A single, "Got to Give", came out on Cooltempo before the Brand New Heavies signed to Acid Jazz Records and released Brand New Heavies to critical acclaim. American distribution was picked up by influential label Delicious Vinyl, and N'Dea Davenport joined the group. Singles like "Dream Come True" and "Never Stop" became hits on both sides of the Atlantic, and the group's appearance with MC Serch (formerly of 3rd Bass) and Q-Tip (then of A Tribe Called Quest) at a performance in New York City inspired the group to incorporate elements of hip hop music. Their next album was the critically acclaimed Heavy Rhyme Experience, Vol. 1, which included collaborations with Gang Starr and The Pharcyde, among others.
Brother Sister (1994, 1994 in music) was the last album with Davenport, and she was replaced by Siedah Garrett for Shelter (1997, 1997 in music), their most recent album of original music.