Photos from Derek Blanks Photoshoot in ATL!

The ladies of SWV recently did a promotional photo shoot with famed photographer Derek Blanks in ATL and the ladies look better than ever! Check out some of the photos:

CoKo Blogs "Skin Has NOTHING To Do With Talent" on Global Grind

One day I received a letter from a young lady on MySpace. In her letter, she told me something that was bothering her and had asked my advice. She said she loves to sing and could I check her out. I did and I must say, she was AWESOME! She said her problem wasn’t her voice but whenever people would see her they’d say, “She can sing BUT she’s too dark.” She was devastated!

Now my question to the world is, why do we base talent on the brightness of ones skin?! Skin color has nothing to do with talent and the gifts God had bestowed upon the person! I was livid!

I told the young lady, if I had listened to everyone that talked about me being dark skin, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I remember when SWV first got signed. I was told that we weren’t really the epitome of what a “GIRL GROUP” should look like because we weren’t all light skin AND the lead singer was a dark skin sister. That hurt my feelings so bad! But what could I do? You had groups like The Good Girls and En Vogue who were all light and they were doing their thing! Even though I was hurt, I didn’t quit. But it didn’t help to know what the record execs thought and it made me an angry dark skin sister.

I felt like I had to prove myself in everything I did. Whether it was my singing, dating, dressing…whatever! I just felt like I had to prove the point of “I maybe dark but I can do whatever you can do.” In being like that I think I began to lose my sense of self, sort of became superficial.

I was already an angry chick and just knowing what these people thought just added fuel to the fire. I began to take it out on everybody around me. I couldn’t understand why my skin color was such an issue! Not just in the music industry but life in general. This color thing really affected me. For a long time I wouldn’t date dark brothers. They had to be light or straight Puerto Rican. All my homegirls were dark like me. It’s crazy because this is just another form of racism.

Eventually, I had to step back and re-evaluate myself. I had to get myself together because I was headed no where real fast with that attitude. I began to pray and ask God to deliver me from myself. I didn’t want to be like that. God was the only way out.

God showed me that I am a beautiful black princess period! My dark skin doesn’t take away or add to who am I…it’s just who I am. I have come to accept my skin color and I’m loving it!! I’m a beautiful person inside and out. God doesn’t make mistakes. There are a lot of people struggling with their skin color but you have to love yourself no matter what! Black is beautiful no matter what shade you are. Stand up and be proud because you ARE one of God’s creations and that means you are ALL THAT!

SWV Performs in ATL!

SWV performs their #1 hit WEAK at Echelon 3000 in Atlanta, GA. Watch!

LeLee Ask "Where Did R&B Go?" on Global Grind

I’m a 90’s girl

When you think of the 90’s music era you can’t help but to notice it gave birth to some of the hottest platinum artists in the game (SWV, Jade, Jodeci, Faith Evans, etc). Artists who are struggling to get the attention of the listening public now, were heavy spinners on radio, some selling 20,000 plus records a week in the stores. But what the hell happened? Where did that real R&B music go?

In my opinion, and I’m sure millions will agree with me, is that the best thing that could have happened with music was the freedom to be able to pick and chose what genre of music you want to listen to. Radio now is fluttered with what I consider “Kindergarten snacks”, where the artist just gives you a lollipop and some bubble gum, but the real music fans are still left waiting for a real meal. Now don’t get me wrong, there are some new school artists that I can appreciate, but it’s for the moment, they are not artists that I would wanna hear years from now. Something is really wrong with that picture. I refuse to believe that real music is dead and there is no solid place for those “real” artists, songwriters and producers. We as the listening and buying public are responsible for what we want to hear, and the artists we want to see.

It’s important that we keep the 90’s music alive and support our local underground artists who are getting lost in the shuffle. We are not going to the stores buying real music, but rather sit our asses in the hair salons and barber shops waiting for the bootleg copy. Come on guys lets request, “Weak”, “Forever my Lady" and all of those great 90’s songs that “YOU” made number one.

Throwback SWV Interview from 1993!

Celeb Photographer Derek Blanks Shoots SWV!

CoKo, LeLee & Taj recently did a photoshoot in ATL with famed celeb photographer Derek Blanks! Check out this exclusive behind-the-scenes footage. Watch!

Taj Blogs on Global Grind!

Hey yall this is Taj, I am married to former NFL player Eddie George and we have two sons. I was blessed to star in my own reality show "Married to a Baller" with my husband.

I have written two books called Player Hate Her, How to Avoid The Beat Down and Live In a Drama Free World. Additionally, I appeared on the CBS reality series “Survivor" and I finished in fourth place. Currently Eddie and I serve as consultants for the “Dr. Oz Show”. I can truly say that Coko, Lelee, and I are all grown up now, excited to be back and we are definitely ready to bring back the R&B feel the world has come to love and expect from us!

(source: http://globalgrind.com/channel/music/content/1453630/Were-Back-Were-Ready-to-Make-You-Weak-Again/?pc=1π=2)

LeLee Blogs on Global Grind!

Hey everyone this is Lelee, and since taking a break from the industry my life has been quite busy. I have two children, a girl and a boy, I've started my own production company and I am currently working with several artists.

In addition, I finally decided to follow my educational aspirations and I‘m currently in school pursuing an accounting degree with a minor in communications. I am also a motivational speaker and an advocate for teen pregnancy prevention. I speak all over the world. I am so excited about the future of SWV. When we come together words cannot describe my feelings. It’s just something special that Coko, Taj and I have. Stay tuned SWV is definitely back in the house babe!

(source: http://globalgrind.com/channel/music/content/1453630/Were-Back-Were-Ready-to-Make-You-Weak-Again/?pc=1π=1)

CoKo Blogs on Global Grind!

Hello everyone, this is Coko and I have been on quite an interesting journey since SWV disappeared from the spotlight. I am married to the love of my life, Michael Clemons and we have two adorable sons.

I released one R&B album entitled "Hot Coko" that spawned the Rodney Jerkins produced hit "Sunshine". I have also released two gospel projects, the Grammy nominated "Grateful" and recently "The Winner in Me" which debuted at number four on the gospel billboard charts. I am a firm believer in giving back. That is why I devote lots of time to being an advocate for our youth, especially young boys. I feel that they need our support, attention and love just as much as young girls. I am very excited about being back with my sisters and we are working on the comeback of the century!

(source: http://globalgrind.com/channel/music/content/1453630/Were-Back-Were-Ready-to-Make-You-Weak-Again/?pc=1&pi=1)

SWV Stops by the Mo'Nique Show on BET!

SWV stopped by BET's #1 late night series The Mo'Nique Show and they discuss reuniting, the breakup and lessons learned.





SWV hit the stage twice performing their signature ballad Weak and a cover of the Patti LaBelle classic If Only You Knew. Watch!

SWV Speaks About Reuniting and The Industry

SWV reunites at the 2008 BET Awards and speaks for the first time about their reunion, their current life styles and how the industry has changed. Watch!

SWV performs with Alicia Keys, EnVogue & TLC at 2008 BET Awards

Alicia Keys stole the 2008 BET Awards as she paid tribute to her favorite girl groups of the 90s - SWV, EnVogue & TLC. Check out the Teenage Love Affair medley: