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Wicked Wisdom
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Wicked Wisdom is an American nu metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed by Jada Pinkett Smith in 2002.
Key Information
History
[edit]"I listened to all kinds of metal as a kid. Metallica, Guns N' Roses. I would always look at Axl Rose and say, 'Why aren't there any chicks out there doing this now?' I always wanted an opportunity to get out there and rock out."
Actress Jada Pinkett Smith (under the name Jada Koren) formed the band in 2002.[2] It consists of Pinkett Smith (lead vocals), Pocket Honore (guitar, vocals), Cameron "Wirm" Graves (guitar, keyboard, vocals), Rio Lawrence (bass, vocals), and Philip "Fish" Fisher (drums, formerly of Fishbone). The band is managed by James Lassiter and Miguel Melendez of Overbrook Entertainment, a company co-founded by Pinkett Smith's husband Will Smith.[3]
The Onyx Hotel Tour
[edit]Wicked Wisdom landed a slot on Britney Spears' Onyx Hotel Tour in 2004, one of the year's highest-profile tours. To promote their 2004 debut album, titled My Story, the band opened for Spears for eight dates in April and May 2004 during the European leg of the tour.[4]
Ozzfest 2005
[edit]In 2005, Sharon Osbourne went to see Wicked Wisdom perform at a small night club in Los Angeles, California. She said, "I was blown away. When you see and hear Jada with her band it's apparent that she has nothing but love and respect for this genre of music."[3] In May 2005 organizers announced Wicked Wisdom would perform on the second stage of 2005's Ozzfest.[5] Fans of the festival were outraged, claiming the band did not have the credibility to perform at the music festival. Aware of the questions about the band's addition to Ozzfest, Pinkett Smith said, "I'm not here asking for any favors. You've got to show and prove. And not every audience is going to go for it."[6] Wicked Wisdom's guitarist Pocket Honore said while early dates of the tour were rocky, "once word got out that we weren't a joke, people started coming out and by the sixth or seventh gig we were on fire."[2] Pinkett Smith agreed, saying, "After seven dates within the Ozzfest tour, the whole attitude of it started to turn around once the word of mouth started getting out."[7]
The band's self-titled second album was released on February 21, 2006, through Pinkett Smith's production company 100% Women and Suburban Noize Records. Will Smith served as the project's executive producer.[8] The album made it to Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart, and peaked at number 44 during the week of March 11, 2006.[9] AllMusic reviewer Alex Henderson said of the album, "[Pinkett Smith] shows herself to be an expressive, commanding singer" and that Wicked Wisdom "shows considerable promise".[10] The band promoted the album in 2006, touring with heavy metal band Sevendust.[7]
Wicked Evolution
[edit]In September 2011, Jada Pinkett Smith was seen/photographed leaving a recording studio, but speculation connected the moment to her daughter, Willow Smith, completing her debut album.[11] In January 2012, a video posted to YouTube, claimed to show The Graves Brothers working in the studio on a gothic/piano rock styled pop song for what they called "the new Jada Pinkett Smith record".[12] Over the next couple of weeks it was announced that the new band name was "Wicked Evolution".[citation needed]
In 2021, Wicked Wisdom reunited with Smith's daughter Willow Smith to perform "Bleed All Over Me" with Ronald Bruner Jr. on drums, Michael Anderson on bass guitar and Taylor Graves on keyboards for a Mother's Day episode of Red Table Talk.
Discography
[edit]- My Story (2004)
- Wicked Wisdom (2006)
Music videos
[edit]As Wicked Wisdom
[edit]| Year | Song | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | "Something Inside of Me"[13] | Wicked Wisdom |
| 2006 | "Bleed All Over Me"[14] | Wicked Wisdom |
| 2013 | "Stuck"[15][16] |
As Wicked Evolution
[edit]| Year | Song | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | "Left Behind"[17][18] | |
| 2012 | "Burn"[19][20] |
References
[edit]- ^ "9 Musicians With Rockin' Moms – List – Fuse". Fuse.tv. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
- ^ a b c Kaufman, Gil (January 31, 2005). "Jada Pinkett Smith Lives Out Her Axl Rose Dreams". MTV. Archived from the original on February 3, 2006. Retrieved October 7, 2007.
- ^ a b Titus, Christa L. (June 7, 2005). "Osbourne Defends Wicked Wisdom's Ozzfest slot". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved October 16, 2008.
- ^ Susman, Gary (March 11, 2004). "Britney's opening act: Jada Pinkett Smith". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2008.
- ^ Harris, Chris (May 17, 2005). "Jada Pinkett Smith's Band Added to Lineup". MTV. Archived from the original on June 6, 2005. Retrieved October 16, 2008.
- ^ Titus, Christa L. (July 25, 2005). "Wicked Wisdom Persevering On Ozzfest". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved October 16, 2008.
- ^ a b Nixon, Chris (February 24, 2006). "Pinkett Smith gets 'Wicked'". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on September 12, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2008.
- ^ Kroll, Katy (March 9, 2006). "Wicked Wisdom". Billboard Magazine. Archived from the original on August 7, 2007. Retrieved October 16, 2008.
- ^ "Top Heatseekers – Wicked Wisdom". Billboard. Retrieved October 16, 2008. [dead link]
- ^ Henderson, Alex. "Wicked Wisdom – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved October 16, 2008.
- ^ "Leaving the Recording Studio". Retrieved September 26, 2011.
- ^ "The Graves Brothers Producing". YouTube. Retrieved January 22, 2012.[dead YouTube link]
- ^ "Wicked Wisdom – Something Inside Of Me". YouTube. November 22, 2006. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
- ^ "Wicked Wisdom – Bleed All Over Me". YouTube. November 22, 2006. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
- ^ "Wicked Wisdom – Stuck". YouTube. October 12, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- ^ ""wicked wisdom – stuck | AFROPUNK"". November 18, 2013. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- ^ "Wicked Evolution – Left Behind". YouTube. October 12, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
- ^ ""wicked evolution – left behind (thomas pridgen on drums) | AFROPUNK"". March 28, 2012. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- ^ "Wicked Evolution BURN". YouTube. March 24, 2012. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- ^ ""wicked evolution – burn (jada pinkett smith) | AFROPUNK"". March 23, 2012. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
External links
[edit]Wicked Wisdom
View on GrokipediaFormation and members
Formation
Wicked Wisdom was founded in 2002 in Los Angeles, California, by actress Jada Pinkett Smith, who adopted the stage name Jada Koren for her role as the band's lead vocalist and primary creative force.[3][1] Pinkett Smith's motivation stemmed from her lifelong passion for rock and metal music, which contrasted with her established acting career in films like The Matrix and her desire to venture into heavier sounds beyond the R&B or pop genres typically associated with her Hollywood persona.[1] Influenced by bands such as Metallica and Guns N' Roses, she expressed a long-held ambition to perform live in a rock context, stating, "I always wanted an opportunity to get out there and rock!"[1] This interest was further shaped by her appreciation for the metal community's outlet for expression, where she noted, "What I love about the metal community is that you get to rage safely."[13] The initial lineup was assembled through Pinkett Smith's recruitment efforts, drawing on Los Angeles' local music scene; key early members included Cameron "Wirm" Graves on guitar and keyboards, and Philip "Fish" Fisher—formerly of the band Fishbone—on drums, alongside early collaborators such as bassist Korel Tunador and guitarist Devin Vasquez. The band began with informal rehearsals, blending soul, hip-hop, and rock elements that progressively evolved into a heavier style through repeated live performances.[1] Remaining unsigned for its first two years, Wicked Wisdom built momentum via grassroots shows, culminating in their first major break in 2004. The band self-released their debut album My Story in 2004. They later signed with Suburban Noize Records, releasing their self-titled second album in 2006 with distribution through Interscope Records.[1]Current and former members
Wicked Wisdom's lineup has been anchored by its founding members since 2002, with Jada Koren serving as the frontwoman and primary songwriter, delivering powerful vocals central to the band's nu metal identity.[2] Cameron "Wirm" Graves has handled guitar and keyboard duties throughout, contributing the layered textures characteristic of the genre.[14] Philip "Fish" Fisher, formerly of the ska-punk band Fishbone, has provided the rhythmic foundation on drums since the band's formation.[15] Guitarist Pocket Honore, a key collaborator from the early days, added melodic and aggressive riffs to the sound.[15] The band's bass position saw changes in its initial years for greater stability amid Jada Koren's acting schedule, with Rio Lawrence joining in 2004 and performing until his death in November 2020.[14][16] The 2021 reunion performance featured Jada Koren reuniting with guitarist Pocket Honore, keyboardist Taylor Graves, bassist Michael Anderson, and drummer Ronald Bruner Jr., organized as a surprise by Willow Smith on Red Table Talk. As of 2025, no further performances or releases have been announced.[17] Former members include bassist Korel Tunador, who played from 2002 to 2004 during the band's formative period.[15] Devin Vasquez contributed background vocals in the early years, including during the 2005 Ozzfest tour.[18] No further core lineup changes occurred after 2004, aside from Lawrence's passing.| Role | Current Members | Tenure | Former Members | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vocals | Jada Koren | 2002–present | - | - |
| Guitar/Keyboard | Cameron "Wirm" Graves | 2002–present | - | - |
| Drums | Philip "Fish" Fisher | 2002–present | - | - |
| Guitar | Pocket Honore | 2002–present | - | - |
| Bass | - | - | Korel Tunador Rio Lawrence (deceased November 2020) | 2002–2004 2004–2020 |
| Background Vocals | - | - | Devin Vasquez | 2002–2005 |
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