B5, previously known as TNT Boyz and Audio, is an American
R&B group originating from
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 258,308, making it the fifth-most populous city in Florida and the second-largest city in the Tampa Bay Area, after Tampa. It is the ...
, which later relocated to
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,7 ...
. The group consists of the five Breeding family brothers, Dustin Michael (b. October 8, 1987), Kelly Allen (b.February 27, 1989), Patrick Owen (b. September 19, 1990), Carnell Frederick (b. Hunnicutt, November 30, 1991), and Bryan Jesse (b.October 14, 1994). They were formerly known as the TNT Boyz featuring only the four eldest brothers, but renamed B5 after youngest brother, Bryan, joined the group.
Since 2018, the members of the band have been working together once more as B5. Their new single "Wave" is currently available on Spotify, Apple Music, etc.
Career
TNT Boyz (1998–2001)
The band started in 1998 with Dustin, Kelly, Patrick, and Carnell. The four-member band was known as TNT Boyz. The oldest of the brothers, Dustin and Patrick were the lead singers of TNT Boyz. The young boys were encouraged by their mother and aunt to pursue music careers. They entered and won numerous competitions, including shows put together by
Radio Disney. The band changed its name to B5 when Bryan, the youngest of the brothers, joined in. The name B5 was chosen to denote Breeding 5. This is similar to
The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5 (sometimes stylized as the Jackson 5ive, also known as the Jacksons) are an American pop band composed of members of the Jackson family. The group was founded in 1964 in Gary, Indiana, and for most o ...
, denoting "J5"
B5 (2001–2014)
The band took part in tours and appearing in shows alongside acts including
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam (; born April 16, 1973), known mononymously as Akon, is a Senegalese-American singer, record producer, and entrepreneur. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of " Locked Up" (featuring Styles P ...
,
Mario Winans
Mario Mendell Winans ( Brown; born August 29, 1974) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer best known for his 2004 song " I Don't Wanna Know", which reached number 2 in the United States and number 1 in the United Kingdom. Wina ...
,
Kanye West
Ye ( ; born Kanye Omari West ; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer.
Born in Atlanta and raised in Chicago, West gained recognition as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records in the ea ...
,
Ginuwine
Elgin Baylor Lumpkin (born October 15, 1970), better known by his stage name Ginuwine, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. He began his career as a member of Swing Mob in the early 1990s. Signing to Epic Records as a solo ...
,
Usher,
Fantasia
Fantasia International Film Festival (also known as Fantasia-fest, FanTasia, and Fant-Asia) is a film festival that has been based mainly in Montreal since its founding in 1996. Regularly held in July of each year, it is valued by both hardcore ...
,
Bow Wow,
Chris Brown,
T-Pain,
Omarion
Omari Ishmael Grandberry (born November 12, 1984), better known by his stage name Omarion, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, actor and dancer. He rose to prominence as the lead singer of the boy band B2K. The group achieved success in the e ...
,
Soulja Boy and
NSYNC. While passing through Atlanta, GA, their Manager Jim McMahan introduced them to
L. A. Reid and
Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri Mauldin (born September 23, 1972) is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, record executive, entrepreneur, and DJ.
Early life
Jermaine Dupri Mauldin was born on September 23, 1972, the son of Tina (Mosley) and Michael ...
; after meeting Sean "
P.Diddy
Sean Combs (born Sean John Combs; November 4, 1969), also known by his stage names Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Puffy, or Diddy, is an American rapper, actor, record producer, and record executive. Born in New York City, he worked as a talent directo ...
" Combs, they were signed by
Bad Boy Entertainment
Bad Boy Records (or Bad Boy Entertainment) is an American record label founded in 1993 by rapper Sean "Puffy" Combs. It operates as an imprint of Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. It has been home to many artists, includin ...
. Diddy produced B5's
self-titled debut album along with other top producers including
Rodney Jerkins,
Ryan Leslie
Anthony Ryan Leslie (born September 25, 1978) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and entrepreneur from Washington, D.C. He has produced singles for a number of prominent artists in a variety of genres, ranging from R&B, hip hop ...
,
Sean Garrett
Garrett Robin Hamler, known professionally as Sean Garrett, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is responsible for a series of chart-topping compositions, most notably Usher's " Yeah!" which ranks second on the ''Billboa ...
, Corna Boyz and Veit Renn.
[B5]
''MTV.'' Accessed January 25, 2012. The lead single, "All I Do" is based on a cover of The Jackson 5's original single "
All I Do Is Think of You
"All I Do Is Think of You" is a song released by the Jackson 5 on the Motown label in 1975. It was initially released as the B-side to the group's single "Forever Came Today" before being released as an A-side single months later. The song is the ...
". It is similar to a cover released by
Troop
A troop is a military sub-subunit, originally a small formation of cavalry, subordinate to a squadron. In many armies a troop is the equivalent element to the infantry section or platoon. Exceptions are the US Cavalry and the King's Tr ...
and was suggested to them by Jerkins.
The album ''B5'' reached number seven on the
Top R&B/Hip-Hop chart, after entering at #19 in its first week of release on the Billboard 200 and #11 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Their next single, "U Got Me", did not make Billboard Top 200. The debut album included the hit singles "All I Do" and "U Got Me" which peaked at #9 on
Radio Disney and hung on the
BET
Black Entertainment Television (acronym BET) is an American basic cable channel targeting African-American audiences. It is owned by the CBS Entertainment Group unit of Paramount Global via BET Networks and has offices in New York City, Los ...
"106 & Park" Top 10 for weeks.
On November 12, 2005, while performing on the Radio Disney Jingle Jam Tour at
Brookdale Mall, thousands of girls rushed the stage and at the group and a riot ensued. Members of the group were stripped of shirts, shoes and earrings.
''
Don't Talk, Just Listen'' was the second album released, with the help of producers such as
Bryan Michael Cox
Bryan-Michael Paul Cox (born December 1, 1977) is an American record producer and songwriter who is notable for his work with artists such as Usher, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, and Toni Braxton. Among his most notable productions are "Be Wit ...
, Mario Winans,
Soul Diggaz
Soul Diggaz is an American R&B and hip-hop production team composed of Karriem "K-Mack" Mack, Shaun "Bless" Owens and songwriter Corté "The Author" Ellis.
Corté Ellis is the younger cousin of hip hop musician Missy Elliott. They have adde ...
,
Danja, Blaze,
The Underdogs, Insomoniax, and
Mischke. "Hydrolics", featuring Bow Wow, was the first single. The CD was executive produced by Diddy, Kevin Wales and
Harve Pierre
Harve Pierre, also known by the stage name Joe Hooker, is an American writer, singer, producer, and record executive who is president of Bad Boy Entertainment.
Biography
Pierre is an American of Haitian descent.
Guest appearances
Productio ...
. It was released on September 11, 2007, and was their last album on
Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records (or Bad Boy Entertainment) is an American record label founded in 1993 by rapper Sean "Puffy" Combs. It operates as an imprint of Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. It has been home to many artists, including ...
. After having little success with the name Audio, the group returned to the name B5. The single "Say Yes" was released in May 2013 with an associated music video.
In 2015, Dustin began focusing on his solo career. In November 2015, he released his single "Pay It Forward" as the lead track from his ''Different'' EP.
2018: The Return of B5
On July 27, 2018, B5 released their comeback single "Do That", which was their first song together in five years.
Discography
Studio albums
* ''
B5'' (2005)
* ''
Don't Talk, Just Listen'' (2007)
Singles
* "All I Do" (2005), Bad Boy Records/Universal
* "
U Got Me" (2005), Bad Boy Records/Universal
* "Hydrolics" (featuring
Bow Wow) (2007), Bad Boy Records/Warner
* "Say Yes" (2013), Upfront Megatainment/Motown Records
* "Cookie" (2013), Upfront Megatainment/Motown Records
* "Do That" (2018)
* "Wave" (2019)
Tours
*"Radio Disney Jingle Jams Tour" (2005) B5 (Head Liner), Everlife, and SAVVY (
Berto Ornelas Now Knows as MANNIE B, Sarah LeMaire Now Known as Gigi, Drew Reinartz, Lauryn Story-Witt, Andrew Stern, Alan Shaw, Mariah Mcbride, and Nikki Frishber)
References
External links
B5's official Twitter
{{Authority control
Atlantic Records artists
Family musical groups
American boy bands
American contemporary R&B musical groups
African-American musical groups
Musical groups from Florida
Walt Disney Records artists