It took nearly 25 years, but Adina Howard can finally say Welcome to Fantasy Island.
The hip-hop/R&B singer's second album, slated for release back in 1997, is now available to download or stream from Rhino Records as part of their Black History Month celebrations. (It was previously leaked to DatPiff in 2013.)
Howard burst onto the scene in 1995 with debut album Do You Wanna Ride? which featured the No. 2 hit "Freak Like Me." She struck gold again in 1996 with a reimagining of Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do with It" in collaboration with Warren G. Fantasy Island featured a galaxy of talent working with Howard, including Missy Elliott, Timbaland, K-Ci and Jamie Foxx. But only two songs were ever released - the DJ Quik-produced single "(Freak) And U Know It" and "T-Shirt & Panties," a collaboration with Foxx heard on the soundtrack to Woo. Howard re-emerged in 2004, continuing to make music and even making waves as a chef.
Now, Welcome to Fantasy Island can be heard as intended nearly a quarter-century ago - the true definition of a fantasy fulfilled.