Biography
Blending freestyle, dance-pop, and ballads over a sturdy R&B core, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam scored six major crossover successes between the mid-1980s and early 1990s. Vocalist Lisa Velez joined instrumentalists Mike Hughes and Alex “Spanador” Mosely along with the writing and production collective Full Force to launch their career in 1985 via the buoyant single “I Wonder if I Take You Home,” which propelled the platinum-certified album Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force. After entering the pop Top 40, the act climbed further with the album’s final Top Ten single “All Cried Out,” then claimed the top spot in 1987 with “Head to Toe” and “Lost in Emotion,” both drawn from their second LP, Spanish Fly. Two additional albums produced further Top 40 entries such as “Little Jackie Wants to Be a Star” and the Clivillés and Cole collaboration “Let the Beat Hit ’Em” before Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam disbanded. Lisa Velez launched her solo career with 1993’s LL 77, which included the Top 40 R&B/hip-hop single “Skip to My Lu.” Mosely later collaborated with Full Force and Poke & Tone; he and Hughes eventually rejoined forces with a new singer to perform and record as CultJam.
Born Lisa Velez in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen district, Lisa Lisa began performing in church choir and aspired to a recording career while employed at a clothing store. Inspired by Madonna’s discovery by DJ/producer Jellybean at the Funhouse, she slipped out after dark in hopes of a similar break. At that storied dance venue she encountered drummer and keyboardist Mike Hughes, a Brooklyn native and Full Force associate who also served as a roadie. Hughes, who was contemplating a new group, invited the hopeful vocalist to audition at the band’s East Flatbush headquarters. Full Force simultaneously sought to assemble their own ensemble modeled after a Motown act, envisioning a contemporary Supremes counterpart since a “new edition” of the Jackson 5 already existed. Lisa performed original songs by Hughes as well as Sheena Easton’s “For Your Eyes Only.” Full Force recognized in her the relatable voice they sought—one that everyday teenagers could readily sing along with.
Placed under Full Force’s management and production umbrella, the singer became Lisa Lisa while Hughes and guitarist-bassist Alex Mosely (aka Spanador, an original Living Colour member) formed Cult Jam. Drawing on their signature rhythm, shaped by Al Jackson, Jr.’s work on Otis Redding and Carla Thomas’ “Tramp” and the electro pulse of Afrika Bambaataa’s “Planet Rock,” Full Force assembled “I Wonder if I Take You Home.” Credited as “Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam with Full Force,” the project signed with local Personal Records, which licensed the track to CBS Records’ European division for the compilation Break Dancing. American club DJs spun the import before the set appeared stateside as Breakdancing. Released domestically on 12-inch by CBS, the single reached Billboard’s club chart in April 1985, hit number one, and crossed over to peak at number five R&B and number 34 pop. Lisa first heard it on radio while working the cash register. The gold-certified debut album was followed by the freestyle track “Can You Feel the Beat,” another Top Ten club hit, and the ballad “All Cried Out,” which climbed to number eight pop and number three R&B while earning gold status. Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force housed all three smashes and attained platinum.
Already featured on Full Force’s self-titled album, the trio continued with the production team for their second release, Spanish Fly. The stronger pop focus of the opening singles succeeded, as “Head to Toe” and “Lost in Emotion” topped both pop and R&B charts. “Someone to Love Me for Me,” a ballad co-written by Lisa, reached Top Ten R&B, joined by the more assertive fourth single “Everything Will B-Fine.” Spanish Fly rose to number seven on the pop and R&B charts and earned platinum. Between albums the group contributed “Go for Yours” to the Caddyshack 2 soundtrack and secured their seventh Top 20 R&B hit. Still working with Full Force, they issued 1989’s Straight to the Sky, highlighted by the cautionary yet buoyant “Little Jackie Wants to Be a Star,” their fifth Top 40 pop entry. “Just Git It Together,” a freestyle-house fusion assisted by U.T.F.O., became their fifth Top Ten club single. For the 1991 fourth album Straight Outta Hell’s Kitchen, production duties were divided: Robert Clivillés and David Cole of C+C Music Factory handled side one while Full Force covered side two. The Clivillés and Cole single “Let the Beat Hit ’Em” topped R&B and club charts at number 37 pop and went gold in summer 1991. The Full Force follow-up “Where Were You When I Needed You” reached number 65 R&B later that year. A cover of the Isley Brothers’ quiet-storm classic “Sensuality” underscored Lisa’s continuing vocal growth.
Following four albums, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam parted ways. Lisa reemerged solo on the Elektra-distributed Pendulum label, collaborating with Giovanni Salah, Junior Vazquez, Nona Hendryx, Jill Jones, and Guru. “Skip to My Lu” reintroduced her in 1993, reaching number 38 R&B ahead of the early 1994 release of LL 77. Like prior releases, the album defied categorization by merging hip-hop soul, acid jazz, and house while occasionally rocking. Lisa sustained performing and began acting with a recurring role on the teen sitcom Taina plus an appearance on Law & Order. In 2009, backed by Mass Appeal, she issued her second solo album Life ’n Love, which referenced her earlier work, explored her heritage, and remained contemporary. The funky “Rock into Your Soul” reunited her with Tony Moran, whose Latin Rascals partnership with Albert Cabrera produced the 1985 Lisa Lisa-sampling single “Lisa’s Coming.” Originally featured on Moran’s The Event, the track appeared alongside the flamenco-tinged bilingual dance number “Que Locura” and spanned mature pop to sophisticated contemporary R&B.
Over the subsequent decade-and-a-half Lisa continued touring and released independent singles including “Rain,” “No Lloraré Mas,” and a new version of “All Cried Out.” The latter two surfaced in 2024 as Lisa honored her Nuyorican salsa roots. Meanwhile Mike Hughes and Alex Mosely joined a fresh vocalist to perform and record as CultJam. Between the original breakup and this new formation, Mosely worked with Full Force and Poke & Tone, co-writing material for Cheryl Pepsii Riley, Avant, and LL Cool J. CultJam released the album CultJam Love in 2024.
Born Lisa Velez in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen district, Lisa Lisa began performing in church choir and aspired to a recording career while employed at a clothing store. Inspired by Madonna’s discovery by DJ/producer Jellybean at the Funhouse, she slipped out after dark in hopes of a similar break. At that storied dance venue she encountered drummer and keyboardist Mike Hughes, a Brooklyn native and Full Force associate who also served as a roadie. Hughes, who was contemplating a new group, invited the hopeful vocalist to audition at the band’s East Flatbush headquarters. Full Force simultaneously sought to assemble their own ensemble modeled after a Motown act, envisioning a contemporary Supremes counterpart since a “new edition” of the Jackson 5 already existed. Lisa performed original songs by Hughes as well as Sheena Easton’s “For Your Eyes Only.” Full Force recognized in her the relatable voice they sought—one that everyday teenagers could readily sing along with.
Placed under Full Force’s management and production umbrella, the singer became Lisa Lisa while Hughes and guitarist-bassist Alex Mosely (aka Spanador, an original Living Colour member) formed Cult Jam. Drawing on their signature rhythm, shaped by Al Jackson, Jr.’s work on Otis Redding and Carla Thomas’ “Tramp” and the electro pulse of Afrika Bambaataa’s “Planet Rock,” Full Force assembled “I Wonder if I Take You Home.” Credited as “Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam with Full Force,” the project signed with local Personal Records, which licensed the track to CBS Records’ European division for the compilation Break Dancing. American club DJs spun the import before the set appeared stateside as Breakdancing. Released domestically on 12-inch by CBS, the single reached Billboard’s club chart in April 1985, hit number one, and crossed over to peak at number five R&B and number 34 pop. Lisa first heard it on radio while working the cash register. The gold-certified debut album was followed by the freestyle track “Can You Feel the Beat,” another Top Ten club hit, and the ballad “All Cried Out,” which climbed to number eight pop and number three R&B while earning gold status. Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force housed all three smashes and attained platinum.
Already featured on Full Force’s self-titled album, the trio continued with the production team for their second release, Spanish Fly. The stronger pop focus of the opening singles succeeded, as “Head to Toe” and “Lost in Emotion” topped both pop and R&B charts. “Someone to Love Me for Me,” a ballad co-written by Lisa, reached Top Ten R&B, joined by the more assertive fourth single “Everything Will B-Fine.” Spanish Fly rose to number seven on the pop and R&B charts and earned platinum. Between albums the group contributed “Go for Yours” to the Caddyshack 2 soundtrack and secured their seventh Top 20 R&B hit. Still working with Full Force, they issued 1989’s Straight to the Sky, highlighted by the cautionary yet buoyant “Little Jackie Wants to Be a Star,” their fifth Top 40 pop entry. “Just Git It Together,” a freestyle-house fusion assisted by U.T.F.O., became their fifth Top Ten club single. For the 1991 fourth album Straight Outta Hell’s Kitchen, production duties were divided: Robert Clivillés and David Cole of C+C Music Factory handled side one while Full Force covered side two. The Clivillés and Cole single “Let the Beat Hit ’Em” topped R&B and club charts at number 37 pop and went gold in summer 1991. The Full Force follow-up “Where Were You When I Needed You” reached number 65 R&B later that year. A cover of the Isley Brothers’ quiet-storm classic “Sensuality” underscored Lisa’s continuing vocal growth.
Following four albums, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam parted ways. Lisa reemerged solo on the Elektra-distributed Pendulum label, collaborating with Giovanni Salah, Junior Vazquez, Nona Hendryx, Jill Jones, and Guru. “Skip to My Lu” reintroduced her in 1993, reaching number 38 R&B ahead of the early 1994 release of LL 77. Like prior releases, the album defied categorization by merging hip-hop soul, acid jazz, and house while occasionally rocking. Lisa sustained performing and began acting with a recurring role on the teen sitcom Taina plus an appearance on Law & Order. In 2009, backed by Mass Appeal, she issued her second solo album Life ’n Love, which referenced her earlier work, explored her heritage, and remained contemporary. The funky “Rock into Your Soul” reunited her with Tony Moran, whose Latin Rascals partnership with Albert Cabrera produced the 1985 Lisa Lisa-sampling single “Lisa’s Coming.” Originally featured on Moran’s The Event, the track appeared alongside the flamenco-tinged bilingual dance number “Que Locura” and spanned mature pop to sophisticated contemporary R&B.
Over the subsequent decade-and-a-half Lisa continued touring and released independent singles including “Rain,” “No Lloraré Mas,” and a new version of “All Cried Out.” The latter two surfaced in 2024 as Lisa honored her Nuyorican salsa roots. Meanwhile Mike Hughes and Alex Mosely joined a fresh vocalist to perform and record as CultJam. Between the original breakup and this new formation, Mosely worked with Full Force and Poke & Tone, co-writing material for Cheryl Pepsii Riley, Avant, and LL Cool J. CultJam released the album CultJam Love in 2024.
Albums
Playlist: The Very Best Of Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
2010
The Very Best Of (Re-Recorded / Remastered Versions)
2010
Super Hits
1997
STRAIGHT OUTTA HELL'S KITCHEN
1991
Let The Beat Hit 'Em (Part 2) EP
1991
Let The Beat Hit 'Em - The Remixes
1991
Straight To The Sky
1989
Spanish Fly
1987
Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam with Full Force (Expanded Edition)
1985