The early 90s were a dynamic time for R&B music. Many artists rose to mainstream stardom with a sound unlike anything else on the airwaves of the day. Artists like R. Kelly, Boyz II Men, Jade, Jodeci dominated the charts. Right amongst them was the Waco, TX-based quintet Hi-Five with their smash hit “I Like The Way (Kissing Game),” which hit #1 on both the pop and R&B charts. Their eponymous, platinum-selling debut on Jive Records, as well as follow-ups Keep It Goin‘ On and Faithful, set the scene on fire, and still finds singles like “I Just Can’t Handle It,” “Unconditional Love,” “I Can’t Wait Another Minute,” “She’s Playing Hard To Get,” “Quality Time,” and of course “I Like The Way (Kissing Game)” in regular radio rotation.
Eventually disbanding, they left behind an impressive legacy. After many years and a series of tragedies that include the tragic death of founding member Tony Thompson in 2007, Hi-Five was reborn in 2012 by original members Treston Irby and Marcus Sanders, longtime member Shannon Gill, and a fresh injection of talent by way of Faruq Evans and Billy Covington. Now based in NYC on Irby’s Bronx Most Wanted Entertainment, the group is ready to show off this incarnation to the world. With their brand new single “Kit Kat,” the group has reminded all us beyond a shadow of a doubt that no amount of adversity or time away can suppress their unbridled talent. With a sound that is as timeless as it is contemporary, “Kit Kat” eagerly celebrates the beauty of being a giver under the sheets.
