By Chris Richburg
Drawing on the influence of legendary Hip-Hop and doo-wop group the Force MDs, New York-based collective 5ive L is determined to create its own legacy in music circles.
The new group already knows the benefits and good fortune the music industry can bring, as the offspring of Force MD members and brothers Stevie D Lundy and Antoine "T.C.D." Lundy.
The ‘80s group, which cemented a place in music history with classic hits like "Tender Lover" and "Love is a House," have influenced numerous entertainers, including Boys II Men, Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Doug E. Fresh and Run DMC.
According to 5ive L’s manager Mickey Bentson, the union was made possible through the guidance of their uncle, Force MD member Rodney "Khalil" Lundy.
"The group is very much under pressure because the expectation of 5ive L is to uphold or surpass the legacy of the Force MDs," said Bentson, who currently manages the Force Mds, as well as music veterans Grandmaster Mele Mel and Ice-T.
The name 5ive L comes from the apartment number the group was formed in, as well as their philosophy on life: “Love, Loyalty, Life, Longevity, and Laughter.”
"There are siblings that parents are in the entertainment biz and really don’t have that entertainment in their body,” Benston told AllHipHop.com. “On the hand of 5ive L themselves, these kids really have that musical diversity. Music is in their genes. They grew up around the group the Force MDs and with entertainers and singers. And so the bloodline continues with 5ive L. If you don’t believe it, challenge it or give us a call and you can see it and hear it."
Before joining together as 5ive L, brothers Cush and T.C. Lundy and their cousins, Zieme Capers and Josh Lundy, found success individually while opening for various artists which include Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Bow Wow, Trey Songz, Common and Daddy Yankee.
Despite their solo success, 5ive L chose to combine their talents in an effort to garner greater musical success.
The group, which is working with Bentson's Pay Up Management, Khalil Lundy and Rob Franklin's Wisemen Entertainment and Rob Love Of Launch Pad, is carefully considering offers from several record labels.
"We are the next generation of musical diversity," 5ive L group member Zieme Capers added. "We possess all the elements that the Force MDs possess in terms of being diversified with the music, impersonation, comedy, dancing and Hip-Hop."
Obtaining longevity like the Force MD’s has become a motivator for 5ive L to make their presence known among listeners, according to Bentson.
The Force MDs are currently working to bring their effect on the music industry to light via a new documentary tilted The Force M.Ds Relived.
According to Khalil Lundy, the film will chronicle the evolution of doo-wop and Hip-Hop’s merging together through the Force M.D.s.
Music heavyweights Mr. Magic, Kool DJ Red Alert, Kurtis Blow, Mele Mel, Tom Silverman, Doug E. Fresh and Biz Markie are among those featured in The Force M.Ds Relived which is slated to be released in the first quarter of 2009 on OVNTV.com.