If being the first group signed to Mariah Carey's music label isn't an indication of true talent, I don't know what is. The New York-based group of soul sisters known as Allure signed with Crave Records in 1997 and although Carey's seal of approval doesn't automatically translate to record sales, Allure proved themselves to be a true urban sensation.The foundations of Allure were laid in the early ‘90s, when Alia Davis, Lalisha McLean and Akissa Mendez were classmates at LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts in New York. The trio recruited Davis' friend Linnie Belcher, who was studying at Julia Richmond High School, to round out their group and spent the next two years rehearsing their act. The hard work of the unnamed group paid off when they caught the attention of Poke, a member of the production team Track Masters. Poke signed the girls to Track Masters under the name Allure and got them in the door at Mariah Carey's Crave label. Allure's new label scored the girls cameos by hip-hop stars L.L. Cool J, Nas, Raekwon, Q-Tip, 112 and even the multi-platinum selling Carey. The urban soul group released their first single "Head Over Heels," which featured a rap by Nas, in 1997 and watched as it became a moderate R&B hit. Allure's eponymous debut album was released in May of 1997.Allure's label folded soon after the release of their debut album and it would take a few years before they reemerged with an MCA contract and a sophomore album, 2001's Sunny Days. After a hiatus from the industry, Allure secured a spot alongside fellow R&B girl group Destiny's Child and released another album that year, Enjoy Yourself. Belcher left Allure around the same time they signed with Lightyear Entertainment imprint Truwarier Records which was started by NBA player Ron Artest. In 2004 Allure released their fourth album, the fittingly titled Chapter III.