Mark Middleton - Blackstreet Reunion

Blackstreet Reunion

Middleton was displeased with not finding success as a solo artist. The group he left to go solo Blackstreet was also not having any success with their third album Finally and began having problems with their label Interscope Records. Despite the success of their singles "Take Me There" with singer Mýa and rappers Mase and Blinky Blink, "Girlfriend/Boyfriend" with Janet Jackson, and rappers Ja Rule and Eve, and "Think About You", the album couldn't live up to the success of their 1994 debut and 1996 second album Another Level.

The declining sales of Finally, problems with their label Interscope, and numerous line-up changes took its toll on the group as group co-founders Teddy Riley and Chauncey Hannibal began feuding as they were suing each other and taking each other to court. Hannibal accused Riley of stealing the members of Blackstreet's money and also that Riley was a control freak and that's the reason for the line-up changes. Riley then decided to focus on the Guy reunion instead of Blackstreet and put the group on hiatus. Riley countersued for defamation of character.

After the release of Guy's reunion album Guy III in 2000, Riley soon had a falling out with Guy members Aaron Hall and Damion Hall. He decided to focus on his own writing and producing career and started work on a solo album. Some of the songs he recorded felt like Blackstreet records to him. He had second thoughts about disbanding Blackstreet and decided to end the bitter feud with Hannibal. The two decided to put the group's Another Level line-up back together and brought Eric Williams and Mark Middleton back to the fold. In 2003 the group released their reunion album titled Level II which featured the hits "Wizzy Wow" featuring rapper Mystikal, "Deep", and "Bygones" which Middleton wrote and featured ex-Blackstreet member Dave Hollister.

In 2005 Chauncey Hannibal decided to leave Blackstreet for a solo career. In 2006 Teddy Riley, Mark Middleton, and Eric Williams reformed Blackstreet with new member J-Stylz and joined the New Jack Reunion Tour, which Riley created along with Tony! Toni! Tone!, After 7, SWV, and Riley's earlier group, Guy.

As of 2009 the Blackstreet line-up consists of its best known line-up of Teddy Riley, Chauncey Hannibal, Eric Williams, and Middleton plus original member Dave Hollister who left Blackstreet in 1995 along with Levi Little who is not in this reunion. After a stint as a gospel artist Dave is now back with the current four Blackstreet members from the Another Level album. Mark Middleton & Eric Williams were dropped by Blackstreet's founder Teddy Riley from the reunion recently and were replaced by Sherman "J-Stylz" Tisdale and another guy Kermit Quinn of the R&B group Intro also performs with them. Mark & Eric have formed their own group with Englewood, New Jersey native Jeremy "Remy" Hanna as M.E.R. There is two group performing Blackstreet hits Teddy's group with himself, Chauncey Hannibal, Dave Hollister, and new touring members Sherman "J-Stylz" Tinsdale & sometimes Kermit Quinn (who is there waiting in the wings. The other consists of Mark Middleton, Eric Williams, & Remy.

Mark & Eric also has a production company called FGM where they write and produce their own acts. Blackstreet now consists of Middleton, Teddy Riley, Dave Hollister, & Eric Williams.

Middleton & Williams however left Blackstreet again in 2011 & Chauncey Black has returned so they are no longer in the current lineup which is now Teddy Riley, Chauncey Black, Dave Hollister, & a new member Glenn Adams aka Lenny Harold who will cover for Levi Little & Middleton vocals. Riley & Hannibal filed a lawsuit against Middleton & Williams for wrongful use of the Blackstreet name

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