Boyz II Men
Biography
According to no less an authority than the RIAA, Boyz II Men are the most commercially successful R&B group of all time. They've sold ludicrous numbers of records and been involved in three of the longest-running number one pop singles in history, and they've done it as a unit of equals. In fact, their four-part harmonies blend so smoothly that most of the general public would be hard-pressed to name any of the group's individual members. And that's no reflection on their skill as singers; Boyz II Men were among the first male urban soul artists to adopt the sort of hyper-technical melodic embellishments that were popularized by virtuosic divas like Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. Their early music was indebted to new jack swing, but the group quickly found their forté in lush, soulful ballads, where their harmonies could be showcased to greatest effect. Boyz II Men may never duplicate their incredible run of success during the first half of the '90s, but that's a near-impossible task for anyone, even with the broad-based appeal of their clean-cut romantic image.
Boyz II Men were formed in 1988 at Philadelphia's High School of the Creative and Performing Arts. Founding members Nathan Morris and Marc Nelson had been singing together for several years, but had trouble keeping a group together simply due to members graduating. Things finally stabilized when they hooked up with Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman, and bass vocalist Michael McCary; calling themselves Unique Attraction, the quintet performed a well-received Valentine's Day show for their school and developed a repertoire that leaned heavily on New Edition songs (one of which, "Boys to Men," gave them their name). Their big break came in 1989, when they snuck backstage at a Bell Biv DeVoe concert and wowed group member Michael Bivins (also formerly of New Edition, and a budding music entrepreneur) with an a cappella version of New Edition's "Can You Stand the Rain." Bivins offered them a deal right there, but Nelson would not stick around to be part of it; personality conflicts led to his departure soon after (he later resurfaced as a member of Az Yet).
Down to a quartet, Boyz II Men entered the studio to record their debut album, Cooleyhighharmony, for the legendary Motown Records. Backed by the new jack production then in vogue, they dubbed their sound "hip-hop doo wop," though as a vocal harmony group they were more indebted to R&B of the '60s and '70s. Cooleyhighharmony was released in 1991, and its first single, the uptempo dance track "Motownphilly," rocketed up the charts, going Top Five pop and number one R&B on its way to platinum sales. The a cappella ballad "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday," a cover of a song from the film Cooley High, also hit the pop Top Five and topped the R&B charts, and went gold. Meanwhile, the album won a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. Boyz II Men joined MC Hammer's Too Legit to Quit tour in 1992, but tragedy struck when tour manager Khalil Roundtree was shot and killed in Chicago; the group rededicated "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" to him.
The tragedy notwithstanding, Boyz II Men had had an extremely auspicious beginning to their career. Still, nothing could have foreshadowed the group's Midas touch over the next few years. Briefly entering the studio in between concert gigs, Boyz II Men cut a smooth Babyface ballad called "End of the Road" for the soundtrack of the Eddie Murphy film Boomerang. Released as a single, it became not just a blockbuster, but one of the biggest hits in history; it spent 13 weeks at number one on the pop charts, an incredible run that broke the record of 11 weeks Elvis Presley had held ever since 1956 with the double-sided single "Don't Be Cruel"/"Hound Dog." "End of the Road" won a slew of awards and cemented Boyz II Men's star status beyond any doubt; while crafting their next album during 1993, the group released a couple of placeholders: a Top Five cover of the Five Satins doo wop classic "In the Still of the Nite," from the TV movie The Jacksons: An American Dream, and the holiday album Christmas Interpretations. (Also that year, Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" broke "End of the Road"'s record with 14 weeks at number one.)
The post-"End of the Road" buzz helped make Boyz II Men's next album, II, an instant smash when it arrived in 1994, even though it didn't include "End of the Road." Produced by the likes of Babyface and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, rather than Bivins (who wanted to concentrate on developing new artists), II debuted at number one on its way to sales of over 12 million copies. The first single, "I'll Make Love to You" (also penned by Babyface), raced up the charts and wound up tying Houston's short-lived record, with 14 weeks of its own at number one -- a staggering feat in itself, made all the more amazing by the fact that the group had already set the record once. Moreover, the follow-up single, "On Bended Knee," actually replaced "I'll Make Love to You" at number one for a six-week run of its own; only Elvis and the Beatles had ever replaced themselves at number one. "Thank You" was a relative flop, not quite making the pop Top 20, but "Water Runs Dry" returned them to the Top Five, falling one slot short of number one. Boyz II Men spent much of 1995 touring the U.S. and beyond in support of II, and also opened their own recording studio. They spent some time recording collaborations with other artists: Wanya Morris duetted with Brandy on the hit "Brokenhearted," and the whole group sang on Michael Jackson's "History" and LL Cool J's "Hey Lover." The biggest one, however, was a song done with Mariah Carey called "One Sweet Day." Featuring two of the biggest chart powerhouses in the industry, "One Sweet Day" was virtually a guaranteed blockbuster, and it went on to spend 16 weeks at number one on the pop charts, debuting there in December 1995; it was the third such record-setting single of Boyz II Men's career.
Over the group's objections, Motown released a piece of cash-in product titled The Remix Collection in late 1995; in retaliation, Boyz signed a distribution deal with Sony, not Motown, for their new vanity label, Stonecreek. It was the beginning of a souring relationship that only worsened upon the release of Boyz II Men's next album, Evolution, in 1997. The record started out strong, debuting at number one and sending "4 Seasons of Loneliness" to the same position on the singles charts; its Top Ten follow-up, "A Song for Mama," gave Boyz II Men their record-setting seventh platinum single. However, Motown was unable to throw its full promotional muscle behind the record (perhaps because of their transition to a new label president), meaning that Evolution didn't have nearly the shelf life of II, selling only two million copies. It didn't help that critics were less than enthusiastic, questioning the album's title since the music itself was more of the same. The group was also forced to postpone parts of their supporting tour when Wanya Morris developed a benign polyp on his vocal cords. He recovered fully, though, and in early 1999, amid major record company mergers, the group got their contract transferred from Motown to Universal.
For their next album, Boyz II Men assumed greater control over songwriting and production, handling a greater share of each by themselves. The resulting record, Nathan Michael Shawn Wanya, was released in 2000, and while it received better reviews than Evolution, it continued the group's downward commercial slide, only going gold and producing a smaller-scale hit in "Pass You By." The group subsequently signed with Arista Records. In summer 2002, Boyz II Men kept with their sophisticated approach for the aptly titled release Full Circle. Michael McCary left the group in 2003 due to problems with scoliosis. In 2004 the remaining members released Throwback, an album filled with covers of their favorite songs. Their 2007 effort The Remedy was initially only available through the band's official website. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
Selected Discography
THE BOYS to MEN , I LIKE the tunes these men sing. My Favorite one i LIKE that They came up with and i can listen to it over & over all day and all night long. It's The SONG about MOMMA. I THink every one likes that one because of being about you're momma. You're momma is special because she brings you in this world and she is always there for you. They could'nt sing a more moving song than that!!!!!!!! Blazinbittch i n Josey.
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Boyz2men is the best singing group in the history of music hands down!!
there is no competition with their harmony. They were destined to be. It has always been my dream to meet them and sing one of their songs. They need to come back with new albums or sing their old songs again. |
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that's cool, nice music with wonderful melody. I like this song!!!
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These guys are SERIOUSLY what its about! They get it. They know how to make you feel the music as they do singing it. I just attended one of their concerts for the 4th time 2 weeks ago and what everyone says is so true, they are timeless. There were older folks there all the down to little kids. I'm 30 and have loved these guys since I was like 12 or 13. They are and will always be my favorite. Keep it up Boyz!
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They are without a shadow of a doubt one of the greatest groups to have ever graced music. They are timeless and their music will never be forgotten.
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There is no one group quite like the Boyz! They have been and still are one of my all time favorite groups!!! They are timeless for me.
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What can you say about Boyz to Men the sweetest & greatest harmony. Their music is magic. I love them. Whenever I hear their music it actually brings tears to my eyes. It's so soulful. Thanks guys.
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wht a great group my son sings all there songes and he is Good very Good......
Boyze to Men will always be number 1# |
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Doin Just Fine!!!!! This is my ultimate you-messed-u p - b i g - t i m e - b y - b r e a k i n g - u p - w i t h - m e song. I adore Boyz II Men.
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These young brothers do it like the old school days (Tempations) . I truely commend them. They have a unique sound all to their own.
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Boyz 11 Men is one of the greatest groups ever since the Four Tops. And there is no one out here today who can ever top their style of music. They are in deed a one of a kind.
Even to this day I fall deeper in love with their music everytime I listen to it. Even though I enjoy hearing them all,Wayan Morris is my favorite. |
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To mrspain01: If you like this song , PLEASE get the cd with all their first names in it.That is Boyz II Men at its best!!!
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This is the first time I've ever heard this song. I've always enjoyed their music, but as another commenter stated... If DJ's don't play it on the radio, you'd never know what was out there. Man, they did a great job with this song. I'm interested in listening to other songs from the album. Stay true to what you do guys.. we love you for it!
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Boyz II Men are by far the best male R&B group we've had in the last 20 years. They are original, talented and have the writing/prod u c i n g skills to back it all up. What I respect the most about them is that even in the mid 90's when r&b made a turn for the worse with all the oversexualiz e d , overproduced mass crap, Boyz II Men still stayed true to themselves and their art. They make this Philly girl very proud!!!!!!! ! !
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pure baby-makin' (or for the gays, baby-adoptin g ) music right here.
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I love boyz II men...their music just brings that romantic-lov e - b o y / g i r l drama...thei r music forever hits the spot!!!
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They are way better than these new groups. I RESPECT boyz II men because of the way they carry themselves.. . t h e i r music isn't full of trash...F this F that...their music makes sense and it makes me want to hear them even more....they ' r e forever the top on my list. They're old scold taste to their music brings such a romantic feeling...I LOVE IT!
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Man, these guys bring back memories. I used to take these cats for granted and then the radio stopped playing them (well, at least their new stuff, if any). I miss Boyz II Men and would like to hear them again.
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They are just fantastic. Their harmony is delicious. They are on the same plateau as The Whispers.
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hands down boys II men have the best vocals ever!!!!!!th e i r music is the best....<3
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Boys II Mena are the greatest R&B group of all time. I love them and their songs touch me deeply in my soul!
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these boyz are 1 of the best r&b group my favorite album is legacy there just the bomb!!!!!!!! ! ! ! ! !
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There great, I love listen Boyz II Men. The armonisation is fantastic
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the best group that has and probably will ever exist.. their harmonies have evolved from record to record... thier harmony in the Motown, i just have to say they make the originals sound like remakes. God given talent.. for those who don't know, they are still out there just not mainstream cause thats not what people want to hear now. if you want to hear good music i guess you just gotta go look for it.... love the guys and will always love them for their God given talent
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BoyzIIMen are the only other group that I've heard that sounds so amazing in person other then Take6. BoyzIIMen are the greatest R&B Group ever!
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boyz II men are an amazing group they can sing and look good and nate got HHHHHHHUUUUU G G G G G E E E E lips mmmmm... tasty
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I LLLOOOOOOOOV V V V V V V V V V E E E E E E E E you guys soooooo SEXXI u have NO idea how u guys make a gurl fell just by tha sound of yur voices no one will ever be able to do what u guys have done
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in my eyes the best group ever. never will anyone do what they have done thru out the years. great music
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There will never be another group like boys 2 men. They have been a part of my music library since they began.
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WHAT SO SO SO FUNNY IS IM A BIG NEW EDITION FAN, BUT NOW IM ALSO A BIG BOYZ II MEN FAN. IM ONLY 18. I LOVE GREAT MUSIC. R & B NEEDS GROUPS LIKE THEM BACK.
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This has got to be one of the best songs i have ever heard(4 seasons of loneliness) because im lonely as hell rite now, so i can relate.
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