Dru Hill Biography

All About the 1990s R&B Act

R&B group Dru Hill
R&B group Dru Hill. Google Images/blog.pennlive.com

Dru Hill, the popular hip-hop/R&B group that rose to prominence during the late 1990s, is known for producing several hit songs and paving the way for contemporary R&B artists. In total, they recorded seven Top 40 hits, including the No. 1's "In My Bed," "Never Make a Promise," and "How Deep Is Your Love." They enjoyed major success, but not without a few setbacks along the way.

The group's four members are known by their unique stage names, but have you ever wondered what their real names are?

Original Members

  • Mark "Sisqó" Andrews
  • Larry "Jazz" Anthony
  • Tamir "Nikio the N-Tity" Ruffin
  • James "Woody Rock" Green (1992-1999, 2002-2008)

Other Members

  • Antwuan "Tao" Simpson (2008-present)
  • Rufus "Scola" Waller (2002-2008)

Beginnings

Dru Hill rose to prominence during the late 1990s, releasing a string of No. 1 R&B hits: "In My Bed," "Never Make a Promise," and "How Deep Is Your Love."

The group's original members are Mark "Sisqó" Andrews, Larry "Jazz" Anthony, Tamir "Nikio the N-Tity" Ruffin, and James "Woody Rock" Green. The four high school friends formed the group in 1992 and called themselves Dru Hill after their Baltimore neighborhood Druid Hill Park. 

The group was discovered while performing at a music industry convention. Their performance grabbed the attention of an Island Records exec who asked the group to record a cut of the song "Tell Me" which would appear in the film "Eddie." Their performance was so impressive that their version replaced the original version sung by Blackstreet member Dave Hollister. Dru Hill was signed to Island Records on the spot. "Tell Me" appears on the group's 1996 self-titled debut album, which is certified platinum. The single became a Top 5 R&B hit and went gold.

Constant Conflict

Their 1998 follow-up, Enter the Dru, is what really catapulted them into the spotlight. It peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard albums chart and produced the hits "How Deep Is Your Love" and "These are the Times."

After that, it seemed like the group couldn't maintain their success and conflict ensued. Woody abruptly quit the group while they were filming the music video for "Wild Wild West." In 1999, all four members embarked on solo careers. Sisqó had the most lucrative career. His album Unleash the Dragon contained the hit "Thong Song."

They returned with Dru World Order in 2002. Woody was out of the group, and Scola had assumed his place. The album was a minor success, and their label dropped them in 2005.

Reunion

Things started to look hopeful 2008, when all four original members reunited to tour with fellow R&B acts Tony! Toni! Toné! and Bell Biv Devoe, but it didn't last long. During a radio interview to promote the tour, Woody unexpectedly announced that he was leaving the group again. The remaining three members held a contest to choose a replacement and chose Antwuan "Tao" Simpson. Scola left the group around the same time, although it's unclear why.

The group returned again in 2010 with their fourth album, InDRUpendence Day. The making of the album also served as the subject of the reality show Platinum House. Dru Hill continues to tour around the world.