The New Jackson 5? (AI polished)
When B2K disbanded and their successor ATL faded into obscurity, the four Breeding brothers—Dustin, Kelly, Patrick, and Carnell—saw it as their moment to step into the spotlight.
Forming a group called TNT Boyz in 1998, the Breeding brothers soon expanded their lineup by inviting their cousin Bryan to join, renaming themselves B5—a nod to the Breeding 5, akin to a modern-day Jackson 5. Notably, Carnell stands out as the only light-skinned member, while the others share a lighter complexion.
Signed by Bad Boy Records after impressing as supporting acts for various R&B artists, B5 received guidance from industry heavyweights like Diddy, Darkchild, and Ryan Leslie as they embarked on their musical journey while still attending school.
Their eponymous debut album "B5" reached an impressive number 19 on the Billboard 200 chart. It featured two singles: a cover of Jackson 5's "All I Do," which made waves on R&B charts, and "U Got Me," which unfortunately failed to chart.
In 1989, NJS group Troop had a chart-topping hit with their rendition of "All I Do." While B5's version didn't achieve the same level of success, it received considerable airplay on urban radio stations and remains one of their most recognizable tracks to date.
Produced by Tha Cornerboyz, "U Got Me" exudes a vibe reminiscent of Marques Houston's "All Because of You" (also a Cornerboyz production), with a music video reminiscent of Bobby Brown's "Every Little Step." Sporting impressive dance moves and Bobby Brown-esque swagger, it's a track that would've made waves had it been released by Chris Brown.
Renowned producer Darkchild contributed "So Pretty" to the album, though notably, his signature tag is absent—perhaps indicating he didn't consider it among his standout works (unlike Toni Braxton's "He Wasn't Man Enough"). The beat bears similarities to Foxy Brown's "My Life," produced by young Kanye West in 1999.
It's worth noting the significant age range among the brothers, mirroring the dynamic of the Jackson 5—Dustin being seven years older than Bryan. Bryan's youthful charm brought shades of Sammie and IMx vibes, particularly evident in "Let Me Know."
Two years later, their sophomore album "Don't Talk, Just Listen" hit shelves, featuring collaborations with Bryan-Michael Cox, Mario Winans, and Danja. The boys underwent a significant image and musical evolution, embracing a more youthful persona—a nod, perhaps, to DeVante Swing's seductive whisper in Jodeci's "Stay."
The lead single "Hydrolics," featuring Bow Wow, likened the club's rhythmic movement to hydraulic action, with Diddy's signature shout-outs peppered throughout the track, reminiscent of "Bump, Bump, Bump." Despite high hopes, the single's commercial performance was underwhelming, leading to the album's promotion being curtailed. Subsequently, B5 parted ways with Bad Boy and pursued an independent path.
In 2012, B5 staged a reunion, dropping the single "Say Yes," which garnered over 10 million views on YouTube. However, they seemingly vanished soon after. Five years later, they made an official comeback with the single "Do That," followed by "Wave" in 2019, teasing their upcoming EP "New Jacksons." Despite nearly two decades since their debut, B5's youthfulness and potential hint at a promising future in the pop scene.
