Don't Expect A Karaoke Set From BLACKstreet

The R&B vocal group BLACKstreet nearly didn't cut their slammin' 1996 signature song No Diggity, featuring Dr Dre and Queen Pen. When then resident super-producer Teddy Riley presented it, the others were initially unsure. "It was such a different record," recalls Chauncey "Black" Hannibal.

No Diggity hasn't lost its currency. Says Hannibal, "I wouldn't even call it a 'classic' because it just stays so relevant all the time." No Diggity has been covered widely - notably by Aussie electro-soul hipster Chet Faker (aka Nick Murphy) nearly five years ago. Murphy's viral version was licensed for a Beck's beer ad that aired during the Super Bowl. "He did a wonderful job," Hannibal extols. Indeed, the American singer has another reason to be happy about No Diggity's longevity. "I'm still getting royalties off just that record, man - it's incredible!"

"I'm still getting royalties off just that record, man - it's incredible!"

With the exuberant Hannibal accompanied by Levi Little, Mark Middleton and Eric Williams, BLACKstreet will be hitting RnB Fridays Live - a celebration of '90s urban music. The quartet previously toured Australian clubs last year.

Riley, who pioneered New Jack Swing, started BLACKstreet with Hannibal after his earlier vehicle Guy fell apart. They premiered with the single Baby Be Mine in 1993. While the group's eponymous debut on Interscope established them in the R&B scene (the Michael Jackson co-write Joy was a leftover from Dangerous!), they became a pop phenom with Another Level - home to No Diggity and the fan fave Don't Leave Me. Alas, BLACKstreet's third album Finally floundered - despite Janet Jackson gracing Girlfriend/Boyfriend. BLACKstreet split. The posse eventually reunited for 2003's Level II - but it, too, was slept-on and so they dissolved again.

BLACKstreet have long experienced line-up reshuffles, but Hannibal is the constant. Nevertheless, a power struggle between Hannibal and Riley intensified recently with them battling over the trademark to BLACKstreet's name - now owned by the former. Hannibal is diplomatic. "I wish things could work, but I'm tired of changing different members and showing people different guys that didn't embrace this brand that we have - 'cause the brand is just bigger than all of us."

One of BLACKstreet's coolest songs isn't on their 2003 Best Of - and that's The City Is Mine, off Jay Z's In My Lifetime, Vol 1. It flips Glenn Frey's You Belong To The City from Miami Vice. Might BLACKstreet revive it Down Under as a tribute to the late Eagle? "Hey, hey, hey - you never know," Hannibal laughs. "You may hear it and be like, 'Oh my God!'" He does hint that BLACKstreet will be joined by co-headliner Mya for Take Me There - their collab off The Rugrats OST. Either way, expect to hear all BLACKstreet songs - and no covers. "We're not going in doing karaoke with anybody else's records," Hannibal promises.

And Hannibal really will bring the party to RnB Fridays Live. "That's my birthday weekend," he flosses. "The birthday boy is coming to Australia - it's gonna be party, party!"

Surprisingly, BLACKstreet may yet release new material, Hannibal reveals. "When we come back after the Australia run, we're gonna jump back in the studio and see what we can cook up."