H-Town

H-Town is an American R&B/hip hop vocal group that was formed in 1992 by Keven "Dino" Conner, his twin brother Solomon "Shazam" Conner, and their longtime friend Darryl "G.I." Jackson. They took the local nickname for their home city of Houston, Texas as the name of their group.

History

Growing up in a family of singers, brothers Keven and Solomon Conner began their careers singing in talent shows and plays before a local producer sent their demo tape to onetime 2 Live Crew rapper and record label executive Luther "Luke" Campbell. After an impromptu audition, Campbell signed the group to his label, Luke Records.^[1]

Albums

Fever for Da Flavor

H-Town's debut album Fever for Da Flavor was released on April 15, 1993.^[2] The group achieved hit status in the United States with "Knockin' Da Boots," which became H-Town's biggest hit and also their signature song. "Boots" was a #1 hit on the R&B charts^[3], and peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.^[4] "Lick U Up," the bands follow-up single, was less successful on the charts. H-Town won the 1993 Soul Train Music Award for Best New Artist. That same year, they signed on as a part of the Coca-Cola Summerfest tour, which also included Shai, SWV, Jade, Naughty by Nature, LL Cool J and Silk.^[1]

Beggin' After Dark

In 1994, H-Town returned the studio to record their second album Beggin' After Dark. It was released on November 8, 1994.^[5]

The most popular single from this album was "Emotions." It became a #11 hit on the Billboard R&B chart and reached #51 on the Hot 100.^[4] Other tracks from the album included "Sex Bowl," "Full Time," "Much Feelin' (And It Tastes Great)," "Buss One," featuring reggae singer Papa Reu, and "Baby I Love Ya," featuring the late Roger Troutman.

Ladies Edition, Woman's World

By the time H-Town returned to the studio to record Ladies Edition, they had undergone some changes. They recorded a cover version of The Persuaders' "A Thin Line Between Love and Hate" for the 1996 film of the same name. The song became H-Town's first Top 40 pop hit in three years, peaking at #37.^[4]

They then cut ties with Luther Campbell, underwent a spiritual awakening of sorts, and became more aware of women's issues on their third album Ladies Edition, Woman's World.^[6] It was released on October 28, 1997.^[7] The album's general theme centers on a man's penitence for his past transgressions with his woman, a theme conveyed in songs such as "Don't Sleep on the Female," "Julie Rain" (a sobering account of spousal abuse), and "Jezebel." According to the liner notes, the album was dedicated to Nicole Brown Simpson and "all the women of the world." Twenty national women's telephone helplines were also listed on the back cover.^[8]

2000 - Present

In July 2000, Solomon "Shazam" Conner released a solo album entitled Bringing the Heat. Selected tracks from Shazam's solo effort were included on H-Town's 2004 album Imitations Of Life.

On January 28, 2003, Dino was killed in an automobile accident in Houston, Texas. According to police, Dino had just left a recording studio and was a passenger in a car being driven by his girlfriend, 22-year-old Teshya Rae Weisent. Their vehicle was struck by an SUV that ran a red light, and both Dino and Weisant were killed.

Three people were in the SUV, all of whom fled after the accident. One of them, Juan Diaz, was later apprehended, however, and faced a felony charge of failure to stop and render aid.^[9]

At the time of Conner's death H-Town was said to have just finished what would become their fourth album.^[9] They eventually released their reunion album Imitations of Life on October 12, 2004.^[10]

H-Town still "Kings of Slow Jam Tour" Coming to a City Near you 2010 featuring the two remaining members, G.I. and Shazam. They are set to release their fifth album Kockin' Your Heels Off in 2009.

The Single for "Knockin Your Heels" off was just released and is the title track off the upcoming album and features longtime friends "Jodeci". They were featured in the video for the single also. But not listed as Jodeci due to a pending lawsuit they have against Universal Music Group for the release of the "Jodeci" name. The song has been added to MTV2. VH1 Soul and Music Choice and is being added in rotation across 40 states.

Here is the new 2010 video from H-Town featuring Jodeci- "Knockin Your Heel's Off". [1]

Discography

Albums

Singles

Other collaborations

Awards and nominations

See also

• Houston hip hop

References

External links

• H-Town at MySpace
• H-Town at Allmusic