Sisqo
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Sisqo_unleash_the_dragon.jpg
Sisqó (born Mark Althavan Andrews in Baltimore, Maryland on November 9, 1978) is an African-American R&B and pop singer. He is best known for being the lead singer of R&B group Dru Hill, and also for "Thong Song," a novelty song from his first solo LP, Unleash the Dragon, that became an international hit and fueled a craze for thong underwear and bathing suits for women.
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Biography
Early years
Main entry: Dru Hill
Born and raised in Baltimore, Sisqó met future Dru Hill bandmate James "Woody" Green while in middle school. The two of them would later be recruited by Tamir "Nokio" Ruffin to form Dru Hill, named after Druid Hill Park in Baltimore. Larry "Jazz" Anthony was also soon added to the lineup.
Releasing two platinum LPs and a number of successful singles, Dru Hill was a major R&B success during the late 1990s, in no small part because of Sisqó's flamboyant stage personality. In between Dru Hill albums, Sisqó wrote the first two hit singles for labelmate Mya, and appeared with her on the first one, "It's All About Me".
Solo career
After Woody left the group in 1999 to pursue a solo career, it was decided that the other three members would do the same. Sisqó was the only member besides Woody to release a solo LP; releasing his solo debut. Unleash the Dragon on Def Soul Records in November 1999. Unleash the Dragon sold moderately at first, until the February 2000 release of its second single, "Thong Song." A runaway hit, "Thong Song" and its follow-up, "Incomplete," were major hits on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, with "Thong Song" making it to #3, and "Incomplete" going all the way to #1.
Conflicts within the group prevented Dru Hill from reuniting as planned in late 2000, and Sisqó set about recording a second solo LP. During this period, Sisqó branched out into television, hosting the dance competition program Sisqó's Shakedown on MTV, and film, taking on supporting roles in the films Get Over It with Kirsten Dunst and Snow Dogs with Cuba Gooding, Jr.. Although his second LP, Return of Dragon, released in June 2001, eventually went platinum, its singles "Can I Live" and "Dance With Me" performed far below expectations, and by 2002, Sisqó was back with Dru Hill, who released their third LP in late 2002.
Personal and miscellaneous
Sisqó's vocal style has a lot in common with that of K-Ci Hailey from the R&B group Jodeci. His trademarks are his eclectic hair styles, which have included a bleached blond Caesar, a platinum-colored Caesar, blond cornrows, and a neon red dyed Caesar. Sisqó's flashy style has led to a widespread and longtime rumor that he might be gay, an allegation which he has consistently denied.
Sisqó has one daughter, Shaione, with his high school girlfriend, Tera Thomas. He is currently dating singer Samantha Mumba.
Solo discography
Albums
- 1999: Unleash the Dragon
- 2001: Return of Dragon
Singles
- 1998: "It's All About Me" (Mya featuring Sisqó of Dru Hill) (US #6)
- 1999: "Got to Get It" (US #39)
- 2000: "Thong Song" (a remix, "Thong Song Uncensored", features Foxy Brown and is included on the soundtrack LP for Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps) (US #3)
- 2000: "Unleash the Dragon" (featuring Beanie Sigel) (single release and video shelved)
- 2000: "What These Bitches Want" (edited version titled "What They Want") (DMX featuring Sisqó) (US #49)
- 2000: "Incomplete" (US #1)
- 2000: "How Many Licks" (Lil' Kim featuring Sisqó) (US #75)
- 2001: "Can I Live" (featuring the Dragon Family)
- 2001: "Dance For Me"
Filmography
- 2001: Get Over It
- 2002: Snow Dogs
- 2003: Pieces of April