Don't look for that harmonizing foursome, Boyz II Men, to do the rap thing, but do look for them in the movies.
The former classmates from Philadelphia's Creative and Performing Arts High School said they've talked about making a film.
"That's definetly something that we want to do in the future, once things wind down as far as this album and touring," said Shawn Stockman in a publicity teleconfrence call with Wanya Morris to The Times-Reporter. They explained that Michael McCary and Nate Morris were off on a basketball game to benefit Big Brothers/Sisters, a favorite charity.
Stockman said the pop/rhythm and blues group, which will appear tonight at 7:30 at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, recently purchased a recording studio, but rap is not in the works.
"That's just not our thing," he said. "We're singers."
Their latest album, II, is filled with romance and emotion, includng the McCartny/Lennon classic "Yesterday," and the Babyface production "Water Runs Dry, which remains among the top singles.
The singers said they select their songs collectivley and don't intentionally offend anyone, but still believe the freedom of speech is one of the best privledges this country has to offer.
"Teach your child what it's about, don't necessarily condemn the artist," Stockman said. "If you don't like what you hear, just turn it off."
How do they decide what they'll perform?
"We don't sing songs if we don't feel them," Stockman said. "If we don't feel them, then nobody else will feel them.
We ask is this a good song for the album, is it up to par?"
Known for their wholesome attitude - they say they don't drink or smoke, although Wanya admits he has a weakness for candy - Boyz said they didn't want to necessarily condone the Budweiser Superfest tour sponser in relation to their young fans. But the offer to tour was more about their music and performance then beer, they said.
"It's going to be a good show," Stockman said. "We were a part of this entire show, not necessarily who was sponsoring it."
What was it like working with Michael Jackson as guest artists on his latest album?
"It was definetly a privledge," Stockman said. "Not many people get to work with him, just a selective few. It was a dream come true.
Regarding sexual allegations surrounding Jackson, Stockman said he doubts they are true, but fans put performers on a pedestal and when somethig goes wrong, the forget they they're human.
"We believe in God," Stockman said. "We know when the world won't forgive. He will. But we have attitudes just like other people do."
On the road and traveling for the last four years, Boyz is winding down and planning to spend '96 off the road to be around friends, families, the recording studio, and other artist, they said.
"I guess compared to a lot of artists, I guess it (success) happened fast," Stockman said. "Our intentions weren't to get discovered. In high school we were there to sing, that's all we used to do. Us four got together becuase we all had the same common ground musically, we sang and sang until we had to go home or everyone got tired."
What would they be doing if they weren't singing?
"Probably singing somewhere," Wanya said, "whether in church..."
And, since none of the members are married what abot adoring fans?
"Being an entertainer there comes a lot of (low pause) privledges," Wanya said. "It's kind of hard, we are looking for women to be with in a monogamous relationship, you never know who to choose."
I keeping with their tradition to donate concert tickets to Big Brothers/Sisters, Boyz gave away several tickets to Akron area participants for tonight's show.
"A lot of people don't grow up with guardians or adults to looka after them," Stockman said. "Those people who help the kids could make a difference in kid going the right way or the wrong way.