JoJo said The Mary Jane Girls project was supposed to be a solo project for her, but that Rick had to add the other ladies at the last minute because Motown wanted a girl group. But she alleges that two members were either strippers, or worked at a strip club in some capacity when they joined the group:
“He wanted a million dollars at the time. So, Motown gave him the money and asked for pictures of the rest of the girls. There were no girls. It was just me. So, he went and found Candy and Maxie at a strip club, from what I found out later on. I didn’t know this then. Within the last ten years I found that out.”
“He just threw us in a room and said ‘Y’all get along’ and I’m completely the opposite of the other women. We had completely nothing in common. I had a family I was trying to take care of and, we were all around the same age, but they didn’t have any children to take care of. I did. We were recording from 82 to 86.
THEY PULLED A MILLI VANILLI ON US?!
JoJo also said that the other group members pulled a ‘Milli Vanilli’ on their fans, because according to JoJo, they didn’t sing on any of the records except two small parts:
“He would use them in the studio, but I would have to come back and re-record their parts. I don’t know if they knew that or not. The Water Sisters did the background on both albums, I did the background with them. I would sing everything on top so when you hear it all you pretty much all you hear is me.”
I tell ya,’ the things we learn when we do a lil’ diggin.’ JoJo McDuffie said a mouthful!
It’s a shame The Mary Jane Girls didn’t get to soar further back then. But nowadays the ladies still perform from time to time. JoJo released a solo album in 2010. She also married Rick James’ friend and for many years she said she gave up singing and lived a quiet mother/wife lifestyle.
Rick James’ family also had a pending lawsuit against the group a few years ago. Apparently the Mary Jane girls don’t own the name, but were still performing under the name. James’ estate owns the name and was suing to block them from using it. Not sure if that’s ever been settled, but in the meantime, we wish JoJo and the rest if The Mary Jane Girls the best with their future endeavors.
