Sisqo

Sisqó had already achieved notable recognition prior to his sudden ascent as a superstar in summer 2000, driven by the notorious single "Thong Song." Although his name remained unfamiliar to many, audiences knew his voice well through his role in the hugely popular '90s R&B collective Dru Hill. The year 2000 nevertheless transformed him into a household name via the release of his first solo record, Unleash the Dragon. Its scandalous yet heavily rotated MTV video for "Thong Song" carried the album to the summit of the charts, soon joined by the major follow-up hit "Incomplete." By year's end his youthful appearance, sculpted physique, fashionable wardrobe, and distinctive hairstyle had turned him into a full-blown cultural phenomenon, reinforced by constant MTV presence. A year after the initial breakout of "Thong Song," he delivered his next album Return of Dragon while accumulating an impressive roster of acting commitments that reinforced his stardom, even as broader popularity faded over the next decade.

Born Mark Andrews in Baltimore, Maryland, Sisqó had not yet adopted his signature dyed hair or tattoos when he formed Dru Hill in 1995 with high-school peers Jazz, Nokio, and Woody. Their self-titled debut appeared in 1996 and drew early notice for Keith Sweat's production. The group quickly distinguished itself with the major R&B single "Tell Me." Sisqó returned to the airwaves in 1998 on the second Dru Hill album, Enter the Dru. Capitalizing on that momentum, he issued his solo debut Unleash the Dragon the following summer. Its hit singles drove the project to multi-platinum sales and paved the way for acting ventures that began with a role in the teen comedy Get Over It, followed by a development deal with NBC and a five-picture agreement with Miramax.

After commercially successful guest appearances on DMX's "What These B*****s Want" and Lil' Kim's "How Many Licks" kept his profile high during studio sessions, Sisqó resurfaced in summer 2001 with Return of Dragon, seeking to establish that "Thong Song" had been no mere novelty. Teddy Riley's production on the lead single "Can I Live" positioned the album for major impact, while Def Soul's intensive marketing push—centered on heavy MTV exposure and targeted teen promotion—secured strong results. Although he rejoined Dru Hill for later projects, including albums in 2002 and 2010, plus scattered reality-television appearances, fourteen years elapsed before his next solo release. At the close of 2014 he confirmed completion of the final installment in his "dragon trilogy," and Last Dragon arrived the following February through Massenburg Media.