Covered in shadows, the history of the girl group, Anjel, was always something left up in the air. LNN will shed some light on the clouded past of Anjel with the help Nativida Quinones (Nati, former member) who is setting the record straight for us once and for all, unlocking the mystery that was Anjel. Check out the audio of our interview at the bottom of this article.

In the year 2000, Linda Casey, mother of Jagged Edge twins, Brian and Brandon, had a talent search in the state of Connecticut to find members to join LeToya Luckett (soprano) and LaTavia Roberson (alto), formerly of Destiny’s Child. From the contest arrived Natasha Ramos who joined the group but due to altercations and wanting to continue school, she left the group but not before introducing to the team Nati, an old friend and former group mate of “Skim“. After a long talk with her friend and a nerve racking audition, Nati joined the group as Natasha left. She became the rapper (occasionally singing soprano).

From left to right: Nati, LeToya, Tiffany and LaTavia

On LeToya & LaTavia: “They’ve been through A LOT…just to see their strength, diligence and hunger [working with them] was a true blessing”

In 2001 a new addition was made to the group, college student Tiffany Beaudoin (mezzo-soprano), who was introduced by a mutual friend, auditioned and Anjel was completed. With the aid of Jagged Edge, Anjel recorded demos, in which 20 of them leaked (download them HERE), in Atlanta. They appeared at the 2001 Grammy’s where Destiny’s Child won a award for “Say My Name” but, although they collected their trophies, LeToya and LaTavia did not arrive on stage to receive and publicly gain credit for the song.

Soon Jermaine Dupri made the decision to take So So Def under Arista Records which caused trouble for Jagged Edge ‘s production company 581 Entertainment. Already with their own girl group, Isyss, Arista had no need for another and Anjel was not chosen to become part of the label. With the foundation crumbling and no label support the plan to release an album was cancelled and the girls of Anjel disbanded the group each going their separate ways.

“They must’ve had something they were looking for at the time and we probably didn’t!”

Nati, life after Anjel

A Puerto Rican fire house born in Bronx, NY, Nati, born Nativida Quinones is a singer-songwriter formely of girl group Anjel. Raised in Connecticut she came from a very musical family. Daughter of a singer-guitar player Nati had music flowing through her veins “I grew up in one of those house holds where we had a house party and at some point your uncles just jumped out with the guitars…”

Nati was introduced to Anjel by her friend Natasha Ramos who she was in Skim with for a year and a half. Natasha Ramos’s manager invited Nati to be his solo artist at first but after Natasha left Anjel, Nati was called on to audition for it. Reluctant at first she went through with the heart racing audition. “It was a nerve racking experience but at the same time I came ready to fight.” Her light shined through and she became the new member of Anjel.

She then went to the the Grammy’s for the first time after just starting in the industry professionally. She also had to bear witness to the controversial moment of Beyonce Knowles, Kelendria Rowland and Tenitra “Michelle” Williams going up on stage and receiving their Grammy while her friends and groupmates sat in the crowd and watch their award be given away. “I know if i was about to receive a Grammy or something and didn’t get the chance to do so…It would be really really hard for me to sit down and watch some one else go up there or see something I worked really hard to get.”

“I want to be able to fill that gap for other artists that are coming in and don’t know what they’re walking into”

Now with Anjel all said and done, Nati, who has now relocated to Texas,  writing and recording her songs with the Nati Q project and working on secret projects she did not devulge. Driven to hit the spotlight, Nati is determined to venture into our hearts from all venues, focused on the dream to be seen everywhere and anywhere.  Working as CEO of her publishing company Ready Writer she is well on her way to becoming a powerful female entrepeneur.

Reminiscent of J-Lo but with better vocals, Nati is a woman full of passion and drive. She is an idealist who wants to inspire the new generation and become a role model, showing them the way and sharing her knowledge and wisdom. “I want to touch lives” “I see myself filling that gap in the music industry and entertainment”. We wish to hear from her soon and hope that she hits it big. Maybe she should hook up with a producer like Timbaland or The-Dream to take her under their wing and let her bloom like the elegent flower that she is.

You can check  her out on myspace and follow her on her new twitter account.

Here is the interview. Hope you enjoy it. It is very informative. (It’s in 3 parts of about 10 minutes each. Click the right arrow to skip track)

LISTEN

Two of her songs here. We love them! If you do too, you can download them below.

1. Ultimatum (DEMO. exclusive LNN version with extra rap) (she recorded it years ago. She’s having new stuff coming up soon. Stay tuned with us for that we’ll keep you posted.)

2. Money Comes and Goes (Mase feat. Nati Q. from the “Welcome Back” album released in 2004)

DOWNLOAD

1. Ultimatum FREE VIA SENDSPACE HERE

2. Money Comes and Goes (Support and BUY from Amazon here)

3. Anjel’s demo album HERE (+ Anjel Photo Gallery)

Stay tuned with LNN for more exclusive reports.

“Letoya Luckett has not left the group, She is simply taking a break to pursue something’s she has been wanting to do for a very long time. The ladies of Anjel support her 100%. Letoya, Nadia, Latavia and Tiffany AKA “Anjel” will be making some noise sometime this year.

Source:  David Brewer” www.rnbdirt.com

Here are the demos recorded by the group Anjel. For those who haven’t heard them yet, it’s like having some extra Destiny’s Child songs. And even though they are just demos they are really good and have that 90′s girl group songs’s vibe.

Tracklisting:

1. Break
2. I ain’t with that
3. Keep it real
4. Holla back
5. Misery loves company
6. Lingerie
7. (Not the way) I pictured it
8. Trippin’
9. Cryin’ shame
10. Let’em know
11. Reach the top
12. Missin’ you
13. Moving on
14. Lonely
15. Officially (Giving you the key to me)
16. Me and my boyfriend
17. Best of all time
18. Ain’t my style
19. He can get it (Feat. Jagged Edge)
20. Be with you

Download via MEDIAFIRE

Gallery

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

Anjel: “Misery Loves Company”

[Verse 1: Tiffany]
When we were just friends
No one cared if we more than friends
And everyone was so happy back then
But there he was, that one jealous friend
And he did everything
To make sure we wouldn’t be livin’ together
Lovin’ just each other
We’d be livin’ our dreams and baby that’s how I know
Misery loves company

[Chorus: Anjel]
Misery loves company
It don’t matter how happy you and your man be
Always got a hatin’ ass friend
Tryin’ to bring your love to an end
But take it from me it’s jealousy
Misery loves company
It don’t matter how happy you and your man be
Always got a hatin’ ass friend
Tryin’ to bring your love to an end
But take it from me it’s jealousy

[Verse 2: LeToya]
Now, see the problem is
People need to tend to their business
Instead of worryin’ bout mine
It’s a thin line between
Lookin’ out for someone
And just hatin’ on someone
If he had a girl (had a girl)
Of his own he’d be
At home with her
Instead of worryin’ ’bout where his homies be
So he could only be, just hatin’ on me
‘Cause love is misery
And I know

[Chorus]

[Bridge: Tiffany]
Now if you know somebody
Whenever they come around
Especially when you’re happy
They gotta bring you down
Oh no, not me, misery loves company
If you know somebody
Whenever they come around
Especially when you’re happy
They gotta bring you down
Oh no, not me, misery loves company

[Rap: Naty]
It’s too bad
How he looked it was to state the truth
It’s too bad
‘Cause he knew the way I loved him, too
It’s too bad
I see him hangin’ with them lonely fools
And he thought they was his homies, too
It’s so sad
‘Cause what we had was lovely
Damn, I’m a miss the way he touched me
Said he loved me, but he crushed me
Puttin’ all the wrong people before me
Now what?
What the deal with that?
When we argue
Where were them haters at?
When we hustled
Where were them haters at?
Someone tell me
Where were them haters at?
Now they solo
Rollin’ dollo
Feelin’ no shows
Nigga no dough
Goin’ loco, good for cocoa
Reppin’ like groupies at a J.E. concert
Silly bitches with your pieces
Caused a time to be mistreated
Now I’m beaded
Best believe this
Situations done helped me see the light, right
Even though I was the dime for him
He gon’ kill the love I had for him
He should’ve tried to be a leader man
Instead he showed he a weaker man
But that’s cool
I’ll be through with him
No more havin’ to face my dad for him
No more platinum chills at night for him
We gon’ see how misery gon’ run for him
Gon’ clean for him, gon’ deal with him
Gonna damn near give her life to him
But the tragedy, he chose misery
Over longevity
I’m a miss you, papi

[Chorus x2]

Anjel: “Misery Loves Company”

[Verse 1: Tiffany]
When we were just friends
No one cared if we more than friends
And everyone was so happy back then
But there he was, that one jealous friend
And he did everything
To make sure we wouldn’t be livin’ together
Lovin’ just each other
We’d be livin’ our dreams and baby that’s how I know
Misery loves company

[Chorus: Anjel]
Misery loves company
It don’t matter how happy you and your man be
Always got a hatin’ ass friend
Tryin’ to bring your love to an end
But take it from me it’s jealousy
Misery loves company
It don’t matter how happy you and your man be
Always got a hatin’ ass friend
Tryin’ to bring your love to an end
But take it from me it’s jealousy

[Verse 2: LeToya]
Now, see the problem is
People need to tend to their business
Instead of worryin’ bout mine
It’s a thin line between
Lookin’ out for someone
And just hatin’ on someone
If he had a girl (had a girl)
Of his own he’d be
At home with her
Instead of worryin’ ’bout where his homies be
So he could only be, just hatin’ on me
‘Cause love is misery
And I know

[Chorus]

[Bridge: Tiffany]
Now if you know somebody
Whenever they come around
Especially when you’re happy
They gotta bring you down
Oh no, not me, misery loves company
If you know somebody
Whenever they come around
Especially when you’re happy
They gotta bring you down
Oh no, not me, misery loves company

[Rap: Naty]
It’s too bad
How he looked it was to state the truth
It’s too bad
‘Cause he knew the way I loved him, too
It’s too bad
I see him hangin’ with them lonely fools
And he thought they was his homies, too
It’s so sad
‘Cause what we had was lovely
Damn, I’m a miss the way he touched me
Said he loved me, but he crushed me
Puttin’ all the wrong people before me
Now what?
What the deal with that?
When we argue
Where were them haters at?
When we hustled
Where were them haters at?
Someone tell me
Where were them haters at?
Now they solo
Rollin’ dollo
Feelin’ no shows
Nigga no dough
Goin’ loco, good for cocoa
Reppin’ like groupies at a J.E. concert
Silly bitches with your pieces
Caused a time to be mistreated
Now I’m beaded
Best believe this
Situations done helped me see the light, right
Even though I was the dime for him
He gon’ kill the love I had for him
He should’ve tried to be a leader man
Instead he showed he a weaker man
But that’s cool
I’ll be through with him
No more havin’ to face my dad for him
No more platinum chills at night for him
We gon’ see how misery gon’ run for him
Gon’ clean for him, gon’ deal with him
Gonna damn near give her life to him
But the tragedy, he chose misery
Over longevity
I’m a miss you, papi

[Chorus x2]

Anjel: “I Ain’t With That”

[Verse 1: Tiffany]
Can’t no man define who I am
‘Cause I know just what I can be
If you wanna go, he can go
It’s a free country
I mean, that’s love
But I love him enough to let him go
If that’s what he wants
If it’s meant to be
He’ll come back to me

[Hook: LeToya]
Tell me why do you run around
Tellin’ everyone in town
You didn’t want me no more
If you wanna run around
I ain’t tryna hold you down
Got me lookin’ like a fool
It ain’t cool

[Chorus: Anjel]
I ain’t with that
I ain’t trynna keep a man around
Who don’t wanna be kept
I ain’t with that
I need another man in my bed
That like holdin’ my hand
I ain’t with that
Seems like
The older I get, the less patience I have
I ain’t with that
Oh, I ain’t with that
Oh, no, I ain’t with that

[Verse 2: LeToya]
Some say love is getting along
But you’ll find that out on your own
Well, if that’s true
Now I know
That you must’ve been my first true love
But I’m not gonna waste my time
And beg you to stay because
I’m probably better off without you anyway

[Hook]

[Chorus]

[Bridge 2: LaTavia & LeToya]
I don’t want no one tellin’ me what to do
I ain’t with no man who can’t tell me the truth
(Should’ve been evil ladies)
I just ain’t with all that bull
I ain’t with that
No, I ain’t with that
No, oh I ain’t with that

[Chorus x3]

Anjel: “I Ain’t With That”

[Verse 1: Tiffany]
Can’t no man define who I am
‘Cause I know just what I can be
If you wanna go, he can go
It’s a free country
I mean, that’s love
But I love him enough to let him go
If that’s what he wants
If it’s meant to be
He’ll come back to me

[Hook: LeToya]
Tell me why do you run around
Tellin’ everyone in town
You didn’t want me no more
If you wanna run around
I ain’t tryna hold you down
Got me lookin’ like a fool
It ain’t cool

[Chorus: Anjel]
I ain’t with that
I ain’t trynna keep a man around
Who don’t wanna be kept
I ain’t with that
I need another man in my bed
That like holdin’ my hand
I ain’t with that
Seems like
The older I get, the less patience I have
I ain’t with that
Oh, I ain’t with that
Oh, no, I ain’t with that

[Verse 2: LeToya]
Some say love is getting along
But you’ll find that out on your own
Well, if that’s true
Now I know
That you must’ve been my first true love
But I’m not gonna waste my time
And beg you to stay because
I’m probably better off without you anyway

[Hook]

[Chorus]

[Bridge 2: LaTavia & LeToya]
I don’t want no one tellin’ me what to do
I ain’t with no man who can’t tell me the truth
(Should’ve been evil ladies)
I just ain’t with all that bull
I ain’t with that
No, I ain’t with that
No, oh I ain’t with that

[Chorus x3]

[Verse 1: LaTavia]
Before I even ask, boy
I’m knowin’ what you gon’ say (say)
You wouldn’t tell the truth
Even if I had you on tape (tape)
Since I can’t be sure
Of just what to expect
Don’t get mad when I tell you to step
You already played me
You know what they say
The second time, shame on me

[Hook: Anjel (LaTavia)]
I’ve never been the weak type (never been that type of weak, no)
And it ain’t about to start right now (don’t start right now)
I don’t need your time (don’t need your time)
So ain’t no point in hangin’ around, so (so ain’t no point of hanging around)

[Chorus: Anjel (LaTavia)]
Check this out
You need to go (you need to go)
Please, don’t come around
Here frontin’ no more (frontin’ no more)
My girl says she saw you
I know it wasn’t you (hey)
But just to be safe, yo
You should just break, yo (you should just break yo)
Check this out
You need to go (you need to go)
Please, don’t come around
Here frontin’ no more
My girl says she saw you (say girl said she saw you)
I know it wasn’t you (I know it wasn’t you)
But just to be safe, yo
You should just break, yo

[Verse 2: Tiffany]
Fussin’ even tryin’ to explain (explain)
I could put it now back
That you weren’t gonna change (change)
I should’ve known that you showed up on your doorstep
Claimin’ you was sick with your child support check
End of the story all I’ve got is me to blame

[Hook: LeToya]
I’ve never been the weak type (I’ve never been the weak kind)
And it ain’t about to start right now (and I ain’t about to start right now)
I don’t need your time (oh oh oh)
So ain’t no point in hangin’ around, so (hanging around)

[Chorus: Anjel (LeToya)]
Check this out
You need to go
Please, don’t come around
Here frontin’ no more
My girl says she saw you
I know it wasn’t you
But just to be safe, yo
You should just break, yo (oh oh oh oh)
Check this out
You need to go (hey yeah yey)
Please, don’t come around
Here frontin’ no more
My girl says she saw you (ooh yo)
I know it wasn’t you
But just to be safe, yo
You should just break, yo

[Bridge: Anjel (Tiffany)]
Can’t forget, forget about the past
Why would she came, but I’m a laugh last
Foolish is the lame, and I gotta say face
So I think you need to break, break
Can’t forget, forget about the past (no, I can’t forget)
Why would she came, but I’m a laugh last
Foolish is the lame, and I gotta say face
So I think you need to break, break (break yeah yo)

[Rap: Naty]
Man, you bein’ silly right now
I ain’t got time for this now
You must forgot I ain’t the one
That never mention they childs
There would be no drama but the mama
Showed up at my front door (showed up at my front door)
And as a lady, I let her enter
Picked up my jaw from the floor
She sat me down, with a frown
Told me you was the father
And if you was a real man
I wouldn’t hear this from the mama
But that ain’t there’s more
And I’m fed up with this ish (I’m so tired of all this)
You never though I’d hear about
You usin’ my ride to pick up chicks?
You had me, but you played me
From us, you was frayed meat
Privaleges decayed be
Nah, I ain’t ya baby
So check this, you breakfast
You can basically forget this
I’m definately a lady
And I won’t be disrespected

[Chorus: LeToya]
Check this out (check this out)
You need to go (you need to go)
Please, don’t come around
Here frontin’ no more (frontin’ no more)
My girl says she saw you (oh oh oh oh)
I know it wasn’t you
But just to be safe, yo
You should just break, yo
Check this out (see you did it once)
You need to go (and you did it twice)
Please, don’t come around (three strikes you’re out)
Here frontin’ no more (you couldn’t do me right)
My girl says she saw you (see you did it once)
I know it wasn’t you (and you did it twice)
But just to be safe, yo (three strikes you’re out)
You should just break, yo (now get out of my life)