SWV to Release ‘It’s About Time’ Pink Vinyl

Available Everywhere Vinyl Is Sold July 17th.

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Celebrate the timeless sound of one of our absolute favorites, SWV with their debut studio album, “It’s About Time,” on stunning translucent pink vinyl.

Available everywhere vinyl is sold on July 17th.

This album redefined 90s R&B, featuring chart-topping anthems like “Weak” and “Right Here,” which continues to resonate with fans and influence artists today.

Each track embodies the group’s signature harmonies and emotional depth.

“It’s About Time” remains a cultural touchstone, proving that SWV’s impact is as enduring as ever.

SWV emerged from the projects and conquered the world of music. Founded in the early 90s, they incorporated New Jack Swing & Hip Hop into their style of R&B. Making them a stand-out group, from the rest of their peers. With their tomboyish street soul, down to earth personalities, beauty and extreme talent…the world wasn’t ready, for what they were about to bring.

New York City-bred Cheryl “Coko” Clemons, Tamara Johnson-George and Leanne “Lelee” Lyons make up the trio known as SWV (Sisters With Voices).

The music for them started in their Brooklyn and Bronx school days as Female Edition, their so-called female answer to New Edition. Then it wasn’t to be stars themselves, they just wanted to meet NE. Having already gained the invaluable experience of singing weekly before a church congregation, Coko (whose mother is a noted gospel vocalist) and Lelee, as well as Taj, who attended a performing arts high school, had all the raw materials for building a successful music career. Motivated by their mutual quest for a career in music, as well as promising talent show performances, all three remained dedicated until fate led them to producer Donald “Dee” Bowden, who took them into the studio to record demos, and to their manager, Maureen Singleton, who landed them a contract with RCA Records.

In 1992 they dropped their debut album, “It’s About Time.” The album was recorded in six months.

SWV‘s debut album scored a string of top ten R&B hits. To be clear, every single released from the album hit the Top 10. “I’m So Into You”, “Right Here”, “Downtown”, “You’re Always on my Mind” and the classic “Weak.” “Weak” sold 50,000 singles in one day. This established the trio as a commercial force in early 1993. Teddy Riley helped the group craft their sound further with “Right Here/Human Nature, the remix to their hit “Right Here.”” The remix features samples of Michael Jackson’s hit, “Human Nature.” The remix also went #1 on the R&B charts, for seven weeks to be exact and went #2 on the Pop charts. “I had no goals honestly [when we started], I just wanted to get out of the hood. I had no idea that SWV would become so big!” Coko recently told UB.

SWV’s remix of “Anything” with Wu Tang Clan was released from the Above the Rim soundtrack and became a top R&B hit in the spring of 1994. The single went gold. All of this was achieved on the strength of Coko‘s voice and SWV‘s round-the-way girl appeal. Subsequently “SWV: The Remixes” was another gold seller for the group which featured the hits thus far from the ladies.

“It’s About Time” would go on to sell more than 5 million records worldwide, and would become the #2 best selling album of 1993. As LeLee once stated, SWV didn’t have an image, they were just being themselves with the first release. However Coko was known for her four-inch fingernails, which started a trend in the hood.

SWV garnered enormous attention with “It’s About Time.” They received nominations for a Grammy Award, an American Music Award and The Source Award in 1993. They won a Children’s Choice Award and a BET “Best of Video Soul” Award. The ladies also wowed audiences on a national tour with Bobby Brown. They were the “poster girls” for Cross Colours, appeared on “The Tonight Show,” “Arsenio Hall,” “New York Undercover,” hosted “Showtime At The Apollo,” and were chronicled in several notable publications, such as People, Us, Ebony, Essence, USA Today and Vibe.