Bump, Bump, Bump

Background:

Raz B is an African American singer and actor who is best known as the founding member of the R&B music group B2K. The group's first studio album, “B2K” (March 2002), became a chart topper on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart and a No. 2 hit on the Billboard 200. The follow up “Pandemonium!” (December 2002) received a platinum status in the US. In between, the group launched a Christmas album, “Santa Hooked Me Up” (October 2002). They also recorded a soundtrack album, “You Got Served” (2003), for the motion picture of the same name (2004), which they starred.

Their single, “Bump, Bump, Bump” (featuring P. Diddy) (2002), rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming their first Top 10 hit on the chart. Other notable singles include “Uh Huh,” “Gots Ta Be,” “Why I Love You,” “Girlfriend” and “Badaboom” (featuring Fabolous). B2K split up in 2004 due to internal disagreements. Raz B has since continued his career as a solo artist. His first solo single, “Fire” (June 2007) peaked at No. 2 on both Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales charts and the Billboard Hot Singles Sales. He has also acted in such films as “Pieces of a Dream” (2005) and “Love Sick Diaries” (2010) as well as in the TV series “Noah's Arc.”

Apart from being a performer, Raz B founded a production company called RazBeatz Entertainment. He also works with his brother Ricky Romance on his label, JMC Records, and also with his uncle on his label, JMC Records. Raz B has established a foundation called The Razbeatz Foundation.

De'Mario Monte

Childhood and Family:

De'Mario Monte Thornton, who would later be known as Raz B, was born on June 13, 1985, in Cleveland, Ohio. He got the stage name Raz B due to his “raspy” voice. His cousin is Chris Strokes, who is his former manager. He has a sister named Storm.

Fire

Career:

Raz B first met fellow young rappers Lil' Fizz, J-Boog, and Omarion in 1998, and the R&B music group B2K was established three years later in 2001, with his cousin, music producer Chris Stokes, serving as the group's manager.

The group released a self titled debut album, “B2K,” on March 12, 2002, under Epic Records. The album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart by selling 109,000 copies in the first week. The album also charted in the UK at No. 186. Released on July 17, 2001, the lead single “Uh Huh” debuted at No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 20 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and made it into the Top 40 on the UK Singles chart (#35). Chris Brown and Trey Songz were featured on the music video, which was directed by Erik White. The second single “Gots ta Be” (February 2002) reached No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 13 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, while the third and last single “Why I Love You” (May 2002) respectively peaking at No. 73 and No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. “B2K” was eventually certified gold by the RIAA.

On October 29, 2002, B2K launched a holiday album called “Santa Hooked Me Up.” The album peaked at No. 132 on the Billboard 200 and No. 35 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart. It yielded a single, “Why'd You Leave Me on Christmas.”

Two months later, B2K resurfaced with their second studio album, “Pandemonium!.” Released on December 10, 2002, the album reached No. 10 on the Billboard 200 and No. 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It also charted at No. 35 in the UK, No. 50 in Australia, No. 57 in France, No. 64 in New Zealand and No. 60 in Swiss. The album's first single, “Bump, Bump, Bump” (featuring P. Diddy), which was produced by R Kelly, who also wrote the song with Varick Smith, debuted at No. 1 at the Billboard Hot 100 and became the group's first top ten and No. 1 single. The song also reached No. 2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, No. 3 on the Mainstream Top 40, No. 4 on the Adult Top 4. It was a Top 10 hit in France, New Zealand and Swiss and a No. 11 hit in the UK. The follow up single “Girlfriend” (2003), which was writtena nd produced by R Kelly, reached No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 19 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart. The single “What a Girl Wants” failed to enter the Billboard Hot 100 but managed to chart on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at No. 47. “Pandemonium!” received platinum certification from the RIAA.

Raz B made his feature acting debut as Vick on “You Got Served” (2004), along with members of B2K. The film, which was written and directed by the band's manager Chris Stokes, opened at No. 1 at the box office during Super Bowl weekend with $16 million grossed in its first week, and eventually grossed a total of $ 48 million. The budget was $8 million. The group also appeared in 8 of 13 songs on “You Got Served Soundtrack,” which was released on December 23, 2003. The album was a modest success. It reachedg No. 34 on the Billboard 200, No. 7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and No. 2 on the Top Soundtracks, and went gold in the US. The song “Badaboom” (featuring Fabolous) made it to No. 59 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 29 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and No. 26 on the UK Singles Chart. Another song called “Do That Thing” (featuring Lil' Kim) reached No. 63 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.

B2K released a first compilation album, “Greatest Hits,” on March 23, 2004. The album peaked at No. 76 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Due to internal conflicts, the group broke up in that same year.

In 2005, Raz B returned to acting by playing the role of Vic on the drama film “Pieces of a Dream,” which was directed and co-written by Skee Skinner and starred Harold Dennis, Ngina James and Paul Branton. It was followed by a guest appearance in an episode of “Noah's Arc” called “It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over” (2006), playing Tashi.

Raz B released his debut single, “Fire,” in May 2007. The song reached No. 2 on both the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales charts and the Billboard Hot Singles Sales. The second single was “Go Girl.”

In 2007, Raz B reunited with B2K, but without Omarion. In the beginning of 2008, a song called “Body Up” was leaked. He has since quit, leaving the group a duo.

On March 19, 2010, Raz B released his first mixtape EP, “Boy 2 King.” The same year, he also co-starred with Chris Vent, Maggie Hai-Uyen and James Russo in the Mike Ahuja film “Love Sick Diaries.”

Raz B is set to play a role in the upcoming musical film “Hype Nation 3D” (2011). The cast also include Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, J-Boog and Lil' Fizz, among others.

Awards:
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