Koffee Brown

Koffee Brown achieved significant acclaim through their initial release "After Party," a smooth jazzy dance track that began its ascent on the charts during December 2000 and appeared on their first Arista album titled Mars/Venus. The pair filled a gap for male and female vocal combinations prevalent at that moment and gained quick acceptance. At the recommendation of Clive Davis, who heads J Records and serves as a seasoned industry professional formerly leading Arista, the singer/songwriters Fonz and Vee were paired. Kay Gee went on to launch his own Divine Mill Records, whose roster included Jaheim and Allstar; the latter produced "After Party" and joined Teddy Riley to co-produce Joe's R&B/pop chart-topper "Stutter." R.L. of Next urged Fonz to depart his native Mississippi for an audition with Kay Gee in Minnesota. East Orange, New Jersey-born Vee, a longtime neighborhood friend of Kay Gee, had already toured as a background singer alongside Mary J. Blige and Faith Evans. Mars/Venus, the duo's sole album, delivered an enticing debut that proved at times silly, scathing, sexy, and sweet. The Top Ten R&B success of "After Party" helped the project reach number 32 on the Billboard 200, after which the duo split.