Friday, January 28, 2011

The 27’s – Orish Grinstead 1980 - 2008

Part 38 in a series on “The 27’s” – notable musicians who have passed away in their 27th year.

702,  was a founding member of the R&B group 702, which included her twin sister Irish, sister LeMisha 'Misha' and lead singer Kameelah Williams.  The group was named after the area code of their hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada where they were discovered by the comedian Sinbad. 

LeMisha and Irish were students at the Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts and would occasionally sing in the lobby of Caesars Palace.  It was here that they met Sinbad who went to their home in order to convince their parents to send the trio to Atlanta for a convention and music competition.  Sinbad suggested they use the name "Sweeta than Suga" and the trio placed second in the competition.   Michael Bivins saw the trio at the competition and agreed to work with them.  The sisters were briefly joined by their cousin Amelia Childs and together they recorded their first single, "This Lil' Game We Play."  After the single was released Amelia dropped out of the group and was replaced by Kameelah Williams who LaMisha and Irish knew from school.  Orish recorded with the group for their first album and then left the group as well. 

Orish died on Sunday, April 20, 2008 from kidney failure. According to friends Orish had been very ill for a long time and at the time of her death also suffered from other medical complications, which included cancer that had yet to be treated.


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