Irish Grinstead is dead. She was 43 years old. Several years ago, her twin from the band 702 died

Irish Grinstead from the girl band 702, especially popular in the 1990s, died at the age of 43. The information was released to the media by her sister and bandmate LeMisha Grinstead. She wrote on Saturday, and the information can also be found on the group’s Instagram:

It is with great sadness that I must inform you that my beautiful sister and friend passed away this evening. She fought a long battle and finally found peace. This girl shone like stars! She was beautiful not only outside, but also inside. Sharing the stage with her was a joy that I will cherish for the rest of my life! We, the family, ask for your prayers and respect for our privacy as we mourn the tremendous loss of our family.

Irish Grinstead is dead. He says goodbye to her, among others. Missy Elliot

The singer, known for her participation in songs such as “Where My Girls At” and “Get It Together”, died as a result of an illness, but it is not known what exactly. The news comes nine months after 702 announced in December that Irish was taking “sick leave due to serious health issues” and suspending his membership in the band.

Other famous artists said goodbye to the deceased singer on social media, including: Pusha-T, Da Brat, Missy Elliott, Tamar Braxton, SWV, Kenan Thompson, Brownstone, Yvette Nicole Brown and Hi-Tek. “Irish, may your beautiful soul rest peacefully in the arms of the Lord,” Elliott wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Irish and LeMisha made up two-thirds of the band, which also included vocalist Kameelah Williams. The group, whose name comes from the area code of the girls’ hometown, Las Vegas, released their first album “No Doubt” in 1996. Their album “LP” released in 1999 included the song “Where My Girls At”. The song peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is one of the group’s three singles to be certified gold by the RIAA – the others being “Get It Together” and “Steelo” with Missy Elliot. The latter became the main theme of the show “Cousin Skeeter” broadcast by Nickelodeon. In 2019, it became a hit again when it was sampled by Diplo in “On My Mind”.

She formed a band with her sisters. One of them died in 2008. “I know you’re feeling better now and you’re hugging your twin.”

Kameelah Williams wrote on Instagram that she was “devastated and heartbroken” by the news of her friend’s death. She also referenced the death of Irish’s twin and original band member Orish Grinstead in 2008. “I had problems with this post because I think it can’t be true,” she wrote on Sunday morning. “It’s hard to admit that something like this is even happening,” Williams added, writing:

I know you’re feeling better now and you’re hugging your twin Orish, which makes me smile because I know how much you missed her. You and I have known each other since we were kids, we laughed, we cried, we celebrated and (…) so I just don’t want to believe it.

Although the last album of the singer 702 was released two decades ago, a few years ago (after an 11-year break) they returned to the stage. Orish died at the age of 27 in 2008. The cause of death of the Irish twin was kidney failure.