[3] Later, friends Trisco Pearson (October 23, 1962 – September 16, 2016) and Charles "Mercury" Nelson (December 19, 1964 – March 9, 1995) from the Mariners Harbor housing projects joined the group.

The group began performing on Times Square, New York City street corners and during trips on the Staten Island ferry.

[2] They gained even more credibility and respect from local fans after competing in an emcee lyrical battle against the well known Cold Crush Brothers from the Bronx in 1983.

(With the exception of their first album, the group was the first act on Tommy Boy to have major-label distribution through its then-parent Warner Bros.

[4] "Tender Love" was also one of the tracks that helped Jam & Lewis garner a Grammy Award for Producer of the Year.

A fourth album, Step to Me, was released in 1990, which featured record production by Full Force, Marley Marl, Monte Moir (of the band The Time), and others.

[8] One of its songs, “Tender Love,” was covered by Jordan Knight, Kenny Thomas, Usher, Uncle Sam, Alicia Keys, and Meshell Ndegeocello.