H-Town (band)

Infobox musical artist 2
Name = H-Town
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Houston, Texas, United States
Genre = R&B
Years_active = 1993-Present
Label = Luke Records
Relativity Records
H-Town Music
URL =
Current_members = Solomon "Shazam" Conner
Darryl "G.I." Jackson
Past_members = Keven "Dino" Conner (deceased)

H-Town is an American R&B/hip hop musical group that was formed in 1992 by Keven "Dino" Conner, his twin brother Solomon "Shazam" Conner, and their long-time friend Darryl "G.I." Jackson. They took the name of the group, "H-Town," from the local nickname for the city of Houston, Texas.

History

Growing up in a family of singers, brothers Keven (Dino) and Solomon (Shazam) Conner began their career singing in talent shows and plays before a local producer sent their demo tape to one-time 2 Live Crew rapper and record company owner, Luther "Luke" Campbell. After an impromptu audition, Campbell signed the band to his label, Luke Records.cite web|url=http://youthoutlook.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=113|title=H-Town: Learning the Lessons of Fame|last=Joseph|first=Stanley |date=2001-03-22|publisher=youthoutlook.org|accessdate=2008-06-05]

Albums

"Fever for Da Flavor"

H-Town's debut album, "Fever for Da Flavor", was released on April 15, 1993. [cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/h_town/albums.jhtml?albumId=46094|title=H-Town - "Fever for da Flavor "|publisher=mtv.com|accessdate=2008-06-05] The group gained popularity in America with "Knockin' Da Boots", H-Town's biggest hit to date. "Boots" was a #1 hit on the R&B charts [cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=368&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Hot+R%26amp%3BB%2FHip-Hop+Singles+Sales&ci=3014628&cdi=6724408&cid=06%2F12%2F1993|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales: Chart Listing For The Week Of Jun 12 1993|publisher=billboard.com|accessdate=2008-06-05] , and hit #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.vnuArtistId=31830&model.vnuAlbumId=655809|title=H-Town Chart History|publisher=billboard.com|accessdate=2008-06-05] "Lick U Up", the bands follow-up single, was also released from the album but was less successful in the charts. The band won a 1993 Soul Train Music Award for Best New Artist. That same year, H-Town became part of the Coca-Cola tour, which also included Shai, SWV, and Silk.

"Beggin' After Dark"

In 1994, H-Town went back into the studio to record their second album "Beggin' After Dark". It was released on November 8, 1994. [cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/h_town/albums.jhtml?albumId=46092|title=H-Town - "Beggin' After Dark"|publisher=mtv.com|accessdate=2008-06-05]

The most popular single from this album was "Emotions". The song made it to #11 on the R&B charts and #51 on the pop charts. Other hits from the album included "Sex Bowl", "Full Time", "Much Feelin' (And It Tastes Great)", "Buss One" featuring reggae singer Papa Reu, and "Baby I Love Ya" featuring the late Roger Troutman.

"Ladies Edition, Woman's World"

By the time H-Town went back into the studio to record "Ladies Edition", they had undergone a massive change. They recorded a cover version of The Persuaders' "A Thin Line Between Love and Hate" for the 1996 film of the same name. The song became H-Town's first Top 40 pop hit in three years (#37).

They then cut their ties with Luke Campbell, found God, and became more conscious toward women in their third album "Ladies Edition, Woman's World". [cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1429843/19971015/h_town.jhtml|title=H-Town Give Shout Out To "Women Of The World"|date=1997-10-15|publisher=mtv.com|accessdate=2008-06-05] It was released on October 28, 1997. [cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/h_town/albums.jhtml?albumId=121271|title=H-Town - "Ladies Edition"|publisher=mtv.com|accessdate=2008-06-05] The album's theme is making up for past transgressions with women. A theme conveyed in songs such as "Don't Sleep on the Female", "Julie Rain" (a sobering account of spousal abuse), and "Jezebel". The album was dedicated to Nicole Brown Simpson and "all the women of the world". Twenty national women helplines were also listed on the back cover. [cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/library/default.asp?m=content&add=review&i=12047311&|title=Ladies Edition: Album Review|last=Leroy |first=Dan |date=1997-10-28]

2000 - Present

In July of 2000, Solomon "Shazam" Conner released a solo album called "Bringing the Heat". Selected tracks from Shazam's solo effort were included on H-Town's 2004 album, "Imitations Of Life".

On January 28, 2003, 28-year-old Keven "Dino" Conner and his girlfriend Teshya Rae Weisent had just left a recording studio when their vehicle was struck by a SUV that ran a red light. Both Conner and Weisent were killed. Three people witnessed the accident, but all fled the scene. One man, Juan Diaz, was later apprehended.cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1459812/02032003/h_town.jhtml|title=H-Town Lead Singer Dies|last=Reid|first=Shaheem |date=2003-02-03|publisher=mtv.com]

At the time of Conner's death, H-Town was working on what would become their fourth album.They released their reunion album, "Imitations of Life", on October 12, 2004. [cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/h_town/albums.jhtml?albumId=819793|title=H-Town - "Imitations of Life"|publisher=mtv.com|accessdate=2008-06-05]

H-Town still tours and performs as a duo comprised of the two remaining members - GI and Shazam.

Discography

Albums

Awards & nominations

ee also

*Houston hip hop

References

External links

*
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:fzftxq85ldje H-Town] at Allmusic