30 years later: R&B group En Vogue rereleases debut album 'Born to Sing'
Great music is always en vogue.
En Vogue, one of the best-known female R&B groups of all time, is proof of that. Members will mark the group's 30th anniversary Friday by digitally rereleasing "Born to Sing," their 1990 debut.
A platinum album, "Born to Sing" features three hits — “Hold On,” “Lies” and “You Don’t Have To Worry” — that made it to No. 1 on Billboard's Hot R&B chart. The seven-time Grammy nominees, whose other hits include "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" and "Whatta Man," have made an indelible mark on popular music.
Terry Ellis, a founding member of the group, tells USA TODAY that, in an industry filled with one-hit wonders, the group's lasting success is something she never could've imagined.
"It's been such a trip," she says. "It's still fun. I still feel good. We work a lot, consistently, so it certainly doesn't feel like 30 years."
Current members of En Vogue include Cindy Herron, another original, and Rhona Bennett, who joined in 2012.
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Performers who helped shape En Vogue's identity and sound, Ellis said, include a number of legendary female artists she refers to as "the real divas." The list includes Gladys Knight, Natalie Cole, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston and Stephanie Mills.
"They're the greats," she says. "They're who inspired us growing up."
It's largely the audiences behind En Vogue's initial success who are responsible for recruiting the group's next generation of fans, Ellis says.
"Our fans have grown with us," she says. "Our fans who were with us in the 90s now have children and grandchildren. They bring their daughters to our shows and tell us, 'This is her first concert. I grew up listening to you guys, and I wanted her to hear you guys.'"
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A lot has changed since En Vogue became a radio staple in the 1990s, and navigating that has been challenging at times, Ellis says. Getting airplay is more complicated for musicians thanks to corporate mega-broadcasters with myriad stations, MTV doesn't play much in the way of music videos anymore, and the popularity of streaming has affected traditional album sales.
Still, the industry today is better than it has ever been for artists looking to make a name for themselves.
"We've gone from analog to digital," she says. "It made it easier for (aspiring musicians) to create songs and sing sings and record songs. It's really allowed artists to be more in control these days."
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There's also been the addition of social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, which Ellis loves.
"It creates this intimacy we just didn't have in the 90s," she says. "It allows us all to be closer."
To accompany the digital release of the expanded and remastered, 21-track "Born to Sing" album, En Vogue is planning a 30th anniversary tour — something that had been in the works long before the coronavirus pandemic put a stop to virtually all live entertainment events worldwide. A podcast is coming, too.
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Expect more details on the tour once things calm down.
"Right now, just be safe," she says. "Use this time to be with your loved ones and reflect on how great life really is. Love one another and be kind to one another."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: En Vogue rereleases debut album 'Born to Sing' on 30th anniversary