大象传媒

In the US, Destiny鈥檚 Child raised the stakes with their futuristic take on R&B. At the end of 2001, they would release the definitive anthem for female empowerment, Independent Women, for the Charlie鈥檚 Angel soundtrack.

But in the UK, Mis-Teeq were pushing boundaries too: they were sassy, grown up and brought MCing to the fore. They paved the way for black British women in pop music.

And so did Cleopatra. In the late-90s, the Manchester-based sibling trio were among the first girlbands to almost crack the States. They were signed to Madonna's US label, had their own TV show and even an immortal catchphrase.

So what happened?

And will Mis-Teeq ever reform?

In this episode we hear from: Su-Elise Nash of Mis-Teeq, Cleopatra Higgins of Cleopatra, Amy Love and Georgia South from Nova Twins, DJ Matt Jam Lamont, journalist Michael Cragg and DJ/producer Eliza Rose.

Presenter: Mollie King
Producer: Kate Hutchinson
Written by: Kate Hutchinson
Assistant Producer: Nadine Peters
Additional production: Holly Fisher
Script consultants: Owen Myers, Sharon O鈥機onnell
Mix Engineer: Gareth Isles
Executive Producer: Joe Haddow
Commissioning producers: Jonathan O鈥橲ullivan, Sarah Gosling
Commissioner for 大象传媒 Music: Will Wilkin