Next (group)
Encyclopedia
Next is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 R&B musical group, popular during the late 1990s. They are best known for their hit singles "Too Close
Too Close
"Too Close" is a 1998 song by R&B group Next, and featuring uncredited vocals from Vee of Koffee Brown. It was the second single released from their debut album Rated Next. The song reached number one on the U.S. Hot 100 and R&B charts and has gone Platinum making it their biggest and best known...

" and "Wifey
Wifey
"Wifey" is the first single from R&B group Next's album Welcome II Nextasy, which was released on Released on May 16, 2000. The song spent one week at number-one on the US R&B chart and peaked at number seven on the US pop chart on August 29, 2000, after reaching the Top 40 on June...

".

History

Fronted by founding members R.L. Huggar (better known by his stage name RL), brothers Terry Brown and Raphael Brown, the group was founded together by the Brown family's uncle, who was a local gospel choir director. They began performing under the name "Straight4ward." For a commercial appeal, the name "straight4ward," was changed to "Next" with assistance of producer, Lance "LA" Alexander. The group trained under and was managed for a time by Ann Nesby
Ann Nesby
Ann Nesby is an American R&B, gospel, and dance music singer and actress. She is the former lead singer of Sounds of Blackness; a songwriter with credits including hits sung by Patti Labelle and Gladys Knight; plus she co-starred in the 2003 romance musical The Fighting Temptations with Cuba...

 from the gospel group Sounds of Blackness
Sounds of Blackness
Sounds of Blackness is a Grammy Award-winning vocal and instrumental ensemble from Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota who perform music from several genres music including gospel, R&B, soul, and jazz. The group scored several hits on the Billboard R&B chart and Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play...

. Next was introduced in their home town of Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...

 to producer and DJ artist KayGee from Naughty By Nature
Naughty by Nature
Naughty by Nature are a Grammy Award-winning American hip hop trio from East Orange, New Jersey that at the time of its formation in 1989 consisted of Treach, Vin Rock, and the DJ Kay Gee...

. They, subsequently, signed with KayGee's newly formed Divine Mill record label, which at the time was distributed through Arista Records
Arista Records
Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...

.

1997-1999: Rated Next

Next's debut album, Rated Next
Rated Next
Rated Next is the debut studio album by American musical group Next. After forming, the trio recorded several songs with record producers Prof. T. and Lance Alexander before catching recording artist and producer Kay Gee of Naughty by Nature's attention. He signed Next to his record label, Divine...

, was released in September 1997. The album featured appearances by R&B singer Adina Howard
Adina Howard
Adina Howard is an American R&B singer who rose to prominence during the mid 1990s with her debut album, Do You Wanna Ride? and her debut single, "Freak Like Me". Howard is known for her sexual image and provocative songs...

,, Castro and an appearance by Naughty By Nature. Their debut single, "Butta Love" became a top five (#4) R&B hit, while going top twenty (#16) Pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...

, in the fall of 1997. Their second single "Too Close
Too Close
"Too Close" is a 1998 song by R&B group Next, and featuring uncredited vocals from Vee of Koffee Brown. It was the second single released from their debut album Rated Next. The song reached number one on the U.S. Hot 100 and R&B charts and has gone Platinum making it their biggest and best known...

" peaked at number one on both Billboard's Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...

 and R&B Singles chart
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...

, the former for five weeks, and was named the number one song of 1998
1998 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1998.-Events:*January 28 – "Weird Al" Yankovic gets LASIK surgery to cure his myopia...

 by Billboard Magazine. "I Still Love You," the albums third and final single, went top twenty (#14) Pop and was RIAA-certified Gold. Also in 1998, Next recorded "Whatever You Want" (which featured Curtis Conway
Curtis Conway
Curtis Lamont Conway is a former National Football League wide receiver and was a first round 1993 NFL Draft choice out of the University of Southern California...

) for the NFL Jams compilation album.

In addition to this, Next topped the Billboard Year-End Charts as the "Top New Pop Artist," "Top Hot 100 Singles Artist - Duos/Group," "Top R&B Artist - Duos/Group" (singles & albums), "Top New R&B Artist," "Top Hot R&B Singles Artist," "Top Hot R&B Singles Artist - Duos/Group," and with the Top Hot 100 Single, Top Hot R&B Single, and Top Hot R&B Single Airplay. Rated Next was certified double platinum, and the group was nominated for an American Music Award for "Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group."

In 1999, Next also appeared on Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child was an American R&B girl group whose final line-up comprised lead singer Beyoncé Knowles alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Formed in 1997 in Houston, Texas, Destiny's Child members began their musical endeavors in their pre-teens under the name Girl's Tyme...

 recorded "If You Leave" for their second album The Writing's on the Wall
The Writing's on the Wall
-Credits and personnel:*Bill Ortiz – trumpet*Daryl Simmons – drum programming, keyboard programming*D'Wayne Wiggins – guitar, producer*Rodney Jerkins – producer*Claudine Pontier – assistant engineer*James Hoover – engineer...

and contributed "Nobody" to the Violator compilation with rapper Mysonne. Also, the same year, group member R.L. dueted with Deborah Cox
Deborah Cox
Deborah Cox is a Canadian R&B singer-songwriter and actress. Her 1998 song "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" held the record for longest-running number one single on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart , a record held for nearly eight years. She has achieved ten number-one hits on...

 on her top ten hit "We Can't Be Friends
We Can't Be Friends
"We Can't Be Friends", released on September 14, 1999, is the title of a number-one R&B single by singer Deborah Cox and features singer R.L.. The hit song spent two weeks at number-one on the US R&B chart, as well as peaking at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100....

". In October of that year, R.L. collaborated with Case
Case (singer)
Case Woodard, stage name Case, is an American R&B singer who was born in New York City.-Music career:After stints with R&B group Future and a duo called Black, Case got work co-writing and singing background for artists including Usher, Christopher Williams and Al B. Sure. Case finally felt close...

, Ginuwine
Ginuwine
Elgin Baylor Lumpkin , better known by his stage name Ginuwine is an American singer-songwriter and actor. Signed to Epic Records since the mid-1990s, Ginuwine had released a number of multi-platinum and platinum-selling albums and singles, becoming one of R&B's top artists during the late 1990's...

 and Tyrese for the song, "The Best Man I Can Be" for the soundtrack for the film, The Best Man
The Best Man (1999 film)
The Best Man is a 1999 romantic comedy-drama film, written and directed by Malcolm D. Lee. It was produced by Spike Lee's production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks. The film stars Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut and Sanaa Lathan, and is considered to be a male-centered answer to...

.

2000-2001: Welcome II Nextasy

Next's second album Welcome II Nextasy
Welcome II Nextasy
Welcome II Nextasy is the second studio album by Next, their second album for Arista. Since its release, it has been RIAA-certified gold.-Singles:...

was released in 2000
2000 in music
See also:* 2000 in music Record labels established in 2000-Events:*January – Gary Glitter is released from jail, two months before his sentence for sexual offences ends.*January 1**John Tavener is knighted in the New Year's Honours List....

; featured guests included: Beanie Sigel
Beanie Sigel
Dwight Grant , also known as Beanie Sigel, is a American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,most recently he was in talks with 50 Cent to sign with G-Unit Records and is a former member/artist of Dame Dash Music Group and Roc-A-Fella Records where he had formed a close association with rappers...

, G-Wise (Talk Box on "Cyber Sex") reggae artist Red Rat
Red Rat
Wallace Wilson , better known by the stage name Red Rat, is a Jamaican dancehall reggae recording and performing artist. He was born in Saint Ann's Bay, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica...

, Renee Neufville (from Zhane
Zhane
Zhané was an American R&B/hip hop soul duo, best known for their 1994 hit "Hey Mr. D.J.", which reached #6 in the U.S. Other popular hits include "Groove Thang" and minor hit "Sending My Love," both released in 1994...

), as well as a then fledgling 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...

. The albums first single "Wifey
Wifey
"Wifey" is the first single from R&B group Next's album Welcome II Nextasy, which was released on Released on May 16, 2000. The song spent one week at number-one on the US R&B chart and peaked at number seven on the US pop chart on August 29, 2000, after reaching the Top 40 on June...

" (Raj Saund) topped the R&B Singles chart, while peaking at number seven on the Hot 100. The followup single "Beauty Queen," however, peaked at a modest number forty-eight R&B, while failing to chart on the Hot 100 at all. Subsequently, while the album was Gold certified, it failed to ultimately mirror the success of their debut. Next, however, was nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for "Best R&B/Soul Album; Group, Band or Duo" and a Blockbuster Entertainment Award for "Favorite Group - R&B." Next also collaborated at this time with new labelmate Jaheim
Jaheim
Jaheim Hoagland is an American R&B singer and formerly a rapper performing under the mononymous name of Jaheim. He was signed by Naughty by Nature's Kaygee to Divine Mill Records in 2000, and released his debut album Ghetto Love in 2001. His second effort, Still Ghetto, was released a year later,...

 on his single "Anything" (also appearing in the music video), and provided backing vocals on several tracks on his album Ghetto Love. In March of the following month, R.L. recorded the song, "Good Love" on the soundtrack to the 2001 film, The Brothers.

After the run of their second album album Next transferred from Arista to J Records
J Records
J Records was an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment, and was distributed through the RCA Music Group.-Company history:...

 to continue to work under the guidance of former Arista head Clive Davis upon his leaving the label and launching J. Next also appeared on the soundtrack to Bad Company with the song "Tonite."

2002-2003: The Next Episode

In early 2002, while Next was on hiatus, R.L.'s solo debut album, RL: Ements
RL: Ements
RL: Ements is the debut solo-album released by Next front man, R.L. Huggar.-Tracklisting:#"Elements"#"Got Me a Model" #"Watcha Wanna Do"#"Ghetto" #"Good Man"...

was released to modest success and acclaim. Later in the years, Next returned with their third album, The Next Episode
The Next Episode (album)
The Next Episode is the third studio album by Next.Imagine That. The song charted on the US R&B/Hip-Hop at 66-Track listing:#Intro#Your Love Is #Imagine That#Do Your Thing#I'm Tryin' To What#Just Like That#Feels Good#Lights Out...

. Prior to the recording of the album, group member T-Low underwent throat surgery, which caused the concern that he may not be able to sing again. There were rumors of turmoil within the group springing from R.L.'s various outside endeavors, as well as with group member Tweet's own solo aspirations. The first single from the album was "Imagine That", which was relatively tame compared to the group's known penchant toward raunchier material. The album, though, failed to chart well. Shortly thereafter, the group's contract with J Records was dissolved. Whether due to sales, or if other factors were involved was not made clear. In 2003 RL also did work around the Minneapolis area with several artists including Kooke, an up and coming rapper from Hit Kid Records. Their single which included Mr. Cheeks and Jackyson Bazile of the platinum rap group, The Lost Boyz, entitled "Holla Back" made noise in the Minneapolis area.

After J Records

In late 2005, Next was briefly signed to G-Unit
G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records...

/Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...

. According to reports, award-winning producers Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri Mauldin , known as Jermaine Dupri or JD, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper.- Early life and career :...

,Jackyson Bazile, Rich Harrison
Rich Harrison
Rich Harrison is a Grammy Award-winning record producer and songwriter from Washington, D.C.. He is primarily an R&B/Hip-Hop producer...

, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and Jon Bryant were to be involved in the production. Before any of this transpired, though, Next departed Interscope for unknown reasons.

In 2006, while still under the G-Unit/Interscope label, the group produced two mixtapes with G-Unit DJ "Whoo Kid," The Moisture Mixtape and The Next Level under the moniker The New Next. Later, a song by Next emerged on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....

 called "Hater In You," which some interpreted as a slant on other groups. Huggar, though, claimed that this wasn't true, and that the song was simply an expression of frustration for the politics of the music industry.

Current activity

In 2006, Next signed to Mathew Knowles
Mathew Knowles
Mathew Knowles is an American music executive and manager. He is the father and former manager of R&B singer Beyoncé , Knowles also managed Kelly Rowland as well as girl group Destiny's Child . He was also the manager of Solange Knowles.-Manager and producer:Knowles is an alumnus of Fisk...

' Music World Entertainment label. On April 2, 2007, R.L. revealed on the Frank Ski & Wanda Morning Show on V-103 in Atlanta, that their new album would be entitled Sex Toy. The title has since been changed to Next, Lies, & Videotape and will be released early next year. R.L. is also said to be working on his second solo album. Group member Raphael “Tweet” Brown left the group due to having problems with his bandmate R.L. Huggar and wanting to become more spiritual and serve the Lord. They later made up but decided to pursue a solo career. The new album set to be released sometime in 2011 will feature R.L., T-Low, & Tweet. Tweet however has returned to the group and all original members are back. The new album Next, Lies, & Videotape has been changed to Music 101. RL, Tweet, & T-Low are about to embark on a tour.

First stop was Florence SC on June 25, 2011. Only 2 of the 3 members (T-Low was missing)showed but excellent performance.

Albums

Year Album Chart positions Certifications Sales
US
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...

US R&B
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999...

CAN
1997 Rated Next
Rated Next
Rated Next is the debut studio album by American musical group Next. After forming, the trio recorded several songs with record producers Prof. T. and Lance Alexander before catching recording artist and producer Kay Gee of Naughty by Nature's attention. He signed Next to his record label, Divine...

37 13 20 US: 2x Platinum US: 2,000,000+
2000 Welcome II Nextasy
Welcome II Nextasy
Welcome II Nextasy is the second studio album by Next, their second album for Arista. Since its release, it has been RIAA-certified gold.-Singles:...

12 4 US: Gold US: 500,000+
2002 The Next Episode
The Next Episode (album)
The Next Episode is the third studio album by Next.Imagine That. The song charted on the US R&B/Hip-Hop at 66-Track listing:#Intro#Your Love Is #Imagine That#Do Your Thing#I'm Tryin' To What#Just Like That#Feels Good#Lights Out...

120 27
2011 Music 101 TBA TBA TBA

Singles

Year Title Chart positions Album
US
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...

US R&B US Pop
Pop 100
The Pop 100 was a songs chart that debuted in February 2005 and was released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States until its discontinuation in 2009...

UK
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...

1997 "Butta Love" 16 4 Rated Next
Rated Next
Rated Next is the debut studio album by American musical group Next. After forming, the trio recorded several songs with record producers Prof. T. and Lance Alexander before catching recording artist and producer Kay Gee of Naughty by Nature's attention. He signed Next to his record label, Divine...

1998 "Too Close
Too Close
"Too Close" is a 1998 song by R&B group Next, and featuring uncredited vocals from Vee of Koffee Brown. It was the second single released from their debut album Rated Next. The song reached number one on the U.S. Hot 100 and R&B charts and has gone Platinum making it their biggest and best known...

"
1 1 5 24
"I Still Love You" 14 4
2000 "Wifey" 7 1 40 19 Welcome II Nextasy
Welcome II Nextasy
Welcome II Nextasy is the second studio album by Next, their second album for Arista. Since its release, it has been RIAA-certified gold.-Singles:...

"Beauty Queen" 48
2002 "Imagine That" 66 The Next Episode
The Next Episode (album)
The Next Episode is the third studio album by Next.Imagine That. The song charted on the US R&B/Hip-Hop at 66-Track listing:#Intro#Your Love Is #Imagine That#Do Your Thing#I'm Tryin' To What#Just Like That#Feels Good#Lights Out...


Awards and nominations

  • American Music Awards
    American Music Awards
    -Conception:The AMAs were created by Dick Clark in 1973 to compete with the Grammys after the move of that year's show to Nashville, Tennessee led to CBS picking up the Grammy telecasts after its first two in 1971 and 1972 were broadcast on ABC...

    • 1999, Favorite Soul/R&B Band, Duo or Group: (Nominated)
    • 1999, Favorite New Soul/R&B New Artist: (Nominated)

  • Soul Train Awards
    • 2001, Best R&B/Soul Album by a Band, Duo or Group: Welcome II Nextasy
      Welcome II Nextasy
      Welcome II Nextasy is the second studio album by Next, their second album for Arista. Since its release, it has been RIAA-certified gold.-Singles:...

      (Nominated)
    • 1999, Best R&B/Soul Single by a Band, Duo or Group: "Too Close" (Winner)

External links


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