Terry Ellis, along with Cindy Herron, Dawn Robinson, and Maxine Jones, came together in 1989 to form the beautiful powerhouse all-girl singing group, En Vogue. This dynamic quartet quickly gained recognition for their harmonious vocals, striking beauty, and trendsetting fashion sense. Their debut album, "Born to Sing," released in 1990, propelled them to stardom. It featured hits like "Hold On" and "Lies," which showcased Ellis's rich and sultry voice. The group's blend of R&B, pop, and soul set them apart and resonated with audiences worldwide.
Throughout the 1990s, Terry Ellis and En Vogue released a string of successful albums, each earning critical acclaim and commercial success. "Funky Divas" (1992) included chart-toppers like "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" and "Free Your Mind," highlighting the group's powerful message of empowerment and Ellis's incredible vocal range. The album sold over 3.5 million copies in the United States and the hit single won two MTV Video Music Awards, for "Best R&B Video" and "Best Dance Video."
In addition to their chart-topping singles, En Vogue's contributions to soundtracks, including "Set It Off" and "Waiting to Exhale," further solidified their status as R&B icons. Terry Ellis's distinct voice was a cornerstone of the group's sound, captivating audiences with its depth and emotion.
In 1996, En Vogue recorded "Don't Let Go (Love)" with Ellis singing the last verse of an extended version of the song. On the album's version, Ellis only sings backup on "Don't Let Go (Love)". The song was featured on the soundtrack to the motion picture Set It Off. Released in fall, it became the group's biggest hit to date going number one worldwide. It also sold over 1.8 million copies worldwide and became certified platinum.
In response to the large commercial success of "Don't Let Go (Love)", the group steadfastly went to work on its third album. As the album was nearing completion, Robinson left the group in April 1997 after difficult contractual negotiations reached a stalemate. The ending result saw En Vogue re-recording their third album with Ellis singing lead vocals on more of the songs. In June 1997, the group released their third studio album EV3, which went platinum.
Now, nearly 35 years later at the age of 60, Terry reflects on the magic that brought the group together.
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"We were all supposed to come up with names for the group," explains Ellis. "And so, I remember I was home—Dawn (Robinson), Max (-ine Jones) and I all lived together in the beginning—and I was just thinking about my history in singing and how it led me to Oakland, California and singing with this group. Then, I thought about the girls and their stories and so I thought this was fate, it was destiny, this was supposed to happen. These girls were the ones that were supposed to be together—because initially it was meant to be three girls and it turned out to be four girls; I ended up as the fourth."
"So, I just thought, you know, we were born to sing together. When we came back to the studio to draw the names from the pot, that one stuck out for everybody."
"When we came out, no one had fused fashion and street funk together," continues Ellis. "No other girl groups had done that. The Supremes—and all the other girl groups that had gone before us—were fashionable, beautiful, and classy. But I don’t think that anyone had come out and fused “the classic” with the street funk. And we were at the top of that."
"The blueprint for girl groups then was, usually, three girls in a group and like Cindy said, one sang lead. This was the first time (in a long time) when there were four girls in a group and all four sang lead."
Solo Endeavors
While En Vogue remained a cornerstone of Terry Ellis's career, she also explored solo ventures. In 1995, she released her debut solo album, "Southern Gal," which showcased her versatility as an artist. This project allowed Ellis to step into the spotlight on her terms, revealing her songwriting skills and a more personal side of her artistry.
En Vogue experienced lineup changes over the years, but Terry Ellis remained a consistent force within the group. In 2005, she and Cindy Herron reunited, and the duo continued to perform as En Vogue, touring and releasing new music. This commitment to their craft, despite the challenges of the industry, demonstrates Ellis's unwavering dedication to her art.
Terry Ellis's contribution to music goes beyond her incredible vocal talent. She has been an inspiration to aspiring artists, particularly women of color, breaking down barriers and proving that resilience and talent can withstand the test of time. En Vogue's influence on contemporary R&B and soul music is immeasurable, and Ellis's role in the group has been instrumental in shaping their signature sound.
Ellis is still touring strong all over the world with tour dates in Paris, Canada and throughout the U.S.
