IV Xample was an American vocal quartet who recorded successfully in the 1990s and are best remembered for the single "I'd Rather Be Alone" from their gold debut MCA Records album ''For Example''. The original members were Andre "Dre" Allen, Robert "Bobby C" Chevis (aka Athemus Chevis), his brother Raymond "Runni Rae" Chevis, and Bryant "Lucious" Woodert. The group formed in

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, and first recorded for

MCA Records MCA Records was an American record label owned by MCA Inc. established in 1972, though MCA had released recordings under that name in the UK from the 1960s. The label achieved success in the 1970s through the 1980s, often by acquiring other ...

in 1995. Their first single, "The Swang," achieved popular local radio play in Los Angeles on 92.3 The Beat and went on to number 1 on the station's popular "4 Play at 4" segment that showcased up and coming local artists. After the song gained popularity, a bidding war between Virgin Records, Giant, and MCA Records took place with MCA coming out the best choice for the group. Upon signing to MCA, they achieved greater commercial success with their next single, "I'd Rather Be Alone," which reached number 44 on both the ''Billboard''

Hot 100 The ''Billboard'' Hot 100, also known as simply the Hot 100, is the music industry standard record chart in the United States for songs, published weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine. Chart rankings are based on sales (physical and digital), o ...

and Top 40 status on the

R&B charts The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart ranks the most popular R&B and hip hop songs in the United States and is published weekly by ''Billboard''. Rankings are based on a measure of radio airplay, sales data, and streaming activity. The chart had 100 po ...

. The follow-up, "From the Fool," made number 95 on the R&B charts. They released an album, ''For Example'',''For Example'' at Discogs.com
/ref> and toured

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and elsewhere. Soon afterward however, Bobby Chevis left the group for a solo career. His recording "Why-Oh-Why," under the name B.C., was a ''Billboard'' Hot 100 pop hit in 1999. The group then split up, with Andre "Dre" Allen later having success as a performer, releasing three solo albums for Tommy Boy Records and his own label Movemakers Entertainment. He also worked as a songwriter, producer and director writing for artists such as

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Master P Percy Robert Miller (born April 29, 1967), better known by his stage name Master P, is an American rapper, record producer, record executive, dancer, actor and entrepreneur. He founded the record label No Limit Records in 1991, which was relau ...

Lil Romeo Percy Romeo Miller Jr. (born August 19, 1989), also known by his stage name Romeo (formerly Lil' Romeo), is an American rapper, singer, actor and television personality. He gained fame as a rapper in the early 2000s after signing with his father, ...

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and

Jesse Powell Jesse Powell (September 12, 1970 – September 13, 2022) was an American R&B and soul singer. Discovered by Louil Silas Jr., Powell was best known for his hit "You", which peaked at No. 2 on the R&B chart and No. 10 on the ''Billboard'' Hot ...

References

External links

"90's R & B group IV Xample is back on the scene!"
– press release announcing 2010 reunion {{DEFAULTSORT:Iv Xample African-American musical groups American contemporary R&B musical groups Musical groups from Los Angeles Musical quartets from California American soul musical groups MCA Records artists Universal Music Group artists