Where Did Boy Bands/Groups Go?

Written By Kensedeobong Okosun

The music artistic forms like trios, quartets, quintets, etc., emerged from an African American music tradition which began in the 1800s within the African American university singing movement. It comprised male-dominant vocal groups designated as jubilee quartets due to their aesthetics and style.

‍ ‍ Earth, Wind and Fire

‍ ‍ The Jackson 5

In the western context, the quartet signified a musical group with either four members or a composition for four voices or instruments. However, the African American context differed in that quartets were defined not by group size, but by the harmony arrangement (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) in either an a cappella style or with limited instrumentation.

‍ ‍ Color Me Badd

The vocal harmony groups were a staple of black church music tradition and also ubiquitous in African American nighbourhoods where men gathered for recreational singing. Many found success and drew media attention. The adoption and commercialization of this format by mainstream music producers in the 19th century would endure till the early 2000s, when male groups/bands disappeared from the music terrain.

But why?

Expenditure minimization and profit maximization by record companies. The signs of change reared their ugly heads in the 1970s and became conspicuous in the 1990s. This explains the splintering of music groups before our eyes. First, the lead vocalist becomes the headliner of the group; second, he is transplanted from the group and given a solo contract. Consequently, MJ overshadowed The Jackson 5, Lionel Richie left The Commodores, El DeBarge left DeBarge, Kevon Edmonds goes solo after After 7, Justin Timberlake became the most prominent name from NSYNC; and third, the group naturally disintegrates. Some survived due to loyalty, strong bond and a good interpersonal relationship, while others perished.

‍ ‍ Backstreet Boys

‍ ‍ NSYNC

This post preserves the memory of the boy group/band with a playlist of 60 songs.

  1. After 7. “Heat Of The Moment” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtIxDpRNlsY After 7 (1989).

  2. All 4 One. “I Can Love You Like That” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRW_jN0RS5Q And The Music Speaks (1995).

  3. AZ Yet. “Last Night” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZruJhbdYXa4 Az Yet (1996).

  4. Backstreet Boys. “I Want It That Way” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwkrXybZ1uo Millennium (1998).

  5. Bell Biv Bevoe. “Somethin’ In Your Eyes” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYQEFL8XNeY Hootie Mack (1994).

  6. Blackstreet. “Joy” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXj6nihoZGE Blackstreet (1994).

  7. Boyz II Men. “Please Don’t Go” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-s3cydhFpc Cooley High Harmony (1991).

  8. Bruce Hornsby & The Range. “The Show Goes On” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vjv2G6o4gDo Scenes From The Southside (1988).

  9. Cameo. “She’s Strange”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srlb9uAfnHY She’s Strange (1984).

  10. Color Me Badd. “I Adore Mi Amor” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ulUxGu-4a4 C.M.B (1991).

  11. Commodores. “Nightshift” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3FMFFdYkNo Nightshift (1985).

  12. Con Funk Shun. “Love’s Train” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mPho_BlN6M To The Max (1982).

  13. Culture Club. “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AroGANkpC1c Kissing To Be Clever (1982).

  14. Dru Hill. “What Do I Do With The Love” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTQNkddl-mw Enter The Dru (1998).

  15. Earth, Wind & Fire. “In The Stone” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z2xClustQo I Am (1979).

  16. Europe. “The Final Countdown” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNiTxUEnmKI The Final Countdown (1986).

  17. Genesis. “No Son Of Mine” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gzjkV0VCCY We Can’t Dance (1991).

  18. Guy. “I Like” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hopIwtTTv0o Guy (1988).

  19. Hi Five. “I Like The Way (Kissing Game)” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eASeDQ8ERg Hi-Five (1991).

  20. Intro. “Ribbon In The Sky” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpXl30CVlLc Intro (1993).

  21. Imagination. “Just An Illusion” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz5PDUVqY9M Just An Illusion (1982).

  22. Immature (now IMX). “Never Lie” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_RHsSeuOaU Never Lie (1994).

  23. Jagged Edge. “Wednesday Lover” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBQCeKlPMTc A Jagged Era (1997).

  24. Jodeci. “U and I” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMFI1DjM2qg Forever My Lady (1991).

  25. Kool & The Gang. “Victory” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgWURQewG3g Forever (1986).

  26. LeVert. “Casanova” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KySJW7VnS_4 The Big Throwdown (1987).

  27. Lo-Key?. “I Got A Thang For Ya” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQKvsea7-4E Where Dey At? (1992).

  28. LSG. “My Body” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDFF1dfHOmA Levert.Sweat.Gill (1997).

  29. Maze. “Before I Let Go” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4854yQ1sHc Live In New Orleans (1981).

  30. Men Of Vizion. “House Keeper” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfIaLjzdrm4 Personal (1996).

  31. Milestone. “I Care ‘Bout You” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k517ERXUF9w Soundtrack to Soulfood (1997).

  32. Mint Condition. “Breakin’ My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmVCH7gUqfw Meant To Be Mint (1991).

  33. New Edition. “If It Isn’t Love” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5anAaNfamKg Heartbreak (1988).

  34. Next. “Too Close” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ7HKtGbhUo Rated Next (1997).

  35. NSYNC. “It’s Gonna Be Me” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWuNCQRcy7M No Strings Attached (1997).

  36. Parliament. “Aqua Boogie” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBVNOrV0Pr4 Motor Booty Affair (1978).

  37. Portrait. “Here We Go Again!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdIXAvjXh0g Portrait (1992).

  38. Public Announcement. “Slow Dance” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFJaQo1O0hs Born Into The 90’s (1991).

  39. Release. “Written All Over Your Face” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0bnlxYl3HQ Rude Awakening (1990).

  40. Shai. “Comforter” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QjwglcSZc0 If I Ever Fall In Love (1992).

  41. Silk. “Meeting In My Bedroom” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1km26XrwYp4 Tonight (1999).

  42. Solo. “Heaven” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ-VOxTWrjw Solo (1995).

  43. Soul For Real. “Candy Rain” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0rT2vq9g80 Candy Rain (1994).

  44. Surface. “Shower Me With Your Love” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9PDMGX33Zk 2nd Wave (1988).

  45. Switch. “There’ll Never Be” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqazrx8cUjk Switch (1978).

  46. Take That. “The Flood” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCHg5r6rFoI Progress (2010).

  47. The Drifters. “Save The Last Dance For Me” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFoBreVWa7M Save The Last Dance For Me (1960).

  48. The Gap Band. “Yearning For Your Love” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afqzUbvi7D8 The Gap Band (1981).

  49. The Isley Brothers. “Voyage To Atlantis” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ_snOkHeVk Go For Your Guns (1977).

  50. The Jackson 5. “Torture” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ot5VL31uTc Victory (1984).

  51. The Mac Band. “Roses Are Red” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWTrOYS2DkA Mac Band (1988).

  52. The Miracles. “Love Machine” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=513jP1SUgnQ City Of Angels (1975).

  53. The O-Jays. “Used To Be My Girl” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fNxgaw8I7I So Full Of Love (1978).

  54. The Police. “Every Breath You Take” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cucosmPj-A Synchronicity (1983).

  55. The Stylistics. “Betcha By Golly, Wow” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxZ83WxhMnU The Stylistics (1971).

  56. The Temptations. “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ObVQPBD0Uw Gettin’ Ready (1966).

  57. The Time. “Jungle Love” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TC0vu9V8YXw Ice Cream Castle (1995).

  58. The Whispers. “And The Beat Goes On” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOaxEa5ONJw The Whispers (1979).

  59. The 4 Tops. “Baby I Need Your Loving” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLYX-KPv-ts Four Tops (1964).

  60. Tony! Toni! Tone!. “Anniversary” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UviG2rGwi9A Sons Of Soul (1993).

  61. Troop. “All I Do Is Think Of You” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lYN9W-c9y0 Attitude (1989).

  62. UB40. “C’est La Vie”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZbC1jV0v4Y Promise And Lies (1993).

  63. U2. “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neG5xgZbHOg The Joshua Tree (1987).

  64. Westlife. “Soledad” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUkGrSPbSOE Coast To Coast (2000).

  65. 112. “All I Want Is You” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYPoAx0ruVA Part III (2001).

  66. 3T. “Anything” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QD3fAyJ0kg Brotherhood (1995).

‍ ‍ Lo-Key?

Kensedeobong Okosun

Kensedeobong Okosun (M.A Bielefeld University) is a music enthusiast, music researcher, music journalist with expertise in music selection & planning, vocalist and an author. Her academic article “Sisterhood and Soul Music as expressions of Black Power” is featured in the edited volume, Black Power in Hemispheric Perspective (Raussert & Steinitz, eds, 2022). She has reviewed Dorothea Gail’s Weird American Music for the Forum for Interamerican Research (fiar, 2019). Her literary review on Nigerian music titled “Nigerians and their Music” has been published on the Nigerian news platform Sun News Online, while her article “Remembering Victor Uwaifo, “Guitar Boy” and the quest to meet Mami Wata” graced The Nigerian Observer.

Kensedeobong’s blog highlights music’s interconnectivity with society and comprises personal music experiences, researched information, concept playlists for multiple themes, etc.

A hard-core 90s R&B fan, she utilises the vehicle of memory, to position long forgotten music of yesteryears on the front-burner.

She is persuaded that music is a core conduit of collective harmony, equanimity, vitality and healing. And as such requires criticality in the filtration process, in order to disseminate meaning. Her blog promotes music equality and diversity.

She resides in Germany.

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