UNV II formerly U.N.V. (Universal Nubian Voices) became the first urban act signed to Madonna’s label,
Maverick/Warner Bros. Records, in 1993. UNV’s deal came shortly after recording their first hit single
“Something’s Goin’ On” which received local radio airplay on Detroit’s WJLB. The single made it to #1 on
the R&R Urban Contemporary chart. Billboard records include #3 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles, #29
on the Hot 100, and #15 on the Rhythmic Top 40. The similarly titled album made it to #7 on the Top
R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The second single, “Straight to My Heart,” reached #36 on the Hot R&B/Hip
Hop Singles chart. UNV released its second album in 1995 self-titled Universal Nubian Voices. Their
single “So in Love with You” charted #14 on the Rhythmic Top 40 and continues to be one of the greatest
wedding songs of all time.
During UNV’s tenure with Maverick, the group worked with some of the industry’s leading artists and
producers including Madonna, David Foster, Brian McKnight, Eric Clapton, Nile Rodgers, Boys II Men,
Jodeci, Shai, Silk, New Edition, EnVogue, R.Kelly, Intro, Joe, Gerald Levert, Tevin Campbell, and many
others.
Shortly after the original group dissolved in 1996, one of the founding members
and lead singers, J.Poww, went on to pursue his hip-hop career and co-founded
his first independent label called Tre-J Records. His first independent release was
for rap duo J & The Phatman who made monumental strides as the first music
artists from Michigan to appear on Yo! MTVRaps. Chart-topping producers Soul
Shock and Karlin, who produced artists such as Tupac Shakur, Usher, Whitney
Houston, and Toni Braxton, produced J & The Phatman’s first single, “Keep It
Comin (1996).”
Over the years, J.Poww released several projects under his independent label, Powwer Moves Records.
Albums include Solo Mission (2000), Poww Bros (2003), and back-to-back solo projects as follows: The
Headliner (2009), Journey of a Man (2010), hip-hop album Split Personality (2011), Where is the Love
(2012), and his latest urban gospel album Savior Made (2014).
Today UNV II consists of founding member J.Poww and three new members Terry Thomas, Bryon “Suge”
McClendon, and Jeff “JAS” Stuart.
Terry Thomas’ voice has appeared on several commercial jingles and he’s
worked with many industry professionals on various musical projects including
Mario Winans, Michael Powell, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Vanessa Bell Armstrong,
Daryl Coley, Ronnie Laws, Howard Hewitt, David Hollister, Althea Rene' and
Con Funk Shun.
Byron “Suge” McClendon enjoyed singing gospel with a few other groups before
joining UNV II, bringing his unique bass baritone voice.
Completing the quartet, Jeff “JAS” Stuart began his
musical career at the age of 10 singing for the Detroit
Symphony Orchestra. He also sang with Thomas
Whitfield and company in the play Perilous Times starring
Yolanda Adams and Karen Clark Sheard.
Currently, UNV II is working on a new album, Kings of the Quiet Storm, scheduled to be released early
2016.
Copyright © 2015. Powwer Moves Records