Biv 10 Records
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Biv 10 Records was founded by Bell Biv DeVoe/New Edition member Michael Bivins, and was under the distribution of Motown Records. The label was responsible for the discoveries of the R&B quartet Boyz II Men out of Philadelphia, bubblebum group Another Bad Creation from Atlanta, Rapper MC Brains, and teen R&B groups Subway from Chicago and 702 (band). The label's logo featured a disembodied outline of a hand holding a basketball with the name 'BIV 10' printed onthe hand above the wrist. Yet the company folded, and none of these artists (save Boyz II Men) remain.
Boyz II Men was by far Biv 10's most successful act, though their releases were on Motown itself. Their lineup consisted of Wanya Morris, Michael McCrary, Shawn Stockman, and Nathan Morris. Their first album was Cooleyhighharmony, released in mid-1991. Hits include "Motownphilly" (#3 pop, 1991), "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" (#2 pop, 1991), "Uhh Ahh" (#16 pop, 1992), and "End of the Road" (#1 pop, 1992) from the Boomerang movie soundtrack. When Biv 10 folded, the group continued on Motown Records.
Another Bad Creation, or ABC, were Chris Sellers, Dave Shelton, Romell Chapman, and brothers Marliss and Demetrius Pugh. They had two Top 10 hits: "Iesha" (#9) and "Playground" (#10) in early 1991.
MC Brains, born James Davis in Cleveland, had the minor hits "Brainstorming" with Boyz II Men and "Oochie Coochie" (#21 pop) in 1992.
Subway were Eric McNeal, Roy Jones, Keith Thomas, and Trerail Puckett. Their lone Top 40 hit was "This Lil Game We Play" (#15) with 702.
702 got their name from hometown area code, Las Vegas. Kameelah Williams and sisters Irish and Lemisha Grinstead scored with "Steelo" (#32 pop, 1996), "Get It Together" (#10, 1997), and "All I Want" (#35, 1997). When Biv 10 folded, they continued on the Motown label.
Only Boyz II Men and 702 had any measurable success after Biv 10 folded.