Boyz II Men have officially entered their Cowboyz II Men era.
The legendary R&B group has signed to Warner Records Nashville and is gearing up to release their first country album next year.
The Grammy-winning actoriginally formed in 1985 with members Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman and Michael McCary. In 2003, they officially became a trio after McCary left due to health issues. Boyz II Men rose to prominence in the early '90s with a combination of soulful ballads and smooth harmonies, selling over 60 million records worldwide and earning multiple awards including four Grammys. Their artistry and enduring influence helped shape the path for R&B artists to come.
The members told The Tennessean their turn toward country was a natural
next step.
"We love the genre so much, and at this point in our career we felt like it was the perfect time to dip our toes," Stockman said. "We've always been enamored with the storytelling component of country music and how they actually put those stories to melody. Again, it was a learning experience. That is what we like. We have been in this business for three decades, but we'll forever be students of music and we'll always be open to learn and to appreciate different styles."
Nathan said that while this is their first time fully venturing into the country genre, it isn't entirely new territory for the group. The group has already performed at the Grand Ole Opry in 2018, sang alongside country-pop artist Brett Young in 2019, then with Cody Johnson earlier this year at the country music festival Stagecoach.
"We've reached our tentacles out over many years and dabbled in other types of music, but R&B is the root of who we are. And I think that's why it's so easy for us to fall in love with country music because the melodies are similar. The meanings are similar. The feelings are similar. So, it's almost like we feel at home doing it," he said.
Wanya underscored the familiarity of country music to the group.
"The correlation between Boyz II Men and country music: I guess you could say that there's no real separation. The organics are there. The harmonies. They reference the same type of key structures and emotions and inflections," he said.
In fact, Stockman said the group has always loved music by artists like "Travis Tritt, Vince Gill, The Chicks and guys like that,"
"A lot of what we grew up and were raised under is stuff that we appreciate, respect, and enjoy. And we wanted to be a part of that community. We felt like the time is now," Stockman added.
More than just a genre they grew up hearing, he said their forthcoming country album is also driven by their deep appreciation for the genre."We feel that country music and its community is the final frontier when it comes to integrity, musicality, real songwriters, real singing, real instrumentation," he said.
For the upcoming project, the three vocalists collaborated with award-winning songwriters in Nashville.
"Fortunately, some of the best writers are in the business of country. We were fortunate enough to be in the rooms with and just put some creative thoughts together," Stockman said. "This was the beautiful thing of coming here to Nashville because it's somewhat of an oasis."
He added that being able to dive into a new genre allowed them to keep their creativity alive, adding that "this is a good thing for us. It revitalizes our minds and our spirits and our pens."
Even being signed with Warner Records Nashville felt like home.
"They understood it. There's nothing better than doing a project with people who understand you and that get it," Stockman said. "It's so reminiscent of the days that we started."
The group last performed in Nashville earlier this year for the "Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th" celebration, singing their hit "Motownphilly" and a cover of John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads."
Prior to that, the group hit the Bridgestone Arena stage for the New Edition Way Tour featuring New Edition, Boyz II Men, and Toni Braxton on March 20, 2026.
The "End of the Road" crooners said the project isn't about changing their musical identity, but expanding it.
"We've been a part of almost every genre of music. So this is one that we haven't really dug in like we'd always wanted to. I mean, we've done just about all we could do in R&B. So this is fun," said Nathan.
For Wanya, the goal is to embrace country music without losing the sound and identity that have defined Boyz II Men.
"We don’t want to become country. We want to be a part of it," said Wanya.
Nathan echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the group's desire to share its music with a broader audience while staying true to its roots.
"It's the same music, almost just doing it for a different group of people. That's all. And for us, it's open for everyone to be a part of it," said Nathan. "It's just something that we felt that this is just the time to do. It's organic. It feels good."
As for what fans can expect from the project's 2027 release, Wanya put it simply: "If you love country, and you love Boyz II Men, then you’ll love this album."
Follow USA TODAY Network and The Tennessean music reporter Caché McClay on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Boyz II Men to release their first country music album | Exclusive
