Irish Grinstead, a member of the ’90s and ’00s R&B girl group 702, has died at the age of 43.
LeMisha Grinstead, Irish’s sister and fellow member of the group, confirmed the news in a statement on social media.
Keep reading the article to know more about Irish Grinstead, including who she was, how she died, what was the cause of her death, tributes for her, and much more!
Who was Irish Grinstead?
Irish Grinstead was born on June 2, 1980, in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was the youngest member of 702, a girl group that included her older sisters LeMisha and Orish.
Irish, with her sultry voice and magnetic stage presence, quickly became a standout member of the group.
The trio signed with Motown Records in the early 1990s and embarked on a musical journey that would make them R&B sensations.
702 released their debut album, “No Doubt,” in 1996. The album spawned several hits, including “Steelo” and “Get It Together.”
However, it was their 1999 single “Where My Girls At” that catapulted them to mainstream success.
The infectious anthem became an anthem for women everywhere, celebrating empowerment and solidarity.
Irish’s vocal prowess and charisma shone through in every performance, making her a fan favorite.
The group continued to release music throughout the late ’90s and early 2000s, with albums like “702” and “Star” showcasing their evolving sound and style.
Irish’s contributions to the group’s success were undeniable, and her talent left a lasting impression on the music industry.
While Williams was briefly replaced by Cree La’More, they recorded their single “Pootie Tangin’” from the soundtrack for the Chris Rock film Pootie Tang.
Williams quickly rejoined the group. After it came Star, an album with the lead single “I Still Love You.”
How did Irish Grinstead die?
Irish Grinstead cause of death
Irish Grinstead died on September 16, 2023, at the age of 43.
Lemisha announced the tragic news in an Instagram post, revealing that Irish “has had a long battle” but failed to disclose what her illness was.
“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,” Lemisha penned.
Months before Irish’s death, she also had to take a break from performing with 702 to focus on her recovery.
“We regret to inform you that at this time Irish Grinstead will be taking a medical leave of absence due to serious medical issues,” the group announced in December 2022.
“It is our hope that she will have a healthy and speedy recovery in the months to come.”
Tributes Emerged for Irish Grinstead
Since the news of Irish Grinstead’s passing came into existence, Social media platforms have been flooded with tributes and heartfelt messages from those who were touched by her talent and kindness.
Reggie Brown posted on Facebook, saying “I’m devastated to learn about the demise of R&B group 702 member Irish Grinstead. They believed I was still in Chicago on the day we took this photo, I recall. They drove up and took over my show when they learned I was in Milwaukee, and I got to eat the lunch they brought me.”
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