702 Member Irish Grinstead Dies at 43
Irish Grinstead, a member of the popular girl group 702, known for their hit songs like “Where My Girls At,” has passed away at the age of 43, her sister Lemisha Grinstead announced on Saturday. The news of Irish’s death was shared in an emotional Instagram post.
Lemisha Grinstead wrote, “It is with great sadness that I have to let you know that my beautiful sister and friend has passed away this evening. She has had a long battle, and she is finally at peace. That girl was as bright as the stars! She was not only beautiful on the outside, but also within.” Lemisha also requested prayers and privacy for their grieving family.
Although the cause of death was not disclosed, the group had previously revealed in December that Irish was taking a medical leave of absence due to serious health issues.
702, named after the Las Vegas area code, consisted of the Grinstead sisters and Kameelah Williams. They rose to fame with their debut album “No Doubt” in 1996, which included the popular singles “Steelo” and the theme song for Nickelodeon’s TV series “Cousin Skeeter.” Their second album, simply titled “702,” featured their biggest hit, “Where My Girls At.”
Throughout their career, 702 achieved significant recognition, earning nominations for an American Music Award, a BET Award, and multiple Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards. They even won the award for Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year by a Group, Band, or Duo for “No Doubt.”
After a long hiatus, the Grinstead sisters participated in the reality series “BET Presents: The Encore” in 2021. The show followed former girl-group members as they attempted to form a supergroup and create an album in just 30 days.
Fans and industry colleagues have been expressing their condolences and paying tribute to Irish Grinstead on social media. Her passing is a significant loss for the music community, and her contributions to 702 will be remembered and cherished by fans worldwide.