Boy 2 King: The rise, fall, and return of Raz B

Seven years ago, you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing or seeing Raz B and his fellow group mates J-Boog, Lil Fizz, and lead singer Omarion of the breakthrough group B2K. From sold-out concerts to chart-topping singles, this four-some was a musical force to be reckoned with. Two platinum albums, three Soul Train Music Awards, and one feature-film later; the group faded into teen pop group history. But Raz (he has since dropped the “B”) refuses to be ignored. Maybe it’s his love for the industry or his “position (and) role in God’s kingdom” to lead today’s youth that can’t keep him quiet. Whatever it is, Heed made sure we were there to witness the rebirth of Raz.

A return to the spotlight was inevitable. Raz, born DeMario Monte Thornton, fell in love with the music industry at an earlier age. Moving from Cleveland, Ohio to Oakland, California with his single mother and older brother Ricardo; they eventually settled in LA. At the time, a 21-year-old producer named Chris Stokes recruited several Los Angeles elementary school students to create an R&B group known as Immature. One of those recruits was Stokes’ cousin (and Raz’s brother) Ricardo. Raz had a front row seat to the makings of an R&B group. Raz spent most of his time with the boys and his cousin. Stokes took Raz under his wing and this exposure sparked a fire in him to entertain that would never die.

Raz expressed his desire to entertain to his older brother who was only briefly a member of Immature. Before Raz knew it, he was on the phone singing for Chris Stokes. Shortly after, Stokes put Raz in a five-member group he formed called Melodic. Lil Fizz and J-Boog were also members of this group. Raz says being with Stokes and the guys was a safe haven from a violent relationship his mother and step-father shared. After some label shopping and shifting, Melodic’s Raz, Lil Fizz, and J-Boog were introduced to Omarion and thus, B2K was born. B2K’s image and persona was quite a contrast to the upbringing and values instilled in Raz by his mother and the apostolic church. Though slightly convicted at times, Raz maintains that the group kept their music fun and that, “We never took our clothes off on stage.” It was this image, Raz believes, that garnered their success and inspired other boy R&B groups like Pretty Ricky. The success and popularity of B2K predicted a career much longer than three years but unfortunately rumors, difference of opinions, and financial disputes got the best of them. The absence of God, one of the group’s major influences, may have been the major factor contributing to their demise. “The day we stopped praying together is the day the group broke up,” Raz laments. Mature and confident, Raz came away from the group with no regrets and a keen knowledge of the business that will serve him well in his burgeoning solo career.

After the group disbanded, accusations followed and a reality show was birth that documented the drama surrounding Raz along with his members J-Boog and Lil Fizz. Several videos also appeared on Youtube that showed Raz  making some serious claims. He revealed that his cousin and B2K manager, Chris Stokes, raped and molested himself, his brother Ricardo (also known as Ricky Romance), and other members of the group. Shortly after Stokes’ denial of the claims, another video from Raz showed him retracting all accusations. Just a few weeks later Raz and Ricky Romance were filmed in a seemingly contrived photo-op dining with the accused, Stokes. When asked about the retractions Raz alludes that he was forced and withdrew the statements for the safety and well being of himself and family. He defends his accusations saying, “You can’t be afraid to risk your public image to send a message…I am not a liar.” According to Raz, the situation is fine. He feels good about what has transpired and has even talked with Stokes. He appreciates all the support he has received and maintains his candor. Hopefully, that clears things up.

With so much controversy surrounding him, it’s clear the reason for Raz’s sabbatical. Fortunately, he has a resilience that can’t keep him in hiding for too long. Time spent out of the public eye allowed him the opportunity to shine the spotlight on himself. “I had to find myself,” he says. When all the noise died down he was able to put his focus back on God and truly understand his purpose. And what is that purpose? “To be a servant…to be seen by God and not by man.”

So does that mean we can look for a new gospel project? Well, not exactly. “I’m not perfect,” he admits, “but if I’m striving everyday to do as much as possible to not let other people stumble, that’s a start. It’s a growing process.” What we can expect from Raz is an upcoming solo effort, titled Raz : B2K. No he isn’t doing a remix of songs from his former group. It’s a project that represents his journey and where he is today as a result—Boy 2 King. He calls it urban inspirational music. If he had any qualms about his success as a solo artist, his single “Fire” debuted at #2 on the Billboard removing all doubt. He is currently working with Bird Call Productions to find and cultivate his new sound as a solo artist. Raz hopes to make music that is more universal and crosses more genres than his work with B2K did.

In addition to his own album, Heal the World is a forthcoming collaborative project showcasing and embracing the power of youth through music. With the help of Quincy Jones, Raz plans to work with peers such as Raven Simone and Frankie Munez to not only produce an album but also a concert series which will send a positive message to today’s youth.

You Got Served sparked an interest in the TV/film industry that Raz plans to pursue. He appeared on Noah’s Arc in 2006 as an HIV/AIDS patient. That was a brave move considering rumors that questioned Raz’s sexuality. Raz says he used the role as an opportunity to “shock the world and create (his) own controversy.” He also wanted to help educate on the difference between HIV and AIDS. That hit home because someone dear to him currently has the disease. We’ll be seeing more acting from Raz with several movies, Caged Innocence, Hype Nation, and Rhythm in pre-production. Pumping Gas, an upcoming film from Mark Brown, creator of Barbershop, will give Raz the opportunity to work behind the camera as co-producer.

Of the many faces and talents of Raz is that of entrepreneur. Channeled through the American Society of Young Musicians (ASYM), an organization that Raz is a national spokesman for, he established the National Association of Under-Heard Artists. This organization is an arts appreciation effort that recognizes, encourages, and supports promising musical talents. His production company and record label, RazBeatz Entertainment is not only featuring his future projects, but those of several up-and-coming artists. And with talk of an autobiography on the horizon, Raz is certain to be a superstar who won’t be fading off into the distance anytime soon.

When asked to share some final thoughts with us, his fans, and anyone who has the desire to make something happen in their lives; he left us with this, “Believe in yourself, Believe in God…and everything else will fall into place.”

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