View source for 3LW

{{Short description|American girl group}}
{{about|the group|the group's eponymous album|3LW (album)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2012}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = 3LW
| image             =
| alias             = 3 Little Women
| origin            = [[Newark, New Jersey]], U.S.
| genre             = {{flatlist|
* [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]<ref name=review2000>{{cite magazine|volume=112|issue=51|pages=26|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OxEEAAAAMBAJ&dq=3lw+single+reviews&pg=PA26|title=Reviews & Previews - Albums|last=Paoletta|first=Michael|date=December 16, 2000|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|accessdate=June 12, 2022|quote=With its eponymous debut, the young ladies of 3LW (3 Little Women) are the latest pop-infused R&B act to join the youth-driven musical movement}}</ref>
* [[Pop music|pop]]<ref name=review2000/>
* [[Hip hop music|hip hop]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gazettereview.com/2017/03/happened-3lw-news-updates/|title=What Happened to 3LW 2018 – News & Updates|publisher=Gazette Review|accessdate=September 24, 2022|date=March 13, 2017|last=Carter|first=Brooke|quote=The all-girl hip hop trio, 3LW first made themselves known to the world with the release of their debut single, ''No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)'' in 2000.}}</ref>
}}
| instruments       = Vocals
| years_active      = 1999–2007
| label             = {{flatlist|
* [[Epic Records|Epic]]
* [[So So Def]]
* [[Jive Records]]
* [[Sony Music Entertainment|Sony]]
}}
| past_members      = * [[Adrienne Bailon]]
* [[Naturi Naughton]]
* [[Kiely Williams]]
* Jessica Benson
}}
'''3LW''' ([[initialism]] of "'''3''' '''L'''il '''W'''omen") was an American [[girl group]] formed in 1999 by [[Adrienne Bailon]], [[Kiely Williams]], and [[Naturi Naughton]]. Jessica Benson later replaced Naughton after she left the group in 2002. 3LW was signed to the label [[Epic Records]], and later moved to [[So So Def Recordings|So So Def]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1479771/20031015/3lw.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605050549/http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1479771/20031015/3lw.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |title=3LW : 3LW Sign To So So Def, Ask 50 Cent To Get 'Gangsta' With Them – Rhapsody Music Downloads |publisher=VH1 |access-date=2010-03-15}}</ref> They are best known for their singles "[[No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)]]", "[[Playas Gon' Play]]" and "[[I Do (Wanna Get Close to You)]]".
==History==
===1998–2001: ''3LW''===
In 1999, the group 3LW was formed by sisters Michelle and Tse Williams. Michelle's daughter and Tse's younger sister/niece [[Kiely Williams|Kiely]] was the first member of the lineup and the group would soon be rounded out by [[Adrienne Bailon]] and [[Naturi Naughton]] with both Michelle and Tse as co-managers.<ref>[https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/now-a-duo-3lw-is-still-mackin-73730/ Now A Duo, 3LW Is Still ‘Mackin’] Billboard</ref> Their debut single "[[No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)]]", released in the fall of 2000, was a chart success, and was followed by "[[Playas Gon' Play]]" in early 2001. The group's [[3LW (album)|self-titled debut album]], released on December 5, 2000, was certified platinum by the [[RIAA]], selling 1.3 million copies in the US.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/72110/3lw-is-a-trio-again |title=3LW Is A Trio Again |magazine=Billboard |publication-date=March 4, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620193012/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/72110/3lw-is-a-trio-again |archive-date=June 20, 2014 |access-date=March 15, 2010}}</ref> In the summer of 2001, the group embarked on the [[MTV]] [[Total Request Live Tour]] along with [[Destiny's Child]], [[Dream (American group)|Dream]], [[Nelly]], [[Eve (entertainer)|Eve]], and [[Jessica Simpson]].
In 2001, 3LW recorded "[[What More Can I Give]]" as part of a [[supergroup (music)|supergroup]] of various artists including [[Michael Jackson]], [[Reba McEntire]], [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher]], [[Beyoncé]], [[Luther Vandross]], [[Celine Dion|Céline Dion]], and [[Mariah Carey]] in response to the [[September 11 attacks]]. Late that year, they collaborated with [[Romeo Miller|Lil' Romeo]] and [[Nick Cannon]] for a cover of "[[Parents Just Don't Understand]]" on the ''[[Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (film)|Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius]]'' soundtrack. They also appeared on [[Naughty by Nature]]'s 2002 single "[[Feels Good (Don't Worry Bout a Thing)]]".
===2002–2003: ''A Girl Can Mack'' and Naughton's departure===
3LW spent the first half of 2002 in the studio, recording an album tentatively titled ''Same Game, Different Rules''. The album and its intended lead single "Uh Oh" were presented to the label, who felt it did not have enough [[Urban contemporary|urban]] radio appeal. The tracks from ''Same Game, Different Rules'' were leaked to the Internet in MP3 format, and Epic considered dropping the girls. A fan support campaign for 3LW named 'Never Let Go Of 3LW' (after their song "Never Let Go") gained traction, and the act was retained.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}<!-- The whole paragraph -->
Recording a new set of tracks, the group returned in the summer of 2002 with the [[P. Diddy]]–produced single "[[I Do (Wanna Get Close To You)]]", featuring [[Loon (rapper)|Loon]], and a concert special on [[Nickelodeon]] titled ''Live on Sunset''. By August, the group was set to release its newest LP, ''[[A Girl Can Mack]]'', when member Naughton left the group.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|last=Oh|first=Minya|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1457117/20020821/3lw.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021004183549/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1457117/20020821/3lw.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 4, 2002|title=3LW Become 2LW – News Story|work=MTV News|date=August 21, 2002|access-date=2010-03-15}}</ref> In an interview on [[Wendy Williams]]' radio show, Naughton alleged that she had numerous conflicts with Bailon, Williams, and their management, which led to an August 2002 altercation involving a plate of food from [[KFC]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/123/3LW/news_feature_081602/ |title=3LW: One Story, Two Sides|publisher=[[MTV]]|date=March 9, 2006|access-date=2010-03-15|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928095921/http://www.mtv.com/bands/123/3LW/news_feature_081602/|archive-date=September 28, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/123/3LW/news_feature_081602/index3.jhtml|title=3LW: One Story, Two Sides|publisher=[[MTV]]|date=March 9, 2006|access-date=2010-03-15|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419090229/http://www.mtv.com/bands/123/3LW/news_feature_081602/index3.jhtml|archive-date=April 19, 2009}}</ref> Naughton later claimed that she was forced out of the group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1457173/20020823/3lw.jhtml |title=3LW : Naturi Describes Alleged 3LW Fist Fight That Led To Split |publisher=[[VH1]]|access-date=2010-03-15|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419124327/http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1457173/20020823/3lw.jhtml|archive-date=April 19, 2009|df=mdy}}</ref>
Williams and Bailon continued 3LW as a duo, causing the press to jokingly refer to them as "2LW".<ref name=autogenerated1 /> Naughton's departure greatly affected the group's popularity and album sales. According to a cover story for the October 2002 issue of ''Sister 2 Sister'' magazine, Williams and Bailon said they received death threats. ''A Girl Can Mack'''s release date was pushed back a month and debuted at No. 15 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] with 53,000 copies sold in the first week.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1458421/santanas-shaman-blessed-foos-at-3-on-albums-chart/ |title=Santana's Shaman Blessed; Foos At #3 On Albums Chart |last=D'angelo |first=Joe |website=[[MTV]] |publication-date=2002-10-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912002202/http://www.mtv.com/news/1458421/santanas-shaman-blessed-foos-at-3-on-albums-chart/ |archive-date=September 12, 2014 |access-date=June 13, 2008}}</ref> After the album's second single "[[Neva Get Enuf]]" underperformed, the group released a Christmas-themed LP ''[[Naughty or Nice (album)|Naughty or Nice]]'', which failed to appear on any major [[Billboard charts|''Billboard'' charts]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1457870/3lw-holiday-album-due-members-land-film-roles/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704161820/http://www.mtv.com/news/1457870/3lw-holiday-album-due-members-land-film-roles/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 4, 2017|title=3LW Holiday Album Due; Members Land Film Roles|last=Moss|first=Corey|website=[[MTV News]]|date=September 30, 2002|access-date=2019-12-09}}</ref> After nationwide auditions for a new third member, fifteen year old Jessica "J" Benson was selected as the third member and made her first public appearance with the group in March 2003.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1470341/3lw-become-a-trio-again-finally/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704162727/http://www.mtv.com/news/1470341/3lw-become-a-trio-again-finally/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 4, 2017|title = 3LW Become a Trio Again ... Finally|website = [[MTV]]}}</ref>
===2003–2007: Canceled album and breakup===
Amidst 3LW's public drama, Bailon and Williams signed on to star in the [[Disney Channel Original Movie]], ''[[The Cheetah Girls (film)|The Cheetah Girls]]'' in 2003, alongside [[Raven-Symoné]] and [[Sabrina Bryan]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1457967/remaining-3lw-pair-too-busy-to-hold-auditions-for-new-member/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820211804/http://www.mtv.com/news/1457967/remaining-3lw-pair-too-busy-to-hold-auditions-for-new-member/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 20, 2015|title=Remaining 3LW Pair Too Busy To Hold Auditions For New Member|last=Moss|first=Corey|website=[[MTV News]]|date=October 4, 2002|access-date=2019-12-09}}</ref> The film's success prompted Disney to turn the project into a real girl group.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1458400/3lw-dont-judge-others-by-color-of-their-spots-in-cheetah-girls/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704173230/http://www.mtv.com/news/1458400/3lw-dont-judge-others-by-color-of-their-spots-in-cheetah-girls/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 4, 2017|title=3LW Don't Judge Others By Color Of Their Spots In 'Cheetah Girls'|last=Dangelo|first=Joe|website=[[MTV News]]|date=October 29, 2002|access-date=2019-12-09}}</ref> As [[The Cheetah Girls (group)|the Cheetah Girls]] project grew, with albums released and world tours, 3LW was on hiatus.<ref>{{cite web|last=Miller|first=Gerri|url=http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=7301|title=CHEETAH GIRLS 2|work=[[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic]]|date=August 25, 2006|access-date=November 6, 2019|archive-date=October 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025211148/http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=7301|url-status=dead}}</ref> The progress on 3LW's third studio album, titled ''Point of No Return'', became a background for Bailon and Williams and was delayed several times.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1506341/jermaine-dupri-boosting-grown-up-3lw-with-their-sexy-return/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105174801/http://www.mtv.com/news/1506341/jermaine-dupri-boosting-grown-up-3lw-with-their-sexy-return/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2018|title=Jermaine Dupri Boosting Grown-Up 3LW With Their Sexy Return|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|website=[[MTV News]]|date=July 25, 2005|access-date=2019-12-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Moss|first=Corey|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1473478/20030701/3lw.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030704094721/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1473478/20030701/3lw.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 4, 2003|title=3LW Celebrate New Beginning|work=[[MTV News]]|date=July 2, 2003|access-date=2010-03-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/3lw/artist.jhtml |title=3LW |publisher=MTV |access-date=2010-03-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100315033132/http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/3lw/artist.jhtml |archive-date=March 15, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sony.com/en_us/SCA/company-news/press-releases/sony-music-entertainment/2006/platinum-rb-female-group-3lw-set-to-release-their-third-anticipated-album-point-of-no-return-august-15th.html|work=Sony|date=May 22, 2006|title=Platinum R&B Female Group 3LW Set to Release Their Third Anticipated Album Point of No Return August 15th!!}}</ref> Only on August 15, 2006, after four years, the group released their new single, "[[Feelin' You (3LW song)|Feelin' You]]". Despite this, ''Point of No Return'' was shelved and Bailon and Williams continued with The Cheetah Girls. On January 7, 2008, Bailon confirmed in an interview with [[BlogTalkRadio]] that 3LW officially disbanded in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |last=Carter |first=Brooke |date=March 13, 2017 |title=What Happened to 3LW 2018 – News & Updates |url=https://gazettereview.com/2017/03/happened-3lw-news-updates/ |work=Gazette Review |location=Minneapolis, Minnesota |access-date=2019-05-18 }}</ref>
In 2022, three previously unreleased songs recorded in 2003-2004 – "Trouble", "After This" and "How U Gonna Act" – were released on iTunes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/nz/album/trouble-single/1608753895|title=Trouble - Single by 3LW on Apple Music|publisher=[[iTunes]]|date=February 14, 2022|access-date=April 15, 2022|archive-date=February 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222142238/https://music.apple.com/nz/album/trouble-single/1608753895|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/nz/album/after-this-single/1611470939|title=After This - Single by 3LW on Apple Music|publisher=[[iTunes]]|date=March 15, 2022|access-date=April 15, 2022|archive-date=March 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318075410/https://music.apple.com/nz/album/after-this-single/1611470939|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==In popular culture==
* 3LW are featured as bonus characters in the 2001 video game ''[[NBA Street]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/sports/nbastreet/video/2778776/nba-street-movie-12 |title=GameSpot Video: NBA Street Movie 12 |publisher=Gamespot.com |date=June 18, 2001 |access-date=2010-03-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410153257/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/sports/nbastreet/video/2778776/nba-street-movie-12 |archive-date=April 10, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* In January 2001, 3LW appeared in an episode of the [[Nickelodeon]] series ''[[Taina (TV series)|Taina]]'' as a fictional girl group (along with the same name of this episode) called ''Blue Mascara'' where the main character ([[Christina Vidal]]) is overjoyed to become a member of the popular all-female singing group at school until they tell her that she must get rid of her best friend Renee (Khaliah Adams).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDIHOu521g0|title=Taina - Blue Mascara - Part 1|accessdate=December 26, 2022|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUAxY5YUa64|title=Taina - Blue Mascara - Part 2|accessdate=December 26, 2022|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bGs2SstgUY|title=Taina - Blue Mascara - Part 3|accessdate=December 26, 2022|via=YouTube}}</ref>
* In October 2001, 3LW appeared on the [[Disney Channel]] series ''[[The Jersey]]'' in the episode "Speaking of Coleman" where after freaking out at a debate competition, Coleman Galloway ([[Jermaine Williams]]) gets a lesson in handling stage fright by jumping into the body of one of the three members of the group which in general was [[Kiely Williams]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2OAdbNbj4g|title=Disney's The Jersey - S02E19 "Speaking of Coleman"|accessdate=December 26, 2022|via=YouTube}}</ref>
* In November 2002, 3LW appeared in an episode of the [[Nickelodeon]] sketch comedy series ''[[All That]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV98UODycGU|title=3LW - All That Skit 2002|accessdate=December 26, 2022|via=YouTube}}</ref>
== Past members ==
* [[Adrienne Bailon]] (1999–2007)
* [[Naturi Naughton]] (1999–2002)
* [[Kiely Williams]] (1999–2007)
* Jessica Benson (2003–2007)
==Discography==
{{further|3LW discography}}
;Studio albums
* ''[[3LW (album)|3LW]]'' (2000)
* ''[[A Girl Can Mack]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Naughty or Nice (album)|Naughty or Nice]]'' (2002)
* ''Point of No Return'' (shelved)
==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Award
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2001 || [[Soul Train Music Awards|Soul Train Lady of Soul Award]] '''Win''' for "Best New R&B or Hip-Hop Artist"
|-
| [[Soul Train Music Awards|Soul Train Lady of Soul Award]] '''Win''' for "Album of the Year"
|-
| [[BET Awards|BET Award]] ''Nominated'' for "Best Female Group"
|-
| 2002 || [[BET Awards|BET Award]] ''Nominated'' for "Best Group"
|-
| 2003 || [[Source Awards|Source Award]] ''Nominated'' for "Best Female R&B act"
|-
| 2003 || [[BET Awards|BET Award]]
"Nominated for "Best Group"
|-
| 2003 || [[Soul Train Music Awards|Soul Train Music Award]] ''Nominated'' for "Best Group, Band or Duo R&B/Soul Single"
|-
|}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://myspace.com/3littlewomen 3LW] on MySpace
{{3LW}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:3lw}}
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1999]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2007]]
[[Category:So So Def Recordings artists]]
[[Category:Epic Records artists]]
[[Category:American contemporary R&B musical groups]]
[[Category:American pop girl groups]]
[[Category:American girl groups]]
[[Category:Teen pop groups]]
[[Category:1999 establishments in New Jersey]]