Biography

2-4 Family was a rap/hip hop group, that formed in Germany in the late 1990s. The original line-up consisted of Jo O'Meara, Jay Dogg, Joseph Jazz and Essence Woods. 2-4 Family released their first single, Stay, in mid-1998. The song featured lead female vocals from O'Meara, and rapping from the other three members. It peaked at #8 on the Viva Top 100. They released their album Family Business in March 1999. Along with other vocalists, 2-4 Family recorded "Hand in Hand for Children - Children of the World". A week after that had been released, "Stay" was re-released for the holiday season. 2-4 Family also joined with other vocalists to release a cover version of Wham!'s hit single "Last Christmas" under the moniker Rap Allstars. Shortly after this, O'Meara successfully auditioned to become a part of the soon to be created pop group S Club 7 and left 2-4 Family, leaving the group with three members. Parklane Music received a demo of "Killing Me Softly", recorded by a woman named Joanna Biscardine. She soon joined the group, and 2-4 Family released their second single, Lean on Me (With the Family) in January 1999. It peaked at #9 on the Viva Top 100, and #69 on the UK Singles Chart. Two months later, 2-4 Family released their last album, Family Business, which peaked at #54 on the Viva Top 100. The album contained twelve tracks, including different mixes of some of the songs. The final single by 2-4 Family was released in mid-1999, titled Take Me Home.