Boyz II Males’s Shawn Stockman Blames Sexual Lyrics for Award Present Decline
Music has all the time developed with tradition, reflecting society’s values, tensions, and wishes. What as soon as shocked audiences typically turns into normalized over time. However in line with Shawn Stockman, that shift could have come at a value.
In a current interview, the legendary vocalist and founding member of Boyz II Males shared his perception that the rising dominance of promiscuous, hyper-sexualized music has performed a significant function within the decline of music award reveals — together with the BET Awards, hip-hop award reveals, and comparable televised occasions.
Stockman didn’t mince phrases. He argued that music at present incorporates “an excessive amount of a**,” suggesting that the business’s priorities have shifted away from artistry, storytelling, and musical excellence towards shock worth and specific content material. In his view, that shift has essentially altered how audiences have interaction with award reveals — and never for the higher.
Boyz II Males’s Profession and Lasting Influence on R&B
Few teams in music historical past have formed R&B the best way Boyz II Males have. Shaped in Philadelphia in 1985, the group rose to prominence within the early Nineteen Nineties with a sound rooted in traditional soul, gospel harmonies, and emotionally pushed storytelling. Initially a quartet—Nathan Morris, Wanyá Morris, Shawn Stockman, and bass singer Michael McCary—the group shortly distinguished itself in an period dominated by New Jack Swing by prioritizing vocal excellence over manufacturing gimmicks.
Their breakthrough got here in 1991 with “Motownphilly” and “It’s So Exhausting to Say Goodbye to Yesterday,” each of which launched a mainstream viewers to their polished harmonies and emotional depth. That success exploded in 1992 with “Finish of the Highway,” which spent 13 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Scorching 100, setting a document on the time and solidifying the group as dominant forces in pop and R&B.
Boyz II Males went on to break their very own chart information repeatedly, with “I’ll Make Like to You” and “One Candy Day” (with Mariah Carey) extending the document for longest-running No. 1 singles to 14 after which 16 weeks. When “On Bended Knee” changed “I’ll Make Like to You” at No. 1, Boyz II Males turned solely the second musical act in Billboard historical past, after The Beatles, to switch themselves atop the Scorching 100.
A Lasting Influence on How Music is Revered
All through the Nineteen Nineties, Boyz II Males had been broadly thought to be the most important vocal group on this planet, incomes Billboard’s recognition as probably the most profitable boy band from 1987 to 2012. Their music—targeted on love, heartbreak, dedication, and vulnerability—stood in stark distinction to the more and more specific themes rising in hip-hop and pop, a distinction that immediately informs Shawn Stockman’s current feedback on at present’s musical panorama.
Regardless of Michael McCary’s departure in 2003 attributable to a number of sclerosis, the group continued efficiently as a trio. They tailored with out abandoning their id, releasing albums like Collide (2014) and Underneath the Streetlight (2017), the latter paying homage to Nineteen Fifties classics whereas reinforcing their dedication to musical custom and vocal integrity.
Past the charts, Boyz II Males turned cultural fixtures, performing in every single place from the Tremendous Bowl and NFL kickoff occasions to nationwide tv collection like How I Met Your Mom and Grease: Reside. In 2017, Philadelphia honored their legacy by renaming a portion of Broad Road “Boyz II Males Boulevard,” cementing their hometown hero standing.
A Veteran Perspective From Somebody Who Watched the Trade Change
Shawn Stockman’s opinion carries weight due to the place he’s coming from. As somebody who helped outline R&B within the Nineteen Nineties, he witnessed firsthand an period when award reveals had been cultural moments — not simply televised occasions, however shared experiences that united audiences throughout generations.
In that period, award reveals showcased vocal capacity, reside musicianship, and emotional performances. Artists competed on songwriting, melodies, harmonies, and stage presence. Stockman means that at present’s deal with provocative imagery and specific lyrics has diluted that aggressive spirit.
Based on him, when shock turns into the primary attraction, there’s much less room for musical progress — and fewer incentive for viewers to tune in.
From Musical Moments to Viral Moments
Over time, award reveals shifted. Social media modified how success is measured. Viral moments now typically overshadow musical performances. Clips are designed to pattern on-line somewhat than resonate emotionally.
Stockman’s critique means that when music turns into overly specific, award reveals battle to stability artistry with accessibility. Networks change into cautious. Sponsors hesitate. Household audiences tune out.
The Rise of Provocative Lyrics in Hip-Hop and Rap
There’s no denying that provocative lyrics have change into extra distinguished in trendy hip-hop and rap. Artists are extra open, expressive, and unapologetic than ever — notably girls who’re reclaiming company over sexuality.
Artists like Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, and Sexyy Purple have constructed chart-topping careers utilizing specific language and daring imagery as types of empowerment.
Songs like “WAP,” “Savage,” and Sexyy Purple’s club-driven anthems mirror a cultural shift the place sexuality is not implied — it’s direct and central.
Supporters argue this represents freedom and honesty. Critics, together with Stockman, fear it narrows the scope of what mainstream music celebrates.
Is Sexual Expression the Downside — or the Stability?
Importantly, Stockman’s feedback don’t dismiss sexuality in music altogether. R&B and hip-hop have all the time included sensual themes. Boyz II Males’s personal catalog consists of romantic and intimate songs.
The distinction, he suggests, lies in intent and stability.
The place earlier music targeted on emotional connection and storytelling, a lot of at present’s specific content material is designed for immediacy — fast hooks, viral enchantment, and shock. When that turns into dominant, range of sound and subject material can endure.
Award reveals, which as soon as showcased a variety of genres and themes, battle to adapt when the mainstream leans closely in a single course.
Altering Viewers Habits and Trade Economics
In fact, promiscuous lyrics aren’t the one issue impacting award reveals. Streaming, social media, and fragmented consideration spans have all reshaped leisure consumption.
Youthful audiences not depend on award reveals to find music. They discover it on TikTok, YouTube, and playlists. Award reveals now chase relevance somewhat than outline it.
Nonetheless, Stockman argues that content material selections matter. When award reveals mirror probably the most excessive points of fashionable music somewhat than its depth, they lose the flexibility to raise the artwork kind.
A Generational Divide in Musical Values
Stockman’s feedback additionally spotlight a generational divide. Older artists typically prioritize longevity, musical coaching, and emotional connection. Youthful artists function in a digital ecosystem that rewards immediacy and visibility.
Neither method is inherently flawed — however the stress between them shapes how platforms like award reveals survive.
For award reveals to stay related, they could have to bridge that hole — celebrating daring new voices whereas additionally honoring musicianship.
Why Shawn Stockman’s Feedback Matter
When an artist like Shawn Stockman speaks, it’s not nostalgia speaking — it’s perspective. He’s seen what occurs when music prioritizes substance, and he’s watching what occurs when spectacle takes over.
His critique isn’t about censoring artists. It’s about preserving areas the place musical excellence, creativity, and variety of expression are rewarded.
Award reveals as soon as served that function. Whether or not they can reclaim it stays an open query.
Remaining Takeaway
Shawn Stockman’s declare that promiscuous music helped kill award reveals isn’t only a criticism — it’s a cultural commentary. As music turns into extra specific and viral-driven, platforms constructed on broad enchantment and artistry battle to maintain tempo.
The rise of provocative lyrics has empowered many artists, particularly girls, to specific themselves freely. However as Stockman factors out, stability issues. When one type dominates, one thing else could also be misplaced.
Whether or not award reveals can evolve with out shedding their soul will rely upon whether or not the business values artistry as a lot as consideration.
