Maxine Jones

Maxine Jones (born January 16, 1962) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Jones rose to fame in the early 1990s as a member of the R&B quartet En Vogue, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time. In 2001, Jones departed from the group only to rejoin in 2003. The following year, she rejoined En Vogue for their tour and remained in group until failing to reach an agreement with the remaining group members Terry Ellis and Cindy Herron in 2011.

Throughout a career spanning 25 years, Jones has sold over 31 million records with En Vogue. Jones has recorded four albums with En Vogue. Her work has earned her several awards and nominations, including two American Music Awards, a Billboard Music Award, four MTV Video Music Awards, and four Soul Train Music Awards. Jones is currently planning to release her first album, Do You See Me Now, in 2015.

Career

1989–97: En Vogue

In July 1989, Jones auditioned in Oakland, California, for the female group En Vogue. Jones was one of the four women selected to become a part of the group. As a member of En Vogue, Jones was credited as the member with the "Motown" voice. In group harmonies, Jones usually sang the "contralto parts" or the lowest key in the harmony. They began recording their debut album in December 1989 and finished in 1990. In 1990, En Vogue released their first single "Hold On", which became a number one single. Later that year, the group released their debut album Born to Sing, which sold a million copies. The group released their multi-platinum second album Funky Divas in 1992. Jones sang lead vocals on the album's top-charting singles including "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)", "Give It Up, Turn It Loose", and "Free Your Mind", which remains one of their signature songs. "Free Your Mind" won three MTV Video Music Awards, for "Best R&B Video", "Best Dance Video", and "Best Choreography".