The Boyz Are Back

Thanks to Kahlee for sending me this article

Trying to find Boyz II Men's studio is a little like trying to find a music video on MTV: difficult. It's just outside Philadelphia in a renovated mill nestled between a flower shop and a photographer's studio. The Boyz named the airy yet high-tech facility Stonecreek Studios.

Why did the multi-platinum foursome tuck themselves away, on the outskirts of the City of Brotherly Love? To concentrate on their latest- and they hope, biggest album, Evolution.

"As human beings, you need time to really get away from things," says Michael McCary, whose deep voice is almost hypnotic. "Evolution is about slowing down our lives. But it's also about change. Changing for the better."

Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman and Michael McCary, all in their mid-20's, have changed a lot since they were buds harmonizing in the halls of South Philadelphia's High School of Creative and Performing Arts. They've received numerous music awardsfor two of their albums, including four Grammy's. They were listed in Forbes magazne as being among the highest paid entertainers, performed for President Clinton and Pope John Paul II, and now have their own production company, Stonecreek Recordings, to sign and develop new artists.

The only question is, how much bigger can they become? "We're going to try to get some worldwide recognition by releasing the album simutaneously overseas," McCary says. To help promote the album, he and the Boyz embarked on a world tour last August, and they'll play in the United States this spring. "We want to tour as long as our fans wish to see us," he says.

If the buzz surrounding Evolution is any indication, that could be forever. After all, the record features work by heavy hitters like Sean "Puffy" Combs and Babyface. But the guys want to make it clear: This album is all their own.

"We did more producing and writing this time," McCary explains. "We were into the technical and as well, doing some of the recording ourselves."

So, will Evolution measure up to their last two albums, which together sold more than 30 million copies? Motown is betting on it. In fact, the record company is so confident, it gave the group it's own label. (Sony gave it to them, not Motown).

"We hope that one day Stonecreek will be the best label in the business," McCary confides. "We know that's not an overnight process, but we have time and patience. That's our love, you know-our love is the business."

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