2011, images surfaced of Jada Pinkett Smith departing a recording studio amid reports of her daughter Willow Smith completing her first album. By January 2012, a YouTube video revealed The Graves Brothers working on a gothic and piano rock-influenced pop track for what was described as "the new Jada Pinkett Smith record." Shortly thereafter, the project was rebranded under the new name "Wicked Evolution."
In 2021, Wicked Wisdom reunited with Willow Smith for a performance of "Bleed All Over Me," accompanied by Ronald Bruner Jr. on drums, Michael Anderson on bass, and Taylor Graves on keyboards during a Mother's Day episode of Red Table Talk.
Discography
- My Story (2004)
- Wicked Wisdom (2006)
As Wicked Wisdom
| Year | Song | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | "Something Inside of Me" | Wicked Wisdom |
| 2006 | "Bleed All Over Me" | Wicked Wisdom |
| 2013 | "Stuck" |
As Wicked Evolution
| Year | Track | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | "Left Behind" | |
| 2012 | "Burn" |
External links
- Articles with short description
- 2002 establishments in California
- African-American heavy metal bands
- Nu metal bands from California
- Female-led bands
- Musical groups originating from Los Angeles
- Groups formed in 2002
- Bands disbanded in 2006
- Groups reformed in 2021
- American five-member bands
- Suburban Noize Records artists
- Interscope Records artists
- Musical groups disestablished in 2006