When Gainesville resident Marion J. Caffey describes the recent success of musical group 3 Mo’ Divas, he embraces their less-than-mainstream status.
“Underdog,” he said, is an understatement.
The group was nominated for an NAACP Image Award under the category for Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration.
Caffey, the group’s creator, said the competition is steep. The group is pitted against several radio regulars, including the Black Eyed Peas, Kanye West and Jay-Z.
“Anyone from 8 to 70 would know who the other nominees are,” Caffey said. “The miracle for us is that the nominating committee actually opened our CD.”
Caffey, who is also the group’s producer, director and choreographer, said 3 Mo’ Divas is the only group in the category not from a major label.
“Our ‘thank God’ moment is that somebody really thought of nominating them,” he said. “I hope it helps the world know who they are.”
Laurice Lanier, Nova Y. Payton and Jamet Pittman, the three women who make up 3 Mo’ Divas, are all classically trained opera singers who sing music from a variety of genres, including R&B, jazz and soul, he said.
“They sing in 10 different styles of music in three different languages, and that’s unprecedented,” he said. “None of the famous divas we know can do what they do.”
The 41st NAACP Image Awards airs live Feb. 26 on Fox at 8 p.m.
Voting lasts until Feb. 18.
For more information on 3 Mo’ Divas and how to vote for the awards, visit http://www.3modivas.com.
