En Vogue released their debut album, “Born to Sing,” in 1990.
The album was issued by Atlantic Records on April 3, 1990, after being recorded in California between August and December 1989. It introduced the quartet’s polished blend of contemporary R&B, new jack swing, pop, hip-hop soul, and rap.
The group originated through auditions organized by Oakland producers Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy. Dawn Robinson, Cindy Herron, and Maxine Jones initially formed the lineup; Terry Ellis joined later, turning the planned trio into a quartet. The group’s name changed from an early “4-U” concept to En Vogue after another group was already using “Vogue.”
A common mix-up is confusing the album with En Vogue’s second studio album, “Funky Divas,” which arrived in 1992. “Born to Sing” reached No. 21 on the Billboard 200 and No. 3 on the R&B Albums chart. Its singles included “Hold On,” “Lies,” and “You Don’t Have to Worry.”