Jodeci vs. Boyz II Men

During the 1990s, when it came to R&B groups, there were plenty to choose from. But there were two which mattered the most in the public's eyes. Those two groups were Boyz II Men and Jodeci. Each group had a different upbringing but their goals were similar. To be famous stars and they've achieved that. Boyz II Men were from Philly and was signed to Motown by Michael Bivins from New Edition while Jodeci were from the South and found their way to Heavy D. and was signed to MCA/Uptown Records. It was hard to choose which one was better because each of them had a unique sound, but it was something that we as fans were thriving for and couldn't pick a winner. If you were to ask some people, they would say Boyz II Men. If you ask others, they would say Jodeci. Whichever the case was, they were both great in my eyes, but there were no clear winner in this. Ok, so Boyz II Men are considered the greatest selling R&B group of all time. But which one had captured the hearts of the fans. The mainstream will tell you Boyz II Men. The urban (and true) R&B fans will tell you Jodeci. They each had their own fan based. Their songs were never to be missed by the ears. So on that note, I would like to break it down in albums. Since Jodeci on had made three studio albums, I'm going to take the first three albums of Boyz II Men albums and compare them. Again, this battle is not based on sales, but the quality of the albums.

Both 'Cooleyhighharmony' and 'Forever My Lady' were released in 1991 and were already considered soon to be classics. Let's get to the singles of each album. 'Motownphilly' vs. 'Gotta Love'. Their first singles were both made with a the same New Jack Swing element. Although both songs are good, I'd say that 'Motownphilly' has the upper edge in this department over 'Gotta Love' which some fans would agree. Now onto the second singles, 'It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday' vs. 'Forever My Lady'. The funny fact about this was that these songs were released a week apart. Probably to compete and see which one the fans like. Although Boyz II Men's version of 'It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday' touch the hearts of many, with a close margin I would have to give it to 'Forever My Lady'. I mean it's that close of a margin because both songs are great in their own way but 'Forever My Lady' song just a bit louder than the other. Now for single number three, 'Uhh Ahh' vs. 'Stay'. Another single battle as each of them came out one week apart again. This one is tough because each song is similar and both sound great. Since I can't make a clear winner in this one, I'll have to give them both a tie just to make it fair. Now onto the last of the singles, 'Please Don't Go' vs. 'Come and Talk to Me'. Personally this is a tough one for me, but I'm going to think outside the box and on that one, 'Come and Talk to Me' is the hands down winner. Don't get me wrong, 'Please Don't Go' is a beautiful song, but 'Come and Talk to Me' put Jodeci on the map permanently. Not only that, but Jodeci up the ante with the remix.

Overall: Both albums were great debut albums, but I' would have to give the edge to Jodeci's 'Forever My Lady' for having the better quality songs than the other and I didn't even have to get into their fifth single 'I'm Still Waiting'.

Winner: 'Forever My Lady'

Now we will get into their second albums, ‘II’ (1994) and ‘Diary of a Mad Band’ (1993). Even though Jodeci’s came out in 1993 and Boyz II Men 1994, they both competed throughout the year of ’94. I mean ok, I know the whole story behind the Boyz II Men album and would it be fair for me to compare the two? Sales-wise, no. But I’m going to give the benefit of the doubt and just compare the single of each album. ‘I’m Make Love to You’ vs. ‘Cry For You’. Both are lovely songs if you hear both of them and some make verbally beat me down for the answer to this one, I’m doing it again on the song alone, not the sale. I’m giving them both a tie. Single two, ‘On Bended Knees’ vs. ‘Feenin’. If you think about it, both songs have the same theme. Only Boyz II Men were more mild as Jodeci was focusing on sexy. This one is tough, but I’ll have to give it to ‘On Bended Knees’. Now onto the last singles ‘Thank You’ vs. ‘What About Us?’ As Jodeci kept it with the slow songs, Boyz II Men had put out this uplifting song. Although I like Jodeci’s, I’m going to give it to the no-brainer winner of ‘Thank You’.

Overall: It wasn’t even a fair battle as ‘II’ not only dominated in sales, but on song quality alone. Not to mention I didn’t even add on Boyz II Men’s last single ‘Water Runs Dry’, which would’ve added insult to injury on ‘Diary of a Mad Band.’

Winner: ‘II’

While ‘Evolution’ had come out in 1997, ‘The Show, The After-Party, The Hotel’ had came out in mid-1995. I’m still going to compare the two to see which one had the better album. Let’s get to the singles, shall we? First single, ‘4 Seasons of Loneliness’ vs. ‘Freek’n You’. Again, Boyz II Men play it safe like they normally would as compared to “Bad Boys” of Jodeci. Although ‘4 Seasons of Loneliness’ is a nice ballad, the winner goes out to ‘Freek’n You’. Just the sound of the song makes you quiver in a good way. The second (and last) singles, ‘A Song For Mama’ vs. ‘Love U 4 Life’. Both are beautiful songs where Boyz II Men dedicates the song to all mothers out there, Jodeci made this one go out to those who are deeply in love. Song-wise, the winner is ‘Love U 4 Life’. You could hear this song in weddings and can either fall back in love with someone or fall more in love.

Overall: Now at this time both groups were not at their best in the game due to new artist like Dru Hill and Jagged Edge coming into the game to take over, I would give this album battle winner to Jodeci. Not to mention, they had the urban mega-classic ‘Freek’N You’ (Remix with Raekwon & Ghostface). They have redeemed themselves from the beat-down they’ve taken at the monster that was called ‘II’

Winner: The Show, The After-Party, The Hotel’

Now comparing both group's albums (Boyz II Men's first three), it's come to my decision that based on song quality alone, I have to give it to.....Jodeci. It was a very, very close decision and if there were other categories that were involved like album and concert sales, Boyz II Men would definitely eat them up. But listening to not only their singles, but the album itself, I would be unfair if I didn't give it to Jodeci. Also, Jodeci's leader, DeVante Swing had written at least 90% of all of their material so the songs were from the heart and minds of Jodeci and not from others. Don't get me wrong, Boyz II Men are a great group and they are the greatest R&B group of all time, but Jodeci just wrote better songs. You could agree to disagree. But if you don't agree with me, then pick up their first three albums, listen to them yourself and you be the judge.