When it comes to R&B groups of the 90s and 2000s, Silk is regarded as one of the best to ever do it. Formed in Atlanta and comprised of Tim “Timzo” Cameron, Jimmy Gates, Gary “Big G” Glenn, Johnathen “John-John” Rasboro, and Gary “Lil G” Jenkins, the group is known for their smooth harmonies and undeniable showmanship.
After being discovered by Keith Sweat in 1992, Silk released their debut album Lose Control, featuring “Freak Me”, which went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. “Happy Days,” “Girl U For Me”, and the title track, a quiet storm classic, propelled the album to reach double platinum status. Lose Control would go on to win the Album of the Year at the 1994 Soul Train Music Awards.
Throughout the 90s and 2000s, they would release several hit albums and singles such as “I Can Go Deep”, “Hooked on You”, “Don’t Rush”, “If You” ( “Meeting in My Bedroom”, and “We’re Calling You” just to name a few.
More than 30 years later, Silk is still going strong. They remain in demand and are a part of the “R&B Forever” tour at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on April 26.
WBLS caught up with Silk and spoke about their legacy, the current state of R&B, and why they love performing in New York.
WBLS: How did Silk first come together?
Gates: Back when we were like 15 years old, we were working at McDonald’s. My cousin Tiger introduced me to John, and we ended up working at McDonald’s together. We started the group, and we picked up everybody else along the way.
WBLS: All this happened in Atlanta?
Jenkins: We’re from two states. Everybody else is from Atlanta, but I’m from Nashville, Tennessee, by way of Atlanta. I’ve been in Atlanta longer now, so I guess I’m from both [Laughs].
WBLS: Who were your early influences?
Rasboro: When we were coming up, we were looking to New Edition, Ready for the World, and people like that. I guess that’s a blessing in itself.
WBLS: In your opinion, what makes the 90s R&B so special?
Jenkins: When it comes to R&B, the 90s era has become the standard. Musically, we were able to transcend through the trends with music that has longevity, and there’s been a hunger for it, because a lot of people consider the 90s era as the best. There are different facets of it, but there’s been a hunger for it. So that’s why you have so many tours today.
Glenn: They started sampling the 90s music, which took us into the next millennium. It was just like when people used to sample James Brown back in the ’80s. So I think that kind of brings you into the next millennium. That’s why I was glad when that started happening.
WBLS: Who did you perform with on your first national tour?
Gates: We were with BBD, SWV, Guy, Jade, We did the Coca Cola Superfest. Even back then, they were mixing it up because Naughty By Nature was closing the show.
WBLS: With so many great ’90s groups, how competitive were you with other groups on tours?
Cameron: There was a lot of competition, but it was fun. In the 90s, you had so many groups, female and male, right? I mean, and we just, it really gave us energy to just want to perform and want to be on certain tours with certain people. We were out there having fun. It was like when we were out there with Bell Biv Devoe because we watched New Edition growing up.
WBLS: Speaking of shows, I came across an amazing performance of “Lose Control” at the Apollo. What memories do you have of creating the song? It wasn’t a single right?
Gates: No, it wasn’t. DJs pulled it from the record.
Glenn: Even “Freak Me” wasn’t supposed to be a single until DJs started playing it on the radio
Gates: Big G and Lil G wrote that song, and Lil G is playing piano. Then Keith came in and collaborated with them. When that song is played, it really means more to me than others, because I know guys from the group created it.
WBLS: On the “R&B Forever” tour, you’ll hit the stage with Ashanti, Tyrese, Tank, Ginuwine, & Lloyd. What are you most looking forward to when you return to New York?
Rasboro: The one thing we love about the New York area is that they always show us love, but they make us work for it, and we’re okay with it. So we get on stage, it’s not instantaneous. They’re gonna to make you earn their respect. And we love New York. If you can do it in Brooklyn or any borough in New York, you can do it anywhere.