The New York-based urban soul vocal group Allure was the first band to be signed to Mariah Carey's Crave Records. Such connections ensured that Allure would be promoted well and that their eponymous 1997 debut would have cameos by such stars as Nas, L.L. Cool J, Raekwon, 112, Q-Tip, and Carey herself, but it didn't ensure that the record itself would be a blockbuster. Instead, the album was a moderate hit, suggesting the group's commercial potential instead of fulfilling it.