Sisters doing it for themselves

You know those artists who release a ridiculously catchy song, you end up hearing it constantly on the radio and you learn the lyrics off by heart, yet you never know who the song is by?

Chances are one of those songs belong to singing siblings Brick & Lace, whose biggest hit Love is Wicked (Google it; we bet you've heard it) has been doing the rounds on every major radio station in the region.

Now the duo makes its debut appearance in the UAE at Dubai's Chi @ The Lodge this Tuesday night. Emirates Business brings you a guide to the feisty twosome.


Just who are they?

Brick & Lace are sisters Nyanda and Nailah Thorbourne, who formed their band back in 2000. Born to a Jamaican father and an American mother and raised predominantly in Kingston, Jamaica, the girls fuse a variety of genres, including R&B, hip-hop, and dancehall. The group originally consisted of three members; the third being their other sister Tasha, but she left as she prefers to work behind the scenes on their videos and co-writing songs. The duo is signed by Akon's record label, Kon Live Distribution.

How were they discovered?

Far from an overnight sensation, the girls started out singing back-up vocals for Roberta Flack, Lauryn Hill and family friend Marcia Griffiths in the early 2000s. Nyanda and Nailah went on to record their first song in Jamaica with dancehall super-producer, Tony Kelly. They also went on to track several songs with heavyweight DJs, one of which includes a street smash with Bounty Killer.

Where did their name come from?

As explained on their website by Nyanda: "Our mother came up with the name 'Lace' and we immediately liked it. But we still felt that there was an edge missing, so I came up with 'Brick.' Sometimes you want to wear a cap and sneakers and look grimy, and sometimes you want to wear your sexy dress and heels and look cute."

How many singles have they released?

Four. They are Get That Clear (Hold Up), Never Never, Love is Wicked, and Bad To Di Bone. Their debut album, also called Love is Wicked, was released in 2007. As we mentioned, their biggest hit to date is Love is Wicked thanks to it featuring on The Bratz Movie soundtrack, and The Sims 2 Castaway video game, subsequently receiving massive radio airplay.

Finally, who's opening the show?

Support comes from local singer Ash, as well as Dubai-based R&B and hip-hop DJ Dany Neville.


Other sister acts

Nina Sky Originally Puerto Rican, but based in New York, Nicole and Natalie Albino burst onto the music scene in 2004 with the hit Move Ya Body. Their latest single, Beautiful People, was released at the beginning of this month.

Brit & Alex Best known for their appearance as teenagers in advertisements for John Frieda hair products, the American twins have been signed by Interscope Records.

Their debut album is scheduled for release by the end of this year.

The Veronicas The electro pop-rock band comprises Australian twin sisters Jessica and Lisa Origliasso, and have released two albums: The Secret Life Of... and Hook Me Up so far.

Their best known singles are 4ever, Hook Me Up and Untouched.

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