Blackstreet is one of the top Grammy award winning vocal group of the ’90s. With original members consisting of New Jersey’s own Chauncey Black, Levi Little, Eric Williams and New York’s own Mark Middleton. With the dramatic collapse of the music industry Blackstreet still remains one of the top touring acts of the 21st Century.
In 1993, their first single “Baby Be Mine” was released on the movie soundtrack to the Universal Pictures comedy CB4 (starring Chris Rock). Their debut album, Blackstreet, featured the singles “Baby Be Mine”,”Before I Let You Go” and the co-written double platinum hit by Michael Jackson “Joy”. “Joy” and “Before I Let You Go” were both Gold and Platinum Top 40 hits, with “Joy” and “Before I Let You Go” hitting the Top10. In 1996, they released their sophomore album Another Level. It was a breakthrough success due to the top single “No Diggity” (with Dr. Dre), which was a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in November1996. In 1998, Blackstreet won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
The Another Level album eventually went four times platinum in the United States and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard chart. “No Diggity” was later ranked at No. 91 on Rolling Stone and MTV: 100 Greatest Pop Songs. Another Level featured Mark Middleton and Eric Williams in place of Dave Hollister and Levi Little. Both Middleton and Williams were in groups prior to joining Blackstreet. Middleton was part of the short-lived Motown Records group Brik Citi. Williams was part of the trio The Flex, a group that sang on songs produced by their mentor Marley Marl. The success of Another Level landed them a guest appearance on Jay-Z’s “The City Is Mine” and they teamed with Mýa and Mase for the hit “Take Me There” from the Rugrats soundtrack. The success of Another Level would also land them a spot on New Edition’s1997 Home Again reunion tour. Also a collaboration with Janet Jackson on the hit single “I Get So Lonely”.
Blackstreet appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live’s “Mash-Up Mondays” series, pop-soul singer Aloe Blacc teamed up with ’90s R&B kings Blackstreet. Together, they sang Blackstreet’s earthshaking 1996 “NoDiggity,” a song that absolutely refuses to get old. Also, Blackstreet made an appearance on the MorningShow. No Diggity has been covered by countless artist like Prince, Ed Sheeran, Darius Ruckers; just toname a few. Blackstreet’s No Diggity was featured in the 2013 Super Bowl commercial for Becks Sapphireand J.C. Penney’s commercial for the 2014 Winter Olympics. In 2016, Blackstreet was on a European tourin London, Australia and New Zealand with TLC, Mya, 112 and Nelly. They have also performed for theMinnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Bucks halftime show in 2017. Blackstreet also performed withTLC, Naughty by Nature, Kid ‘n Play and other 90’s groups on the 2017 “I Love The 90’s The PartyContinues” Tour.
