The set was heavy on hip-hop with E-40, Too $hort and Saweetie rocking the mic, but what really set the performance off was an appearance by R&B superstars En Vogue who had a surprise in store.
It was then time for En Vogue, and Oakland’s Funky Divas made quite an entrance. As the smoke cleared, it was immediately evident that the group, which has been performing as a trio with newest member Rhona Bennett since 2004, was once again a foursome. In a shocking plot twist, original member Maxine Jones was back in the mix and in step with fellow OGs Cindy Herron-Braggs and Terry Ellis and Bennett.
All four ladies began singing the iconic breakdown from “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” before the instrumental switched to “Free Your Mind.” One by one, Cindy, Rhona and Terry sang their parts leading up to Maxine’s solo moment on the mic, and she sounded as incredible as ever and exactly like we remembered. En Vogue sang the first verse and chorus to “Free Your Mind” before ending their segment with their fists raised high.
En Vogue didn’t just make a statement on Pass The Mic Live!, they signaled their triumphant return with this performance. Today (Monday, February 17th), the group officially welcomed Maxine Jones back in a video posted to their socials. Although the fourth original member Dawn Robinson is still MIA, having Max back is an answered prayer for many fans.
We’re excited to see what’s in store for this next chapter of En Vogue’s story. One thing is for sure, it’s gonna sound amazing. In case you missed anything, watch En Vogue’s reunion performance.
While there are naysayers to Rhona being in the group at all and it not only being the original four ladies. Remember. Rhona has been in the group longer than Maxine and Dawn. By quite a bit! For twenty years. TWENTY YEARS! She may not be original but she has been in the group longer than half its members that jumped ship.
