Silk (group)

Silk is an American R&B group, formed in 1989 in Atlanta, Georgia. They are best known for their 1993 hit single, "Freak Me", which reached number-one on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Career

Silk was discovered by the musician Keith Sweat. The group was originally a quintet made up of Timothy "Timzo" Cameron, James "Jimmy" Gates, Jr., Johnathen "John John" Rasboro, Tyga Graham & Albert “ NELLA” Allen. Gary "Big G" Glenn & Gary "Lil G" Jenkins joined shortly after the departures of Graham & Allen.

Silk is best known for their hit singles, "Freak Me", and "Happy Days" from their debut album, Lose Control. Another hit from Lose Control, "Girl U For Me", helped the album reach double platinum status. They later had success with singles such as "I Can Go Deep", "Hooked on You", "Don't Rush", "If You" (released February 23, 1999) "Meeting in My Bedroom", and "We're Calling You". In 1994, Silk won Album Of The Year for Lose Control at the Soul Train Music Awards.

In 2002, Silk left Elektra and took a hiatus. That same year, Jenkins went on to pursue other interests and made his stage debut as 'AJ' in the Tyler Perry play Madea's Family Reunion. He resurfaced musically in 2007 with his solo debut, The Other Side. Silk and Sweat both appeared in the group, Black Men United on the song "U Will Know" which is featured on soundtrack for the movie Jason's Lyric. Silk has also appeared on the soundtracks for Booty Call (Feel Good), Made In America (Does He Do It Good w/Keith Sweat),A Low Down Dirty Shame (I Can Go Deep), and Blankman (Cry On).

In 2003 and down to a quartet, Silk released their fifth studio album Silktime on their own label Silk Music Group. The album featured the songs "Silktime", "My Girl", "Alibi", "More", "You (The Baby Song)", "Check My Story" and a cover version of Blue Magic's "Sideshow". That song reunited them with their mentor Keith Sweat. The album appeared in the Billboard 200.

In 2006, the group returned with their sixth release, a covers album entitled Always And Forever on Shanachie Records. The album featured covers of R&B songs including "Adore" by Prince, "Always and Forever" by Heatwave, and "Secret Garden" by Quincy Jones. "Secret Garden" was the first and only single.

Jenkins has since rejoined Silk; their 7th album, Quiet Storm, was released on March 18, 2016 on Shanachie Records.

In 2018, Silk celebrated 25 years in the music business with two star studded concerts - one at B.B. King's in New York in February and the other in Atlanta in March. They were also honored with an episode on the popular series Unsung that same year.

Members

• Gary Glenn - second tenor
• Johnathen Rasboro - countertenor
• Timothy Cameron - bass
• James "Jimmy" Gates, Jr. - baritone
• Gary "Lil G" Jenkins - tenor

Former members

• Tyga Graham
• Albert Allen

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

Year	Album details	Peak chart positions					Certifications
		US <ref name=bilboard200>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	US R&B <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	AUS <ref name="aus">Australian (ARIA) chart peaks: Top 50 peaks: {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }} Top 100 peaks to December 2010: Template:Cite book</ref>	CAN <ref name="can">Template:Cite magazine</ref>		UK <ref name=uk/>
1992	Lose Control Release date: November 17, 1992 Label: Elektra	7	1	45	8	—	RIAA: 2× Platinum<ref name="riaa">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> MC: Gold<ref name="mc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1995	Silk Release date: November 28, 1995 Label: Elektra	46	10	—	—	130	RIAA: Gold<ref name="riaa"/>
1999	Tonight Release date: March 23, 1999 Label: Elektra	21	8	—	—	—	RIAA: Platinum<ref name="riaa"/>
2001	Love Session Release date: June 12, 2001 Label: Elektra	20	2	—	—	—
2003	Silktime Release date: September 23, 2003 Label: Silk, Liquid 8	178	30	—	—	—
2006	Always and Forever Release date: October 17, 2006 Label: Shanachie	—	23	—	—	—
2016	Quiet Storm Release date: March 18, 2016 Label: Shanachie	—	26	—	—	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

Year	Album details	Peak position
		US R&B <ref name=bilboard200/>
2004	The Best of Silk Released: May 25, 2004 Label: Elektra	54

Singles

Year	Single	Peak chart positions							Certifications	Album
		US <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	US R&B <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	AUS <ref name="aus"/>	CAN <ref name="can"/>	NLD <ref name="nld">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	NZ <ref name="nz">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation			CitationClass=web }}</ref>	UK <ref name=uk>UK chart peaks: Top 100 peaks: {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }} N.B. This site contains compressed chart (exclusion rules applied) peaks for singles between positions 76–100. Top 200 peaks from November 1994 to December 2010: {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }} N.B. This site displays uncompressed chart (no exclusions) peaks for singles between positions 76–200, from November 1994 to May 2001.</ref>
1992	"Happy Days"	86	13	—	—	—	—	—		Lose Control
1993	"Freak Me"	1	1	3	43	42	9	46	RIAA: Platinum<ref name="riaa"/> ARIA: 2× Platinum<ref>Template:Cite Ryan</ref>
	"Girl U for Me"	26	4	57	—	—	30	67
	"Lose Control"			—	—	—	—	—
	"It Had to Be You"	109	45	—	—	—	—	—
	"Baby It's You"	—	—	—	—	—	—	44
1994	"I Can Go Deep"	71	22	—	—	—	—	—		A Low Down Dirty Shame / Silk
1995	"Hooked on You"	54	12	—	—	—	11	77		Silk
1996	"Don't Rush"	91	39	—	—	—	—	—
1999	"If You (Lovin' Me)"	13	4	—	—	—	28	—	RIAA: Gold<ref name="riaa"/>	Tonight
	"Meeting in My Bedroom"	62	15	—	—	—	—	—
	"Let's Make Love"	—	58	—	—	—	—	—
2001	"We're Callin U"	—	56	—	—	—	—	—		Love Session
	"Ebony Eyes"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2003	"Silktime"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Silktime
2004	"Side Show"	—	66	—	—	—	—	—
2006	"The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Always and Forever
2016	"Love 4 U 2 Like Me"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Quiet Storm
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

External links

• [[[:Template:Allmusic]] Silk] at AllMusic
• Silk at Discogs