Jun

11

2012

Music Minute!

Written by Trent | Filed under Music Minute

Lip-syncing duo Milli Vanilli

Did you know that lip-syncing duo Milli Vanilli were the first artists in history to have their Grammy Awards revoked?

Milli Vanilli achieved monster success in 1989 with their ‘Girl You Know It’s True’ album, which peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200 and was quickly certified 6x platinum. The record also spawned five top five hit singles on the Billboard Hot 100, including three #1 songs on the lineup.

In 1990, Milli Vanilli won the Grammy for Best New Artist and even performed at the Grammy Awards ceremony. So, what was the problem with all of their success? The duo didn’t sing their own songs! In fact, they were simply lip-syncing to the vocals of other singers and didn’t actually record their own hits.

When the news was revealed in late 1990 that Milli Vanilli were frauds, their Best New Artist Grammy was revoked and they were forced to return the trophies. They were subsequently dropped from their label, Arista Records, and their attempts to prove their real talent with later recordings failed.

Watch Milli Vanilli lip-sync at the Grammys below:

Now you know!

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Keys: milli vanilli, music minute

9 Comments

1. DOMOdotSCORE says:

   June 11, 2012 at 4:34 pm

   I always wondered what came of the real singers of the songs. I don’t think they were ever spotlighted or recognized for their work. Regardless of the scandal, the songs were good and I would love for the voices behind them to get recognition (if they haven’t already).
2. Bobby says:

   June 11, 2012 at 5:33 pm

   I hope it happens to Beyonce for them songwriting grammies
3. Bee says:

   June 11, 2012 at 6:16 pm

   Beyonce actually won Grammy’s for songwriting?…
4. larry says:

   June 11, 2012 at 6:34 pm

   hahaha @Bobby and GET YOUR LIFE MILLI
5. Benron says:

   June 11, 2012 at 6:37 pm

   Meanwhile Chris Brown has been accused of “buying his grammy award” Yes (apparently) sources close to his camp (apparently) said that he emailed the a guy high up in the decision making offering him a substantial amount of money to give it to Chris, which happened, and apparently this guy is now fired.

   Chris’ people are now pulling the norm and using the DENY! DENY! DENY!
6. Ugh says:

   June 11, 2012 at 7:15 pm

   @Benron, you sound like a damn fool not to mention bitter.
7. Liberiangirl says:

   June 11, 2012 at 9:41 pm

   How does an artist(s) get signed to a major label with the label not knowing fully well the artist(s) is fraudulent? Milli Vanilli never performed for the record execs in person? After the smoke clears, Arista drops them? GTFOHWTBS This is the most scandalous…oh the shame!
8. BrutallyHonest says:

   June 11, 2012 at 10:28 pm

   I wish lip synching Mariah Carey would join them; they’re her lip synching idols
9. Ariana says:

   June 12, 2012 at 10:09 am

   They were certainly a scam but also a pioneering duet. You know, most singers nowadays just lip-sync and use auto-tune. Can you tell the difference among each other? Exactly.