Shamari DeVoe (formerly Fears) is an American actress, singer, and dancer. She was the lead singer of the girl R&B and pop ensemble Blaque, going by the name Shamari. She was born in Detroit, raised in Atlanta, Georgia, and has always had a strong passion for music. Fears, who frequently credits Mariah Carey as an influence, came in second for her performance of Carey’s “Hero” in her school’s talent competition. Initially, Fears was a member of the group Intrigue, but soon after, it split up. Fears then joined Natina Reed, a friend from high school, in the group Blaque. The trio went on to release two albums during the ensuing years and was once regarded as one of the most promising new talent combinations in the music business. Fears started giving solo performances in 2005. After nearly ten years, Blaque finally disbanded in 2008. The band came back together in July 2012 and proceeded to work on a new record. However, the group disbanded once more following the sad death of Reed in October.
Career of Shamari Fears
During her middle and high school years, Shamari Fears began giving public performances and created the country-urban female group Buutz. She created rumors of signing a record deal since she was so confident in her ability to achieve. She started another organization, which she called Intrigue, after the other one split up.
In high school, Fears met Natina Reed, who had also just come to Atlanta. Reed started Blaque as Fears worked with Intrigue and signed a record deal with Elektra Records. Brandi Williams and Fears subsequently met at a talent show. Williams followed Reed’s example and stayed in Blaque. Through Ronald Lopes, Lucy “Left Eye” Lopes’ brother, Reed got to know the TLC member. The girls caught Lopes’ attention, so she offered them a job at her own production firm, Left Eye Productions.
In 1997, the group made their debut in Lil’ Kim’s “Not Tonight (Remix)” music video. Their self-titled debut album was made available through the Trackmasters and Columbia labels on June 1, 1999. The album received the RIAA’s platinum certification after debuting at number 23 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart and number 53 on the official Billboard 200. The album’s debut song, “808,” garnered positive reviews from both reviewers and fans and was awarded a gold certification.
As one of the openings acts for boy band ‘N Sync’ on tour in the middle of 1999, Blaque performed. A year later, Fears and the rest of the band were cast as cheerleaders in the adolescent comedy classic Bring It On.
The release of their second album, “Blaque Out,” which was slated for 2001, was postponed after Columbia Records canceled their contract. It was eventually made available on January 29, 2002, nevertheless. The 15-track album received high praise from Blaque’s followers despite not being as well received as their debut album.
Lopes died in a car accident on April 25, 2002, in La Ceiba, Honduras. After that, Blaque agreed to a recording contract with Elektra Records and got to work on their third album.
Despite having Missy Elliott, Linda Perry, and Rodney Jerkins on the third album they planned to release, “Torch” was ultimately dropped. There were discussions in 2008 about releasing the finished album just on iTunes, but those discussions came to nothing.
By the year 2005, Fears had switched her attention to developing a solo career and had joined forces with Darkchild Records. Nevertheless, Blaque got back together to start recording their fourth album, titled “Private Show.” Even though the record was finished in 2009, it was never made public.
Additionally, “Blaque in the House,” their television program, had not been picked up. They decided to go their separate ways after releasing the singles “Cut You Off,” “All Nighter,” “Blue Jeans,” and “High Definition” on YouTube.
Three years later, on July 28, 2012, Fears performed their most well-known track, “808,” with Reed and Williams at the Left Eye Music Festival in Decatur, Georgia. Following the performance, they were called by Inga “Nandi” Willis, artist management, who presented them with a contract for their upcoming album and a reality television series.
Unfortunately, on October 26, 2012, a car accident claimed the life of Reed. Fears were devastated by Reed’s passing because they had both grown up together. Soon after, she and Williams decided to split up. Their song, “Cut You Off,” was later posted online, nevertheless.
Individual Life of Shamari Fears
On February 22, 1980, in Detroit, Michigan, Shamari Jaqua Wright-Fears was given the name Shamari Fears. As early as age three, she started singing. Fears were heavily influenced by Mariah Carey and the rich musical history of Atlanta after her family relocated there in the middle of the 1980s in Georgia.
On March 10th, 2006, Fears wed Ronald Boyd “Ronnie” DeVoe Jr., a member of Bell Biv DeVoe and New Edition, an R&B/pop combo. In the latter part of 2017, she gave birth to their twin sons, Ronald and Roman.
Shamari Fears Net Worth
American R&B singer, dancer, and actress Shamari Fears has a $4 million dollar fortune. In February 1980, Shamari Fears was born in Detroit, Michigan. She is well recognized for the singing lead for the band Blaque. The group was established in 1996, and their debut studio album of the same name peaked at #23 on the US R&B chart and #53 on the Billboard 200 list. The Billboard Hot 100 list saw their singles “808” and “Bring It All to Me” both in the Top 10. On the 2001 Bell Biv DeVoe album Da Hot S***, Fears was also included. She performed as an actress in the films Bring It On and Honey. She started appearing in the reality TV show The Real Housewives of Atlanta in 2018. Fears have made appearances in the music videos for Lil’ Kim’s “Ladies Night” and Ludacris’ “Welcome To Atlanta.” Shamari Fears and fellow musician Ronnie DeVoe have been wed since 2006.
Trivia
Fears graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology.