Total (band)

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For the British experimental musician, see Matthew Bower.
Total
Origin United States
Genre(s) R&B, Hip hop soul
Years active 1994–present
Label(s) Bad Boy/Arista
Members
Keisha Epps
Pamela Long
JaKima Raynor
Unknown

Total is an American R&B girl group and one of the signature acts of Puff Daddy's Bad Boy Records during the 1990s.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Emergence & Total

Total made their first appearance singing the hook on The Notorious B.I.G.'s debut single, "Juicy". Garnering attention for the new group, they were also featured on the original version and "Hip Hop Remix" of his next single "One More Chance". They then immediately hit the studio with Bad Boy Records CEO Sean "Puffy" Combs and began work on their debut album. The first single "Can't You See?", had The Notorious B.I.G. returning the favor with a guest rhyme. Despite collaboration with their now big-star labelmate and the track's appearance on the "New Jersey Drive Soundtrack", the single only peaked at #44 on the Billboard Hot 100. It did however enter the top ten of the R&B Charts and after their self-titled debut album was released shortly thereafter, they produced four more R&B top ten singles, "No One Else" (and its remix featuring Foxy Brown, Lil' Kim and Da Brat) and '"Kissing You" (and its remix featuring Sean "Puffy" Combs). The album was certified platinum by the RIAA.

[edit] Guest Appearances & Kima, Keisha, and Pam

While recording their second album, they appeared on numerous top ten singles, including LL Cool J's "Loungin'/Who Do U Love?", Foxy Brown's "I Can't", and Mase's "What You Want" and Pam sang the chorus to the massive "Hypnotize" by The Notorious B.I.G.. The group also released another single, the Missy Elliott and Timbaland track "What About Us" from the Soul Food soundtrack.

Their follow-up album, Kima, Keisha, and Pam, debuted to strong reviews, sales, and was certified gold by the RIAA. The first single, another Missy Elliott collaboration, "Trippin'", reached the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Their next release, "Sitting Home", didn't garner the same attention. Despite this, in Bad Boy tradition it did get a second life in the hip hop community when a remix of the track featured controversial artist Shyne.

[edit] Return of the Bad Girls?

After the release of Kima, Keisha, and Pam, the girls sang the chorus to legendary rap duo Gang Starr's 1999 single "Discipline" and in 2000 they were featured on the Tony Touch single "(I Wonder Why) He's the Greatest DJ". They also contributed to a couple of year 2000 soundtracks ("Crave" from 3 Strikes & "Quick Rush" from ""Bait) and in their last official appearance together were thanked in the credits for their collaboration with Da Beatminerz and Talib Kweli - Anti-Love Movement in 2001. After no output from the group for four years, in 2005 Pam released a solo track on the SynCity "2AM Heat, Vol. 2" mixtape called "Lose Control", announcing she was "doing it big right now". Her claims were unfounded however, as the track did not go beyond this mixtape release.

Most recently, it is rumoured that Kima has rejoined the group and an additional fourth member has been added and that Total are now at work on a new album. Keisha (Now known as Keisha Epps) is happily married to actor Omar Epps, and is living in California. Pamela Long still lives in New Jersey and she is a faithful member at Agape Family Worship Center located in Rahway, NJ. A track by Kima featuring her sister, rapper Vita, called "What U Want", also recently leaked. As of 2008, Total have no desire or interest in pursuing to reband.

[edit] Discography

Main article: Total discography

[edit] Albums

Year Album U.S. UK RIAA cert.
1996 Total 23 - Platinum
1998 Kima, Keisha, and Pam 39 - Gold

[edit] Videography

[edit] See also

v • d • e
Bad Boy Family
Singers
Rappers
Producers
The Hitmen · Sean Combs · Lil Jon · D-Dot · Stevie J · Younglord · Chucky Thompson · Yogi · Mario Winans · LV · Sean C
Discography