A budding star with deep Guyanese roots…

Sep 06, 2009 News

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Lesley Lewis of R&B pop group ‘Electrik Red’

If all goes well, Guyana may soon be in for some international vibes from Electrik Red. Currently signed to Def Jam records, the group comprises four ladies and one, Lesley Lewis, has deep Guyanese roots. Her father told this publication that he intends to bring the quartet to Guyana in the not too distant future.
Born in Brooklyn, New York to Guyanese parents Leslie G. “Tulu” Lewis of Queenstown, Georgetown, and Marlene J. Lewis of Pomeroon, Essequibo, she’s the niece of former Police Commissioner Laurie Lewis.
Her dad was a former left-arm medium pace bowler with the British Guiana Cricket Club.
As a dancer, Lesley who prides herself in being called a ‘Caribbean Princess of Brooklyn’ has been in the shadows of major world renowned singers for several years, as has her partners.
A member of the upfront pop-oriented R&B group, she sings with Sarah Rosette, Naomi Allen and Kyandra “Binkie Reevey.” The group was formed in 2005 while the women worked together before as dancers. Three of them including Lewis toured with Usher, and all four were in Ciara’s ‘Like a Boy’ video.
However through some stroke of talent mixed with genius as well as being spotted through the right connections, with three other women it’s her time to shine.
The group debuted in late 2008 with the raunchy “Drink In My Cup” and their album “To be a Lady Volume 1, was recorded during a brisk two-week period. It was subsequently released in May of 2009.
In one publication it is stated that the West Indian in Lewis flares like a brushfire at the mere sound of Reggae music. She has been preparing to be a performer all her life, has had extensive vocal training since the early age of seven, and continues to work on her craft.
Mainly focusing on Electrik Red, she manages to find time to pursue her acting career and travel abroad. She states “This journey is only the beginning so if you dare … follow me.”
ELECTRIK RED IN RETROSPECT
Throughout the history of pop music, few things have been more important than the relationship between artists and their producers. Legendary hit makers like Quincy Jones and Timbaland helped transform singers like Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake into musical icons. Staying in line with this formula for success, Def Jam is set to re-direct the face of popular music with all-girl group. Paired with Grammy Award-winning writing/production team The Dream and Tricky Stewart (Rihanna’s “Umbrella”), Electrik Red’s edgy brand of hip-hop and R&B exemplifies the future sound of music.
Comprised of Naomi, Sarah, Lesley and Binki, Electrik Red hails from both New York City and Canada. Binki and Lesley, who attended NYC’s prestigious LaGuardia School of Performing Arts, met the Toronto-born Naomi and Sarah while individually performing as back-up dancers for artists like Usher, Mariah Carey and Ciara.
After running into each other time and again at auditions and parties, the girls began to form a friendship. “We’d get together on our off time, and strategize,” says Naomi. “For some of us the ultimate was getting to work with an amazing performer, like a Janet or Madonna,” explains Binki. “But once you hit that mark it’s like ok, now where do I want to take it? In our case, making music was the next plateau to aim for.”
Although the move to step to the front of the stage may have seemed risky, the girls knew they were ready. “Everyone had lucrative careers,” says Lesley, “but we had the confidence to say. Ok, let’s stop all that and go off on our own with no help from anyone we’d worked for.”
While their individual careers started with dance, the girls all grew up studying music. Binki learned the business early from her father who was a member in the legendary Caribbean soul group Kid Creole and the Coconuts. Lesley began vocal training at age three while Sarah studied the piano as a young girl. Once they decided to form a group, the girls decided on the name Electrik Red which they felt exuded their collective sensuality.
In 2005, the foursome recorded a demo, and instead of calling on their long list of family friends and contacts in the music industry, Electrik Red decided to keep their new project under wraps. “What’s crazy is that as many people we knew, we never really shopped the demo, we were protective of our music,” says Naomi. “We felt like we couldn’t go to an executive at a label until we feel like we had the best music possible. We believe you only have one shot.”
In February of 2007, that one shot came when Electrik Red secured a deal with Def Jam. The girls were then paired with the hottest hit makers in town, The Dream and Tricky Stewart, who had worked with everyone from Mary J. Blige to Beyoncé.
The multi-talented group released their debut album which was heavily anticipated thanks to the massive buzz surrounding their first single, “Drink In My Cup.” The slinky, yet hard hitting atmospheric “Drink In My Cup” showcases the girl’s flowing harmonies and edgy phrasing. The mix of street and seduction makes it clear Electrik Red is taking mainstream R&B to an entirely new level.

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