Whatever Happened to Kut Klose? The ’90s R&B Group Behind “I Like” Who Deserved a Bigger Run

#NOLAZINE - The 1990s gave R&B fans some of the greatest female groups of all time. TLC, SWV, Xscape, En Vogue, Brownstone and Changing Faces were just some of the names delivering unforgettable records during the decade.

But there was another female group that had the voices, harmonies and connections to become much bigger than they ultimately became.

Kut Klose.

If you remember the smooth 1995 record “I Like,” then you already know exactly who we're talking about.

Kut Klose seemed positioned for a major career. They were discovered by R&B superstar Keith Sweat, released a promising debut album, appeared on several of Sweat's biggest records and possessed some of the strongest vocals of the era.

Then suddenly, there was no second album.

So what happened?

And whatever happened to Kut Klose?

Meet Kut Klose

Kut Klose consisted of three singers:

Athena Cage, Lavonn Battle and Tabitha Duncan.

The Atlanta-based trio came together during an incredible period for R&B music.

Keith Sweat discovered the group and brought them into his musical circle. That was a major opportunity considering Sweat was already an established R&B star and had also helped introduce the successful male group Silk.

Kut Klose became associated with Sweat's Keia Records, which was distributed through Elektra.

Before the ladies even released their own album, listeners were introduced to their voices through Keith Sweat.

They appeared on his 1994 song “Get Up on It.”

It was the perfect introduction.

The chemistry between Sweat's distinctive voice and Kut Klose's harmonies immediately demonstrated why he believed in the group.

But soon it was time for the ladies to stand on their own.

“I Like” Introduced Kut Klose to the World

In 1995, Kut Klose released the song that would become their signature record:

“I Like.”

Thirty years later, that record still sounds like classic '90s R&B.

The smooth production combined with the group's harmonies and Athena Cage's powerful lead vocals made “I Like” instantly recognizable.

The song crossed over from R&B radio to the mainstream Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 34.

For a relatively new female group competing during one of the most crowded eras in R&B history, that was a significant accomplishment.

Kut Klose had arrived.

The “Surrender” Album

On March 14, 1995, Kut Klose released their debut album Surrender through Keia/Elektra.

Keith Sweat served as executive producer and was heavily involved with the project. The album mixed sensual slow jams, New Jack Swing influences and the polished harmonies that made female R&B groups so popular during the era.

The project included songs such as:

“I Like”

“Surrender”

“Lovely Thang”

“Lay My Body Down”

“Don't Change”

“Giving You My Love Again”

“Get Up on It”

Surrender eventually reached No. 66 on the Billboard 200 and No. 12 on the R&B albums chart.

Those numbers weren't superstar numbers, but they were enough to establish Kut Klose as a legitimate R&B act.

And there was reason to believe the best was still ahead.

Then Came “Twisted”

Even people who don't immediately recognize the name Kut Klose have probably heard their voices.

After Surrender, the ladies continued working with Keith Sweat.

In 1996, Sweat released one of the biggest songs of his career:

“Twisted.”

Kut Klose contributed vocals to the record, which became a monster hit. “Twisted” reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the R&B chart.

Then there was another Keith Sweat classic:

“Nobody.”

That unforgettable female voice singing alongside Keith belonged to Athena Cage.

“Nobody” became another enormous hit and remains one of Keith Sweat's signature slow jams.

For a moment, it appeared everything was lining up perfectly.

Kut Klose had their own recognizable hit.

They had a respected debut album.

They were working alongside one of R&B's biggest stars.

Millions of listeners were hearing their vocals.

The logical next step should have been a second Kut Klose album.

It never happened.

So What Happened to Kut Klose?

This is where the story becomes frustrating for fans.

Kut Klose never released a second studio album during their original run.

Their relationship with Elektra ended, the members eventually pursued separate paths, and the momentum surrounding the group faded.

There have been different stories and fan theories over the years about exactly why Kut Klose didn't receive another major album opportunity, but there isn't one simple, well-documented explanation that accounts for everything.

One factor was undoubtedly the incredible competition surrounding female R&B groups during the mid-'90s.

Kut Klose wasn't entering an empty marketplace.

They were competing for radio spins, label budgets, videos, promotion and record sales during an era packed with major R&B talent.

Their debut performed respectably, but it wasn't a blockbuster.

Unfortunately, record companies don't always give talented artists enough time to develop.

And Kut Klose became another example of a group whose potential seemed greater than the amount of music they were allowed to release.

Athena Cage Pursued Music Outside the Group

After Kut Klose's initial run ended, Athena Cage continued pursuing music.

Because of her memorable performance on Keith Sweat's “Nobody,” Cage was already familiar to millions of R&B listeners—even if some didn't immediately know her name.

She pursued solo opportunities and continued working as a singer and songwriter.

Her career also expanded beyond simply performing. Cage became involved with education and community-focused work while maintaining her connection to music.

But for Kut Klose fans, the question remained:

Would the group ever come back?

Kut Klose Eventually Reunited

The good news is that Kut Klose didn't remain permanently separated.

The ladies reunited for performances over the years and once again worked with Keith Sweat.

In 2007, Kut Klose appeared as part of Sweat's Sweat Hotel Live project.

Then in 2010, something happened that longtime fans had been waiting years to see.

Kut Klose released a new song.

“Let It Ring.”

The song was expected to help introduce a possible second Kut Klose album.

Unfortunately, that full album never materialized.

But that still wasn't the end of their story.

The group returned again in 2020 with the single “Congratulations,” and they have continued performing together in more recent years.

And In 2026, Kut Klose Is Still Performing

Here's the part that longtime fans will appreciate:

Kut Klose is still around.

The group has continued performing, including appearances connected with Keith Sweat.

Current concert listings in 2026 show Kut Klose performing alongside major '90s R&B names, and additional performances are scheduled for the group.

That means more than 30 years after Surrender, audiences are still getting opportunities to hear those harmonies live.

Their story didn't end in 1995.

It simply became much quieter.

“Surrender” Has Found a New Generation

Something else interesting has happened over the years.

Surrender has developed a stronger reputation among R&B fans who either remember the album from 1995 or discovered it decades later through streaming.

People regularly revisit songs beyond “I Like,” arguing that Kut Klose deserved a much bigger career.

In fact, Surrender received a vinyl release in 2026, another indication that interest in the group's only studio album remains alive more than three decades after its original release.

That's the beauty of music.

Sometimes an album doesn't receive its full appreciation during the original release.

Years later, a younger generation discovers it and asks the exact same question:

How did this group not become bigger?

Kut Klose Deserved More Than One Album

Looking back, it's difficult not to wonder what Kut Klose could have accomplished with another two or three albums.

They had the vocals.

They had chemistry.

They had Keith Sweat's support.

They had a legitimate hit with “I Like.”

And their voices became part of some of the biggest R&B records of the mid-'90s.

But the music industry doesn't always work according to talent.

Timing, record-label politics, marketing budgets, competition and commercial expectations can determine whether an artist gets another opportunity.

Kut Klose released only one studio album, but that one album was enough to make people remember them more than 30 years later.

That says something.

So, Whatever Happened to Kut Klose?

They never completely disappeared.

Athena Cage, Lavonn Battle and Tabitha Duncan went through different chapters after their original run, but Kut Klose eventually reunited and continued performing.

Their long-awaited second album never arrived, but their music survived.

And perhaps their biggest legacy can be heard every time somebody puts on “I Like,” “Surrender” or Keith Sweat's “Get Up on It” and immediately remembers what made '90s R&B special.

Kut Klose might not have received the long commercial run of TLC, SWV or Xscape.

They didn't need 10 albums to leave their mark.

Sometimes one great era is enough to make people remember you forever.

And more than three decades after Surrender, R&B fans are still asking about Kut Klose.

Maybe that's the greatest proof that the group was never really forgotten.