Kut Klose

About Kut Klose

Kut Klose emerged from Atlanta in the mid-90s as part of that whole R&B girl group wave, though they never quite hit the same commercial heights as TLC or SWV. The trio consisted of Athena Cage, Lavonn Battle, and Tabitha Duncan, and they had something most groups didn't: Keith Sweat as their mentor and producer. That connection got them signed to his Keia Records imprint under Elektra.

Their 1995 debut "Surrender" actually produced some notable tracks. "I Like" made it to number one on the R&B charts, built around this sample from Quincy Jones' "Body Heat" that gave it this low-key sultry vibe. The production was smoother than most of what was happening in R&B at the time, less new jack swing and more bedroom grooves. "Get Up On It" also charted, and the album went gold, which wasn't nothing for a debut group in that era.

What set Kut Klose apart, when anyone was paying attention, was their harmonies. They weren't doing the aggressive, in-your-face vocals that were trendy. It was more restrained, more mature, the kind of thing that worked better on late-night quiet storm radio than TRL. They contributed "Lovely Thang" to the "Jason's Lyric" soundtrack in 1994, before their album even dropped, and it got them some early visibility.

The problem was timing and momentum. By the time they released their sophomore album "Surrender" in 2000, the music landscape had shifted pretty dramatically. Destiny's Child was dominating, and the whole R&B girl group formula was either going pop or going home. The second album didn't make much noise commercially, and the group went quiet after that.

Athena Cage ended up having the most visible solo career, releasing an album called "Awake" in 2008 and doing some acting. She showed up on TV One's "Unsung" in 2018, which is typically where 90s R&B acts end up telling their stories when the nostalgia circuit comes calling. The episode covered the usual territory: industry struggles, financial issues, group tensions.

These days Kut Klose exists mostly as a footnote in 90s R&B history, the kind of group that people remember if they were really into the genre during that period. They pop up on throwback playlists and 90s R&B package tours occasionally. "I Like" still gets spins on old-school R&B stations, and it holds up better than a lot of mid-90s production.

They were never going to be superstars, but they made solid music during a ridiculously competitive era for R&B. That counts for something, even if it doesn't come with the legacy or the reunion tour money.

Kut Klose brought smooth, intimate energy to smaller venues and festivals. The crowd was there for grown-up R&B, not hype. Shows had that '90s club feel with people actually listening rather than just present.

Known for I Like, Yeah, Pussy Got Your Man, Lilac Wine

See Kut Klose Live