4. MOST SUCCESSFUL BLACK BOY BANDS. B2K
- osolasamuel
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read

B2K stands for “Boys of the New Millennium,” formed in 1998 in Los Angeles by choreographer Dave Scott and Interscope A&R Keshia Gamble.
Initial members—J‑Boog (Jarell Houston), Raz‑B (De’Mario Thornton), and Lil’ Fizz (Dreux Frédéric)—invited Omarion (Omari Grandberry) to join on New Year’s Eve 1999.
Debut single “Uh Huh” hit in 2001, followed by their self-titled album (March 2002) which peaked at #2 on Billboard 200 and #1 on R&B Albums, earning Gold certification.

Pandemonium! (Dec 2002) featured “Bump, Bump, Bump” with P. Diddy, topping Billboard Hot 100—B2K’s first and only #1 single. Starred in You Got Served (2004), a film showcasing their dance skills and soundtrack, released near their disbandment.

Conflict with their manager, Chris Stokes, over finances and control led Lil’ Fizz, J-Boog, and Raz‑B to cut ties—and Omarion remained under his management.
Omarion launched a solo career with hits like “O”, “Ice Box”, and later “Post to Be”; Lil’ Fizz and J-Boog joined Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood; Raz‑B pursued music and entertainment ventures.

Omarion gained major solo success and later documented his journey in the docuseries Omega: The Gift & The Curse.
Lil’ Fizz, J‑Boog, and Raz‑B released solo mixtapes and collaborated under their own label Popular Ent.; all appeared on Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood at various points.
In late 2018, B2K officially reunited for The Millennium Tour (2019) alongside other mid‑2000s acts like Mario, Pretty Ricky, and Lloyd—grossing over $28 million on the first leg.

Raz‑B faced controversies and eventually exited the tour early to address mental health concerns.
By 2021–2022, Omarion publicly stated he no longer had relationships with his former bandmates; tensions surfaced over their 2019 tour dynamics and comments during Verzuz and Drink Champs appearances.
Rumors of reconciliation circulated when the group reunited on stage during Jhené Aiko’s concert in July 2024 and were confirmed with a performance at the final 2025 Millennium Tour show at Inglewood’s Kia Forum.

B2K filled a major void in early-2000s urban music as a boy band with hip-hop edge and choreographed flair, bridging groups like New Edition and modern R&B teen pop acts.
Their reunion tours tapped into nostalgia and sparked renewed fan engagement.
the 2025 show at Kia Forum reinforced that their legacy still resonates with both old and new audiences.

B2K is credited with reviving the teen boy band model for R&B.
Despite a brief original run, their influence lasted, especially through their music, fashion, and You Got Served.
Their reunion sparked renewed interest in early 2000s pop-R&B nostalgia.
Commenti