TRANSITIONS | Jessie D, Founding Member Of Force MDs, Dead At 58

Jessie D, one of the founding members of Force MDs, died yesterday (February 4), the group has confirmed on its official Facebook page.

The star, whose real name was Jessie Lee Daniels, was 58 years of age. No cause of death has been confirmed at present.

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Daniels co-founded Force MDs in Staten Island, New York in 1981, alongside his nephews Stevie D, Antoine “T.C.D.” Lundy and Rodney “Khalil” Lundy, with “Trisco” Pearson and Charles “Mercury” Nelson joining later. The group fused R&B, doo-wop, hip-hop and beatboxing in their sound and were considered to be pioneers of the new jack swing movement.

Two of the group’s biggest hits were 1985’s ‘Tender Love’, which appeared on their second album ‘Chillin’ and the soundtrack of the film Krush Groove. It reached Number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained on the chart for 19 weeks. In 1987, ’Love Is A House’ from their third album ‘Touch & Go’ became their first Number One song on the Billboard R&B charts.

In 1996, Force MDs also collaborated with Ghostface Killah, appearing on the rapper’s debut album ‘Ironman’. Their vocals appeared on the tracks ‘Daytona 500’, ‘Box In Hand’ and ‘The Soul Controller’.

Tributes have been paid to Daniels following the news of his death.