Boyz II Men and Jodeci are two groups that left their stamps on ’90s R&B. Though they weren’t the only groups to do so, their signature sounds made them top tier and two of my personal favorites. With that said, let’s talk about their debuts, Cooleyhighharmony and Forever My Lady, respectively.
Cooleyhighharmony came first in April 1991. Immedialty, they won us over with their smooth harmonies and school boy image with “Motownphilly,” the album’s first single.
The quartet showed us their wide vocal ranges on singles, “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday,” “Uhh Ahh,” and “End of the Road.”
All were Billboard Hot 100 Top 5 singles. Which lead to Cooleyhighharmony peaking at number 3 on Billboard 200.
Forever My Lady came just a month later. Like Boyz II Men, Jodeci won us over with a signature sound of their own. However, their image was a contrast to the school boy image by the Philly natives. In fact, the baggy jeans, hat worn backwards, and tattoos, among other things, earned K-Ci, JoJo, Mr. Dalvin, and DeVante Swing the nickname, “Bad Boys of R&B.”
Though “Gotta Love” was their first single, it would be “Stay,” their second singe, that gained the attention.
Hits such as “Come and Talk to Me,” and the album’s title track helped Forever My Lady reach number 1 on the Top R&B Albums and 18 on the Billboard 200.
One album has crossover appeal. While the other one is mostly known for “baby-making music.” You can’t go wrong with either one – but which album would you jam to first though?
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