Silhouette: Left Eye's Girl Duo (Interview with member Khym Preston)
I know some of you are a bit surprised at this! Yes, Left Eye was not only working with girl groups, but with a girl duo as well. She announced this in one of her Sister 2 Sister Magazine interviews, the one in 1997 [Click Here] that partly centered around Left Eye Productions. This was the interview she had where Blaque had introduced "Rainbow Drive" to the world, talked about Sky Keeton having an obvious crush on Left Eye, and a girl duo named Silhouette that comprised of sisters Tamyra and Khym Preston that she was working with. At the time, they were at thought of changing their name. I was able to get a hold of one of the members of the duo, Khym, who was kind of enough for me to interview her, and give all of us fans the inside scoop on who was Silhouette, what were they about, how did they form & meet Left Eye, and why did they not take off. Here is what she had to say:
When were both of you born?
Tamyra was born in Tacoma Park Maryland, and I was born in Frankfurt Germany (Father was in the Army)
Where are you both from?
Maryland (outside of Washington DC)
When did you and your sister Tamyra decided to start singing?
Tamyra most likely began singing in the womb lol. I on the other hand began at about age 10.
Which artists inspired you both?
Tamyra’s is a Prince Fanatic! My biggest inspiration at the time would have to be Stephanie Mills. We were both inspired by artists like Brown Stone, En Vogue, and SWV.
What made you both become a duo?
I performed in talent shows for a while, and it was family knowledge that I had a nice voice. Tamyra sung all the time around the house, in the car, and anywhere else she had a chance, but no one really knew how good she was at the time. She loved to sing she had a passion for it but for me it was not a passion. It was more of a responsibility. When I was about 14 my step mother (Tamyra’s Mom) took an interest in me performing professionally, and at that point Tamyra wanted to be a part of that so the decision to become a duo was kind of a no brainer.
(Katrina, Trena, Lisa, Khym, Natina, Tamyra, Shamari, and more at an all black 1997 party.)
How did you both come up with the name Silhouette?
I’m sure we had reasons back then, but from what I can remember we chose it because we thought it stood out. We just liked it lol
Can you describe to us what was your style as a duo? How different were you from other duos?
One of the challenges that we faced as artists was creating a unique sound. Tamyra, and I loved R&B, we loved to bolt out the ballads, but in the music industry it is about reinventing, and creating the next new trend so we spent a lot of time recording songs that did not truly fit us in an effort to find the right sound. What stood out about Tamyra and I was our ability to harmonize. We could sing an Envogue song with a 4-part harmony, and with just the 2 of us make it sound complete.
How did you both meet Left Eye, and become a part of Left Eye Productions?
We entered a talent show at a club in Atlanta, and Ronald Lopes was one of the judges. We would come back every week and win. The grand prize after winning a consecutive number of weeks included us being introduced to Lisa. So, after we won we were invited to Lisa’s home where we met and sung for her. From there she took us under her wings and guided our career.
What was the experience like being under her as her duo? Were you working on any music?
The experience working with Lisa was Amazing, she became my big sister. We worked on music, with different producers looking for the perfect sound, we also joined her on the Ladies Night Video shoot dancing alongside her and performed at Sister to Sister with her and her Cousin Tangi as background vocals. We quickly became family.
Did you both record any music with Left Eye?
We recorded music while under Lisa but never recorded with Lisa
How long were you both working under Left Eye?
Many years cant really say
I read in an interview that you both planned on changing the name. Did you both come up with a new name, or kept it as Silhouette?
Haha, I don’t even remember that. So, I guess the answer would be no
Did you both ever work with any of the other artists under the company?
Tangi and Skye wrote songs for us a few times.
Were any of you, or both of you, going to sign to Left Eye's label, Wish Records?
No
Did you both ever met, or work, with TLC?
We definitely met the other members of TLC, and learned a few dance moves from Tionne, but never worked with them.
What are your favorite TLC songs?
My favorite TLC songs are Unpretty and Waterfalls
What is your favorite TLC album, and why?
My favorite TLC album was Fanmail, because it was the revamp of their career, and it was a memorable success for Lisa
(Mista, Silhouette, Jena-Si-Qua, Lisa, Trena, and Tangi at a 1997 For Sisters Only event in Atlanta. All of them performed that day. Silhouette, performed their music Tangi performed a song with Trena, and Tangi performed her song "No Tighter Wish" with Lisa.)
How long were you both a duo? Do you have any music out us fans can hear?
That’s kind of blurry, my passion for the music industry was no existent, after a while it was clear that I didn’t want to do it. A lot of time passed, and nothing really materialized so the demise was inevitable. I don’t believe we have any music, and if we do I would sure like to hear it.
Did any of you ever work on solo material? If so, can you tell us about it?
We both worked on Solo music, I worked with B-Rock, I demoed songs and wrote alongside The Dream, and had a publishing deal at one point with Tony Mercedes. Tamyra went on to place 4th in the 1st season of American Idol, played a role in the movie The Gospel, and is now performing on Broadway
Were you around for the 'Supernova' era? If so, were you (or both of you) going to be on the album?
We weren’t working with Lisa at the time
Did any of you do any pranks with Left Eye, or been pranked by her?
Haha yes. One of the most memorable pranks was the one played on the members of Blaque, producer Adonis and his group members at the time. We all dressed in black got fake guns and raided the house like we were robbing them! They had no clue who we were and were scared to death. Hands tied behind their backs and all. Lisa was definitely a prankster
Did any of you ever go to Honduras with Left Eye? If so, how was it?
We were supposed to but could not due to scheduling conflicts.
Where were you both when you found out about Left Eye's passing?
I was at home and got a call from my best friend. I could not believe what I was hearing. I was devasted.
What did Left Eye teach you?
Left Eye taught me that it is better to give than to receive, she taught me that things are not always what they appear to be, she taught me that being kind may bite you in the ass sometimes but the good outweighs the bad, and lastly, she taught me that energy never dies.
What is one of your most favorite memories with her?
My favorite memories with Lisa are definitely the unsolicited lessons. She was a teacher, she loved to share wisdom and she was wise beyond her years.
Did you hear 'Eye Legacy'?
No.
How do you feel about the treatment of girl duos in the industry? Do you believe people need to give girl duos more of a chance or ? What is your stance on that?
It is easier to be true to yourself when it’s just you. Girl groups face the challenge of doing what’s best for the group, but that doesn’t always equate to doing what’s in your heart. I feel that groups are packaged, you either fit the mold or you don’t and if you don’t you’re replaced. Artistry is difficult to match, because it is unique so when you have a group there is a commercial feel to it which doesn’t tend to last long because it often lacks authenticity, individuality, and passion. For instance, could Beyonce’ have accomplished all that she has with Destiny’s Child? Her greatest successes have come from her being her and doing what is in her heart to do. I’m not saying that groups don’t work, but longevity is scarce
I just wanna thank you for giving us the opportunity to interview you on behalf of you, your sister, Silhouette, and Lisa with The Eye is Right. Is there anything you'd like to ask us, or let us all know for record as we close this out?
Nope, but I thank you and hope that I have been able to give you the insight you were looking for.
We didn't interview her sister, Tamyra, but we did want to highlight her as well. Even though Khym went more behind the scenes, Tamyra did keep pushing more as a solo artist. In 1998, she was named Miss Atlanta, and was attending Georgia University. She later became one of the first artists to go on 'American Idol' during it's first season, and made it to the final 4. Even though she was sent home (Kelly Clarkson winning that season), the judges, nor audience members, were happy to see her go home. While on the show, some of the songs she performed was her rendition of Luther Vandross' song " A House is Not a Home", and her rendition of "And I'm Telling You" by Jennifer Holiday from 'Dreamgirls'. She released her debut project, an LP entitled 'The Dreamer' under 19 Entertainment May 6th, 2004. The album charted at #23 on the Billboard Hot 200 Charts by that next week, spending 5 weeks on the charts in total. She released "Raindrops Will Fall" as a promo single. She didn't film a music video to promote the album.
She still was shopping herself around not only as a musician, but also an actress. She appeared in movies such as The Gospel and Rachel Getting Married. She appeared in popular TV shows in the mid 2000s a well such as All of Us, Half & Half, What I Like About You, and made a known appearance in Boston Public, singing her rendition of Whitney Houston's song "I Will Always Love You". She also spent time as a song writer, co-writing "I Believe" by Fantasia that charted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. She is now settled down, married to Sam Watters of the boy group Color Me Badd with 2 children.
Although we cannot find videos of Khym singing, here's some videos below of Tamyra. It really goes to show how Lisa had an amazing ear for talent.