Here is an article on VEGA in the February 2000 issue of VIBE Magazine. Be sure to pick up a copy at your local newstand or bookstore.
VEGA Future of the funk
And the rockets red glaaare..." harmonize Detroit quartet Vega in front of the college students who've filled an auditorium at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro. The guests of honor at the University's seminar on making it in the music biz are giving "The Star-Spangled Banner" a stirring soul breakdown. Brothers Ahsohn, 22, and Eugene Williams, 23, thier cousin Jason Chenevert, 19, and pal Tennell Williams, 21, are on a grassroots promotional tour of historically black colleges for their debut album, Life on Earth.
As the first act spawned from Capitol Records' joint venture with Dallas Austin's Freeworld Entertainment label, Vega are expected to bring the unexpected. From the Prada-meets-The Matrix style of their matching stage gear to the bionic bump and grind of cuts like "Playette" and leadoff single "Let Me Get It," their vibe can be described, in Jason's words, as "virtual pop and R&B"-a merging of old-school harmonizing and high-tech sonic styling.
"I was really adamant that we have a Euro R&B album,' Austin says. "If there's any group I wanted to model Vega after, it's Kraftwerk. Once you get through the futuristic part, there's a real natural feel." Austin, the studio Svengali behind smashes for TLC and Boyz II Men, came up with the groups out-of-this-world moniker. "Vega is the brightest star in the constellation Lyra," says Eugene. "We want to be stars...it just fits."
When Vega finish their performance, a new fan in the audience asks, "When are you gonna get all iced out?" The groups Motor City work ethic twinkles through the response: "We let our talent shine more than our chains," Ahsohn says, grinning. Bling bling, fellas.-Matt Diehl
photo by Butch Belair
