This month, we highlight, celebrate and honor the legendary R&B group, Hi-Five, in the October 2022 issue of the Love Exquisite Magazine. The group Hi-Five originated in1989 and since then there have been several different group member transitions, after members of the group experienced different life challenges (rest in peace Tony Thompson and Roderick “Pooh” Clark).  The 90’s groups made some of the best baby making, love songs in the history of R&B music.  The fans of Hi-Five truly missed the absence of good 90’s R&B music.  The music in that era is so timeless, that most of the songs from the 90’s are still played on the radio today, which helps us to remember those good ole’ days.  Hi-Five is one of the 90’s R&B groups with billboard chart topping smash hits titled, “I Like the Way” (The Kissing Game) (Billboard Hot 100 and the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart), “She’s Playing Hard To Get”(Pop Chart No. 5 and R&B Chart No. 2), “As One,”  “Unconditional Love” (Pop Chart No. 92 and R&B Chart No. 21 – Featured in the movie Menace II Society), “I Can’t Wait Another Minute” (Pop Chart No. 8, R&B Chart No. 1), “Never Should’ve Let You Go” (Pop Chart No. 30 and R&B Chart No. 10 – Featured in the movie Sister Act 2), “Just Can’t Handle It” (R&B Chart No. 10) and “Quality Time” (Pop Chart No 38 and R&B Chart No. 3), to name a few.

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Hi-Five entered the music industry at a very young age. Too often, the fast life in the music industry can cause younger performers to grow up pretty quickly, without being mentally prepared for life.  To keep up with the fast life and lifestyle, some artists find themselves being exposed to things that can be detrimental to their career.  If they are not careful, or do not have good people around them, they can get caught up in doing the wrong things.  Some of the challenges artists face in the music industry is what turns them away from the industry and makes them want to give up on their dreams.  It is extremely important to stay in control of your future and not let the industry control the trajectory of how your future goes.  With this valuable lesson in mind, Treston Irby, one of the long-standing members of the group, decided to launch his own production company, Bronx Most Wanted Entertainment and in 2011, he released his debut solo single, “Everything,” and to the fans delight introduced the rebirth of the group Hi-Five.  Several years after Hi-Five separated, the passion and love of music remained on the mind and in the hearts of longstanding group members, Marcus, Shannon, and Treston, who later welcomed new members Billy and Faruq to complete the group in 2012.

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The group Hi-Five currently consists of, Treston “Tru$” Irby, Billy “Billy Bill” Covington, Shannon Gill, Sr., Marcus “MacDo” Sanders, and Faruq Evans.  Allow me to introduce and re-introduce the group members: Marcus, one of the founding members of the group, was born and raised in Waco, Texas and currently leads, MacDo Enterprises. He is the tall, handsome, slender, caramel, harmonic sound of Hi-Five.  Shannon is a longstanding member of the group and is a lifelong friend of Tony Thompson.  He hosts an event every year to honor Tony’s memory and music and is also from Waco, Texas. Shannon is also tall, handsome, with satin smooth hair, charming, suave, harmonic sound of Hi-Five.  Treston is also a longstanding member from the Bronx, NY and later relocated to Waco, Texas to join the group. He is the handsome, smooth, driven, milk chocolate drop, bass vocalist of Hi-Five. Treston is the founder of Bronx Most Wanted Entertainment and is also a published author of the book, Hiatus: The Treston Irby Story, which is available now on Amazon.com.  Billy is a singer/songwriter from New York and later moved to New Jersey to pursue a career in music.  He is the tall, sexy swag, soulful toned vocalist of the group. Faruq is the cousin of Billy and is also a singer/songwriter from New York.  He is the golden brown, handsome, alluring, soulful riffs vocalist of the group.  These men are a nice blend of style, swag, passion, eye candy, and talent.
 

Hi-Five is still making the ladies scream and we are so thrilled that over the years, the group overcame adversity, reformed, and continues to keep the legacy alive.  Hi-Five is still performing all around the world today and it is wonderful to see the group still going strong.  The vocal skills of Faruq and Billy add to the sexy, smooth, and soulful sound of the group we know and love.  Although, there were some people who thought the rebirth of Hi-Five would not work without the talented lead vocal skills of the late Tony Thompson, they later found out that Hi-Five “still got it!”   I went to their Hi-Five: Up Close and Personal Concert in Philadelphia and as soon as they hit the stage, their dance moves and vocals skills were impeccable.  As the group engaged with the audience, the ladies stood up out of their seats and belted out every lyric to their songs, new and old (and, yes, I was one of those ladies).   I refer to this as the Evolution of Hi-Five.  Their stage performance is such a treat, from the outfits (head to toe), the dance moves, the talented band, to the songs and tributes.  Hi-Five is back, baby!  

 

As times change, sometimes group members change as well.  We have to learn how to adapt to those changes and just embrace great music.  Hi-Five put out music in 2012, “Favorite Girl,” and “You Never Know,” "Different Kiss" in 2015, and in 2016, “Kit Kat.”  The group is currently working on new music and we are here for it.

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If you get the chance to see them perform live, make sure that you check them out while they continue to tour at a City Winery near you (next up, on October 17, 2022 in Chicago), as well as other upcoming concerts.  For over 30 years, when you are still together as a group, through the test of times, and even “A Little Bit Older Now,” it is a true testament from God that Hi-Five is truly meant to be here, “As One.”  You can follow Hi-Five on Instagram to find out about upcoming tour dates @OfficialHiFive.

 

It is with extreme pleasure that we honor and celebrate the legendary group, Hi-Five in the October 2022 issue of the Love Exquisite Magazine.  Keep Rising Kings and THANK YOU for sharing your gifts with the world!  We Love All of You!  Welcome Back!

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By Lynnette Clement