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Mis-Teeq were a British R&B girl group, comprising singers Alesha Dixon, Su-Elise Nash and Sabrina Washington. Originally a quartet which included Zena McNally, the group was formed in 1999 and released two major studio albums and seven consecutive UK top ten singles, including international hits such as "All I Want", "One Night Stand" and "B With Me".

Following the release of their self-titled U.S. album and the single "Scandalous" in 2004, the band's record label Telstar Records went bankrupt.^[1]

History[link]

1999: Formation[link]

Alesha Dixon and Sabrina Washington soon met Su-Elise Nash, and together they formed a trio. They were then signed to Sub Pop by Pat Travers, who went on to sign them to Telstar Records with the addition of a new member, Zena McNally, and became Mis-Teeq.

[edit] 2000–02: Lickin On Both Sides

After months of recording - including sessions with producers Norwegian duo Stargate, Ed Case, Blacksmith, Rishi Rich, and Ceri Evans - Mis-Teeq finally released their debut single "Why?". Co-written and produced by David Brant, a remix version by Matt "Jam" Lamont soon became a success in the underground UK garage scene, and as a result a second music video for the song was filmed and released. While "Why" became a hit on the UK Singles Chart, with a peak position of #8, McNally decided to leave the line-up in spring 2001.

The three remaining women went on to release their second single "All I Want" in June 2001 Co-written and originally produced by David Brant & Produced and Remixed by Ceri Evans aka Sunship. The song topped the success of the trio's debut single and became a #2 hit in the UK, simultaneously entering the top 30 of the Australian singles chart. On 27 October 2001, the band finally released their debut album, Lickin' on Both Sides. The album became a platinum success and sold more than 300,000 copies domestically.^[2] Outside the UK, however, Lickin' on Both Sides failed to chart or sell noticeably.

Nevertheless Mis-Teeq saw instant international success with their Stargate-produced third single "One Night Stand": While the song peaked at #5 on the UK singles chart, it also entered the top 20 in Australia, New Zealand, Norway, and Denmark. In 2002, the band's fourth single, "B with Me", continued the group's remarkable sales with another top 10 entry in the UK; once again entering at #5. The last release from Lickin' on Both Sides was a double A-side of "Roll on" and the Montell Jordan cover "This Is How We Do It", latter song being featured on the soundtrack for Ali G's 2002 film Ali G Indahouse. This release entered the charts at #7 on 29 June 2002.

The band supported Shaggy on his UK tour in 2002.

[edit] 2003–05: Eye Candy and split

Returning from a short hiatus, Mis-Teeq released their second album, Eye Candy on 29 March 2003. The album featured production by Stargate, Ed Case, Salaam Remi, singer Joe, Delroy "D-Roy" Andrews and Jermaine Dupri and debuted at its peak position of #6 on the UK Albums Chart, eventually receiving a gold certification.^[2] While Eye Candy's sales failed to link on the sudden success of Lickin' on Both Sides, pre-released lead single "Scandalous" became the group's most successful single by then: It reached #2 in the UK and top 10 in Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and Denmark.

In June 2003 the album's second single "Can't Get It Back" became the band's seventh and final domestic top ten single. Originally a remake of the same-titled unreleased Blaque single from 2002, Mis-Teeq and Telstar agreed not to use album version, instead releasing the alternate "Ignorants Radio Edit" as an official single version which entered the UK charts at #8 on 12 July 2003. The song also was included on a Special Edition of Eye Candy which was released in December of the same year and spawned a third single with "Style". However the song failed to reach the UK top 10 and eventually peaked at #13.

"Scandalous" was released in the US in May 2004 (under another label, Reprise Records) and reached #35 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in June, making it their only US hit. The song was featured as the theme of the film Catwoman, starring Halle Berry, in Summer 2004.

After the announcement of their split in 2005 they released a compilation album, Greatest Hits, containing a new track, a cover of The Andrews Sisters 1940s song "Shoo Shoo Baby", and they were awarded a 2005 Soul Train Lady of Soul Nomination for Best R&B/Soul Album - Group, Band or Duo for their album "Mis-Teeq".

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

Notes:

• ^ A for certifications type teeq into keyword

Singles[link]

Soundtracks[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Mis-Teeq MySpace Profile
• Interview with Alesha in 2006 on I Like Music
• 2005 Lady of Soul Awards
• Mis-Teeq: Posh Spice ruined our record label Contactmusic.com, 20 May 2004.
• Mis-Teeq's Su-Elise presenting Behind The Oscars on LA Muscle TV