Teeny boppers are the first images that come to mind when talking about a female duo in the music industry. But that's just one of the many aspects where Floetry sets itself apart from most girl-girl duos - and much of the music business besides. Marsha Ambrosius and Natalie Stewart found each other and stumbled on an awesome musical combination in the process.

Floetry's Poetic Fusion

"We don't deny the difficulties in life, but we want to say something positive too."

Teeny boppers are the first images that come to mind when talking about a female duo in the music industry. But that's just one of the many aspects where Floetry sets itself apart from most girl-girl duos - and much of the music business besides. Marsha Ambrosius and Natalie Stewart found each other and stumbled on an awesome musical combination in the process.

Floetry: Friends Finding Each Other

Surprisingly enough, it was a common love for basketball and not music that first brought Ambrosius and Stewart together. The two were court superstars in their respective home areas, and it was a basketball game challenge where the two met each other. As the two formed a friendship in the court, they also discovered a shared passion for music. It wasn't until later, however, that this was to come to any fruit.

Both Stewart and Ambrosius spent their secondary school years at the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology in Surrey. While the two eventually went to attend two different colleges, they kept in touch and frequently discussed music. By that time, Stewart was already in a girl group of her own. When 3 Plus 1 disbanded, however, it was her opportunity to try a completely new collaboration with Ambrosius.

Floetry was officially formed in 1997, partly in the wake of the dissolution of 3 Plus 1. The two began writing their own material as well as performing around the London area. America beckoned, however, and the duo crossed the Atlantic in 2000 to look for better career opportunities. They didn't do so well with a first stab in Atlanta, an instance that would prove to be a fluke in the group's history.

Floetry and Fame

It wasn't long before their catchy sound and unique wordplay caught the attention of big names in the music business. Glenn Lewis, Jill Scott and even the late Michael Jackson himself approached the pair to request a song to be written. Butterflies, a single from Jackson's 2003 album Invincible, was penned by Ambrosius, for example.

They didn't just stick to writing for other people, however. The two signed a contract with DreamWorks Records to release their debut album Floetic in 2002. Floacism, a two-disc live album, followed up their act in 2003. Even more big names began to take notice: Where's the Love from Floetic was featured in the 2003 comedy Bringing Down the House, while Mos Def was there to help with Wanna B Where U R on Floetic.

It seemed that mainstream success was just around the corner when their third album, Flo'Ology, came out in 2005 and entered the Billboard charts at #7. After the release, however, Stewart left the act and was replaced by MTV2 talent Amanda Diva to tour in 2007. The new Floetry was not to last long, as the group finally disbanded that same year and Ambrosius signed on as a solo artist with Aftermath Entertainment.

Did You Know That...

• ...Ambrosius was supposed to attend Georgia Tech University? She qualified for a basketball scholarship, but had to forgo the offer because of an injury.
• ...Julius Erving III was their manager? The grandson to basketball legend Julius Erving helped the ladies step up in the industry while they were still new to the U.S. scene.

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