Blaque’s high‑energy 2000 performance of “808” on Showtime at the Apollo captures the group’s futuristic Y2K edge and spotlights Shamari DeVoe’s standout presence.
In 2000, Blaque stepped onto the Showtime at the Apollo stage and delivered a charged, fantastical performance of their hit single “808.” It was the kind of moment that defined the era — sharp choreography, futuristic styling, and a sound that blended R&B, pop, and Y2K attitude into something unmistakably theirs.
At the center of it all was Shamari DeVoe, whose vocals and stage command anchored the trio’s chemistry. Seeing her here feels especially full‑circle now, with her reemergence on BET Presents: The Encore — a series that reunites some of the most recognizable voices from late‑’90s and early‑2000s girl‑group history.
Performance 1: “808” Live on Showtime at the Apollo
This rendition captures Blaque at their most polished — tight harmonies, crisp staging, and the kind of confidence that made “808” a defining single of the era.
Performance 2: Bring It All To Me Live
The second performance offers a different angle on their stage presence — still high‑energy, still unmistakably Blaque, but with subtle variations in arrangement and delivery that show how versatile the group was in a live setting.
See them on BET Presents: The Encore
See them on BET Presents: The Encore reads like a roll call of the era’s defining acts: Irish & LeMisha Grinstead of 702, Nivea, Pamela Long of Total, Fallon & Felisha King of Cherish, Aubrey O’Day of Danity Kane, and Kiely Williams of 3LW and The Cheetah Girls. Together, they form a rare snapshot of the voices that shaped a generation of R&B and pop radio.
But back on that Apollo stage in 2000, Blaque were in their own lane — confident, polished, and fully in their element. “808” hit differently live: the harmonies tighter, the energy higher, the performance bigger than the studio version ever hinted.
Blaque weren’t just performing a single — they were announcing themselves.
Comment below. What are your memories of Blaque’s “808” era and their Apollo performances?
