Brownstone Celebrate 25th Anniversary Of ‘From The Bottom Up’ At ESSENCE Fest

ESSENCE Fest may be celebrating 25 year of bringing one of the biggest celebrations of black culture to life, but they're not the only ones with a reason to party. GRAMMY-nominated R&B group Brownstone, signed by Michael Jackson in the mid-'90s, is celebrating their own milestone: 25 years since they released their debut album. The now quartet reunited at the festival to commemorate their anniversary.

"We were here 25 years ago and we're now celebrating our 25th anniversary of From The Bottom Up, our first album,and to be here with ESSENCE means everything," group member Monica "Mimi" Doby said. "Essence has supported us and been there. They were there since the beginning and now to have us back means a lot. Thank you Essence."

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The Los Angeles group's debut featured one of their biggest hits, "If You Love Me." The song landed members at the time, Doby, Nichole "Nicci" Gilbert and Charmayne Maxena "Maxee" Maxwell on the charts and earned them a nomination for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal at the 38th GRAMMY Awards during a time that where R&B ruled balck music.

Throughout their career, it has been their sisterhood that has kept them tight. "We know how to gravitate to one another in a way where we could help heal one another when we're down. We can be that shoulder, we can be that ear. We can be that friend," Teisha Brown, who joined the group later, said.

"As real sisters do, you may have a moment where there's a hiccup," she admitted. "But when you love someone you know how to revamp, start over, re-group, 'hey that didn't work, but we're going to try it this way' and that's what we do as sisters, we're always trying to empower one another. We're always trying to uplift one another. We're always pushing each other forward."

She continued: "That's what you do when you're real sisters, you care about your sister and that's what we do and we're trying to make sure that comes across and it reads to our audience, especially the young ladies that are watching us. That's very very important for us."

Years later, while the group's bond is tighter than ever, the group itself has changed. Maxwell, one of the original members died in 2015. Gilbert said that although not physically present, Maxwell continues to be a part of their bond.

"Our sister Maxee. The fact that we're here, knowing that she is here with us in spirit continuing the legacy, honoring her even thoughs she is not here with us today is a really really big part of our sisterhood," she said.

Brown added that Maxwell continues to be with them in spirit: "She has been with us every step of the way, to this very moment standing in front of you all."

In 2019, Brownstone continues to look forward despite tragedy. Now the group is looking to rebrand.

"Brownstone is known as a three-member group and now you see of course there are four women here today, Gilbert said. "What we are doing is pushing the envelope, putting our millennial caps on and rebranding. As the group has grown and our legacy has continued, what we're doing is introducing the Brownstone Experience and what that is just women who are incredibly talented coming together in hamony. We are introducing Ms. Arin Jackson to our experience."

The group hopes to continue their legacy through the new Brownstone Experience, which will have many women signing along with them on stage. At the end of the day, they will continue what they've been doing since the beginning, as Gilbert put it: "Brownstone has always been about girl power. Brownstone has always been about women uplifting women."

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Brownstone Celebrate 25th Anniversary Of ‘From The Bottom Up’ At ESSENCE Fest

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