B2K: B2K : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

R&B upstarts B2K enter the urban music fray with this, their eponymous debut album. Following the trend of artists like Lil' Bow Wow -- whom they opened for on his 2001 summer tour -- this squeaky clean, scarcely pubescent outfit is out to melt the hearts of teen girls. And they may, undoubtedly in part due to this slick though less-than-distinctive recording. Think Jagged Edge and Silk -- then take three steps back. The grooves are smooth and the harmonies tight. Definitely worth a listen is "Why I Love You," the retro sound owes a lot vocally and melodically to Stevie Wonder, the debut single "Uh Huh," and the Jermaine Dupri-produced "Last Boyfriend." But don't expect any groundbreaking themes or stunningly cerebral. B2K is kind of banal and plenty sugary and obviously targeted at the G-Rated market. Considering their tender age, one would have to concede that there's promise here. Of course, now B2K has to face that eternal challenge of teenie idols: fulfilling that promise or outgrowing their demographic plenty fast.

ADRIAN ZUPP
(March 11, 2002)