Photo Credit: Matthew Salacuse
We’ve been experiencing a battle of the early 2000s black male R&B groups returning to be on tour at the same time. Considering how most bands come with their own set of problems, we’re sure the tea sippers out there were elated knowing they’d have plenty of new material with B2K and Pretty Ricky touring at the same time. On one hand we’ve had Spectacular on stage in a towel as we all expected and subsequently appreciate him for doing, but B2K was on a completely different level.
Photo Credit: Matthew Salacuse
Within a manner of weeks, Raz B announced he was quitting, only to return hours later and then was arrested for allegedly choking his girlfriend. He wasn’t charged, but it did lead to the group making a statement that he would be setting out their Florida dates on the tour. He’s also been getting filmed as he’s joining the cast of Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood which is a good thing for his career but not for his mental health. He’s taking time away from the tour for his health but reality television cameras aren’t exactly the most calming either.
Anyway, the group sat down with Vibe to spill about how they managed to get back together and how they’re doing. The biggest irony here is how Raz B says he’s been trying to pull the band back together the last 16 years when he was the one who broke his neck to leave.
Photo Credit: Matthew Salacuse
Lil Fizz on the differences this go around: “At the end of the day, we’re all grown men and we all live our own separate lives. It’s not like we’re brothers and best friends and hang out after the tour. Everybody’s home. I haven’t spoken to any of them. They haven’t spoken to me. And you know, that’s just that. It’s business, but we know what it is. When we come together, the spirit takes over.”
Photo Credit: Matthew Salacuse
Raz-B On Working With His Bandmates Again: “I’ve been trying to put the group together for 16 years,” he admits, noting his efforts to secure the B2K trademark for the group. “Just like Fizz said, I never left the group. They like to say the universe; I like to say the price.”
Raz On Having Better Communication This Time: “I think that is the therapy, which is the communication, speaking as enlightened four brothers from four different corners of the universe.
The love is there. Even when you dislike them for a moment or you guys got into a miscommunication, if we can come back to a cohesive space of love, then you’re cool.”
Photo Credit: Matthew Salacuse
Omarion On Business Lessons: “There’s always a conversation about business when it comes to the entertainment industry. First of all, most artists that are creative are not administrative. How do you play a show and then go backstage, make sure your numbers [are] right? It’s really difficult.”
Photo Credit: Matthew Salacuse
J-Boog Echoing On Learning From Business Mistakes: “It’s so much going on, and then things get moving and you start to not check on everything the way you’re supposed to check on everything. If you not in it for the business and you in it for the fame and the little trinkets, then you just gonna be like whatever. That’s the way the industry eventually gets you out of your business. Then you look back like, ‘damn I should’ve been on my sh*t.’”
It’s been a hell of a ride getting them all back together, but we’re glad it happened. Too often groups fall apart and they’re all too willing to throw their careers away because they don’t want to be around each other. Sometimes the greater good and business specifically should be focused on to keep things going and it seems they were able to realize that. As for new music, we’re hoping we get some of that, as well.
Photo Credit: Matthew Salacuse
Photo Credit: Matthew Salacuse
