Swedish pop foursome Play was originally comprised of Rosanna Munter (aka Rosie; born 1987), who played a lead role in the movie Eve and Adam, teen fashion model Faye Hamlin (born 1987), legendary actress Greta Garbo's relative Anna Sundstrand (born 1989), and pop singer Amanda's sister Anais Lameche (born 1987). They were chosen after a casting call conducted by Laila Bagge, wife of writer/producer Anders Bagge (aka Bag), who finally brought them to Sony Music. After performing live as part of the 2001 TeeNick Presents: Aaron's Party Tour, Play debuted in the U.S. with the release of a single called "Us Against the World," followed by their self-titled debut album in June 2002. Play hit number 74 on the Billboard Top 200 soon after it was released, and the group made numerous performances throughout North America on the strength of a partnership with Limited Too.
The group's second album, 2003's Replay, climbed even higher on the charts, debuting at number 67 and remaining in the Billboard Top 200 for several months following its release. Boasting an R&B-soaked sound and featuring Hamlin as the lead singer, the album managed to make a splash when the video for "I Must Not Chase the Boys" made its way onto MTV's TRL countdown. A flurry of live performances and television appearances, many of them sponsored by Limited Too and Clickits, followed over the course of the next few months. In spite of the group's growing success in the States, Hamlin, who was 16 years old at that point, decided to leave the group in October of that year in order to go to college. She officially parted ways with Play in December, having recorded one final single/music video with the group ("Hard Knock Life").
A new lead singer, 13-year-old Janet Leon, was introduced to Play's lineup, and plans were made to record a new studio album. The result, 2003's Don't Stop the Music (not to be confused with an album of the same name recorded by Swedish pop veteran Robyn), proved to be a commercial failure. Play released a Christmas album, 2004's Play Around the Christmas Tree, and a best-of comp, 2005's Girl's Mind, before going on hiatus in September 2005. ~ Drago Bonacich & Margaret Reges, All Music Guide
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