In Essence (occasionally referred to as I.E.) was a five-member Canadian R&B group based in Toronto, Ontario.[1] Their music has been played both in Canada and the United States. The band was active between 1993 and 2006, and their album The Master Plan was a 2004 Juno Award winner.
In Essence | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | R&B |
| Years active | 1993–2006 |
| Members | Dru Pops Smooth Que Touch |
History
editThe group's members, lead singer Dru,[2] Pops, Smooth, Que and Touch met in Toronto in 1993. On a trip to New York City, In Essence met Funkmaster Flex and his manager and in 2001 they were signed to Franchise Entertainment.[3] Shortly thereafter they released the single "You Will Never Find".[4] The song garnered exposure in the US and was included on Funkmaster Flex's The Mix Tape, Vol. IV.
In Essence signed a record deal with ViK. Recordings / BMG Canada and released their first album, The Master Plan, in 2003.[3][5] The album included an a capella song, "Who We Are".[6] In April 2004 In Essence won a Juno Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year for The Master Plan.[7][8]
In June 2004 same year they were presented with an MMVA Award by MuchMusic for Best R&B Video Of The Year for Friend of Mine.[9] That year the group also won a SOCAN #1 Award for the same video[10] and two Canadian Radio Music Award nominations.
Dru later embarked on a solo career; he released two solo albums, The One in 2008[2] and On the Brink (2011).
Discography
edit- New Invention (1995)
- The Master Plan (2003)
References
edit- ^ "Juno Nominees Chit-Chat: In Essence Want To Win"[usurped]. Chart Attack - Feb 13, 2004
- ^ a b "Dru The One". Exclaim!, By Ryan B. Patrick Jan 19, 2009
- ^ a b "In Essence The Master Plan" Archived 2017-08-18 at the Wayback Machine. Faze Magazine, by Lauren Bailey
- ^ In Essence - Master Plan Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 2022-07-26
- ^ "IN ESSENCE The Master Plan (BMG) Rating: NNN". NOW Toronto, Brent Raynor July 17, 2003
- ^ "CD REVIEWS: Ashanti, Boy, The Clientele, In Essence, 16 Horsepower and many more"[usurped]. Chart Attack - Jul 8, 2003
- ^ "Dru: The One". Toronto Star, Ashante Infantry Sept. 30, 2008
- ^ " Juno awards". The Globe and Mail, Apr. 04, 2004
- ^ "Sam Roberts, Finger Eleven Win Big At MMVAs"[usurped]. Chart Attack - Jun 21, 2004
- ^ "MMVA 2004 Winners" Archived 2016-08-15 at the Wayback Machine. Soul Shine, 2004-06-22. Sherrill Fulghum