Today (group)

Today
GenresR&B, new jack swing, gospel
Years active1988–1991
2010–present
LabelsMotown
MembersLee Drakeford
Larry Singletary
Wesley Adams
Larry McCain

Today is an American R&B vocal group formed in 1988. The group comprised Frederick Lee "Bubba" Drakeford, Larry "Chief" Singletary, Wesley "Wes" Adams, and Larry "Love" McCain, childhood friends from Englewood, New Jersey.[1]

History

The group started in 1984 as The Gents and comprised Drakeford, McCain, William McNeir, Ronald Scruggs, and Bernard Belle. During an anti-drug benefit, the group received a meeting with the producer Teddy Riley who renamed the group Today and melded them into the current lineup. Riley helped them receive a deal with MCA Records.[1]

As the head of MCA records urban department, Jheryl Busby, moved into Motown, he brought several acts with him, including Today, The Boys and The Good Girls. While touring the country, the groups were successful. Motown promoted Today as the new Four Tops, and The Boys and The Good Girls were promoted as the new Jackson 5 and new Supremes respectively.[1]

Today released their self-titled debut album in 1988. The single "Him Or Me" reached #3 on the R&B charts and was followed by "Girl I Got My Eyes On You" which reached #1.[2] It was also their only song to chart in Britain, and peaked at #94 on the UK Singles Chart in early 1989.[3] Yet the album's later singles did not do as well as their early showings, and they began to resent the way they were being produced and promoted.

Riley did not help the group with their second album, The New Formula. Released in 1990, the album manage to chart three singles: "Why You Get Funky on Me", which was also featured in the movie House Party reached #2 on the R&B charts.[2] "I Got The Feeling" peaked at #12 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and "I Wanna Come Back Home" peaked at #46 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[2]

After the group broke up, Drakeford started a solo career as Big Bub while Singletary, Adams, and McCain wrote songs and tried unsuccessfully to get a deal as a trio. Drakeford released three albums as a solo artist: 1992's Comin at Cha (EastWest), 1997's Timeless (Kedar/Universal), and 2000's Never Too Late (Flavor Unit). His single "Need Your Love", credited to Big Bub feat. Queen Latifah & Heavy D, peaked at #70 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1997.[4]

In 2010, it was announced that all four members reunited and were changing to the Gospel music genre and would work on a new album and a new single "Orchestrate" was released.

Discography

Studio albums

Year Title Peak chart positions Record label
US
[5] 		US
R&B
[6]
1988 Today 86 11 Motown
1990 The New Formula 132 19

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions
US
R&B
[2] 		US
Dan
[2] 		UK
[3]
1988 "Him or Me" 3 21 —
1989 "Girl I Got My Eyes On You" 1 29 94
"Take It Off" 34 — —
"You Stood Me Up" — — —
"Take Your Time" — — —
1990 "Why You Get Funky On Me" 2 — —
"I Got the Feeling" 12 — —
"I Wanna Come Back Home" 46 — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released.

References

  1. ^ a b c Hamilton, Andrew. "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Today Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "UK Charts > Today". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  4. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Top Pop Singles 1955-2012 (14th ed.). Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 80. ISBN 978-0-89820-205-2.
  5. ^ "Today: Chart History - BILLBOARD 200". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  6. ^ "Today: Chart History - TOP R&B/HIP-HOP ALBUMS". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2020.