3LW

3LW (short for "3 Little Women") is an American pop/R&B singing girl group that enjoyed a number of hits during the early 2000s. Its founding members, Naturi Naughton (born May 20, 1984 in East Orange, New Jersey), Adrienne Bailon (born October 24, 1983 in Manhattan, New York), and Kiely Williams (born July 9, 1986 in Alexandria, Virginia), signed with Epic Records, with Kiely's mother Michele Williams serving as manager.

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Their first single, "No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)", was released in early 2001. "No More" was a success and was followed by the second single, "Playas Gon' Play", and the group's debut album, 3LW.

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3LW spent the first half of 2002 in the studio, recording an album tentatively titled Same Game, Different Rules. The album and its intended lead single "Uh Oh" were presented to the label, who felt it didn't have enough urban radio appeal. The tracks from Same Game, Different Rules were leaked to the Internet in MP3 format, and Epic considered dropping the girls. A fan support campaign for 3LW spread to the radio, and the act was retained on the label.

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Recording a new set of tracks, 3LW returned in late summer of 2002 with the P. Diddy-produced single "I Do (Wanna Get Close To You)", featuring Loon. The group was set to release its newest LP, A Girl Can Mack, when Naturi Naughton announced that she was no longer a member of the group. Naughton alleged that the other two girls and their manager forced her out of the group and that she left in the aftermath of a heated food fight between her and Kiely Williams.

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Williams and Adrienne Bailon continued as a duo, though still using the "3LW" name, leading to the press to jokingly refer to them as "2LW". After their late 2002 single "Never Get Enuf" underperformed, auditions were held across the country for a new third member. Jessica Benson made the cut and officially joined 3LW in December.

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In fall 2003, 3LW departed from Epic, signing with Jermaine Dupri's So So Def label. The group's latest album, Phoenix Rising, was originally slated for release later that same year; the title has since changed to "Point Of No Return" and is due out Fall 2005. The lead single from this album is Rich Harrison produced "Do Ya" and leaked to radio station and the internet in the last week of July.

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Besides their singing work, 3LW has appeared as guest stars on Christina Vidal's Nickelodeon show Taina and in the film The Cheetah Girls.

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