When looking back at the music that people loved in the 90s and 2000s, the period of boy band frenzy is one that really sticks out. During that time, the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC ruled the roost, but other acts were able to come into the fold and find success, as well. Sure, some of these groups were one-hit wonders, but the fans still remember them well.
BBMak came along at just the right time and wound up making a name for themselves in a hurry. Their story is a unique one that saw the group rise, fall, and eventually be reborn when people least expected it.
Let’s see what happened with BBMak.
They Had A Quick Rise To Fame With Songs Like “Back Here”
The boy band craze ignited a massive shift in the music industry, as record labels were looking to snatch up any musical act they felt could be the next Backstreet Boys or NSYNC. It was during this era that BBMak would land a major record deal and quickly find success on the Billboard charts.
Because of the sheer amount of competition going on for airplay on the radio, a boy band looking to break through would need to offer something unique as opposed to just a basic beat and a repetitive chorus. Fortunately, BBMak was a boy band that actually played some instruments and could craft a great melody while locking down airtight harmonies in the studio.
Their debut single, “Back Here,” could not have gotten things off to a better start for the group. It was initially released in the 90s, but it would be at the turn of the millennium that the song would begin to find a global audience. Eventually, it would peak at the number 13 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, meaning that the song was a huge success.
From their debut album Sooner or Later, the group would have a total of three songs crack the charts, though each song received less airplay than its predecessor. The group was also contributing songs to soundtracks during their most successful period, including contributions to the soundtracks for The Princess Diaries and Treasure Planet.
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Things Tapered Off
Despite their first album and singles doing great work on the charts and getting their time in the industry off to a hot start, things would start to slow down for the group. One of the tough things about catching on with a genre craze is that eventually, the industry shifts, and that style becomes passé.
The group released only one more album before walking away from performing together. That record was 2002’s In Your Head, and it was unable to achieve the Gold status that its predecessor had achieved stateside.
Once they disbanded, members Christian Burns and Stephen McNally would remain working in the music industry, according to People. Mark Barry, on the other hand, would leave music behind in favor of pursuing a career in personal training. This was a drastic shift from hitting the recording studio, but it was the right move for Barry to make during that time in his life.
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They Made A Return In 2018
After being away from the music industry for years, the band’s music continued to endure. “Back Here” is considered one of the seminal songs of the genre, and it is regarded as a boy band classic that music lovers should check out at least once. Eventually, news broke that the group would be making a triumphant return.
In 2018, BBMak was coming back, and fans could have not been happier about the news. When speaking with People, the group shared the enthusiasm to be working together again and for creating new music.
“Back in the day we were like brothers, and we’re dear friends still to this day because we’ve stayed in touch. We’ve seen some of the other bands come back and having a good time performing, and we missed it. We had done some songs on our own and we thought, ‘We have some songs here.’ It just felt like the right time to do it,” Christian Burns revealed to People.
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The following year, BBMak released their third album, Powerstation, and began playing gigs in support of the album. This marked their first new album in 17 years, and fans could hardly contain themselves when they got to listen to some fresh music from the guys. Per their website, the band intends to play shows later this year. Clearly, they love making music together.
BBMak rose to prominence and eventually walked away from music, but they are back here where they belong.
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