For Real is an American R&B and soul group made up of four members. The group was formed in 1990. During the late 1990s, they received nominations for a Billboard Music Award and a Soul Train Music Award. The group is still active today.
Biography
For Real got their recording contract by accident. "We were picking up our manager from the airport. We decided to greet him with a song we sang without instruments. Someone from A&M Records was in the airport and heard us perform. Soon after, we were signed," said Latanyia Baldwin.
The band released their first album, It's a Natural Thang, with help from Brian McKnight on A&M Records in 1994. The album was well received by critics, including a rare four-star rating from Rolling Stone magazine. Their first single, "You Don't Wanna Miss," reached number 28 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Their second single, "Easy to Love," reached number 65 on the same chart. The third single, "You Don't Know Nothin'," reached number 88 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also reached number 54 on the UK Singles Chart in July 1995. The album sold over one million copies worldwide and reached number 80 on the Billboard 200.
In 1995, the band appeared in Italian Vogue, modeling men's suits. They toured with Stevie Wonder and sang in the film Grace of My Heart directed by Martin Scorsese. The group also acted in the film Shake, Rattle and Rock! starring Renée Zellweger and Howie Mandel on Showtime.
Their song "Freedom (Theme from Panther)" with Aaliyah, TLC, En Vogue, BlackGirl, SWV, and Vanessa Williams from the movie Panther reached the US Top 20. They also sang a duet with Stevie Wonder called "Stubborn Kind of Fellow," which was on the Marvin Gaye tribute album Inner City Blues: The Music of Marvin Gaye. For Real also sang songs for the soundtracks of Waiting to Exhale and Fled.
— Josina Elder, LookSmartParents.com
In 1996, the band changed labels from A&M to Rowdy Records, a part of Arista Records. They released their second album, Free. The first two singles were "Like I Do" and "The Saddest Song I Ever Heard." The band also sang three songs ("I Do," "Born to Love That Boy," and "Unwanted Number") and appeared in the film Grace of My Heart, which received good reviews. The film's soundtrack won a Satellite Award in 1997.
In January 1997, the band won an American Music Award for their work on the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack, including the song "Love Will Be Waiting at Home." In Summer 1997, the group was nominated for a Soul Train Award for Album of the Year (By a Group, Band or Duo) for Free.
In 1999, Wendi Williams sang for the Emmy-winning film Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, in which Halle Berry plays a singer. Williams provided the singing voice for the character.
In 2007, Josina Elder-Epps started working on a solo album and shared two songs, "Watcha Gonna Do" and "Doing It On My Own," on her MySpace page. She began working with producer CoryLavel on an album in 2009.
In 2010, Necia Bray-Gates released her first solo album, Love Letters, through an independent label.
On July 25, 2018, all four members of For Real reunited for a special “Unplugged” show in Los Angeles.