Do Wanya, Nathan, Shawn, and Michael ever seem to slow down? The answer, no matter who you ask these days, is a straight-up "no." You could be their road manager, record company CEO, or the guy-next-door, and you'd know that these four classic-styled pop/soul crooners are certainly contemporary music's hottest-and busiest.
Indeed, following up their multi-platinum debut hasn't been a problem, II, their many-times-platinum follow-up was just about guranteed extraordinary success upon it's release, effortsly spawning cross-the-board smashes like "I'll Make Love to You," "On Bended Knee," and "Water Runs Dry." Without hesitation, Motown's finest took to the stage for one sellout concert date after another, sharing the bill with other red-hot acts like TLC, and for a short wile, Babyface. In the midst of the madness associated with superstar acts like Boyz, they each even managed to find time to embark on outside projects. Michael's production company began develping artists, one of whom, Keith Martin, released his debut CD on Columbia Records. Then there was the splashy, meida-packed opening of their
Philadelphia-based recording studio complex, Stonecreek.
Adding to their non-stop exposure were a slew of choice collaborations, and solo artists, as well, shawn made his solo debut, with a single from the soundtrack of the movie Mr. Holland's Opus. Wanya scored a major R&B hit with teen diva Brandy, on their tender, innocent "Brokenhearted" duet. Even the urban hip-hop community wasn't immune to their musical wrath, given the fact that "Hey Lover," their timely teaming with rap superstar LL Cool J, hastily ascended not only rap and R&B charts, but the pop charts as well. Seizing the momentum created by their collaborations, Motown released The Remix Collection, an EP of rare mixes by the likes of Dallas Austin, among others, and vocal cameos from Method Man, Treach, Busta Rhymes, and Craig Mack. They even let loose a more relaxed, funky-feeling single than are accustomed to from them, the plush, streetwise "I Remember." Then they made history-again. After breaking Elvis' record 12-week #1 single run, with "End of the Road" (which logged 13 weeks in the top slot), they bounced back two years later, tying Whitney Houston (who had broken their record), with "I'll Make Love to You" monopolizing the #1 spot for fourteen weeks. Now, at what seems to be the height of their popularity, they've once again broken their very own record with "One Sweet Day," which has logged 16 weeks at #1. So what could they possibly do next? What could top having the longest-running #1 single of the rock era?
With the potential of making them even more successful than they already are, Nathan, Shawn, Wanya, and Michael entered a worldwide, multifaceted label deal with Sony Music Entertainment. As the heads of Stonecreek Recordings (named after their Philly studio complex), music's perfect gentlemen will discover, develop, and produce new talent. With Sony President Tommy Mottola, they enthusiasticly announced the specifics of the deal at a jam-packed press conference at Sony Headquaters. "The success we've enjoyed as performers has been tremendous," Nathan reflected, "but we have always been focused on both working with great artists and developing new talent. This new label, with the backing of Sony, is the perfect vehicle for us to bring our creative talents to the forefront, while also providing a home for gifted artists." Mottola echoed the group's excitement, starting, "Boyz II Men, over the course of just two studio albums, have established new standards of exellence for vocal groups from all walks of music. Any company would welcome the opportunity to work professionally and personally with Nate, Mike, Shawn, and Wanya as writers, producers and development projects that I've been privledged to be involved with."
Having already set up shop in Philadelphia, the Boyz and their many roles are, for the most part, already defined. Though they made it very clear that they will continue to record exclusively on Motown Records, their new business roles will entail producing new and established Sony acts, in addition to over seeing production and marketing of Stonecreek artists.
But what makes Boyz II Men so different from other artists who have their own major label-backed record companies? Perhaps Columbia Records Group Chairman, Don Ienner put it most eloquently. "When artists have shown the kind of depth, versatility and creative instincts that Boyz II Men have demonstrated over the past five years, it's a natural evolution to expand their pursuits into our musical projects. They are winners, and it's going to be tremendously exciting to be associated with this new venture."