Boyz II Men: still the hottest group in music

Jet, August 7, 1995

It might be hard to believe, but Boyz II Men has only been around for six years. In that short time the group has broken records around the world and has managed to remain the hottest group in music.

Their debut album, Cooleyhigh-harmony, which was released in 1991, produced the gangster hit End of the Road, a song written for the film Boomerang. It stayed at the top of the charts for a whopping 13 weeks. It broke Elvis Presley's record of 11 weeks. The album, which also featured the hit It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday, sold more than seven million copies worldwide and made them an international sensation with standing-room-only crowds everywhere they went.

The follow-up LP titled, II, picked up where the initial album left off with a wide range of harmonious ballads. In one week, II sold more than 300,000 copies, dethroning the soundtrack from the hit film The Lion King.

The four members of the group, Shawn Stockman, Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris and Michael McCary, collaborated with music legends Babyface, L.A. Reid, and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis for this album that has spawned such hits as On Bended Knees, Water Runs Dry, I'll Make Love II U and an a capella remake of the Beatles classic Yesterday. The quartet also wrote and co-produced several of the songs on the new album, including Thank You.

Boyz II Men has captured the hearts of fans around the world because of their strong, soaring harmonies and the wholesome nature of their music.

They credit God for their superstar success. "He put us in the right place at the right time," McCary told Jet.

All four consistently point out that religion has always played a major role in their lives and racy lyrics have never been a possibility. II features songs about love, lost love and relationships.

"Everybody is entitled to do what they want to do," says McCary. "It just so happens this is what we want to do. This is our way of expressing ourselves."

He added, "We don't go into lyrics cussing and all that stuff, disrespecting women. None of that," he stressed. "We're proud of ourselves that we didn't have to resort to cussing and taking off our clothes to entertain people."

The positive, broad appeal of Boyz II Men is evident by the number of middle-aged and seniors who line up for their records and concert tickets alongside teens and pre-teens.

The quartet grew up in Philadelphia and went to the same high school. In 1989, Michael Bivins, a member of New Edition, was in town hosting a talent show. The four youngsters managed to sneak backstage to meet Bivins. "We saw him and we were glad to see him," said Wanya Morris. "We were that close to him, and we just asked to sing for him."

They might have managed a few brownie points by singing a capella New Edition's Can You Stand the Rain. And Bivins was impressed. Bivins gave them his number and, of course, they called and called. And it paid off. Bivins became the group's manager.

And the rest is history. Few artists have ever come close to the success Boyz II Men have had, especially right out of the gate. Beyond the financial success, the quartet has received numerous accolades, including four Grammy Awards, three American Music Awards and two Soul Train Music Awards.

While beautiful R&B type ballads have brought them success and satisfaction, Shawn said they just love music and want to diversify. "One of our goals in our career is to break out and do all types of music, if possible. We love all types of music. We were exposed to all forms of music we listened at home to - classical, jazz, folk ... We would love to, maybe one day if it's possible, do a gospel album. Or maybe a country album or a classical album. We just love music." Besides New Edition they were inspired by such groups as the Four Tops, the Temptations, Take 6 and Isley Brothers. They were inspired by the groups' music, styles of dress and their moves.

Because they have had such a hectic recording and touring schedule, the four have not had much time for individual personal lives. "We're around each other so much it's hard to have a relationship because of your schedule." Morris said laughing, "I see us being told bachelors."

When asked to sum up their phenomenal success, all four said in harmony that it has been the result of being "blessed."