In Las Vegas, sisters LeMisha and Irish Grinstead, and their friend Kameelah Williams, were students at the Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts. Irish, her twin sister Orish, and LeMisha occasionally sang in the lobby of Caesars Palace where they were discovered by actor/comedian Sinbad. He visited their home in order to convince their parents to send the trio to Atlanta for a convention and music competition. Though the girls missed the deadline for entry, Sinbad used his name to get them in.[1] "Sweeta than Suga," as they were then called (Sinbad suggested the name), came in second in the competition. As the convention was nearing a close, they met Michael Bivins (of New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe) who agreed to work with the sisters. They were briefly joined by their cousin Amelia Childs. After they made their recorded debut on Subway's hit single "This Lil' Game We Play", Amelia dropped out of the group[1] and was replaced by Kameelah Williams. After recording a few demos as a quartet including "Steelo", and "Get It Together", Orish decided to leave the group (even though her vocals appear on the first album). Bivins continued to work with different producers and songwriters to get the right feel for their first album. The reconfigured group was christened "702," which is Las Vegas' area code, a name which bivens suggested. [1]
702 was discovered by Michael Bivins of New Edition and made their recorded debut on Subway's hit single "This Lil' Game We Play". Missy Elliott wrote and co-produced four songs from their first album, No Doubt, including "Steelo". The remix of "Steelo" was the first major solo production credit for Elliott's main collaborator Timbaland. "Steelo" was later used, with altered lyrics, as the theme song to the Nickelodeon television show Cousin Skeeter.
Elliott crafted two more songs for 702, their second album, the top 5 hit "Where My Girls At" and "You Don't Know". No Doubt won a Lady Of Soul Soul Train Award for "Best R&B/Soul or Rap Album Of The Year by A Group Band Or Duo". The group split after the poor sales of their album 'Star' and lack of promotion from Motown.
Kameelah now sings backup for the likes of Faith Evans and Macy Gray. She has been working on her solo project for a while, releasing a number of singles including the duet with Musiq Soulchild “Give It to You” and her recent release “Think About Me”. Irish was the only group member to act, as she co-starred in The Brewster Project in early 2004.
Orish, twin sister of Irish, died of kidney failure on Sunday April 20, 2008 at age 27. She was part of the original lineup (pre-No Doubt) and filled in for Misha during her pregnancy.
Will You Be Okay
702 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I go away
Wish that I could stay
Say you'll be ok
Baby
I know that it hasn't been long
& yet it seems our likin'
Has grown into love
Baby
You know that we knew all along
That in a little while
I'll be gone
Still I need to know
If I go
Will you be ok
If I go away
Wish that I could stay
Say you'll be ok
Baby
I can tell by the look in your eyes
You're tryin' to hide what you're feelin' inside
But go on & cry
Baby
I know I can't promise you when
But we're gonna see each other again
Until then I gotta know if you're ok
Believe me
I don't really want to believe in
That you can always call me
When you need me
It'll be ok
It'll be ok
You know
It doesn't really matter where I go
'cause I'll be keepin' you in my heart
So you're never far away
Will you be ok
If I go away
Wish that I could stay
Say you'll be ok
Will you be ok
If I go away
Wish that I could stay
Say you'll be ok
Believe me
I don't really want to believe in
That you can always call me
When you need me
It'll be ok
It'll be ok
You know
It doesn't really matter where I go
'cause I'll be keepin' you in my heart
So you're never far away
Will you be ok
If I go away
Wish that I could stay
Say you'll be ok
(Repeat till end)
The lyrics to "Will You Be OK" by 702 touch upon the theme of love, separation and reassurance. In the track, the singer is questioning whether her significant other will be fine in her absence. The opening line 'Will you be okay if I go away' suggests the singer is leaving, and she is doubting whether her lover is strong enough to handle her departure. She then expresses her desire to be with her lover but can't because of her commitment to leave.
The song is laden with emotions of pain and vulnerability. The singer questions whether her lover can handle the distance that separates them physically. The line 'Baby, I know that it hasn't been long and yet it seems our liking has grown into love' suggests that the couple met recently, but their feelings have deepened into something more significant. The singer then goes on to reassure her lover that they will meet again, and until then, she needs to know if he'll be okay without her. The chorus repeats this question twice, emphasizing this sentiment.
In conclusion, the song is about asking if the other person will be okay in one's absence. The pain of separation is visible, knowing that they won't be able to be with each other soon. Still, the singer is trying to reassure her lover that things will be all right, and she'll come back. The song is an emotional rollercoaster with its lyrics, melody, and delivery.
Line by Line Meaning
Will you be ok
Asking if the listener will be alright without the singer being there
If I go away
Referring to the singer leaving and not being physically present anymore
Wish that I could stay
Expressing a desire to remain where they are
Say you'll be ok
Asking the listener to reassure the artist that they will be alright
Baby
An endearment used to indicate the artist's affection for the listener
I know that it hasn't been long
Acknowledging that the relationship is still new
& yet it seems our likin'
Despite the short duration of the relationship, the singer and listener have feelings for each other
Has grown into love
The mutual liking has become a deeper romantic emotion
You know that we knew all along
Both parties were aware that the relationship may not last long
That in a little while
Refers to the artist leaving soon
I'll be gone
The singer will be leaving the listener
Still I need to know
The artist is unable to leave without finding out if the listener will be okay
Baby
An endearment used to indicate the singer's affection for the listener
I can tell by the look in your eyes
The singer notices that the listener is trying to hide their true emotions
You're tryin' to hide what you're feelin' inside
The listener is attempting to conceal their feelings from the singer
But go on & cry
Assuring the listener that it's okay to express their emotions
I know I can't promise you when
The artist is aware that they cannot guarantee a specific date for when they will see the listener again
But we're gonna see each other again
Optimistically acknowledging that the singer and listener will have a future reunion
Until then I gotta know if you're ok
The singer needs to know that the listener will be okay during their time apart
Believe me
Emphasizing the genuineness of the artist's statement
I don't really want to believe in
The artist is reluctant to believe
That you can always call me
The artist is affirming that they can be contacted if necessary
When you need me
The listener can contact the singer when they require assistance
It'll be ok
Reassuring the listener that everything will be fine
You know
Indicating that the listener is aware of something
It doesn't really matter where I go
The singer's physical location does not affect their feelings for the listener
'cause I'll be keepin' you in my heart
The listener will always have a place in the singer's heart
So you're never far away
The artist feels emotionally close to the listener despite being physically distant
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANGELA SLATES, CATRINA POWELL, MARC KINCHEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind