Classic R&B
Good evening, ladies! You know, I
have spoken to many R&B artists
for AMN MAG, but today I feel like
I’ve come full circle. Growing up,
I was such a big fan of JADE. I
mean, I use to imagine that I was
a fourth group member and sang
your songs all the time. And
ladies, I was into it! (Laughs). I
had the look down—I got the box
braids, the black military boots...
all of it! Around the house as a
kid, my parents always had music
from various genres playing. But
your album, JADE TO THE MAX
was the first album that I actually
purchased for myself...and I knew
every song on it! (Laughs). So,
it’s a pleasure having you ladies
for this issue of AMN MAG!
Tonya: Wow! Thank you...for then,
and now.
Joi: Yes, thank you so much! You
have no idea how much that means
to hear. It’s fans like yourself who
have motivated us to come back,
and that there are still people out
there who have missed us and
wanted new music. I mean, people
would contact us via social media
and other outlets or see us out and
ask, “When is JADE coming back?”
Well, I’m glad that you decided to
listen to the fans and come back!
Afterall, it’s not like JADE was
some “fly by night” act; you ladies
started out the gate with a debut
hit single that sold more than a
million copies. You followed that
up with two platinum-selling
albums, a successful tour, TV and
movie appearances, and BET’s
first ever LIVE listening party
CD! And personally, I think your
timing couldn’t have been better.
Tell me, did the resurgence
of other 90’s R&B acts in any way
play a part in your decision to
return at this time?
Joi: After hearing the demand
from our fans for a new project, we
knew that we wanted to do it, but it
certainly helps that there seems to
be an appreciation for R&B music
again.
I completely agree. When SWV
returned I was so excited and I
remember thinking, “It would be
so great to have new music from
JADE”. It’s really exciting to have
all of you back and to hear that
even Shai and Jodeci are also
working on new projects. Now,
in the 90’s the group consisted
of you ladies—Joi and Tonya—
and also Di Reed. I understand
that Myracle Holloway is now the
third group member. How did that
come about?
Joi: Di is currently touring with Rod
Stewart and she decided that she
wanted to continue to tour. So, I
was introduced to Myracle through
my friend, music producer Def Jef
and right away I liked her spirit. She
was very genuine, and because
she’s a real singer who has sang
for many years herself, she came in
ready to work.
Tonya: And when she opened her
mouth to sing, we were like, “Whoa!
This girl can really sing!”
Joi: She and her mother can
sang...not sing, but sang! (Laughs).
Her voice blended so well with mine
and Tonya’s and we knew we had
the right person! She has been a
blessing and we are both so happy
to have her with JADE. As Tonya
and I have said before, there is no
“star” of this group, or “lead singer.”
JOI Marshall
Each of us ladies—Joi, Tonya and
Myracle are JADE; we all have
something special to bring to this
group to contribute equally. We are
more than a singing trio, JADE is a
movement. We want to teach people
to be savvy in their business affairs
and really understand the “business”
of the music industry. So there’s a
sisterhood, a spiritual foundation and
common goals that we share with the
new phase of Hܛ