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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