702 (group)

Lore & Background

702 began their musical career as Sweeter than Sugar, formed in 1993 in Las Vegas. The original quartet comprising Misha Grinstead, Irish Grinstead, Orish Grinstead, and Amelia Cruz were signed in 1995 to Biv 10 Records as 702. The group first saw mainstream success from featuring on Subway's 1995 single "This Lil' Game We Play", which peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite commercial success, the group experienced lineup changes with Orish and Cruz being replaced by Meelah Williams and Tiffany Villarreal, respectively. Following Villarreal's departure, they continued their success with the release of their 1996 single "Get It Together". Spawning from their debut studio album No Doubt (1996), the song peaked within the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100, while the album received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Their self-titled second album (1999) became their best-selling release, and contained the top-five single "Where My Girls At?". In 2001, Cree Lemore replaced Williams after her departure from the group. This lineup released a single "Pootie Tangin'" before Lemore left and Williams re-joined the group. The group released their final album Star in 2003 and disbanded in 2006. The group reunited at 2017 Soul Train Music Awards.

Reader's Guide

702 have been recognized as one of the most influential female R&B groups of the 1990s. Their debut album No Doubt (1996) earned gold certification and produced the top-ten single "Get It Together". Their second album, 702 (1999), became their best-selling release and included the top-five single "Where My Girls At?", which explored themes of women's empowerment. The group's lineup changes—including the departures of original members Orish Grinstead and Amelia Cruz, and later the temporary replacement of Meelah Williams by Cree Lemore—did not prevent them from achieving commercial success. 702 sold over 4 million records as of 2006. Their legacy includes influencing later R&B acts and maintaining a presence through reunions, such as their appearance at the 2017 Soul Train Music Awards and subsequent touring.

Did You Know?

• The group was named 702 after the area code for Las Vegas.
• Original member Orish Grinstead died on April 20, 2008 from kidney failure.
• Their single "Where My Girls At?" charted in the top-five on the Billboard Hot 100.
• 702 performed the national anthem for the Women's National Basketball Association in early 1999.

From a Las Vegas Lobby to a Record Label: The Making of 702

LeMisha Grinstead's dream of a music career took root in the early 1990s, nurtured by her parents who encouraged her to perform in local competitions and church events across Las Vegas. A pivotal moment came when she sang in the lobby of Caesars Palace, catching the ear of actor and comedian Sinbad. He approached her family with a music opportunity and persuaded them to bring her twin sisters, Irish and Orish, into the fold as a trio. The three entered a music competition in Atlanta under the name Sweeter than Sugar, finishing in second place. That near-miss proved to be a turning point: R&B star Michael Bivins agreed to mentor the young performers, expanded the lineup by adding singer Amelia Cruz, and signed the quartet to his Biv 10 Records label. Bivins then rebranded the act as 702, a nod to the Las Vegas area code, cementing the group's identity and setting the stage for their journey into the national spotlight.

Chart-Toppers and Cultural Crossovers

The group's first major commercial breakthrough arrived in late 1994 when they provided featured vocals on Subway's debut single 'This Lil' Game We Play.' LeMisha handled lead vocals, and the track climbed to number fifteen on the Billboard Hot 100 while also reaching number four on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, eventually earning a gold certification for selling over half a million copies. Building on that momentum, 702 recorded their debut studio album No Doubt, released in October 1996. The record peaked at number eighty-two on the Billboard 200 and number twenty-four on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, accumulating gold certification. Its singles 'Steelo' and 'Get It Together' both cracked the top twenty of the R&B chart and earned gold status. The album swept the 1997 Lady of Soul Awards, taking home Best R&B/Soul Album, while 'Get It Together' received nominations for Best Single and Song of the Year. The group also opened for New Edition's Home Again Tour that year, and a 1998 remix of 'Steelo' became the theme song for Nickelodeon's Cousin Skeeter, further embedding 702 in pop culture.

Peak Years: Platinum Success and Personal Milestones

1999 marked 702's commercial zenith. The group performed the national anthem for the Women's National Basketball Association, a high-profile moment that underscored their growing stature. In June of that year, their self-titled second album arrived, climbing into the top forty on the Billboard charts and earning a platinum certification. Its lead single 'Where My Girls At?' surged into the top five of the Hot 100 and was certified gold. The group also served as the opening act for Brandy's Never Say Never World Tour, though LeMisha's participation was interrupted by a two-month maternity leave; she welcomed her son Tony Fields II on June 18, 1999. During her absence, Orish Grinstead briefly re-joined the lineup. Beyond the stage, 702 expanded their presence in entertainment, making a cameo in the 1999 ABC television movie Double Platinum and signing a modeling deal with Wilhelmina Models. The following year saw them open for Brian McKnight's Back at One Tour, keeping their touring schedule robust through the turn of the millennium.

Turbulence, Final Chapters, and Lasting Legacy

The group's later years were defined by repeated lineup shifts. In 2001, Meelah Williams departed to sign with Todd Russaw's Pedigree MGI Management, during which she contributed backup vocals and co-wrote three tracks for Faith Evans' album Faithfully, and sang backup on Missy Elliott's 'Take Away.' Cree Lemore stepped in as her replacement, and the group released 'Pootie Tangin'' from the Pootie Tang film soundtrack, earning a Soul Train Lady of Soul nomination in 2002. Lemore's tenure was brief, however, as she exited shortly after the single's release and Williams returned to the fold. Their final studio album, Star, dropped in March 2003, peaking within the top fifty of the Billboard 200, with lead singles 'Star' and 'I Still Love You' charting on the R&B list. The group officially disbanded in 2006, having sold more than four million records worldwide. Their story found a bittersweet coda when the original members reunited on stage at the 2017 Soul Train Music Awards, a testament to the bond forged in a Las Vegas lobby over two decades earlier.

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