Disco de B2K: “B2K”

We've heard from them all, Boyz II Men, Jagged Edge and many others. Now we have newcomers in the game who go under the name of Boys of the New Millenium, better known as B2K. They have already stunned the world with their hit "Uh Huh" which hit number one spots on radio stations in late 2001 and early 2002. Then they went on to release this debut. Wow! What a debut this one is. Filled with alot of R&B, Soul and Hip-Hop musically, Girls, Party and Relationships lyrically. The album features excellent vocals, vocal ranges and excellent raps from Lil' Fizz. It singles "Gots Ta Be" and "Why I Love You" have both been a sucess and their videos, well, the girls must decide on that! Party people would enjoy tracks like "Uh Huh" and "B2K is Hot" while slow jammers may enjoy tracks like "Gots Ta Be" and "Baby Girl" Medtempo heads will enjoy something like "Fantasy" or "Why I Love You" All I can say is, this fella's are here to take over the world of R&B.

When I first saw the video for "Uh Huh", I thought, Here's an urban teen R&B group. All the middle school and high school girls will love them. And, according to the charts, I was right. The video constantly reaching the top spot on MTV and BET, not to mention the album debuting at #2 on the Billboard 200, proved that girls just couldn't get enough of Omarion, Lil' Fizz, Raz-B and J-Boog. And when their followup "Gots Ta Be" came out, even guys were saying that maybe they should get the album.

I have to admit that I was surprised that "Gots Ta Be" is so good, because a lot of times when new male teen groups release fast songs, they mess things up with slow songs. But after listening to the album, I discovered that they're actually BETTER at making slow songs. In addition to "Gots Ta Be", there's the I-know-I-messed-up ballad "I'm Not Finished", and the album's best track, "Baby Girl". The only slow song that could use a little improvement is "Feel This Way", because it sounds like they were half asleep when they recorded it.

This album does run into corners, however. "Hey Little Lady" and "B2K Is Hot" don't go anywhere, and "Come On" annoys the listener by saying the word DANCE a little too much. But the weirdest song on the album has to be "Your Girl Chose Me", which has the boys bragging about other guys' girls choosing to be with them, and then having the nerve to ask the guys why they're so mad ("N stop acting like this."). Don't they know they could get beaten up for saying stuff like that? In addition, we really don't need to hear Raz-B announcing the members' names in just about every song.

Groups like B2K always have the same formula for the members: one guy is the lead singer, one guy is the rapper, and the rest is/are eye candy. Lil' Fizz is the rapper...I guess. With the aforementioned problems, I still believe Omarion has talent and potential, but at this point I just can't see it in Lil' Fizz. He has a very ghetto-sounding voice, and if he writes his own lyrics, he better get someone else to write them quick. (He hits rock bottom in "Hey Little Lady".) And since he's only fifteen, he shouldn't be talking about things like how sexy girls look with their G-strings on. I know teenage boys do talk about that stuff, but we shouldn't be PROMOTING it.

This album isn't GARBAGE, but it does need improvement. I hope they do better the second time around.

After a B2K "in-store" autograph signing caused a civil disturbance in the suburban city of Concord, CA this month (1,500 fans showed up when the mall had prepared for only 200), I decided to check out this CD and see what all the fuss was about. After hearing the album, and seeing the videos for "Uh Huh" and "Gots Ta Be", I'm strongly convinced that B2K might become the next big thing in Pop/R&B music a la *Nsync or Usher. B2K has the music, the moves, and the looks to captivate the hearts of Pop music lovers all around the world -- and it seems that these fellas are already on their way to superstardom. If labelmate Michael Jackson is thinking about a U.S. tour anytime soon, he'd be very wise to take B2K along for the ride. Now let's get to the music:

The album opens up with "Gots Ta Be", a smolderingly seductive R&B groove. "Gots Ta Be" (along with the next two) was co-written and produced by Steve Russell, the former lead singer of Troop ("Spread My Wings") -- an R&B group that enjoyed it's heyday during the New Jack Swing Era of 1988 through 1992. (Note to the older folks reading: you can even hear Steve singing backgrounds here. Nice to see he's still in the business!)

"Understanding" totally sounds like a Troop song (think "That's My Attitude") and it works very well. The third track, "Why I Love You" has an Usher-type vibe a la "You Remind Me", and I think this could be a single; it's a very nice "spring weather-sounding" mid-tempo. Then we hear "Uh Huh", B2K's first single, and the song is ridiculously slick indeed -- on fire, actually. Blazing.

After a short skit, we're "two-wayed" into "B2K is Hot" which is a blatant example of shameless self promotion -- but it works; a definite "we're going to see the concert tonight" track. However, "Fantasy" would have to be my choice for best fast song on the album -- even better than "Uh Huh". "Fantasy" has a distinct Ralph Tresvant/New Edition vibe, and the song definitely shows love for all the young sistas (in particular) out there -- listen close, and enjoy...

"I'm Not Finished" is a decent, apologetic ballad. "Come On" is a bouncy uptempo that is also just OK, but not bad. Next we hear another interlude, followed by a faster bounce track called "Hey Little Lady" which is also, well...just OK. But the vocals on "Come On" and "Hey Little Lady" are warm and filled-out.

"Baby Girl" is a stunningly well done ballad, and is my pick for best slow jam on the album, and a definite radio single. "Baby Girl" is tight y'all...trust me. "Your Girl Chose Me" is another excellent fast song; it has a 'Jacksons' feel to it circa 1984 -- with Jermaine or Randy singing lead. In my opinion, "Your Girl Chose Me" would make a great concert song a la *Nsync's "Tell Me, Tell Me...Baby".

"Shorty" is a fast song that has funky instrumentation similar to 112's "Peaches & Cream"; it has a cane-swinging, old-school jazzy feel to it. "Feel This Way" is another well done ballad. "Last Boyfriend" is a Jermaine Dupri (Lil' Bow Wow's producer) cut, and it works well. "Here We Go Again" is just OK though, and there you have it...the last song.

In case you didn't know, B2K is from the same musical 'clique' as ImX, formerly known as Immature. In addition, all three members of ImX (Marques [Batman], Jerome [Romeo], Kelton [LDB]) co-wrote the majority of the B2K album. Their executive producer Chris Stokes was also responsible for Immature/ImX in the 90s and beyond. In short, my recommendation is this: if you've ever found yourself liking music by Immature/ImX, 112, *NSync, Ginuwine, or New Edition, then B2K is for you. I predict big things for this act -- the question is, are you coming along for the ride?...

You know what really made me buy this album,track #2.I really loved that song.I had bought "B2K Live At The House Of Blues" dvd,and I heard this song at the end of the dvd,and I really loved it,so I had bought the cd.And the second reason I bought the cd was to hear RAZ-B's voice,(on #9 "Come On")which you rarely hear.So I just had to get it.And he sounded good too!!!That's why I don't understand why they won't let him sing lead sometimes.JC does in N'sync,Jermaine does in the Jackson 5,so why can't Raz-b do his thing!But anyway the cd is good.I liked the fact (for their debut cd), they put the lyrics to their songs on the cd book.But the cd is very much party-like.#'s 2,6,7,9,13,16 & 17 are good.Now if you had their single before the actual album came out,you might get sick of #4 "UH HUH",#10 "Hey Little Lady",#12 "Baby Girl", and #1 "Gots ta be".Cause I know I definetly skip over them,especially "UH-HUH"!I do like "Why I Love You",even though that and "Gots ta be" has been played over the radio continuously.But if your a B2K fan pick it up.But if your looking for harmony and true singing (your not going to get it here),pick up BoyziiMen or even the Jackson 5 for goodness sake.Now those boys can sing!

...because after one listen, it is very, very harmful ! This is truly some of the most atrocious noise I have ever heard, and my eardrums may never heal. This group is soooooo fake, and sooooo bland, heck, they even make NKOTB sound like gritty soul. Who would have thought that these young men could strip down and whitewash an already wobbly R&B scene, but, by george, they did just that. Pitiful. Boy Bands be gone !!!!