Bump, Bump, Bump

Background:

B2K was an American R&B music group, consisting of Lil' Fizz, J-Boog, Raz-B, and Omarion, and managed by Chris Stokes. They signed with Epic Records. The group's self titled debut album, “'B2K” (March 2002) was a No. 1 hit record on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and a No. 2 hit on the Billboard 200. It has been certified gold by the RIAA. The album spawned their first two Top 40 singles on the Billboard Hot 100: “Uh Huh” and “ Gots Ta Be.” In 2003, the foursome scored their first No. 1 hit single with “Bump, Bump, Bump” (featuring P. Diddy), which was released as the lead single of their second album, “ Pandemonium!” (December 2002). The album also yielded the Top 30 hit single “Girlfriend.” In between the two albums, the group released a Christmas album, “Santa Hooked Me Up” (October 2002). B2K also appeared on the soundtrack album for the 2004 film, “You Got Served,” which they starred in. After three years together, B2K disbanded in 2004. Each members has pursued their own solo careers.

L.A. Quartet

Childhood and Family:

R&B music group B2K met in 1998 and founded in Los Angeles, CA in 2001. The original members were Lil' Fizz (born Dreux Pierre Frédéric, on November 26, 1985 in New Orleans, Louisiana), J-Boog (born Jarell Damonte Houston, on August 11, 1985, in Inglewood, California), Raz-B (born De'Mario Monte Thornton, on June 13, 1985, in Cleveland, Ohio) and Omarion (born Omari Ishmael Grandberry, on November 12, 1984, in Watts, California). The group was managed by music producer Chris Stokes.

Due to internal disagreements, B2K split up in 2004, after having been together only for three years.

You Got Served

Career:

In early 2001, B2K made cameo appearances in the music video “Ghetto Girls,” the fourth single of Lil' Bow Wow from album “Beware of Dog,” along with Da Brat, Wingo & Kyle of Jagged Edge, Eve and Jermaine Dupri. The song peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles and No. 91 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The group released their debut single, “Uh Huh,” later that same year on July 17, through Epic Records. The song debuted at No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 20 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. It also charted at No. 35 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 4 on the Canadian Singles Chart. The music video was directed by Eric White with cameo appearances of Chris Brown and Trey Songz. The song later was used in the 2002 comedy film “The New Guy,” starring DJ Qualls, Lyle Lovett and Eliza Dushku. The sophomore single “Gots ta Be” followed in February 2002. It debuted at No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 13 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.

The group's eponymous debut album was eventually released on March 12, 2002, for which they worked with various producers like Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, Beau Dozier, Platinum Status, Steve Russell, Troy Taylor, Chris Stokes, Damon Thomas, Chris “Tricky” Stewart, and Joe N Little III. Propelled by the success of “Uh Huh” and “Gots ta Be,” the album rose to No. 1 on the Top Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and went gold in the US. Released on May 14, 2002, the third and last single from the album, “Why I Love You,” peaked at No. 19 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and No. 73 on the Billboard Hot 100.

On October 29, 2002, B2K released a Christmas album called “Santa Hooked Me Up.” “Why'd You Leave Me on Christmas” was released as the lead single from the album.

Two months later, B2K returned with their second studio album, “Pandemonium!” on December 10, 2002. The album debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 and No. 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and sold 194,000 in the first week. The album's lead single, “Bump, Bump, Bump” (featuring P. Diddy), written by R. Kelly and Varick Smith and produced by R. Kelly, became the group's first Top 10 and No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs. It also peaked at No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart and made the Top 10 in many countries like Swiss, New Zealand, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, and Australia, where it achieved platinum status. Released in March 2003, the second single “Girlfriend,” which was writtena nd produced by R. Kelly, debuted at No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 19 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. It also reached No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart. The third single “Bump That” failed to chart, while the fourth and last single “What a Girl Wants” did not debut on the Billboard Hot 100 but managed to chart at No. 47 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. “Pandemonium!” was certified platinum by the RIAA and silver by the BPI.

In 2004, B2K starred in the film “You Got Served,” which was directed and written by their manager Chris Stokes. The group also performed on the soundtrack of “You Got Served,” which was released previously on December 23, 2003. The soundtrack was a modest success, making it to No. 34 on the Billboard 200, No. 7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and No. 2 on the Top Soundtracks. One single, “Badaboom,” performed by B2K and Fabolous, made it to No. 59 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 29 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and No. 26 on the UK Singles Chart. Another single performed by B2K, “Do That Thing” (featuring Lil' Kim), reached No. 63 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.

B2K disbanded in 2004 because of internal conflicts. A greatest hits compilation album, “Greatest Hits,” was launched on March 24, 2004 by Epic Records. It peaked at No. 76 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Epic released a second compilation album, “B2K Is Hot! Boys of the Millennium,” on July 6, 2006.

After the break up, Lil' Fizz and J-Boog started their own record label called Fizz & Boog Inc. in 2004. Lil' Fizz released his first solo album, “Payday,” in 2007. He reunited with J-Boog for the EP “Night Life” in 2009. Raz-B launched his solo career with the hit single “Fire” (2007), which peaked at No. 2 on both Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales charts and the Billboard Hot Singles Sales charts. Omarion has become the most flourishing member of B2K to gain success as a soloist. He has released three solo albums, two of which (“O” (2005) and “21” (2006)), topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. His latest album, “Ollusion” (2010), peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard 200 and No. 7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

Awards:
---