Janet Jackson’s success with Control was quickly followed by Jody Watley’s Grammy-winning debut album, and then the floodgates opened for pretty, young and hip dance/R&B females. After the initial salvo of Janet & Jody, Pebbles was the next to break through. With the help of the rising writing & production team of L.A. Reid & Babyface, her debut single, “Girlfriend,” sped towards the top of the charts in early 1988. It set the stage for her second single, “Mercedes Boy,” which is still probably her signature hit.
Boasting a less frenetic groove than “Girlfriend” and a coy, flirty vocal from Pebbles (born Perri McCissack and nicknamed due to her resemblance to Fred & Wilma Flintstone’s daughter,) the song peaked at #2 on the pop charts while becoming her second straight chart topper on the R&B list. It’s got a percolating rhythm, a catchy hook and great background vocals from The Gap Band’s Charlie Wilson (bet you didn’t know he wrote and produced this track.)
Pebbles’ self-titled debut is a keeper, and hung tough in a crowded field of influential R&B albums that were popular in 1988 (a list that includes New Edition’s Heart Break, Bobby Brown’s Don’t Be Cruel, and the debut albums from Guy, Keith Sweat and Al B. Sure!) She followed it up strongly with 1990’s Always, at which point she’d formed a romantic alliance with L.A Reid. She was responsible for discovering TLC, but things sort of took a turn later in the decade when TLC filed for bankruptcy (and sued to relieve Pebbles of her managerial duties) and she and Reid split up. A 1995 album flopped, and Pebbles eventually went into the ministry.
Most recently, Pebbles has been in the news fighting back against charges that she mismanaged the legendary girl group. Her portrayal in the recent TLC biopic angered her enough that she’s filed suit, looking for damages. This could get ugly, folks.
Also, me and my uncle had a heated discussion back in the day about Pebbles vs. Janet (Janet was in the “Pleasure Principle” stage of the game at this point.) I was Team Janet at this point, but it was a close race.
