While Boyz II Men gear up for the release of their new album, Twenty, this fall, which will commemorate their 20 years of hit making in the music business, group member Shawn Stockman recently touched on why the group has been together so long.
“We’re lucky enough to have incredible chemistry and we never lose sight of the fact that we’re a team,” Stockman told Creative Loafing. “It’s easy to let disputes and drama and egos come between you as a group, which is why a lot of people go solo. But we still know why we do it – and that’s because we truly love it. That is the key to being here 20 years. Things have not been 100-percent great for 20 years, but we know that is how life is. We were taught early to prepare for the down times because they always come, and because of that we’ve known what to expect.”
Boyz II Men’s upcoming effort Twenty, will contain 10 brand new songs and 10 newly recorded and revamped versions of the diamond and multi-platinum group’s classics, including “End Of The Road,” “I’ll Make Love To You,” and “Bended Knee.” The group is currently in the studio making “great” R&B, something that many artists are not doing, with producers like Babyface, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Dallas Austin, Teddy Riley, Rob Knox, Julian Bunetta, and Tim/Bob.
“The sad truth is that not many artists are creating great R&B records anymore, and if they are those are the songs that the labels are weeding out in the album finalization process in fear of the sound being dated,” says Stockman. “While many artists have their fans grow old with them, our fans grow old but they also pass our music down to their children, which allows our fan base to skew much younger than one would think. Given the fact that the sound of music has changed so much over the past 20 years, introducing our music to younger fans is almost like introducing a brand-new style of music.”
Twenty will be released as an exclusive only at Walmart, later this fall 2011 on the Boyz own label MSM Music, with partners Benchmark Entertainment.
It’s no secret that Boyz II Men has been a major contributor to the R&B landscape, dominating airwaves in the 1990s with hits like “End of The Road” and “I’ll Make Love To You.” But now, one member of the group is speaking out about why groups are becoming obsolete and why he believes the current state of R&B isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Wanya Morris, who joined Boyz II Men as an original member at age 16, recently opened up on his thoughts about where music today is headed.
Morris discussed how certain elements that made groups popular during their heyday have gone away. He noted that when there was an emphasis on harmony and vocal stylings, fans were drawn in by those unique sounds – something which can’t necessarily be replicated in solo acts. Furthermore, Morris pointed out the lack of structure within modern-day record labels as another factor leading to decreased interest in groups overall.
Finally, Morris shared his thoughts on the current state of R&B music today – giving listeners insight into what exactly he thinks needs to change if this genre wants to remain relevant going forward. With such strong opinions from someone whose career spans nearly three decades in both solo work and as part of a successful boy band, readers will not want to miss out on hearing what else he has to say!
Reasons For The Decline Of Music Groups
The rise of solo artists has played a major role in the decline of music groups. It’s not uncommon to see an artist go from performing as part of a group one moment, then launching into a successful solo career shortly after. This shift has been brought on by the desire of many musicians to express their individual creativity, rather than being constrained within a group dynamic.
Another factor leading to the fall of traditional musical groups is the changing tastes and preferences among consumers. Many listeners today prefer more personalized or niche styles that are better served by solo acts than large ensembles. As such, it can be difficult for music groups to keep up with these ever-evolving trends and remain competitive in the market.
Finally, technology has also had an impact on how we listen to music–and thus what type of popular music becomes mainstream. Streaming services like Spotify make it easier for individuals to find solo artists whose sounds they enjoy without having to search through entire albums featuring multiple performers. With this ease of access comes greater opportunities for independent artists who might otherwise get lost in larger groups. All these things have contributed greatly to why R&B groups no longer dominate radio airwaves like they used to in past decades.
Analysis Of Contemporary R&B Music
The decline of music groups has also had a significant impact on R&B as we know it. As solo artists become increasingly popular, the sound and structure of R&B have shifted to accommodate this trend. Contemporary R&B songs often feature only one singer with minimal instrumental accompaniment, providing a stark contrast from the traditional group-based approach that once dominated the genre.
In addition, many modern R&B tracks now rely heavily on electronic production elements such as auto-tune and synthesizers, which further distance them from their predecessors in terms of musicality. This shift towards more ‘pop’ sounding styles has resulted in criticisms about how watered down much contemporary R&B is compared to its roots, leaving some people feeling like the genre no longer holds the same cultural significance or artistic value.
Despite these changes, however, there are still plenty of talented musicians creating thoughtfully crafted songs within the realm of R&B today–it’s just a matter of seeking them out amidst all the noise. While groups may no longer be at the forefront of popular culture, they have left behind an enduring legacy that continues to shape and influence modern music around us.
Conclusion
The music industry has changed drastically since the days of Boyz II Men and other iconic R&B groups. It’s clear that many of these changes have had a profound impact on both the success and longevity of such groups, as well as the quality of contemporary R&B music. While it may be sad to see these groups fading away from our musical landscape, we can take solace in knowing that their influence continues to reverberate throughout popular culture today.
I believe what matters most is staying true to who you are as an artist regardless of how trends change or which new sound emerges. In order for R&B to remain relevant and innovative, I think artists need to keep pushing boundaries and experimenting with different sounds while still remaining true to the genre’s core elements. As long as there are people out there dedicated to creating meaningful music, then there will always be something special about R&B.
At the end of the day, all forms of art continue to evolve over time; this includes R&B and its various subgenres like hip-hop, soul, funk, etc. Therefore, I don’t think it’s fair to write off either one without giving them due credit for everything they’ve contributed so far. Music is universal – no matter what style or form it takes on – and should always be respected and appreciated in some way or another.
Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
