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Cx1DJs We Do Things Different Podcast "Untold Stories of B2K" hosted by DJButterrock
B2K (Boys of the New Millennium) is an American boy band active from 1998 to 2004 and 2018 to 2019, and having re-formed again in 2025. In 1998, the group was formed by American dance choreographer Dave Scott and Interscope A&R Keshia Gamble. The members consisted of Lil' Fizz, J-Boog, Raz-B, and Omarion. The group released their self-titled debut album on March 12, 2002. The album peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and number one on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. On 10 June 2025, it was reported that the group had announced a reunion tour for 2026.[3]
History
The group was originally formed in 1998, when Jarell "J-Boog" Houston, De'Mario "Raz-B" Thornton and Dreux Pierre "Lil' Fizz" Frédéric were a part of another group called Melodic.[4] On New Year's Eve in 1999, Omari "Omarion" Grandberry was invited to join the band. Together, they would adopt the name B2K, an acronym for "Boys of the New Millennium," and a reference to the Y2K era.[5]
In 2001, B2K released their debut single, "Uh Huh," produced by Tricky Stewart. Their self-titled debut album, which also included the singles "Gots ta Be" and "Why I Love You", was released in March 2002 and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart, later being certified Gold. Their second album, a Christmas album entitled Santa Hooked Me Up, was less successful upon its release in October, peaking at No. 132 on the Billboard 200, but their third and final album Pandemonium!, released two months later, debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200. The lead single from Pandemonium!, a collaboration with P. Diddy entitled "Bump, Bump, Bump", reached No. 1 on the Hot 100, becoming the group's sole number one song.[6]
In 2003, the group won a Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Singing Group. That same year, all of the members filmed the movie You Got Served. In 2004, around the time the movie was released, B2K's manager Chris Stokes announced the group's split, with their label Epic Records claiming internal disagreements as the cause. Lil' Fizz, Raz-B, and J-Boog issued a joint statement confirming the end of their professional relationship with Stokes. The trio also said they "just want[ed] to be treated fairly".[7] Omarion would remain under Stokes' management and pursue a solo career.
2005–2018: Solo ventures, Love & Hip Hop
Omarion went on to release several solo albums, as well as a collaboration album with Bow Wow.[8] From 2005 to 2007, Lil' Fizz guest-starred on Fox's comedy series The War at Home which aired for two seasons. After much controversy, Raz-B relocated overseas to China in pursuit of a solo career, as well as becoming an entrepreneur and manager of his own record label.[9] In 2009, J-Boog collaborated with Lil' Fizz on the 5-Track EP album "Nightlife".[10] He also partnered with IMx member and relative Marques Houston, becoming a writer, producer and vice president for Houston's film production company, Footage Films.[11]
In 2014, Omarion and Fizz became main cast members of VH1's reality show Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood, where both members showcased their private lives and relationships.[12] Omarion left after two seasons to focus on his personal life with his then girlfriend and newborn child, while Fizz remained as supporting cast for the remainder of the seasons. During the series in 2017, J-Boog made an appearance as Fizz attempted to get the band back together with Omarion not being present and possibly having co-star and long time friend Ray J be a part of the group as a replacement.[13] Ultimately, Ray J's ego caused tension between him and J-Boog,[14][15] which resulted in Fizz and Boog deciding it was best to just let the group rest in their history and reunite the right way.[16]
