Representative Songs: "Bump, Bump, Bump," "Uh Huh," "Gots ta Be"
Biography
Active for only a short period of time, 2001-2004, urban boy band B2K enjoyed a lot of success, including the number one single "Bump, Bump, Bump," and was the platform from which group member Omarion launched his solo career. Managed by Chris Stokes, whose other clients included Marques Houston, B2K was comprised of Omarion (born Omari Grandberry on November 12, 1984), Lil Fizz (Dreux Frederic; November 26, 1985), Raz-B (DeMario Thornton; June 13, 1985), and J-Boog (Jarell Houston; August 11, 1985). B2K's debut single, "Uh Huh," was released in late 2001, and their debut album, B2K, followed in 2002, spawning an additional two singles, "Gots ta Be" and "Why I Love You." Two of the three singles ("Uh Huh," "Gots ta Be") charted Top 40, propelling the album to number two and gold sales status. B2K's second album, Pandemonium! (2002), built upon that success, ultimately going platinum and spawning the chart-topping single "Bump, Bump, Bump." In January 2004 B2K appeared in the film You Got Served and also appeared on the film's soundtrack. Around this same time, Stokes announced the group's breakup, claiming internal disagreements for the split. Omarion meanwhile mounted a very popular solo career, debuting at number one with O (2005). ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide
In the Summer of 2001, B2K (Boys of the New Millenium) released their first single "Uh Huh". The song peaked at #37 Billboard Hot 100 and at #20 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Their self-titled début album, B2K was released on March 12, 2002. The group also released a further two singles, "Gots Ta Be", and "Why I Love You".
2002-2003: Pandemonium!
The group released their fourth single, "Bump, Bump, Bump" which featured Bad Boy executive, P. Diddy. It peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and became the group's first top ten and number one single. It was the first single off their second studio album, Pandemonium!. The album was released on December 10, 2002 and debuted at number ten on the Billboard 200 and at number three on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
The group was featured regularly on the covers of teen magazines such as Right On! and Word Up. They released a Christmas album in-between their aforementioned two albums, entitled Santa Hooked Me Up.
2004: Break-up
In January 2004, Chris Stokes announced that the group had broken up. Three of the members claimed financial mishandling by Stokes' management company, T.U.G. (The Ultimate Group). Omarion and Chris Stokes claimed the allegations were untrue. Lil Fizz was featured in Omarion's "Entourage" video.
After B2K: reality show and possible reunion
Omarion released his debut album, O on February 22, 2005, which has sold 735,014 copies to date in the US. He then released his second album, 21 on December 26, 2006 which has sold 650,000 copies. He also released his duet album Face Off with Bow Wow December 11, 2007. It was #11 on Billboard's Top 200. As of February 2008 it has sold 515,000 copies.
Lil' Fizz was supposed to release his debut album, Payday on July 17, 2007, but the album was only released in EP format on iTunes.
Leading up to his official unveiling as a soloist, Raz released his first debut single, "Fire" in May 2007. "Fire" officially debuted on the Billboard charts (the week of 5/12/07) on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales charts debuting at #2 and also hitting the Billboard Hot Singles Sales charts at #11. At the time there was no promotion behind the single as it debuted.
On November 9, 2007, videos of their new reality show featuring most of the group surfaced onto YouTube. In the videos, the group members discuss various topics such as their legal rights to still use the group's name 'B2K' and former band member Omarion. It shows the band thinking about and possibly trying to get back together minus Omarion. There is a possible reunion in the future but none of the B2K team has commented.[1]
A song titled "Body Up" was leaked; Raz-B leads this B2K 2008 song, while Lil' Fizz raps and Boog (J-Boog) sings back-up. Omarion is the only former B2K member that did not take part in the group's return.
Appearances in film
Screen Gems'sYou Got Served, a film which starred the members of B2K and members of the group IMx as breakdancers, went into general release on January 30, 2004 and hit number one at the box office, earning more money than any other film that opened during a Super Bowl weekend. Several songs by the group were featured on the film's soundtrack album. Also B2K was featured in an episode of Static Shock.