Floetry
was an English R&B duo comprising Marsha Ambrosius ("the Songstress") and Natalie Stewart ("the Floacist"). The group achieved two studio albums, one live album, and sold over 800,000 records worldwide. Formed in 1997, Ambrosius and Stewart began writing songs and playing shows in and around London.
In 2002, the duo released their first album entitled, Floetic
. The album sold over 788,000 copies in the United States. [1] The album spawned the singles "Floetic", the top ten song "Say Yes", and "Getting Late". Following their success, Floetry released their live album Floacism
, featuring the single Wanna B Where U R (Thisizzaluvsong)
.
In 2005, Floetry released their second album Flo'Ology
. From the album was release of two singles "SupaStar" and "Lay Down". Later in 2007, Natalie Stewart ("the Floacist") left the duo and was later replaced by femcee and MTV2 personality Amanda Diva.
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FLOETRY TICKETS
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Early life
The two met due to their love of basketball. Stewart, who hails from London, was a superstar on her court, while Ambrosius wowed fans in her local English neighborhood. They were competitive, but not rivals, so a friendship was formed. Music was also a passion. Stewart relished in her reggae roots while Ambrosius had been raised in the funk and soul tradition. While attending Brits Performing Arts School, Ambrosius studied business and finance, but made room for courses in voice, performance technique, and recording. Stewart split her time between acting and directing. Later, Ambrosius and Stewart headed to college.
Ambrosius planned to attend Georgia Tech University on a basketball scholarship, but injury forced her to bow out. Stewart headed for Middlesex University, eventually transferring to North London University. Still, they two kept in touch and raved about music. It wouldn't be until Stewart's girl group, 3 Plus 1, disbanded that Floetry would actually give music a serious shot. In 1997, Ambrosius and Stewart began writing songs and playing shows in and around London. Three years later, they moved to America in search of something bigger. A brief stint in Atlanta didn't pan out, but their time spent in Philadelphia proved golden. Ambrosius and Stewart befriended Julius Erving III, basketball great Julius Erving's son, in mid-2000.
Musical career
Beginnings (1997-2002)
Since moving to the US in 2000, they have written for
Jill Scott,
Jazz of
Dru Hill,
Glenn Lewis (Marsha only),
Bilal, and
Michael Jackson, for whom Marsha penned the hit 2002 single "
Butterflies".
Floetic and Floacism (2002-2003)
In 2002, they signed with
DreamWorks Records and released their debut album
Floetic
, which featured the singles "Floetic", "Say Yes", and "Getting Late". The album was also released in the UK with additional tracks, one of which features British singer/songwriter and producer
Sebastian Rogers. Their song "Where's The Love" was featured in the film "
Bringing Down the House".
Floetry released a live album titled
Floacism
in 2003. The two-disc set consisted of a
CD and
DVD and included the single "
Wanna B Where U R (Thisizzaluvsong)" featuring rapper
Mos Def.
Flo'Ology (2005-2006)
Their third and final album
Flo'Ology
was released in November 2005. The album debut at #7 on Billboard's
Hot 200 and #2 on the
Top R&B charts, and selling over 77,000 copies in its first week.
[2] The album included the single "Supastar" featuring rapper
Common.
New Beginnings
Flo'Ology was the third and final album with original member
Natalie Stewart, who was replaced with
Amanda Diva for tours in 2007. Soon after Floetry finished promoting its newest member, the group separated.
Marsha Ambrosius was later signed as a solo artist to Dr. Dre's
Aftermath Entertainment.
Epilogue
Ambrosius is currently signed to
Dr. Dre's record label,
Aftermath Entertainment, as a solo musician.
Ambrosius has been featured on several songs including
Styles P's "I'm Black";
The Game's "Start from Scratch" and "Why You Hate The Game" (also featuring
Nas);
Busta Rhymes' "Get You Some" and "Cocaina"; Nas' "Hustlers" (also featuring
The Game; and
Hi-Tek's "Music for Life". The group has also collaborated with Earth, Wind & Fire on their most recent album,
Illumination
, on the track "Elevated". Ambrosius is also featured on a track (Freak'in Me) on
Jamie Foxx's 3rd album "Intuition"
Discography
Albums
Year
| Title
| Chart positions [3]
| Sales/certification
|
U.S.
| U.S. R&B
|
2002
| Floetic
- 1st studio album
- Released: October 1, 2002
| 19
| 4
|
- RIAA certification: Gold
- U.S. sales: 788,000+ [1]
|
2003
| Floacism
- Live album
- Released: November 18, 2003
| 74
| 11
|
- RIAA certification: N/A
- U.S. sales: N/A
|
2005
| Flo'Ology
- 2nd studio album
- Released: November 8, 2005
| 7
| 2
|
- RIAA certification: N/A
- U.S. sales: 77,000+ [2]
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Singles
Year
| Title
| Chart positions
| Album
|
U.S. Hot 100
| U.S. R&B
| Hot Adult R&B
| U.S. Dance
|
2002
| "Floetic"
| 113
| 29
| -
| -
| Floetic
|
2003
| "Say Yes"
| 24
| 8
| -
| -
|
"Getting Late"
| 114
| 31
| -
| -
|
"Wanna B Where U R (Thisizzaluvsong)" (feat. Mos Def)
| -
| -
| -
| -
| Floacism
|
2005
| "Supastar" (feat. Common)
| -
| 55
| 40
| 15
| Flo'Ology
|
"Lay Down"
| -
| 102
| 19
| -
|
Awards