Floetry

Infobox Musical artist
Name = "'Floetry
Background = group_or_band
Origin = London, England
Genre = R&B, soul, neo soul, hip hop, spoken word soul
Years_active = 2002–present
Label = Aftermath/Interscope
URL = [http://www.floetry.net/ www.floetry.net]
Current_members = Marsha Ambrosius, Natalie Stewart
temporary Amanda Diva

Floetry are an English R&B, soul, neo soul, and hip hop duo. The members of the group are singer/songwriter Marsha Ambrosius("the Songstress") and Natalie Stewart("The Floacist"), and as of late femcee and MTV2 personality Amanda Diva.

Group History

Original members Marsha and Natalie met through their love of basketball and formed a friendship. Both Natalie and Marsha attended the Brit School for Performing Arts & Technology where Marsha studied business and finance and Natalie majored in Performing Arts, Media and Art. For college Ambrosius planned to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia on a basketball scholarship but could not due to an injury. Stewart attended Middlesex University in London and later transferred to North London University. During these years, both women continued to keep in touch. Stewart was a founding member of the performance poetry group 3 Plus 1 which was rising to critical acclaim throughout London, Birmingham, and Manchester. After inviting Ambrosius to join her on stage to perform at a spoken word night, where they debuted a piece that they had written together called Fantasize, combining their talents of spoken word and singing, Floetry was born.

Since moving to the US in 2000, they have written for Jill Scott, Jazz of Dru Hill, Glenn Lewis (Marsha only), Bilal, and Michael Jackson, for whom Marsha penned the hit 2002 single "Butterflies".

Group Success

In 2000, the duo travelled to the United States to perform on the poetry circuit. After frequenting spoken word/poetry spots in Atlanta, GA such as Yin Yang Poets' Cafe (to rave reviews), they moved on to Philadelphia. There they met Darren 'Limitless' Henson and Keith 'Keshon' Pelzer of DJ Jazzy Jeff's Touch Of Jazz studio and began recording. In 2002, they signed with DreamWorks Records and released their debut album "Floetic", which featured the singles "Floetic", "Say Yes", and "Getting Late". The album was also released in the UK with additional tracks, one of which features British singer/songwriter and producer Sebastian Rogers.

Floetry released a live album titled "Floacism" in 2003. The two-disc set consisted of a CD and DVD and included the single "Wanna B Where U R (Thisizzaluvsong)" featuring rapper Mos Def.

Their third album "Flo'Ology" was released in November 2005 and included the single "Supastar" featuring rapper Common.

Group Break-Up

Ambrosius has been featured on several songs including Styles P's "I'm Black"; The Game's "Start from Scratch" and "Why You Hate The Game" (also featuring Nas); Busta Rhymes' "Get You Some" and "Cocaina"; Nas' "Hustlers" (also featuring The Game; and Hi-Tek's "Music for Life". The group has also collaborated with Earth, Wind & Fire on their most recent album, "Illumination", on the track "Elevated".

Ambrosius is currently signed to Dr. Dre's record label, Aftermath Entertainment, as a solo musician. :"I have waited a long time for this, so the last thing I want to do after waiting all these years, is to rush the album and be disappointed. I am aiming to release the album this summer. I am focusing on making this a classic album, that will stay relevant across time. I have been doing some stuff with Scott Storch, Dre & Vidal, Cool and Dre... I'm a music maker, I love to create so I'm reaching for the best out of different situations. The creative relationship between Dre, the Aftermath in-house production team and myself has become so strong that it may not be necessary to use any other producers. But why not?! If I gotta call Just Blaze, Neptunes, Kanye, whoever, I just want the music to be right".

Member Changes

On December 6th 2006, Floetry, with the original members, Natalie ‘The Floacist’ Stewart and Marsha ‘The Songstress’ Ambrosius, did their final performance together. The Floacist is no longer an official member of Floetry, and has just completed her soon to be released solo album, ‘FREEDOM…xx’.

In the summer of 2007, Natalie was replaced in the group by personality/radio hostess Amanda Diva for the ‘The Floetry Remixed Tour.’

Natalie Stewart, one half of group Floetry, will be releasing THE OFFERING...xx The Pre Album, Album, late summer 2008.

Currently Natalie Stewart performs only under her name – ‘The Floacist’.

Marsha Ambrosius has writing and production credits on upcoming releases from Mario, Alicia Keys and Mary J Blige to name a few.

Currently, Ambrosius is preparing for a promo tour to coincide with the highly anticipated release of her debut solo album through Aftermath/Interscope Records. Production credits from Dr. Dre, Focus, Just Blaze and herself are confirmed.

Discography

Albums

*2002: "Floetic" #19 U.S. (Gold)
*2003: "Floacism" #74 U.S.
*2005: "Flo'Ology" #7 U.S.

ingles

Grammy Awards

Career stats
*Career wins: 0
*Career nominations: 5

External links

* [http://www.floetry.net/ Official website]
* [http://www.geffen.com/floetry Floetry at Geffen Records website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/floetry Floetry Myspace ]
*allmusicguide|11:kzfyxq90ldae
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiY-sMzXk4Y Natalie Stewart Interview]
* [http://www.myspace.com/thefloacist Natalie Stewart's Myspace ]