Artists
Pajama Party
Pajama Party: Revolving Door
Who was in the original line-up of Pajama Party?
Jennifer McQuilkin, from New Jersey, sang lead on “Yo No Se’,” and was joined by Suzi Ranta, from Michigan and Daphne Rubin-Vega from Panama. Contract disputes led to a change in line-up, wherein Amanda Homi and Lynn Critelli replaced Suzi and Jen. Homi herself was later replaced by Marialisa Costanzo, a dancer on ClubMTV. In 1992, the party ended, but was re-formed in 2000, with Marialisa and new members Janine Mojica (who had backed up Lisette Melendez) and Lil’ Johanna.
What was their biggest hit?
It was definitely 1988′s “Yo No Se.” Their second single, a cover of Brenda K. Starr’s “Over & Over” was also a hit in the clubs and on the radio.
Did they release an album?
Yes, on Atlantic Records in 1989, appropriately titled Up All Night. 1990 saw another hit “Hide and Seek,” remixed by Robert Clivillés & David Cole, which led to Pajama Party’s first music video. Up All Night also featued “Lovelight” and “Living Inside Your Love”. They toured with some of the hottest performers of the time, making the girls an even bigger hit.
Was that their only album?
Nope. In 1991 Atlantic released their Can’t Live Without It, with the single “Got My Eye on You”.
The group disbanded in 1992.
What did they do then?
Daphne Rubin-Vega kept busy as a solo dance music artist and acted in movies. She was the first one to play Mimi in the musical Rent. Jennifer and Suzi are still in the music world, while Amanda and Marialisa acted in films. Lynn performed with various New York area rock bands. Lynn married and divorced Tico Torres of Bon Jovi and baseball player Brett Saberhagen.
Nocera
Nocera – Italian Songstress
Who is Nocera?
Nocera, also known as DJ Nocera, is Maria Nocera, born in Sicily, Italy in 1967. She was raised in central Italy, and immigrated to the USA at 18 years old.
How did Nocera get into the music industry?
In 1986, she signed with an independent label, Sleeping Bag Records. They released her single, “Summertime, Summertime,” which became a megahit. It was produced by Floyd Fisher and remixed by Kurtis Mantronik.
Did she put out an album?
Yes, in 1987, Nocera released her debut album Over The Rainbow. It had the track “Let’s Go,”remixed by Little Louie Vega. Unfortunately, her goal for a second album was not acheived, as Sleeping Bag Records disappeared in 1991.
What did Nocera do then?
She occupied herself in the 1990s by singing background vocals for India, Sa-Fire, and Information Society. For the latter, she also toured and played keyboards. In 2000, Nocera formed Voice of the Satellites, a trip-hop group. She also DJs at various New York clubs and has toured the United States with the Freestyle Explosion concert series.
Jocelyn Enriquez
Jocelyn Enriquez – The 1990s’ Queen of Freestyle
Who is Jocelyn Enriquez?
Jocelyn Enriquez was the first Filipino-American to succeed in the mainstream music industry.
She was born in 1974 and raised in San Francisco, California, by parents from the Philippines.
How did Jocelyn Enriquez get into the music industry?
In high school, she formed an all-girl group named the Pinay Divas, in homage to En Vogue who were known as the Funky Divas. She honed her skills in a community outreach program, the Young Filipino Entertainers’ Club.
What was her first album?
Her 1994 debut album was titled Lovely. She showed her pride in her ethnicity by recording that album with a Filipino-owned company, Classified Records. It featured “I’ve Been Thinking About You” and “Make It Last Forever.” She was produced by Glen Gutierrez, also of Filipino descent.
Then what happened?
In 1996, she moved to Tommy Boy Records, where she released her her first smash hit single, “Do You Miss Me?” and her second album, Jocelyn, the next year. “Do You Miss Me” was not only a blockbuster in the USA, but also in Canada and Singapore. It’s follow up, “A Little Bit Of Ecstasy,” was a radio and sales hit, and was featured on Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) Max2. It was even covered by a pop punk band Lucky Boys Confusion.
What else did she do?
In 1998, she was part of a supergroup called Stars on 54, who remade “If You Could Read My Mind” for the film Studio 54. In 2000, she performed her hit “When I Get Close To You” on the Cindy Margolis Show. Her third album came out in 2003, All My Life, on her own record label, JEM Entertainment.
What is she up to now?
Now Jocelyn Enriquez is a married mom of three children she is raising in San Antonio, Texas.
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