Riplay

Inspired by the upbeat approach of earlier pop-R&B acts like SWV and TLC, the trio Riplay issued their first recordings in 2016 before securing a Def Jam deal in 2017. The Baltimore, Maryland-based outfit consists of vocalists and songwriters Marshaye "Shaye" Hebron, Alaiza "Lay" Hebron, and Kiya "Ki" Hawthorne, who came together during their teenage years. After entering a production arrangement with Melvin Watson of Phantom Boyz Music (Christina Aguilera, Alexandra Burke), tracks such as "Strange" and "Hate Me" attracted Def Jam's attention and resulted in a contract offer for the three singers. By late 2017 the Hebrons and Hawthorne saw their song "Status" issued on the major label. The following year Watson's imprint put out Riplay's Globe Life EP, a six-track project that included a guest spot from Maino.