Next
OriginMinneapolis, Minnesota, United States
GenresR&B
Years active1992–present
Labels
MembersRobert "R.L." Huggar
Terry "T-Low" Brown
Raphael "Tweety" Brown

Next is an American R&B musical trio, popular during the late 1990s and early 2000s. They are best known for their Billboard Hot 100 number-one hit single "Too Close". They are also known for "Wifey", "Butta Love" and "I Still Love You", all of which still receive frequent airplay on Urban Adult Contemporary radio stations in the U.S. and internationally.

History

1992–1999: Early beginnings and breakthrough

The group was formed in 1992 by Robert "R.L." Huggar and brothers Raphael "Tweety" Brown and Terry "T-Low" Brown in Minneapolis, Minnesota after being introduced by the Brown's uncle, a gospel choir director. Originally, they were a quartet known as Straight4ward, and at one point managed by Sounds of Blackness' Ann Nesby, but changed their name to Next after one of their members left.[1] After their demo tape caught the attention of Naughty by Nature's KayGee, he took the group to his Arista label Divine Mill, and they began work on their debut album.

They released their KayGee-produced debut single "Butta Love" in September 1997, which became a big R&B hit for the group peaking at No. 4 (and hitting the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart). Soon after, their debut album, Rated Next was released on September 30, and sold moderately. It was followed in 1998 by the release of their biggest hit to date, "Too Close", which hit No. 1 on both the R&B and the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Sales of their debut album surged, helping the album peak at No. 13 R&B and No. 37 on the Billboard 200, eventually being certified double platinum, and earning them American Music Awards, Billboard Awards and Soul Train Awards nominations.[2] A third single "I Still Love You" garnered the group another Top 5 R&B hit and a Top 20 on the Hot 100 charts.[3]

2000–present: Label changes and hiatus

In 2000, the group released the lead single "Wifey" ahead of their second album for Arista. The song became another No. 1 R&B hit for the group and also featured singer Lil' Mo on background vocals. Their second album, Welcome II Nextasy, was released in June 2000 and was certified gold on the strength of the lead single. A second single "Beauty Queen" received moderate airplay, peaking at No. 48 on R&B and No. 59 on the Hot 100. After the album's cycle, the group took a break, leading RL to record and release his debut solo album RL:Ements for Clive Davis' then-new J Records label in 2002, which achieved moderate success with the singles "Got Me a Model" and "Good Man".

The group also joined the J Records label, and released their third studio album The Next Episode in December of that same year. It featured the lead single "Imagine That" which peaked at No. 66 R&B and No. 91 on the Hot 100. Also, they collaborated with Jaheim on his single "Anything" off his debut album Ghetto Love which earned the group another Top 10 R&B hit. After leaving the J Records label, they briefly aligned with 50 Cent's G-Unit and with Matthew Knowles' Music World labels, but did not release any music. The group later broke up due to internal conflicts and member T-Low suffering from a career-ending throat condition, but eventually reunited in 2011.[4]

In 2014, the group began and completed work on a new album titled Next, Lies, & Videotape (originally titled Music 101) but it was ultimately shelved.[5] In 2016, the group was featured on TV One's "Unsung" series which prompted another reunion for the group after a couple years of being distant.[6][7] In March 2018, the group premiered their new single "Want It" to UAC radio.[8][9]

Discography

Studio albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
[10]		 US R&B
[11]		 AUS
[12]		 CAN
[13]		 UK
[14]
Rated Next
  • Release: September 30, 1997
  • Label: Arista
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 37135720—
Welcome II Nextasy
  • Release: June 20, 2000
  • Label: Arista
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 12474—85
The Next Episode
  • Release: December 17, 2002
  • Label: J
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 12027———
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

As lead artist

Title Year Peak positions Certifications Album
US
[3][18]		 US R&B
[3][18]		 AUS
[12]		 UK
[19][14]
"Butta Love" 1997 164—— Rated Next
"Too Close" 111224
"I Still Love You" 1998 14431—
"Wifey" 2000 716419 Welcome II Nextasy
"Beauty Queen" —48——
"Imagine That" 2002 —66—— The Next Episode
"Leaving with Me" 2014 ———— non-album singles
"Want It" 2018 ————
"That's Me"
(with Naughty by Nature)		 2022 ————
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
Title Year Peak positions Album
US
[3][18]		 US R&B
[3][18]		 AUS
[12]		 UK
[19][14]
"Anything"
(Jaheim featuring Next)		 2002 286—— Ghetto Love
"Girl I'm So Excited"
(with TXAS Renegade)		 2022 ———— non-album singles
"Too Close"
(with Sonny Noto & Lotus featuring Mac Russo)		 2023 ————
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations

  • Billboard Awards
    • 1998 Top New Artist (winner)
    • 1998 Top Hot 100 Singles - Duos/Group (winner)
    • 1998 Top R&B Artist - Duos/Group (winner singles & album)
    • 1998 Top New R&B Artist (winner)
    • 1998 Top Hot R&B Singles Artist (winner)
    • 1998 Top Hot R&B Singles Artist - Duos/Group (winner)
    • 1998 Top Hot 100 Single (Winner)
    • 1998 Top Hot R&B Single Airplay (Winner)
  • American Music Awards
    • 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 (Nominated)
    • 1999, Best R&B/Soul Single by a Band, Duo or Group: "Too Close" (Winner)

References

  1. ↑ "Next | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  2. ↑ "Next". Rock On The Net. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Next Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  4. ↑ "R&B Group Next Reunite After Failed Label Deals, Group Conflicts & Illness". June 4, 2011.
  5. ↑ Hanna, Mitchell (April 6, 2010). "Tuesday Rap Release Dates: Drake, Tha Dogg Pound, Joell Ortiz | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  6. ↑ Times, Music (June 12, 2016). "R&B Group Next Squashes Beef, Reunites to Bring More Great Music". Music Times.
  7. ↑ "#NEXTISBACK #NOE @TheGroupNEXT_ @TweetfromNext @JustRL @TLowFromNext #BESTLIFEEVERpic.twitter.com/2QYqJXaKth". June 11, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Login to All Access | Breaking Radio News and Free New Music | AllAccess.com". All Access.
  9. ↑ "Tweet From Next on Instagram: "The day is finally here!!! After a long hiatus #NEXT💋 @thegroupnext_ is finally back w/ our new single "Want It". PLEASE call your local…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Next Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Next Chart History (R&B/Hip Hop Albums)". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  12. 1 2 3 Peaks in Australia:
    • All except noted: Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 202.
    • "Too Close" and "I Still Love You": "Discography Next". australian-charts.com. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Next Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 16, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  14. 1 2 3 "NEXT - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 "Music Canada". Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). June 17, 1998. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  17. 1 2 3 "British certifications – Next". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 29, 2022. Type Next in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  18. 1 2 3 4 "Anything (song by Jaheim)". Music VF. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  19. 1 2 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 394. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  20. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1998" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
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