Lil Suzy
Suzanne Casale Melone (née Casale; born March 1, 1979), better known by her stage name Lil Suzy, is an Italian-Puerto Rican American freestyle/pop singer who was mainly active in the 1990's.[1][2] Lil Suzy is best known for the singles "Take Me in Your Arms", "Promise Me", and "Can't Get You Out of My Mind".
Lil Suzy | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Suzanne Casale |
| Born | March 1, 1979 Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Genres | Freestyle, dance-pop, eurodance |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1987–present |
Early life
Melone was born in Brooklyn, a borough of New York City. While singing cover songs in Manhattan Beach, California at age 5, she was discovered by an agent. She then began performing as an opening act for Thelma Houston and Village People.[3]
Music career
1987–1994: Career beginnings and "Take Me in Your Arms"
At 8 years old, Melone got her first contract with Fever Records, and in 1988 released her first single, "Randy".
At age 12 she joined the label Warlock Records. In November 1991, Melone released her first studio album, Love Can't Wait, which was produced by Tony Garcia. It was preceded by the single "Take Me in Your Arms" which peaked at No. 67 on the Billboard Hot 100.[4] Another single, "Falling in Love", was released in 1992. She was named Billboard magazine's Best New Dance Artist that year, making her the youngest artist ever to receive the honor.[5]
In early 1994, her second album Back to Dance was released. This album was again produced by Tony Garcia. "Turn the Beat Around" was released in late 1993 as the sole single from the album but was not successful. Due to the limited success of the album, Lil Suzy left Warlock Records and went on to become president of her own record label, Empress Records.[6]
1995–1997: "Promise Me" and later releases
In April 1995, Melone released her third album, Life Goes On, a eurodance release. The album spawned four singles, the first being "Promise Me", which peaked at No. 62 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 1997, Melone released her fourth studio album, Paradise. The album spawned four singles; Can't Get You Out of My Mind was the most successful of these releases. The album contains a collaboration with singer Crystal Waters on the track "Lost Love Letter". This album also contains a cover of the Netzwerk song, "Memories".
1999–present: Compilation albums, singles, and performances
In 1999, Melone released The MegaMix, a compilation of old hits and new remixes.
In 2002, Melone released The Greatest Hits, a compilation of her greatest hits re-recorded. In the same year, together with Collage, she released the single "Don't You Want Me", exclusively for the German market. The single is a cover of the song by The Human League.[6]
In 2009, Melone released the single "Dance Tonight".
In 2015 and 2022 she toured in Freestyle Explosion shows.[7][8][9]
Personal life
Melone is married to Marc Melone. They have a daughter and two sons.[10][7]
In her 20s, between recording and performing music, Melone attended school to become a registered medical assistant. She worked part-time for a OB/GYN for three years.[7]
On 2 October 2000, she opened a beauty salon in Staten Island, which has since closed.[3]
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 1991 | Love Can't Wait
|
| 1994 | Back to Dance
|
| 1995 | Life Goes On
|
| 1997 | Paradise
|
Compilation albums
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 1999 | The MegaMix
|
| 2002 | The Greatest Hits
|
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak positions[4] | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 |
US Rhythmic Top 40 |
US Maxi-singles Sales | |||
| 1988 | "Randy" | - | - | - | Non-album single |
| 1991 | "Take Me in Your Arms" | 67 | - | - | Love Can't Wait |
| 1992 | "Falling in Love" | - | - | - | |
| 1993 | "Turn the Beat Around" | - | - | - | Back to Dance |
| 1994 | "Promise Me" | 62 | 17 | 26 | Life Goes On |
| 1995 | "Now & Forever" | - | - | - | |
| "When I Fall in Love" | - | - | - | ||
| 1996 | "Just Can't Get Over You" | - | - | - | |
| 1997 | "Can't Get You Out of My Mind" | 79 | - | 14 | Paradise |
| Memories | - | - | - | ||
| 1998 | "I Still Love You" | 94 | - | 32 | |
| 1999 | "You're the Only One" | - | - | - | The MegaMix |
| 2002 | "Don't You Want Me" | - | - | - | Non-album single |
| 2009 | "Dance Tonight" | - | - | - | Non-album single |
Video clips
| Year | Single |
|---|---|
| 1991 | "Take Me in Your Arms" |
| 1993 | "Turn the Beat Around" |
| 1995 | "When I Fall in Love" |
Other songs
- 1996 - "Suzanna", with Collage, released on the compilation Metropolitan Freestyle Extravaganza Volume 7.
- 1997 - "Runaway", released on the compilation Dance Trip 2000.
- 1999 - "He's All I Want for Christmas / Letter to Santa", released on the compilation Freestyle X-Mas.
- 1999 - "All I Want ", with Collage, released on the album Chapter II: 1999.
- 2002 - "Treat Me Right", originally recorded in 2001, released on the compilation Euro Freestyle Invasion.
- 2003 - "I Still Cry", originally recorded in 2002, released on the compilation Euro Freestyle Invasion II.
References
- "Lil Suzy". Last FM. Retrieved 2013-05-08.
- Busk, Celeste (January 9, 1995). "Dreams Coming True for Lil Suzy". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2013-05-08.
- "Update: CBB Exclusive: Freestyle singer Lil' Suzy is all grown up – Moms & Babies – Moms & Babies - People.com". Celebritybabies.people.com. 2007-10-25. Archived from the original on 2013-09-28. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
- "Lil Suzy - Chart history | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
- Jason Ankeny (1979-03-01). "Lil Suzy | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
- "Lil Suzy's Paradise: The Official Website of Lil Suzy: Lil Suzy's Biography". Lilsuzysparadise.blogspot.com.br. 2009-05-14. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
- Meighan, Cate (September 2015). "Boom's Ladies of the 80's Exclusive Interview- Catching Up With Lil Suzy". Daily BOOM. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- Geno (12 August 2022). "The 10 Songs I've Gotta Hear Tonight at Freestyle Explosion Throwback Jam". Q105. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
This will be my first time getting to see Lil Suzy perform.
- Chai, Daniel (1 June 2022). "A '90s-themed divas, drag and dance party is happening in GTA this month". Daily Hive. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
The wild weekend kicks off with Freestyle Friday, headlined by musical artist Stevie B and featuring Lil Suzy, Cover Girls, Trinere, Joee, Rockell, and Elissa with DJ Danny D.
- "Update: CBB Exclusive: Freestyle singer Lil' Suzy is all grown up".