II D Extreme
II D Extreme started out as a trio comprised of Randy Gill (Johnny Gill's brother), Jermaine Mickey and D'Extra Wiley. The group went unsigned until the single 'Cry No More' written and arranged by the guys, got into the hands of Paco Lopez. Lopez played the un-mastered demo on the radio in the group's hometown of Washington, D.C.. The song was immediately a hit and caused nationwide demand for the track.
Still unsigned, the group released their debut album II D Extreme. At the same time, the single 'Cry No More' reached #6 on the R&B charts in 1993 and won the group Soul Train Music Awards nominations, in addition to being #1 on BET's Video Soul Countdown for 4 weeks. No other single by a non-labeled artist has enjoyed such status and acclaim as 'Cry No More.'
The group's success got them a deal with MCA and they appeared on Jay Leno, Soul Train, BET and MTV. They released their sophomore effort, From I Extreme II Another in 1996. The album, like the first, was written entirely by D'Extra Lamont, with the exception of the song Shoulders which was co-written by groupmate Randy Gill.
In 1997, the group added Sage Lee to make a quartet. However, MCA dissolved and the guys went separate ways. Today, Gill is finishing his solo effort and provides session work for other artists. Mickey has been working in gospel with a variety of groups and choirs. Lee works as part of a production team and handles a stable of artists. Wiley has done a variety of work, as a producer and screenplay writer. The group is said to have started work on new music to reflect their growth.