In a historic and record setting move Bad Boy Records’ mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and MTV paired up season three and four Making the Band winners Danity Kane and Day 26 for a fiery and chart topping year that would end with one of the most controversial seasons in the history of the now eight year running show. Beating out their predecessors O-Town and Da Band with two chart topping albums and a release from MTB4 solo star Donnie Klang, seasons two and three of the series became what we like to call ‘Primetime R&B’ or if you’d like to get techinical — pop-infused ‘Primetime R&B’ Controversial, up close and personal, Danity Kane and Day 26 began 2008 with a new season and nationwide tour following Diddy’s on-air dream of creating the ‘Bad Boy Movement’. Despite Diddy’s documented disdain for Aubrey of Danity Kane the group moved forward with “Welcome To The Dollhouse,” their sophomore album, and the first successful sophomore album from any recent Making The Band group. Upon its release on March 18, “Welcome To The Dollhouse,” also led by the single “Damaged” debuted at no.1. With the help of extensive promotion, a tour and record Making the Band 4 ratings on MTV, the groups disc moved 283,000 copies in its first week and has since been certified Gold. Following behind their girl group counterparts, Day 26, who announced their group name during the second Season of Making the Band 4, released their first single “Got Me Going” to be followed by their self titled debut. Heavily influenced by producers Bryan Michael Cox, The Runners, Kwame and Danja, Day 26 debuted atop the charts on March 25, 2008 with 190,000 copies moved. While each group earned their respective successes initially, each of their singles, except Danity Kane’s “Damaged”, failed to reach the Top 10 of the Hot 100 or Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Songs tally. The ratings of the hit show were a completely different story though. According MTV and Diddy’s Bad Boy Records, Making the Band 4 season two reached over 55.1 million viewers with season three nearing the same total. In addition to Danity Kane and Day 26, MTV’s cameras followed Donnie Klang, a MTB4 contestant who earned a solo contract at the end of season one. Klang’s debut “Just A Rolling Stone” hit stores in September amidst Making the Band’s third and most controversial season. While Klang’s effort, which debuted at #19 on the Billboard 200, failed to ignite the charts like his counterparts, plenty of sparks and flames ignited on camera including Diddy’s ‘dark and lonely’ speech to group ‘wild-child’ Aubrey O’Day during the season. Laurie Ann Gibson, the known MTB choreographer, who Diddy fired during a previous season also returned. Chemistry between group members Que (Day 26) and Dawn (Danity Kane) turned into a relationship, while chemistry between Donnie Klang and Aubrey O’Day turned into nothing but episode hilarity. At the end of the day, Diddy decided, or ratings decided (you be the judge) to make some noise in the most controversial way possible. Cutting two members from Danity Kane and inviting others to take a walk too, Diddy gave blogs, radio and fans something to talk about in the fall of 2008. Dismissing Aubrey O’Day and D. Woods, Making the Band 4 came to a close with Danity Kane down to three; Day 26 set to work on their sophomore album; and the future of Donnie Klang’s career undecided. After much debate and questioning, Making the Band 4 is set to return in February but the question is who will appear and whether Danity Kane will remain a trio. Despite their ups and downs, Making The Band 4 dominated Spring 2008 with two chart-topping releases, record ratings and kept us all talking, making them worthy of a #9 mention on Singersroom’s Top 10 Moments in 2008. What do you think… will you watch the new season (set for February) ? For more on Danity Kane, Aubrey O’Day, the new season and D.Woods, see our SOUL RECKLESS feature Danity Kane – The Break Up.
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