There are very few vocalists in the female musical group that leave a mark on the hearts of people. Orish Grinstead was one of them. She was part of a female vocal group called 702. The group was named after an area code located in Las Vegas. This group is an American platinum-selling girl group. The group involved Kameelah Williams along with the Grinstead sisters. However, to know more about Orish Grinstead biography in detail, keep reading.
Orish Grinstead: Her Early Life
In Las Vegas, LeMisha and Irish Grinstead were studying at the Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts. All the sisters, along with Orish, used to sing occasionally. Later, they were discovered by Sinbad, who was an actor and comedian. He convinced their parents to send them to Atlanta for a music competition.
Later, they met Michael Bivins, who decided to work with them, and this is how they created the group 702, which was the area code of Las Vegas.
Orish Grinstead: The Group 702
The group was initially a quartet that involved Grinstead sisters, Irish and Orish. They were both identical twins. Also, the group involved LeMisha Grinstead and Amelia Cruz. This all-girls group debuted on Subway’s hit single ‘This Lil Game We Play’.
However, soon Amelia Cruz decided to leave the group for unknown reasons. After her departure, Kameelah Williams joined in. Later, they signed an album deal. But during the production of the debut album, Orish Grinstead decided to withdraw from the group without disclosing any reasons. The group released a single as a trio anyway, and it became a huge success.
The successful years of the musical group 702
The group’s debut album, ‘No Doubt’, got to the number one position on the Top Heatseekers. The four songs on the albums were co-written and produced by Missy Elliott. The album was able to give three hits like Steelo, All I Want, as well as Get It Together.
Also, their song ‘Steelo’ with some changes in the lyrics was used in the Nickelodean movie Good Burger. The group also performed on ‘All That.’
In 1997, the album got a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award, and it sold around 500,000 copies across the globe. Along with this, the group opened for Keith Sweat, Blackstreet, etc. in 1996–97, which was their New Edition Reunion Tour.
The group 702 appeared on the album ‘Supa Dupa Fly’, which was Elliott’s debut album. The entire group sang a song with Busta Rhymes. In 1998, they made cameos in the movies Sister, Sister, as well as Moesha.
Other albums released by the girl group 702
After the success of their initial album, the female musical group 702 released a self-titled album. Its song ‘Where My Girls At?’ got to number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and even got gold. Whereas, the album got on the top 40 on the Billboard 200.
However, during this time, LeMisha left the group for a brief period, and Orish Grinstead took her place. Later, during 2001–2002, the group revamped after Kameelah Williams decided to go solo.
In 2003, the group released its third album, Star, and it made the list of the top 50 on the Billboard 200. However, over the years, many changes occurred in the group, and many members of the group worked with different people and released their solo songs.
In 2010, Kameelah Williams confirmed that she was separated from the group and was working on her solo album. In 2013, the group 702, along with Williams, performed their first show in around 10 years at the 90s R&B Christmas Reunion. This happened in Toronto.
The death of Orish Grinstead
The reason behind Orish Grinstead’s death was kidney failure. She died in 2008, and at that time, Orish Grinstead age was 27. She was one of the original members of the group 702. Also, she is in the videos This Lil Game We Play and Steelo.
Discography and achievements by the group 702
- No doubt was released in 1996
- 702 was released in 1999.
- Star was released in 2003.
Also, the all-girls musical group 702 won awards like:
- American Music Awards
- BET Awards
- Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards
Final Wrap
Orish Grinstead garnered a lot of admiration and fame in a short passage of time for her impeccable vocals and talent. Unfortunately, she didn’t survive for long and died at a very young age. Her death was nothing short of shocking news to the musical world and music industry lost a precious gem. But, her evergreen songs will remain forever. Orish Grinstead and the female vocal group 702 have inspired a lot of new girls to create a girl musical band that are now pretty evident and popular.
