UB Celebrates: The 25th Anniversary of Boyz II Men’s ‘II’
Formed at Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts by Nathan Morris and Marc Nelson (who eventually left), later joined by fellow school choir members Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman and Michael McCrary, Boyz II Men found their inspiration in the echoes of their school bathroom and their city’s tradition in classic a cappella and doo-wop harmonies.
Inspired by New Edition, they took their name from one of the group’s songs, and then impressed the band’s lead singer Michael Bivins with an impromptu backstage audition of “Can You Stand the Rain,” leading to his agreeing to manage and produce them.
Their debut “Cooley High” was originally released by Motown Records February 14, 1991. The album eventually peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 and has sold more than nine million copies, winning a GRAMMY® for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and a nomination for Best New Artist .
Today we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of their sophomore release “II.” Released August 30, 1994. To this date, Motown’s largest selling album of all time.
“II” was the group’s global breakthrough, featuring two consecutive Billboard Hot 100 singles in “I’ll Make Love To You” and “On Bended Knee,” making the group the third artist to succeed themselves at #1 on the U.S. chart after Elvis Presley and The Beatles, and the first to achieve the feat in 30 years.
Produced and written by Tim & Bob (Tim Kelley and Bob Robinson), Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, II topped the Billboard 200 for five weeks and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart, going #1 in France and New Zealand, Top 5 in Australia and Canada, Top 10 in Japan, The Netherlands and Top 20 in the U.K. Spain and Sweden, eventually selling 12 million copies in the U.S. alone.
It became the inaugural winner of the GRAMMY® Award for Best R&B Album, while “I’ll Make Love To You” won Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. The latter song had already been #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks, breaking the group’s own chart record, set by “End of the Road,” which had 13 weeks at the top.
“On Bended Knee” succeeded “Love,” staying at No. 1 for six weeks. Other singles from the album include “Water Runs Dry,” which reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and “Thank You,” which reached #21. The emotional spoken-word track, “Khalil (Interlude),” was a tribute to their road manager Khalil Roundtree, who was killed in Chicago while the band was opening for MC Hammer on his “Too Legit To Quit” tour.
During that period “Brokenhearted,” was released. A pop chart top 10 for Brandy & Wanya Morris. Boyz II Men also collaborated with LL Cool J on the platinum, #3 pop, “Hey Lover,” in 1995. Another duet recording, “One Sweet Day” with Mariah Carey, topped the pop charts for 16 weeks – again breaking their own record – and went double platinum the following year.
