If you were a fan of the boy group B2K in the early ‘2000s or enjoy listening to early ’2000s r&b, then you will groove to the new music from 2BYG, a four member boy group from Forth Worth, Texas.
The boys ages 19 to 20 are the new generation of soul and r&b, yet keeping the past inspiration alive. Tourè, Matt Brown, Nixx and KD showcase their falsettos, harmonizations and perfect pitches in their debut mixtape The Yearbook and are striving to bring back and keep black boy groups to stay forever.
What does their group name stand for? You ask, they answer this in the first track, “Young & Gifted (Intro)” along orchestral compositions the boys say, “It means to be young and gifted . . . it means to apply talents for the greater good . . . Strivin' to perfect our God-given abilities. Amen, praise God. Stay tuned.”
In the following track, “Karma” the boy’s harmonizations shine. A more ‘80s inspired beat, the track definitely brings back the new jack swing. They sing, “That's just how it is. Karma comes back to you, Comes back to you if you didn't know. That's why I ain't gon' trip, about the things that you do. No more trauma in my life.” Singing to a past lover, it's clear that you feel free if you are doing no wrong and there is no need for revenge. You reap what you sow and the boys are going to show love regardless. “I don't need ya, I'll be just fine now that I got no more tears left to cry. I'm good without ya, take my advice If you don't treat me right What goes around comes back around.”
And love is exactly what they bring to the person they have their eye on, with the following track “Twin.” With guitar riffs similar to “Love” by Keyshia Cole and drums and bass they sing, “I'll take you all the places you ain't never been. You my baby girl, best friend. I'll let them all go. They gone, they gone, they gone. I’ll let the world know.” It’s no surprise the young men are lovers boys at heart and have no problem letting the world know they are in love. “Know you my favorite girl. They can't say nothing 'bout you, can't nothing come between us. Best friend, that's my twin.”
The B2K “Uh Huh” song from 2002, is the sample used in the third track, “Wassup” that will immediately get you on your feet. The song is the perfect choice on the dance floor as you catch someones eyes and are about to dance together. “You throwin' it left and right. So you know what I'm gon' do. I can see you lookin' real choosey way across the room, so I gotta make a move. Just bring it right to the floor, we can do it right here.” The song may even get you krumping as it continues with lyrics, “You know I catch it when it drop, drop, drop, drop And then you bring it to the top, top, top, top. Ayy, lil' baby, don't you stop, stop, stop. Yeah, you know that I'ma strike when it gets hot. You got me sayin’, Wassup? Baby, what you tryna do?”
The dance break starts with “Love, Actually… Kinda?” that feels like an interlude in the mixtape. The one minute and 30 second track speaks on the craziest things young people have done for love. And also if love exists in this new generation. It reminds Gen-Z to love loudly and proudly rather than staying nonchalant.
As we hear from pervious tracks, the 2BYG boys are no stranger to loving out loud and it continues to show with “Anything.” With similar beats to “Hrs & Hrs” by Muni Long but a more modern twist, the boys sing “I'll stay up, stuck on the phone with you for hours. When you're with me, feel like I got superpowers. That's the reason I can't stand being without ya. I’d do anything to be your first and last. Girl, I won't hold back.” It’s a great song to play as the holidays are approaching next to the fireplace with the person you care about. They continue singing, “I’ll do anything to keep you right here. There ain't anything that feels better than you and I'll say all that again. Girl, I'll cut off all these women sliding up in my DM’s. Only thinkin' 'bout your body 'cause nobody hit the same. They ain't on the same wave, girl, I'm trying to maintain. One in a million, baby, there ain't no replacin' you.”
The violins are brought out in “Someone Like You,” as they sing about getting close to someone known on social media or out of their league. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make you mine . . . so what can I say to be loved by someone like you. Please tell me what can I do to get close to someone like you.” The person they are trying to get the attention from may have many followers on social media, but they are this persons number one fan.
If you’re not already a fan of 2BYG by listening to the previous tracks, then “Speechless” will definitely be the one that persuades you with a more slow-ballad song. Singing along the chimes and other percussion beats, they sing “I am so speechless when I look into your eyes. Don’t know why Im lost for words, something about you makes me lose my cool. Try to keep it under the surface, you make me nervous. I don’t know what you’re doing to me but it’s working.” The confident boys are no longer themselves, as they are singing about feeling nervous being next to someone and even stuttering.
What won’t these boys ”Do 4 Luv?” because it’s clear in their music, they will do anything. In the last track they sing exactly about this. With inspiration from Bobby Caldwell’s “What You Won’t Do For Love,” they start by singing “I guess you wonder where I’ve been. I search to find the love within. I came back to let you know, have a thing for you and I can’t let go.” The flutes, violins, guitars, piano and harp play in the back as their harmonizations are radiated one last time with lyrics, “In my world only you, make me do for love what I would not do.”
The 9 tracks from start to finish will definitely have you dancing, possibly falling in love and having a good time with a smile on you face. The feel good mixtape is full of that old soul love with a new style. The new boy group arrives with “The Yearbook” of the year, as they are ready to sign for many fans who will tune in to their music.
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