’90’s Black Girl Groups You Shouldn’t Forget Like ‘Brownstone’ and ‘Jade’ and More

When it comes to the golden era of 90s R&B, girl groups brought that heat. Though more notable groups like Destiny’s Child, TLC, and En Vogue often come up in conversation–they weren’t the only ones blessing us with harmonies, serious style, and hits that stay on repeat to this day.

But like any good era of that was chockfull of amazing talent, there’s often some artists that fall through the cracks and don’t get the love they deserve. When it comes to this side of the internet however, we like to give flowers where they’re due and make sure some of the best of Black music doesn’t get thrown out like yesterday’s bowl of grits.

That’s why we’ve put together a running list of Black girl groups from the 90s’ that you better not forget and trust us, once you start pressing play, you’ll be glad that you did. Whether you remember every lyric or just catch the nostalgia wave, these girl groups deserve to be back in the spotlight.

So keep reading to get into all the good vibes!

Total

When it comes to this group, we’ve only got four words: “TOTAL, HELP ME SING!”

Brownstone

There’s a reason why Mara Brock Akil chose “If You Love Me” by Brownstone as the background song for “Love Is__.” This song is quintessential 90’s love song and just transports you back to that supreme era.

702

Thought their second, self-titled album did remarkably better than their first one, we definitely won’t hold it against them as it gave us hits like “Where My Girls At” and “What More Can We Do.”

Changing Faces

Internal drama aside, when Changing Faces were seeing eye to eye, they gave us some good music like “G.H.E.T.T.O.U.T.” and “Stroke You Up” (though we won’t acknowledge a certain now disgraced R&B singer that has uncredited background vocals on the latter track.)

Jade

For every person who remembers hearing this song play on the radio and at random cookouts and functions over the years but couldn’t quite put a name on the group who was singing it: you’re welcome.

Zhané

The groove that Zhané put in “Hey Mr. D.J.” and “Sending My Love” alone should be enough to have them sealed in the hall of fame of girl groups. It’s too, too good!

Les Nubians

Les Nubians and their hit “Makeda” feels like such a niche throwback song that used to get some radioplay back during those “Quiet Storm” hours on the radio back in the day. Shoutout to you if you remember this one, you have a good memory and good taste!

Floetry

Do we really have to say much when it comes to Floetry? Yes, we know they really made waves in the early 2000s, but they got active in the late 90s so it still counts as far as we’re concerned. Besides, are we really gonna discard the group that gave us “Say Yes?” Yeah, we didn’t think so either.

Mokenstef

With a name like “Mokenstef” (a combination of the names of members Monifa, Kenya, and Stefanie), you know there’s some serious potential brewing there. Thankfully, their potential did bubble up enough to give a couple of hits like “He’s Mine” and “Sex In the Rain.”

Honorable Mention: Groove Theory

Though Amel Larrieux was technically accompanied by her songwriter and producer Bryce Wilson (which wouldn’t make them a girl group or all-girl duo), they’re too good not to include on this list. You can’t put out a song like “Tell Me” and not expect us to highlight it, let’s be for real now.

Honorable Mention: 3LW

While 3LW came on the scene right on the cusp of the impending 2000s, Naturi Naughton, Adrienne Bailon and Kiely Williams still brought that signature 90’s sound with hits like “I Can’t Take It” and “No More.” We’re still tired of the broken “promithes, promithes” but we won’t ever forget or tire of this group!

Honorable Mention: Morcheeba

Though they were a bit more popping overseas and appeared on a few smaller charts here in the U.S., group Morcheeba (which originally had two male group members while Skye Edwards served as lead singer). Songs like “Trigger Hippie” and later “It’s Summertime” might ring a bell.