From historic GRAMMY wins to star-studded music videos, Boyz II Men achieved unthinkable feats with their second album. As the LP turns 30, dig into why 'II' remains one of R&B's all-time greats.
"Article published in Grammy.com . Author: Jon O'Brien."
After releasing a debut album that went nine-times platinum, spawned a record-equaling 13-week chart-topper, and pioneered a new subgenre (remember hip-hop doo-wop?), Boyz II Men could have been forgiven for resting on their laurels for LP number two. Instead, they made a concerted attempt to go even bigger and better.
Indeed, celebrating its 30th anniversary on Aug. 30, the simplistically titled II was precision-tooled into becoming the ultimate R&B heavyweight of the '90s. "I personally came up with the name because I wanted people to know that this is a continuation of the first record, like a sequel to a movie or something like that," singer Shawn Stockman later revealed to Billboard in 2019.
Bandmate Nathan Morris was just as laser-focused on maintaining a stranglehold on the top of the charts, continually perusing sales figures across the world to work out how they could corner certain markets. Their seminal record label, Motown, meanwhile, even used market research to ensure that fans got what they wanted to hear, resulting in a collection of slick soulful ballads which utilized the vocal quartet's impressive harmonies like never before.
Such meticulousness paid off when II ended up surpassing its predecessor in sales, chart records, and general critical acclaim. And Wanya Morris believes it's more than worthy, recently telling Billboard, "If you want an example of what music is, we want the definition in an encyclopedia or on the internet or in any dictionary to be the II album."
In honor of II's 30th anniversary, here's a look at how the trio (and former memberMichael McCary, of course), lived up to all their blockbuster talk.
It Achieved Three Remarkable Chart Feats
Boyz II Men were such a chart juggernaut in the mid-'90s that they joined an exclusive club populated only by the Beatles! Indeed, the quartet became only the second ever act to replace themselves at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 when "On Bended Knee" dethroned "I'll Make Love To You" in September 1994. This was the first such instance since the Fab Four's "Can't Buy Me Love" toppled "She Loves You" 30 years previously (in the years since, 12 more acts including Taylor Swift and Drake have also achieved the feat).
This wasn't the only time the Philadelphians essentially became their own rivals, either. Their 14-week run atop the Hot 100 of "I'll Make Love To You" surpassed the 13-week stint enjoyed by "End of the Road" two years earlier. As a result, the group not only set the record for longest Hot 100 reign at the time, but they also became the first artist to achieve two consecutive No. 1s with double-figure spells.
It Made GRAMMY History
Boyz II Men looked like they'd soon run out of space in their trophy cabinet when they won the Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal GRAMMY for the third time in four years. The vocal troupe first picked up the coveted gong in 1992 for Cooleyhighharmony, and then 12 months later for its lead single "End of the Road." And while their winning streak was interrupted by Sade's "No Ordinary Love" in 1994, they soon reclaimed the trophy in 1995 thanks to "I'll Make Love To You."
The four-piece also made GRAMMY history that same ceremony when they became the inaugural victors of the Best R&B Album Category. II triumphed overAnita Baker's Rhythm of Love,Tevin Campbell's I'm Ready,Gladys Knight's Just for You,Me'Shell NdegéOcello's Plantation Lulllabies, andLuther Vandross' Songs. But despite a further eight GRAMMY nods, this remains their last victory.
It Boasts The Avengers Of '90s R&B Producers
Boyz II Men initially planned to give Tim Kelley and Bob Robinson — the Illinois duo who'd later helm Top 10 smashes for Jon B, Sisqo and Tamia — the creative reins for II. But concerned the relative unknowns might not have the experience, Motown insisted on bringing in the big guns, too.
Tim and Bob did contribute to five tracks, including fifth single "Vibin'" and the tribute to late manager Roderick Rountree, "Khalil (Interlude)." But it was the more recognizable names that provided the monster hits, whether Janet Jackson cohorts Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on "On Bended Knee," one-man hit factory Dallas Austin on "Thank You," or the four-time Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical GRAMMY winner Babyface on "I'll Make Love To You."
There was even room for mogulL.A. Reid ("I Sit Away"), Cooleyhighharmony contributors the Characters ("Jezzebel"), and croonerBrian McKnight (bonus track "Fallin'") to make their mark on a record whose credits read like a who's who of '90s R&B.
It Spawned A String Of Star-Studded Videos
It wasn't just behind the scenes where Boyz II Men assembled a wealth of talent. The group also bagged a whole host of stars from both the small and big screen to give their music videos that extra bit of pizazz.
In "I'll Make Love to You," White Men Can't Jump actor Duane Martin plays the security installation engineer who essentially becomes amorous pen pals with his latest customer. Saved by the Bell's Lark Voorhies, Living Single's Kim Fields, and daytime soap opera stalwarts Victoria Rowell and Renée Jones all break up and then make up with their respective Boyz in "On Bended Knee." And the supermodel holding the band inside a crystal ball in "Water Runs Dry"? Well, that's none other than Tyra Banks.
The latter promo, which Morris once told GRAMMY.com was a personal favorite, also picked up Best Cinematography and Best R&B Video nods at the MTV VMAs.
It Was Also A Sales Behemoth
II instantly became Boyz II Men's second No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and by Christmas of 1994, the album was posting weekly sales of nearly 300,000 copies. Little wonder, therefore, that it became the third biggest seller of 1994 (behind The Lion King soundtrack and Ace of Base's The Sign). In fact, it even ended up in the Top 10 best-sellers of the following year, too.
By the end of its campaign, II had been awarded diamond status, making it one of the biggest selling R&B albums of all time. (Depending on how you categorizeMichael Jackson's Thriller and Bad andWhitney Houston's two eponymous LPs, it could even lay claim to being the biggest.) Its lead single, "I'll Make Love To You," also racked up impressive numbers, selling over 1.6 million copies during and after its lengthy residency at the top of the Hot 100.
It Spawned Two Spinoffs
Boyz II Men were so determined to conquer the world with II that they even re-recorded several tracks in a completely different language. Yes, in an effort to reel in the Latin market, the vocal quartet gave their Beatles cover, "On Bended Knee" ("Me Rindo Ante Ti"), "I'll Make Love to You" ("Yo Te Voy A Amar") and "Water Runs Dry" ("No Dejemos Que Muera El Amor") the Spanish treatment for a bilingual special edition released a year after the original. The latter track even made No. 1 on Billboard's Latin Top 10 airplay chart.
Keen to strike while the iron was hot, Motown also issued a compilation featuring remixes of tracks from their first two albums, including a version of "Vibin'" featuring Busta Rhymes and Method Man. The Remix Collection, however, reportedly didn't receive the blessing of the band themselves, and their relationship with the iconic label was never the same again.
It Paved The Way For The Modern Boy Band Ballad
While predecessor Cooleyhighharmony contained its fair share of air-grabbing, silky smooth, close harmony ballads (see "End of the Road"), it was II where Boyz II Men truly mastered the art. Alongside its first two singles, "50 Candles," "Fallin'" and "Trying Times" all crooned and swooned about love in a manner that had certain fans ready and willing to throw their undergarments on stage in appreciation.
And the new generation of boy bands who valued vocal ability as much as pin-up appeal were undoubtedly taking note. Listen to Backstreet Boys ("I'll Never Break Your Heart," "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely"), NSYNC ("Drive Myself Crazy," "This I Promise You"), and 98 Degrees ("(I Do) Cherish You," "My Everything") in full-on serenade mode, and it's clear that II set the template.
Luckily, the group responsible were happy to pass the mantle on. As Stockman toldABC News at the peak of TRL, "As far as we're concerned, this is their era and this is their time."
It's Stood The Test Of Time
The 2021 Netflix original series This Is Pop argued that Boyz II Men's impact on pop culture has been unfairly overlooked since their imperial phase came to an end. Yet, numerous artists — many of whom were still in diapers when they were regularly topping the charts — have borrowed from their sophomore set in recent years.
In 2018, for example, Drake sampled "Khalil (Interlude)" on Scorpion cut "March 14," while Swedish house maestro DJ Seinfeld's "With My Love" lifts vocal snatches from "Water Runs Dry." The latter has also been treated to full reinterpretations from singer/songwriter Jens Lekman in 2008 and cover version extraordinaire Kelly Clarkson in 2021. Meanwhile, Justin Bieber — who recruited the group for his festive 2011 album, Under the Mistletoe — put his spin on "I'll Make Love to You" during a 2015 gig at the W Hollywood Hotel.
And with its first two singles racking up 277 million and 163 million Spotify plays, respectively, II appears to be connecting, and reconnecting, in the streaming age, too.
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