At home and in harmony with Boyz II Men

Ebony, Feb, 1996 by Lisa Jones Townsel

Bonafide stars in their own right, Boyz II Men have added their name to the credit sheets of other artists, including Mariah Carey, LL Cool J and Michael Jackson.

Is it difficult for them to be individuals when they are so closely linked to a group image? Not really. "We give each other respect and that keeps us together," Shaws says. "We like to hang out with our friends individually. But we're all friends collectively, too."

When friction does arise, Wanya says it is settled "like any close, tight-knit family."

Off stage, group members nurture a variety of side interests, Shawn, who heads for the pool halls after hours, recently penned a song for Disney's upcoming movie, Mr. Holland's Opus. Wanya, who creates cartoons, blended his talents with Brandy Norwood last year on her single, "Brokenhearted." Michael, who writes action flicks, juggles several ventures, including sports management and publishing companies. Nathan, a prolific songwriter, enjoy shooting hoops.

Together the global crowd-pleasers reach back into their communities by visiting the sick at local hospitals and hosting charitable sports events.

Even though the young singers are adapting well to manhood, they say their name, Boyz II Men, will forever be appropriate since, as Shawn explains: "It means growth, and that's something we do, no matter what."

Fans will have to wait until next year before again hearing from the Philly harmonizers in a big way. "As far as touring, making records and coming out with shows, we're taking time off from that," Nathan says. "We're getting into the studio and our label deal and becoming writers, producers and record company executives."

In spite of their accumulated success and star status, the talented quartet is still expanding an already impressive repertoire. Then again, that's what growth and the Boyz are all about.