FLASHBACK: LISA LISA & CULT JAM

Lisa Lisa, a name so nice she used it twice, & Cult Jam, made up of members Lisa "Lisa Lisa" Velez, Alex "Spanador" Moseley and Mike Hughes, were one of the first and most successful bands to emerge from the freestyle music scene in the early 80s. Produced by Full Force who also produced such acts as Samantha Fox, Force MDs, LaToya Jackson and even Britney Spears, the group released their self-titled debut album in 1985 and had a sizable hit with I Wonder If I Take You Home (#34 Pop, #6 R&B), putting them in the public eye. It was their next hit though that really got them noticed. The ballad All Cried Out paired them with producers Full Force and gave them their very first top 10 pop hit, placing at #8 on the Hot 100. Their debut album went platinum. Their sophomore album was massive. Spanish Fly hit the charts, peaking at #7, and producing TWO #1 hits: Head to Toe and Lost in Emotion, making Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam a radio staple during the last half of 1987. The group lost traction on the charts after the massive success of Spanish Fly, but managed to chart a couple of more times on the pop charts with Little Jackie Wants to Be a Star (1989, #37 Pop, #3 R&B) and Let the Beat Hit 'Em (1991, #37 Pop, #1 R&B). Lisa Lisa released a solo album to moderate success and has transitioned into acting, having appeared on the Nickelodeon hit Taina, playing the mom. In 2009 she made a small comeback with the album Life N Love. What we DO have from the band is a collection of 80s classics to remember them by. Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam made their mark for sure. Enjoy some 80s freestyle now, LL style.