MEET KRAVE — the new Atlanta R&B trio young enough to consider TLC inspirations, fortunate enough to have two local music powers in their corner and savvy enough to be arriving at a time when female groups are scarce on the charts these days. Before opening for R&B pin-up Chris Brown this weekend — whom 19-year-old Chanel Ross admits to having "a serious, serious crush on" — she and fellow members Jasmine "Jazzy" Kearse, 18, and Shanquilla "ShanQ" Robinson, 20, introduced themselves and discussed:

• Why TLC are role models for them: "We love their swag[ger], their music, their confidence and their power," Robinson said. "We plan to bring what they represented back. The whole vibe!"

DEREK BLANKS / Special (ENLARGE)
Krave's Jasmine 'Jazzy' Kearse (from left), Chanel Ross and Shanquilla 'ShanQ' Robinson aim to bring back girl power to R&B.
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• What they've learned from their label heads DeVyne Stephens and Marvin McIntyre: "Marvin [of Right Time Records] and DeVyne [of Upfront Megatainment] give us preventive maintenance," Ross said. "They reference people in the business and mistakes they have made to prevent us from flopping or doing something wrong. We're so, so blessed with these wonderful people who look after us and genuinely care. They have a passion for this."

• Where all of the girl groups have gone: "I think that one of the reasons there aren't as many girl groups these days is they haven't covered all of their bases," Kearse says. "Marvin, DeVyne and Miss Loretta [McIntyre] help us stay on point on everything, not just about the music, but from everything from the name, the publicity, the show. People get lazy in some of those areas. Everybody doesn't cover every aspect of artistry. That's where we are going to be different."

• THE 411: Chris Brown With Lloyd and Krave. $58.75-$88.75. 7 p.m. July 5. Chastain Park Amphitheatre, 4469 Stella Drive, Atlanta. 404-249-6400, www.ticketmaster.com.