Cleopatra (band)
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| Cleopatra | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Cleopatra ZYC |
| Origin | Manchester, England |
| Genre(s) | Pop |
| Years active | 1998 - 2001 |
| Label(s) | Maverick Records |
| Members | |
| Cleo Higgins Yonah Higgins Zainam Higgins |
|
Cleopatra were a platinum selling, BRIT Awards and MOBO Awards nominationed R&B/Pop girl group from the UK whose members were sisters Cleo, Yonah, and Zainam Higgins. The girls were signed to Madonna's Maverick record label. Their debut single entered the UK Singles Chart at number 3 and the Billbord hot 100 charts at 26. The group enjoyed international success.
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[edit] Band members
- Cleo Higgins - born Cleopatra Madonna Higgins, 30 April 1982, in Birmingham.
- Yonah Higgins - born Yonah Mawusi Higgins, 27 April 1984, in Birmingham.
- Zainam Higgins - born Zainam Mandisa Talibah Venetta Higgins, 5 December 1980, in Manchester.
[edit] Comin' Atcha!
The first time the girls stepped on stage they were known as Cleopatra And The Attractions; at that point Cleo was the lead singer and her sisters were backing singers/dancers. They later dropped that name and became known as the band Cleopatra.
Their debut single was 'Cleopatra's Theme', which was taken from their debut album 'Comin' Atcha!', and shot straight in at #3 giving the girls their first top 5 hit in the UK's official top 40 singles charts.
The next 3 singles 'Life Ain't Easy', the Jackson 5 hit "I Want You Back" and 'Thank Abba For The Music' all followed the same success heading into the top 5 gaining the girls BRIT Awards and MOBO Awards nominations. The girls performed at the 1999 BRIT Awards alongside STEPS, Tina Cousins, B*Witched and Billie Piper and were also nominated for 'Best British Newcomer'. Madonna signed Cleopatra to her Maverick label and introduced them to America on the Nickelodeon's 11th Annual Kids' Choice Awards where they performed their U.S debut single 'Cleopatra's Theme'. This record was released shortly after gaining them a 26 position on the Billboard Charts and a 16 in the R&B charts. The video was a popular choice as it was #4 on the TRL top 10 countdown. Their U.S debut album Comin' Atcha sold over 300,000 copies.
Cleopatra were invited to perform at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II, backed by a 100-piece orchestra. They covered the Bee Gees Song ("Gotta Get A Message To You") for the tribute album of the same name. They were also asked to record a cover of the disco song Get Right Back To Where We Started From for An Extremely Goofy Movie by Disney.
[edit] Steppin' Out
Cleopatra moved onto their second album 'Steppin Out', working with producers including Jam & Lewis, Dallas Austin, Darryl Simmons, Cutfather & Joe, and Stargate. Steppin Out saw the group explore a more mature sound and image.
They toured the U.S Promoting the leading U.S single off of 'Steppin Out', 'U Got It' The girls found themselves on 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' and 'The Queen Latifah Show' and as the new spokeswomen for Make-Up Giant Covergirl. The girls sang the theme tune for their new make-up line 'Triple Lipstick' and were featured in the U.S television advertisement, Making Cleopatra the first British female group to ever sign to Covergirl.
The girls toured the U.S with the likes of Brian Mcknight, Jessica Simpson, Next and Nelly. Cleopatra moved on to tour Japan and promote their Japanese single 'Yes, The Party's Going Right'. They were invited to perform a mini-concert for the Sultan of Brunei and his Royal family. Back home, on the other hand, things weren't looking too good. With a massive wipeout including a change of M.D. at Warners led to lack of promotion of their U.K single 'Come and Get Me' which entered the top 40 at #29; the Steppin Out release date for the U.K was pushed back and the album was never released. Warner/Elektra/Atlantic had a meeting with Cleo as they now wanted her as a solo artist, because she had written and sung all of Cleopatra's hits; this led to the group's parting ways with Warners.
[edit] Television sitcom
In 1998 CITV premiered Cleopatra's one hour Christmas Special for their brand new sitcom. With a host of stars to help launch the show it was a ratings smash. The show was twenty minutes per episode and followed the girls' lives on tour and at home with their family. The girls' mother and younger sister were featured as themselves. The show had two seasons: Season 1 '"Comin' Atcha!"' and Season 2 'In The House' and was shown in numerous countries. Both seasons were number one in their time slots.
[edit] Clothing line
Cleopatra were known for their bright funky clothing and in December 1998 Cleopatra was signed up to Littlewoods for their own clothing range. The clothes could be bought in store and in the Littlewoods catalogue.
[edit] Covergirl
Cleopatra are the first Black British band to have ever featured in their own Covergirl advertisement. They sang and featured in the Covergirl campaign across America promoting their 'Triple Lipstick' line. It was filmed on Miami's South Beach in 2000 and saw the girls on stage performing the theme song.
[edit] Cleopatra now
In 2005 the girls came together for a one off performance on ITV1's Hit Me Baby One More time. Cleo currently is signed and released a new single 'Feelin' Like This' in 2007. Cleo also recently stated that the band are considering a return in 2008.[citation needed]
[edit] Trivia
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Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones. |
- In Canada Cleopatra had to change their name to Cleopatra ZYC as the name Cleopatra was already in use by someone else.[citation needed]
- Jay Manuel from America's Next Top Model was the make-up artist for Cleopatra's U Got It video.[citation needed]
- Ali G makes repeated references to "Comin' Atcha" in his shows.[citation needed]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Comin' Atcha! (1998) #20 UK
- Steppin' Out (2000)
[edit] Singles
- "Cleopatra's Theme" (1998) #3 UK #26 US
- "Life Ain't Easy" (1998) #4 UK
- "I Want You Back" (1998) #4 UK
- "A Touch of Love" (1999) #24 UK
- "Thank ABBA for the Music" (with Steps, Tina Cousins, B*Witched and Billie) (1999) #4 UK
- "Come and Get Me" (2000) #29 UK
- "U Got It" (2000) US
- "Yes This Party's Going Right" (2001) Japan
[edit] B-sides and other songs
- We Haven't Finished Yet (Touch Of Love B-Side)
- Gotta Get A Message To You (Beegees tribute album)
- Right Back Where We Started (An Extremely Goofy Move OST)
- Can't Stop (Come And Get Me B-Side)
- All Talk And No Action (Steppin Out Japanese Import)
- You Can't Be In My Life (Steppin Out Japanese Import)
- Feels So Good (Jenny Jones Theme Song)
- I Just Wanna Be (Yes This Party's Going Right B-Side)
