Hi-Five: Beating The Odds

Please introduce for me the members of Hi-Five…

Marcus Sanders

Treston Irby

Shannon Gill

Faruq Evans

Billy Covington

First things first, can we please address the “Elephant in the Room,” in order to get it out of the way right off the bat…In light of certain events surrounding your friend/group-mate Russell Neal and the horrible allegations against him — Do you all care to shed any light on this very tragic set of circumstances? Do you all have any thoughts and/or words that you all can offer to your “brother” during this devastating ordeal?

I just want to say our condolences go out to both families involved. Russ has not been part of the group for over 20 years.

Okay now that that’s been dealt with…Let’s hop right into this latest group offering “It’s Nothing” — Tell me about this particular track? How did it actually come to fruition?

“It’s Nothing” is a very urban, soulful record and we wanted to give the fans what they wanted, which is some ’90’s feel R&B.

With that being said, it’s been nearly nine long years since the masses last heard from you all — Where exactly have you all been? And, what all have you all been up to, both personally and professionally speaking, during this lengthy musical hiatus?

Treston Irby personally overcame gun violence — shot 5 (times) — and started his entertainment company, BRONX MOST WANTED ENTERTAINMENT [bronxmostwanted.com], and signed Hi-Five to it. Treston began with putting out a single entitled “Everything,” directed music videos [“Everything,” TRESTON IRBY YOUTUBE], basically just started to get ready for what we have today.

Why did you all opt to take so much time off between records?

*Laughs* I didn’t opt…It was the cards that Hi-Five was dealt. Group members were not on the same page honestly.

In having said that, what was it about NOW, in 20-14 specifically, that prompted you all to decide to make this “comeback?”

All the fans were askin’ ’bout Hi-Five every time I would do a show. So, I guess I heard it too much *More laughs* called Marcus [member] and was like, “You ready??” He was like, “Yes!” Then, we called Gil…Once all three was like, “YES!” We got Faruq and Billy [“cuzzos”], and here we are.

How has not only the business of music in general, but, even more-so, you all collectively, either changed and/or evolved since your whole inception into music?

The internet changed the whole game. Social media is big now and back then it really was not big. And, we can get closer to the fans faster. But, it has (its) downside, too, like free downloads, hacking, etcetera.

How does Hi-5 The EP either differ and/or compare to previous Hi-Five efforts?

Hi-5 (The) EP IS A MATURE SOUND…NO ONE IS IN THEIR TEENS! *Laughs again*

Longevity, what do you all attribute yours to?

GOD, HELP ME KEEP IT TOGETHER PRAYER.

Do you all have any other outside/additional future aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

I like to act and be on radio. Hell, anything that has to do with cameras! *Chuckles* Or a mic.

On a more serious note, are you all happy with the current state of R&B? And, as an extension to that question, when it comes to the overall sound-scape of today’s current music trends, where exactly do you all “fit in?”

R&B music today is cool, I guess, but lost some elements to me. Now, it’s more club, techno type/alien sounding stuff. Before, it was more musical with real instruments being played. Music you felt it, so we wanted to bring that element into our project HI-5 THE EP.

To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s)? And, looking ahead, say five or even ten years from now, where do you all see yourselves?

LOOKING AHEAD, I SEE MYSELF HANGING WITH THE BIG BOYS OUT THERE! I want to continue to be a blessing to people.

As for the immediate, what’s next for Hi-Five?

Shows and to drop a full CD is NEXT FOR HI-FIVE.

Lastly, and not to end on a somber note, but sadly back in June 2007 you all lost your brother/group-mate Tony Thompson from an accidental overdose — Can you please take a couple minutes to reflect and share with me how that loss has not only impacted the group as a whole, but also all of you individually as well? And, what do you want people to remember most about him and his legacy as the “original” lead vocalist of Hi-Five?

I’m fortunate and blessed to be able to share the stage with my brother Tony Thompson. Every day on the stage with him was magical. R.I.P.

Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?

The fans can follow our journey at: www.bronxmostwanted.com or Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at: @officialhifive.

Any “parting” words for our readers?

Just want to thanks the fans for sticking there with us through it all. And, please, find (in) your heart to embrace HI-FIVE OF NOW…

Interviewed By: Hype Staff

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