B5

• Genre: Contemporary R&B
• Hometown: St. Petersburg
• B5 Website

About

Like B2K and New Edition before them, B5 are a group of (very) young men who perform R&B. Their name is an homage of sorts to the Jackson 5, who were among the first African American boy groups. This connection was made explicit when the group released its first single, "All I Do," which was originally a Jackson 5 tune. Like the Jackson 5 and contemporaries Pretty Ricky, B5 are brothers. They originally appeared on the scene in the middle of this decade, when there was a sudden resurgence in R&B boy groups. P. Diddy spotted them at a talent show and instantly saw promise. Their self-titled debut is typical bubblegum R&B, appealing if forgettable.

- Sam Chennault