Shows We Miss - Freak City

Debut: 1998?

Last Seen: 1999?

Why We Love It: Freak City was a cable access television show that appeared on stations throughout the United States. It regularly featured electronic music videos, footage from festivals and concerts, and periodically had interviews with artists within the myriad genres. Produced by Arcade America, the show regularly promoted the label’s TranceGlobalNation CD series (see what we had to say about the first installment). The appeal of the show was that hardly anyone we knew watched it. In fact, we only stumbled upon it by accident during college. We happened to be flipping channels at the precise moment when the station that aired it in Phoenix went from showcasing real estate listings to broadcasting Freak City. Talk about random, but our luck turned into an opportunity to see the latest work from Daft Punk, Mark Van Dale and Enrico, and Greece 2000. We were so entranced that we tuned in every Thursday (at least, we think that’s when it aired), despite new episodes appearing every other month.

What Happened? Arcade America folded. We’re not sure when, but we know the last TranceGlobalNation CD (volume six) was released in October 2001. The last time we witnessed a new episode of Freak City was in mid-to-late 1999. Do any of our readers know what happened, or have any insight or memories about Freak City? If so, please share them in the comments section.

Will It Return? We can only hope.

Shows We Miss - Freak City

Artists We Miss - 2 Unlimited

Debut: “Get Ready for This” (1991)

Last Heard From: “Spread Your Love” (original lineup, 1996) or “Tribal Dance 2.4” (third lineup, 2004)

Accomplishments:
- Too many to list

Why We Love Them: 2 Unlimited was created and produced by Jean-Paul DeCoster and Phil Wilde, and composed of Ray Slijngaard and Anita Doth. The duo’s brand of rave-style house and techno (with raps from Ray) had a pop-friendly appeal that catapulted them to huge worldwide success that is said to have rivaled that of The Beatles, Rolling Stones and Madonna. U.S. consumers likely remember their contributions to Jock Jams and Dance Mix USA compilations with songs such as “Get Ready For This,” “No Limit,” “Tribal Dance” and “Twilight Zone.”

What Happened? Infighting between the group’s members and producers (along with money issues) caused Slijngaard and Doth to leave the group. They were twice replaced by different singers, but neither roster lived up the original’s success.

Will We See Them Again? Rumors have been circulating that Doth and Slijngaard will be getting back together and touring soon. In the meantime, Doth continues to perform at clubs in Europe, while Sligngaard runs his own record label.

Artists We Miss - 2 Unlimited

Artists We Miss - Wild Orchid

Debut: Wild Orchid (1996)

Last Heard From: “Stuttering” (2001) or Hypnotic (2003 or 2004), depending on whom you ask.

Accomplishments:
- 1 Billboard 200 Album
- 3 Billboard Hot 100 Hits
- 2 Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Hits

Why We Love Them: Composed of Kids, Inc. alums Renee Sandstrom, Stefanie Ridel and Stacy Ferguson (now known as the one and only Fergie), Wild Orchid didn’t quite have the pop appeal of the Spice Girls or the dance floor anthems of 3rd Party. Unlike their contemporaries, though, the group had an amazing vocal variety that channeled everyone from Madonna to Taylor Dayne. Their ballads were tender, their upbeat songs catchy and their albums addicting.

What Happened? Fergie left the group in 2001 due to a reported drug problem and a dissatisfaction with the pop music the trio was producing. She joined the Black Eyed Peas in 2003 before going on to a successful solo career. In the meantime, Ridel and Sandstrom continued as a duo, performing on the Pride circuit and releasing Hypnotic, an album that was apparently only available online and had a production of 5,000 copies.

Will We See Them Again? With Fergie’s solo success, and Ridel and Sandstrom now involved in other projects, we hope and pray it happens, but our real-o-meter speculates this is one reunion we’ll never see.

Artists We Miss - Wild Orchid

Shows We Miss - Video Soul

Image courtesy of BET Networks

Debut: 1981

Last Seen: 1996

Why We Love It: Long said to have been created because MTV — at the time — refused to air videos by black artists, BET’s Video Soul showcased the best in black music. The broad nature of the show appealed to multiple generations, as hip-hop videos played next to classic R&B artists, and jazz was juxtaposed with rock and dance. Video Soul truly represented the diversity of popular black music. The show also featured well-known hosts in Donnie Simpson and Sherry Carter, among others, the former occasionally hosting specials for the network that related to music after the show's cancellation.

What Happened? BET apparently decided to move in another direction with its music programming.

Will It Return? Full-length reruns aired on BET J up until last year, but only a handful of episodes from the show’s 15-year history — mostly from 1990 to 1994 — were ever shown. It seems that there are no plans to bring the show back, either with new episodes or in reruns. (That's My Jam will, however, happily sign a petition to bring the show back.)

Shows We Miss - Video Soul

Artists We Miss - Madison Avenue

Debut: “Don’t Call Me Baby” (1999 in Australia, 2000 in UK and U.S.)

Last Heard From: “Reminiscing” (2001)

Accomplishments:
- 1 International Dance Award
- 2 Top 10 Hot Dance Music/Club Play Hits

Why We Love Them: The Australian duo of Cheyne Coates and Andy Van blended catchy house beats with sing-song lyrics with hits such as “Who the Hell Are You?” “Everything You Need” and the worldwide club smash “Don’t Call Me Baby.”

What Happened? The group won “Best Dance Artist” at the International Dance Awards (beating out the likes of Madonna, Destiny’s Child, Britney Spears and *NSYNC), but was plagued when a live performance at another awards show had critics wondering if Coates was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The group hasn’t been seen much since.

Will We See Them Again? Coates is reportedly working on a solo album and Van still continues to produce, but it seems unlikely that the pair will be teaming up anytime soon.

Artists We Miss - Madison Avenue

Artists We Miss - En Vogue

Debut: Born to Sing (1990)

Last Heard From: Soul Flower (2004)

Accomplishments:
- 4 Soul Train Awards
- 3 MTV Awards
- 2 American Music Awards
- 1 Billboard Music Award
- 2 Top 10 Billboard 200 Albums
- 5 Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 Hits
- 8 Top 10 Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Hits
- 4 Top 10 Hot Dance Music/Club Play Hits

Why We Love Them: Cindy Herron, Dawn Robinson, Terry Ellis and Maxine Jones were talented women that exuded sex appeal by sharing solid four-part harmonies (or three on some albums) on catchy R&B, pop, rock, reggae and dance cuts. We dare someone to say they weren’t hooked the instant they heard “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It),” “Free Your Mind,” “Hold On,” “Don’t Let Go (Love),” or their rendition of “Giving Him Something He Can Feel.”

What Happened? The original four became a trio when Robinson left the group in the mid-’90s. After two albums, Amanda Cole was added to the roster, but eventually left and was replaced by Rhona Bennett. The group now tours the Pride circuits, often having only three of its four members perform at a given time.

Will We See Them Again? After a reunion during VH1’s Hip-Hop Honors, fans saw the original four reunited, and rumor has it that Dawn has rejoined En Vogue, but it’s not known if the group is trying to make a commercial comeback.

Artists We Miss - En Vogue