A lot has happened in the 20 years that Mis-Teeq have been out of the spotlight. Solo careers, children, marriage…
‘Divorce…,’ Alesha Dixon, 47, howls with laughter.
Metro sat down with Alesha and her bandmates, Sabrina Washington and Su-Elise Nash, in the place where it all started 30 years ago, Fulham’s Dance Attic Studio, where they shaped their iconic choreography routines.
The noughties garage girl-group are back, better than ever, and buzzing with excitement, with a show-stopping surprise performance as Barclaycard’s Out of the Blue guest at this year’s Capital Summertime Ball and a huge comeback gig planned for later this year at Wembley Arena.
The group split two decades ago, but have reunited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their iconic first album, Lickin’ on Both Sides, while reliving their nostalgic hits, including All I Want, Style, B With Me, and Can’t Get It Back, which sold more than 12 million records.
The rug was pulled from under them when their UK label, Telstar Records, went bust in 2005, leaving them without a clear path for their next album.
But despite hurdles in their personal and professional lives, the chemistry between the trio is palpable as they tell us all about their decision to get back on stage.
‘We were discussing in our Mis-Teeq WhatsApp group what we could do for the fans to mark the occasion. We wanted to celebrate with them,’ Sabrina tells us.
‘Originally, we started off with the idea of releasing a vinyl of our album, then the conversation just grew legs and somehow it ended with a one night performance at Wembley. ‘
‘Over the years we’ve been asked to do lots of different things and we’ll discuss it and if it doesn’t feel right, we’ll pass and we’ll leave. It just felt like there was something in the air. It’s such a significant moment,’ Alesha adds.
The R&B icons were at the height of their success in an era of flip phones and velour tracksuits, there was no social media and girl bands were under intense pressure in an often highly misogynistic music industry.
They recall their first time on Top of the Pops back in 2001, where presenter Jamie Theakston made an unsavoury remark following their performance.
‘He said: “The not unattractive Mis-Teeq”. No one would say that now, would they?,’ Su-Elise laughs.
‘People are more politically correct now,’ Alesha adds. ‘They’re more mindful.’
‘When we first came out, people said what they want and did what they want. Mindfulness has been fantastic for all artists because we have our own voice now and our own platform. It puts the power back in the artists’ hands.’
The group have been vocal on experiencing ‘sometimes blatant’ racism within the early years of the group, but feel an ‘overwhelming’ amount of support from both the industry and fans with their recent reunion announcement.
‘Representation is more considered now, and it wasn’t back then. You had to fight a lot harder,’ Alesha notes.
’We were fortunate that we came about in the time of Craig David, So Solid Crew, Ms. Dynamite. We came and disrupted the music industry, and we had to fight for our place in the mainstream.
‘Now it feels like we can celebrate artists like Raye, Stormzy, and Dave and it just feels normal. There would have been a time where that would have been more of a challenge, where you might be in your own category over there, or not accepted in certain rooms.
‘It’s like all artists are accepted and anything is possible now. It feels hopeful.’
In a year which has seen The Pussycat Dolls reunite, Mis-Teeq are keen to stress that they aren’t influenced by the recent trend of girl group homecomings.
‘Lickin’ On Both Sides was something that no on else had done. We don’t follow what anyone else does. If it feels good to us then that’s what we do,’ Sabrina insists.
‘There’s been so many comebacks and it definitely feels like everybody’s getting back together, but I genuinely think it’s just coincidence,’ Alesha adds.
‘I see it as a positive thing; it shows that music is still alive and fans still want it.’
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