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Hi-Five

{{Short description|American R&B quintet}}

{{about|the band||High five (disambiguation)}}

{{redirect-distinguish|Marcus Sanders|Mark Sanders (disambiguation)}}

{{use mdy dates|date=March 2022}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Hi-Five

| image =

| caption =

| image_size =

| background = group_or_band

| origin = Waco, Texas, United States

| genre = {{hlist|R&B|soul|pop|new jack swing}}

| occupation =

| years_active = 1989–1994
2005–2007
2012–present

| label = {{hlist|Jive|Giant|N-Depth|Bronx Most Wanted}}

| current_members = Marcus Sanders
Shannon Gill
Treston Irby
Billy Covington
Faruq Evans

| past_members = Tony Thompson (deceased)
Russell Neal
Roderick Clark (deceased)
Toriano Easley
Terrence Murphy
Ricky Smith
Andre Ramseur (aka Dre Wonda)

}}

Hi-Five is an American R&B quintet from Waco, Texas. Hi-Five had a No. 1 hit on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1991 with "I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)".

The band was originally formed in 1989 as a trio: childhood friends Tony Thompson, Russell Neal, and Oklahoma native, Toriano Easley. Jive Records suggested adding childhood friends, Roderick "Pooh" Clark and Marcus Sanders, to the ensemble and later signed these founding members as Hi-Five.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhrNO-LC4OE|title=Hi-Five interview: December 2021 |website=Youtube.com|date=December 15, 2021 }}

During the release of their debut album, Toriano Easley was charged with a crime, which involved a dispute with his neighborhood friends, rendering him unable to continue with the group. The record label recruited New York native Treston Irby, as a replacement member. After the release of their second album, Russell Neal left the group after financial conflicts with the label. Unfortunately congruently, while the four members of the group were continuing to tour, Roderick "Pooh" Clark was injured in a vehicle collision, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down, resulting in his departure from the group.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/roderick-pooh-clark-dead-obituary-hi-five-boy-band-1235005553|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419153048/https://deadline.com/2022/04/roderick-pooh-clark-dead-obituary-hi-five-boy-band-1235005553/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 19, 2022|title=deadline.com April 2022|website=daedline.com|date=April 19, 2022 }} The label added Shannon Gill and Terrence Murphy as replacement members.

When the group decided to accept an offer from Giant Records to change labels, while their Jive contract was still pending, Giant Records, instead decided to focus their attention on lead singer Tony Thompson, neglecting the projects related to the group. Because of this discrepancy, the group disbanded. Tony Thompson was later signed to Bad Boy Records. In 2005, without consulting the initial members of Hi-Five, Tony Thompson put together several new vocalists to form a new incarnation of the band, under the Hi-Five name. This later resulted in a legal battle, between Thompson and former Hi-Five members, which put the band on even more haphazard terms. In 2007, lead singer Tony Thompson, died in drug related circumstances. In 2012, as a result of Thompson's passing, the former members of Hi-Five decided to reunite in Thompson's honor.

Early career

Hi-Five was originally signed to Jive Records in late 1989 and released their eponymous debut album in 1990.{{cite web|url=http://www.rememberingrhythmandblues.com/2007_01_01_archive.html|title=Remembering Rhythm & Blues: January 2007 |website=Rememberingrhythmandblues.com|access-date=2012-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424123416/http://www.rememberingrhythmandblues.com/2007_01_01_archive.html|archive-date=April 24, 2011}} The album was produced by Teddy Riley and went platinum. It included singles "I Just Can't Handle It" (R&B No. 10), "I Can't Wait Another Minute" (Pop No. 8, R&B No.1) and "I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)", which went to number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart (making it their biggest hit to date).{{cite web|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=hi-five|chart=all}}|title=Hi-Five Billboard Chart History|website=Billboard.com|access-date=2008-08-30}}

The group's second LP, Keep It Goin' On, was released in 1992.{{cite web|last1=Wynn|first1=Ron|title=Biography|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/hi-five-mn0000676313/biography|website=AllMusic|access-date=16 March 2022}} Though not as successful as their debut effort, several tracks from this album, including "She's Playing Hard to Get" (Pop No. 5, R&B No. 2) and the R. Kelly-penned "Quality Time" (Pop No. 38, R&B No. 3) got major airplay in East Coast (US) urban markets. Shortly after this album was released, the group was involved in a vehicular accident, which left Roderick "Pooh" Clark paralyzed from the chest down.

In 1993, Hi-Five emerged with a third album, Faithful, which featured the songs "Unconditional Love" (Pop No. 92, R&B No. 21) and "Never Should've Let You Go" (Pop No. 30, R&B No. 10). "Unconditional Love" was also featured in the multi-platinum Menace II Society soundtrack, and received extensive airplay on urban contemporary stations throughout the summer of 1993 as the movie increased in popularity. "Never Should've Let You Go" was featured on the Sister Act 2 soundtrack.

Later career

On June 1, 2007, Tony Thompson's body was discovered by security officers at around 10 p.m. near an air-conditioning unit outside of an apartment complex in his native Waco, Texas. An autopsy later determined that he had died from "toxic effects of chlorodifluoromethane", or inhaling a toxic amount of freon.{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasblack.com/entertainment/autopsyresultstonythompson|title=Autopsy Results Are In For Hi-Five Star Tony Thompson|date=July 2, 2007|website=Dallasblack.com|access-date=July 4, 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707072705/http://www.dallasblack.com/entertainment/autopsyresultstonythompson|archivedate=July 7, 2014}} He is buried at Doris Miller Memorial Park in Waco.{{cite web|url=http://www.wacotrib.com/news/family-and-friends-remember-waco-singer-tony-thompson-at-headstone/article_f2c8ea0c-2a8a-50fd-b338-56aa6a90c743.html?TNNoMobile|title=Family and friends remember Waco singer Tony Thompson at headstone ceremony|last=Hoover|first=Carl|date=June 5, 2010|website=Wacotrib.com|access-date=July 4, 2014}}

In 2011, Treston Irby released his debut solo single "Everything" under the mantle Tru$ on his independent label, Bronx Most Wanted Ent.

In 2012, Irby, Shannon Gill and Marcus Sanders reformed Hi-Five with two new members, Andre Ramseur (aka Dre Wonda) and Faruq Evans. They released a single called "Favorite Girl" also on the BMW label. Ramseur later left the group and was replaced by Billy Covington.

On July 2, 2014, former Hi-Five member Russell Neal was charged with murder, over the fatal stabbing of his wife in Houston.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/former-r-b-singer-charged-with-murdering-wife-in-houston|title=Former R&B singer charged with murdering wife in Houston|publisher=CBS News|date=2014-07-07}}

Hi-Five was featured on the TVOne music documentary series Unsung on August 6, 2014, chronicling the quintet's upbringing in Waco, their rise to superstardom, tragedies among group members, and their comeback.{{cite web|url=http://www.wacotrib.com/entertainment/accesswaco/tv_and_radio/hi-five-documentary-to-air-revisiting-chart-topping-waco-hip/article_ae346912-4951-50be-8c0f-e504ed7d9af6.html|title=Hi-Five documentary to air, revisiting chart-topping Waco hip-hop group | Tv And Radio|website=Wacotrib.com|date=2014-08-01|access-date=2017-07-23}}

Former member Roderick “Pooh” Clark died on April 17, 2022, at the age of 49.{{Cite web|url=https://icecreamconvos.com/roderick-pooh-clark-original-hi-five-member-passes-away-at-49/|title=Roderick 'Pooh' Clark: Original Hi-Five Member Passes Away At 49|website=Icecreamconvos.com|date=April 18, 2022|access-date=April 18, 2022}}

Discography

=Studio albums=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
rowspan="2"| Year

! rowspan="2"| Album details

! colspan="3"| Peak chart positions

! rowspan="2"| Certifications

style="font-size:smaller;"

! style="width:30px;"| US
{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/hi-five-mn0000676313/awards|title=US Charts > Hi-Five|website=AllMusic|access-date=2013-07-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726035948/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/hi-five-mn0000676313/awards|archive-date=July 26, 2013}}

! style="width:30px;"| US
R&B

! style="width:30px;"| AUS
{{cite web|url=https://www.bubblingdownunder.com/2023/02/week-commencing-3-february-1992.html| title=Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing February 3, 1992|website=Bubbling Down Under|access-date=February 5, 2023}}

1990

| style="text-align:left;"| Hi-Five

  • Release date: September 25, 1990
  • Label: Jive

| 38

| 1

| 102

| align=left|

  • US: Gold
1992

| style="text-align:left;"| Keep It Goin' On

  • Release date: August 11, 1992
  • Label: Jive

| 82

| 9

| —

| align=left|

  • US: Gold{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=%22Hi-Five%22|title=US Certifications > Hi-Five|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America|access-date=2012-07-12}}
1993

| style="text-align:left;"| Faithful

  • Release date: October 15, 1993
  • Label: Jive

| 105

| 23

| —

| align=left|

2005

| style="text-align:left;"| The Return

  • Release date: October 11, 2005
  • Label: N' Depth Entertainment

| —

| —

| —

| align=left|

2017

| style="text-align:left;"| Legacy

  • Release date: January 6, 2017
  • Label: Bronx Most Wanted Entertainment

| —

| —

| —

| align=left|

colspan="15" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

=EP=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
Year

!Title

2014

| style="text-align:left;"| The EP

  • Release date: August 5, 2014
  • Label: Bronx Most Wanted Entertainment

=Compilation albums=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
Year

!Album details

1994

| style="text-align:left;"| Greatest Hits

  • Released: October 11, 1994
  • Label: Jive

=Singles=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
rowspan="2"| Year

! rowspan="2"| Single

! colspan="8"| Peak chart positions

!rowspan="2"| Certifications

! rowspan="2"| Album

style="font-size:smaller;"

! style="width:30px;"| US

! style="width:30px;"| US
R&B

! style="width:30px;"| US
A/C

! style="width:30px;"| AUS
Australian Charts:

  • For top 50: {{cite web|url=http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Hi-Five|title=AUS Charts > Hi-Five|publisher=ARIA Charts|access-date=2013-07-12|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914224933/http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Hi-Five|archivedate=2016-09-14}}
  • For 1991 bubbling under: {{cite web|url=https://www.bubblingdownunder.com/2022/09/week-commencing-30-september-1991.html| title=Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing September 30, 1991|access-date=September 30, 2022}}
  • For "Quality Time": {{cite web|url= https://www.bubblingdownunder.com/2025/03/week-commencing-15-march-1993.html |title=Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing March 15, 1993|website=Bubbling Down Under|access-date=March 17, 2025}}

! style="width:30px;"| GER
{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.de/suche.asp?search=Hi-Five&x=6&y=8&country=de|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140707093444/http://www.officialcharts.de/suche.asp?search=Hi-Five&x=6&y=8&country=de|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 7, 2014|title=GER Charts > Hi-Five|publisher=Media Control Charts|access-date=2013-07-12}}

! style="width:30px;"| NLD
{{cite web|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Hi-Five|title=NLD Charts > Hi-Five|publisher=MegaCharts|access-date=2013-07-12}}

! style="width:30px;"| NZ
{{cite web|url=https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Hi-Five|title=NZ Charts > Hi-Five|publisher=Recording Industry Association of New Zealand|access-date=2013-07-12}}

! style="width:30px;"| UK
{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/27035/hi-five/|title=UK Charts > Hi-Five|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=2013-07-12}}

| 1990

| style="text-align:left;"| "I Just Can't Handle It"

| —

| 3

| —

| —

| —

| —

| 20

| —

| style="text-align:left;"|

| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="4"| Hi-Five

rowspan="3"| 1991

| style="text-align:left;"| "I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)"

| 1

| 1

| 42

| 47

| 41

| 47

| 43

| 43

| style="text-align:left;"|

  • US: Gold
style="text-align:left;"| "I Can't Wait Another Minute"

| 8

| 1

| 30

| 112

| —

| —

| —

| —

| style="text-align:left;"|

style="text-align:left;"| "Just Another Girlfriend"

| 88

| 41

| —

| 107

| —

| —

| —

| —

| style="text-align:left;"|

rowspan="2"| 1992

| style="text-align:left;"| "She's Playing Hard to Get"

| 5

| 2

| —

| 46

| —

| 76

| 14

| 55

| style="text-align:left;"|

| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="3"| Keep It Goin' On

style="text-align:left;"| "Quality Time"

| 38

| 3

| —

| 114

| —

| —

| 36

| —

| style="text-align:left;"|

rowspan="3"| 1993

| style="text-align:left;"| "Mary, Mary"

| —

| 50

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

| style="text-align:left;"|

style="text-align:left;"| "Unconditional Love"

| 92

| 21

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

| style="text-align:left;"|

| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="4"| Faithful

style="text-align:left;"| "Never Should've Let You Go"

| 30

| 10

| —

| —

| —

| —

| 38

| —

| style="text-align:left;"|

rowspan="2"| 1994

| style="text-align:left;"| "Faithful"

| —

| 52

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

| style="text-align:left;"|

style="text-align:left;"| "What Can I Say to You (To Justify My Love)" (with Nuttin' Nyce)

| —

| 13

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

| style="text-align:left;"|

| 2012

| style="text-align:left;"| "Favorite Girl"

| —

|—

| 36

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

| style="text-align:left;"|

| rowspan="7" style="text-align:left;" | Legacy

|2013

| style="text-align:left;"| "You Never Know"

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|

|2014

| style="text-align:left;"| "It's Nothing"

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|

rowspan="3" |2015

| style="text-align:left;"| "Different Kiss"

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|

style="text-align:left;"| "Sunshine"

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|

style="text-align:left;"| "Christmas"

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|

|2016

| style="text-align:left;"| "Kit Kat"

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|—

|

colspan="15" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Music videos

class="wikitable"
Year

! Video

! Director

1990

| "I Just Can't Handle It"

| rowspan="2"| Antoine Fuqua

rowspan="3"| 1991

| "I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)"

"I Can't Wait Another Minute"

|

"Just Another Girlfriend"

|

rowspan="2"| 1992

| "She's Playing Hard to Get"{{cite web|url=http://www.vh1.com/video/hi-five/59211/shes-playing-hard-to-get.jhtml|title="She's Playing Hard to Get" by Hi-Five|publisher=VH1|access-date=September 30, 2011|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421053224/http://www.vh1.com/video/hi-five/59211/shes-playing-hard-to-get.jhtml|archive-date=April 21, 2012}}

| Lionel C. Martin

"Quality Time"

|

rowspan="2"| 1993

| "Unconditional Love"

| rowspan="2"| Marcus Nispel

"Never Should've Let You Go"
rowspan="2"| 1994

| "Faithful"

|

"What Can I Say to You (To Justify My Love)" (w/ Nuttin Nyce)

|

2012

| "Favorite Girl"

| Treston Irby

2013

| "You Never Know"

| Christian Marcus & Treston Irby

rowspan="3"| 2015

| "Different Kiss"

| Colin Keith & Treston Irby

"Sunshine"

| Mark Geohagen & Treston Irby

"Christmas"

| Mark Geohagen & Hi-Five

2016

| "Kit Kat"

|

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

External links

  • {{Official website|http://bxmostwanted.com/newsite/}}
  • {{IMDb name|id=3163943|name=Hi-Five}}
  • {{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p26514|label=Hi-Five}}
  • {{discogs artist|artist=Hi-Five|name=Hi-Five}}

{{Hi-Five}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:African-American musical groups

Category:American pop music groups

Category:American soul musical groups

Category:American contemporary R&B musical groups

Category:American boy bands

Category:Giant Records (Warner) artists

Category:New jack swing music groups

Category:Musical groups from Waco, Texas

Category:Musical groups established in 1989

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1994

Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2012

Category:Jive Records artists

Category:Vocal quintets

Category:Waco High School alumni