The band, missing Michael McCary who left in 2003 and consisting of Shawn Stockman, Wanya Morris, and Nathan Morris, gave a special interview to Billboard commemorating the 25th anniversary of II:

“The world was pretty much our backyard,” said Stockman about the success that came with II. “We traveled and did things that were so beyond my expectations that it was normal, if you know what I’m saying? We thought that this was what everybody goes through, this is the business. You go here, you pick up an award, you get a Platinum record — all right, cool.” He went on to reflect: “We were so young and impressionable that it didn’t dawn on us until much later how significant our efforts and our movements were.”

“I think we had pressure, period,” Morris added his perspective. “Everybody talks about that sophomore jinx. At the end of the day, we just did what we did with the first album and recorded songs that we felt good with and we loved. We figured that if we loved them, the audience would as well.”

And love them we did — in fact, we still do. So join us in digging up your old II CD tonight, and rockin’ it like it’s 1994 all over again!

The post 25th Anniversary to Boyz II Men’s II: “The World Was Our Backyard” appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

One of our favorite parts is its amazing soundtrack, and director Jonathan Levine recently revealed how he put it together.

Music always played a huge role in his filmmaking process, and he took the same approach with this love story about a potential presidential candidate and her newly appointed speechwriter, played by Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen.

Levine shared his process in an interview with Slash Film, and explained he put together a playlist of songs he wanted to use, that served as a great source of inspiration.

“I was really going for this Cameron Crowe thing. Music is how you see the world. Music is the way you mark relationships. Music is what you remember about falling in love or breaking up. Music is the thing you share with someone when you want to get closer to them,” revealed Levine.

One of the most epic moments of the whole movie was surprise cameo by Boyz II Men. They gave the movie a ’90s flavor, and the love story between main characters probably wouldn’t even happen if it wasn’t for their music.

“They were the first call we made, and we we’re so excited they said yes, because from a character perspective, there’s so much of thinking about the young idealist and whether the young version of you would be happy with where you are today,” said Levine.

Here are some of our favorite tracks from this nostalgia-filled soundtrack:

Boyz II Men – Motownphilly

Boyz II Men – It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday

Lizzo – Juice

Roxette – It Must Have Been Love

Aretha Franklin – Bridge Over Troubled Water

Frank Ocean – Moon River

Blondie – One Way Or Another

David Bowie – Modern Love

The Cure – Close To Me

Robyn – Dancing On My Own

The post “Long Shot” Director Shares the Story Behind the Movie’s Epic Soundtrack appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

The band, missing Michael McCary who left in 2003 and consisting of Shawn Stockman, Wanya Morris, and Nathan Morris, gave a special interview to Billboard commemorating the 25th anniversary of II:

“The world was pretty much our backyard,” said Stockman about the success that came with II. “We traveled and did things that were so beyond my expectations that it was normal, if you know what I’m saying? We thought that this was what everybody goes through, this is the business. You go here, you pick up an award, you get a Platinum record — all right, cool.” He went on to reflect: “We were so young and impressionable that it didn’t dawn on us until much later how significant our efforts and our movements were.”

“I think we had pressure, period,” Morris added his perspective. “Everybody talks about that sophomore jinx. At the end of the day, we just did what we did with the first album and recorded songs that we felt good with and we loved. We figured that if we loved them, the audience would as well.”

And love them we did — in fact, we still do. So join us in digging up your old II CD tonight, and rockin’ it like it’s 1994 all over again!

The post 25th Anniversary to Boyz II Men’s II: “The World Was Our Backyard” appeared first on Hot Pop Today.

One of our favorite parts is its amazing soundtrack, and director Jonathan Levine recently revealed how he put it together.

Music always played a huge role in his filmmaking process, and he took the same approach with this love story about a potential presidential candidate and her newly appointed speechwriter, played by Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen.

Levine shared his process in an interview with Slash Film, and explained he put together a playlist of songs he wanted to use, that served as a great source of inspiration.

“I was really going for this Cameron Crowe thing. Music is how you see the world. Music is the way you mark relationships. Music is what you remember about falling in love or breaking up. Music is the thing you share with someone when you want to get closer to them,” revealed Levine.

One of the most epic moments of the whole movie was surprise cameo by Boyz II Men. They gave the movie a ’90s flavor, and the love story between main characters probably wouldn’t even happen if it wasn’t for their music.

“They were the first call we made, and we we’re so excited they said yes, because from a character perspective, there’s so much of thinking about the young idealist and whether the young version of you would be happy with where you are today,” said Levine.

Here are some of our favorite tracks from this nostalgia-filled soundtrack:

Boyz II Men – Motownphilly

Boyz II Men – It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday

Lizzo – Juice

Roxette – It Must Have Been Love

Aretha Franklin – Bridge Over Troubled Water

Frank Ocean – Moon River

Blondie – One Way Or Another

David Bowie – Modern Love

The Cure – Close To Me

Robyn – Dancing On My Own

The post “Long Shot” Director Shares the Story Behind the Movie’s Epic Soundtrack appeared first on Hot Pop Today.