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That is easy, the MUSIC, STYLE, AND there aren't many MALE & FEMALE SIINGING GROUPS out any more? A lot of singing groups are now DEFUNCT? I say the 90's - to the mid of 2005 was the end of the Era of Male and Female singing groups. After the year of 2005, a lot of members in a singing group went SOLO. In the mid 80's -90's there was a lot of kid singing groups. Now, it's like they are trying to bring it back? I don't know with the demand in music these days, if people want to see group bands anymore? I'm sorry, I just don't know how long they would last? Now, for like a Tribute, Reunion Concert, ect.... that would always be in demand because a lot of old school fans will always love to see their favorite group no matter what? I just don't know if the younger generation would go see? I guess, only time will tell. That's great, that Envoge and others got good revues. It's nice that they all still have their amazing voices.

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Let's face it, Rap music with a new techno sounds killed R&B music since the late 90's up to now. I grew up during the era of the R&B music from the 60's - 70's then Rap music was the newborn baby in 1979 which was trying to find it's identity in the music industry. Just like I enjoy the sounds of the Temptation, Stylistics, Dells, Delfonics, Harry Melvin & Blue Notes, Sister Sledge, Emotions, New Edition, SUV & so on! I also appreciated the early version of Rap music by Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Flash & Furious Five, Run, DMC, LL Cool J, Salt n Pepa, Big Daddy Kane, Real Roxanne & so on but I think as the Rap music went to another level (Gangster Rap) it drew a different kind of generation that forgot or didn't bother to understand the mystic of R&B.

Although there were several R&B groups that came out in the 90's (Mint Condition, Destiny Child, Dru Hill, Xscape, SUV, Jodeci, Boys 2 Men & En Vogue), Rap music was the new empire taking over since the beginning of the 21st century. So many executive producers, song writers, managers & CEO's peferred to go with the Rap artist or artists who were making noise, bringing in money & starting new record labels.

It would be helpful if some CEO's of a record label would invest in new coming R&B artist or artists that could help restore the mystic of the R&B sounds. When a music listener discover the history of the R&B sounds from the early 60's - the late 80's, one will appreciate how the R&B sounds came out of the street from kids harmoning on the corner to the clubs to the stage. Rap music has been out for 31yrs but I can admit it's not as enormous or electrifying during it hey day because it was the new baby on the block. I also think the R&B industry took the Rap music for granted during it's early days because I remember when several artists of the R&B industry call Rap music nothing but a bunch of noise. At that time, R&B artists, fans & executives believe Rap music wasn't going to last no more than 7yrs but it lasted a very long time due to the vision of Rap managers who took an exception of those who critizes the new baby on the block.

Nothing would be better than to see an enormous amount of R&B artist or artists to emerge during this 21st century & tip the balance for R&B with Rap music so the harmony & street talking could flourish together as one.

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Selfishness killed the R&B group. Just like ignorance killed the R&B band (except for Mint Condition, who else plays instruments?). In our self absorbed, "all eyes on me" society, no one wants to share the spotlight, nor the money with no more than 1 maybe 2 people. It's truly sad.

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I dont really know what happened to the R&B groups. I do believe that artists tended to want to be solo artist instead of in a group. (go figure). When R & B groups were en vogue I think they were great. I wonder if they will return. http://www.perspectivestv.com

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Not only do I long for the R&B group, I also long for the big self contained bands. Of course all these groups and bands are still out there touring, just not making studio records anymore. And they both pack venues, but unfortunately the age of their fan bases are not the ones buying music, CDs or digital downloads. So when the author says that Mike Bivins is a "former" member of BBD and New Edition, that is false, because he is still a current member of both entities.

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Clark, I disagree that the Commodores was all Lionel Ritchie. They were made up of some very talented musicians. They wanted to play funk like Gimme My Mule Back, Fancy Dancer, and Machine Gun, but Lionel kept writing ballads (albeit hit ones). And of all their many hits, the one that gets the party jumping and perhaps their best seller, Brick House, was not even led by Lionel.

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sorry, my point to that was greed. bivins tried to go at it too big with all those artist and now there all gone.

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