Rated Next

Next was formed in 1992 by brothers Terrence "T-Low" and Raphael "Tweety" Brown, in addition to Robert "R. L." Huggar. The trio was trained and managed by T-Low's godmother, Ann Nesby, during the group's formation.[1] While performing in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Next collaborated with record producers Prof. T. and Lance Alexander. They began recording music in the Flyte Tyme recording studio. A demo that the trio recorded caught the attention of recording artist and producer Kay Gee of Naughty by Nature.[1] He called Next three days later and signed the group to his Divine Mill record label.[1][2] Managed by the Flavor Unit,[1] Rated Next was recorded in Gee's in-home recording studio.[3] The trio recorded several songs during this time, including "Phone Sex" and "Sexitude". During a "growth period", Next recorded "Butta Love", in which group member Tweety described as "the difference in the freedom we were feeling".[1]

Next released the album's lead single, "Butta Love", in August 1997.[1] According to Arista Records senior vice president of black music Lionel Ridenour, the success of the single "kept growing to the point where we had worked it from July through December".[1] In order to give the group exposure, Arista promoted Next by having them speak in several radio stations and perform on television programs.[1] The album's second single, "Too Close", topped the Billboard Hot 100[4] and was certified platinum by the RIAA, going on to sell 2.1 million copies.[5][6] "Butta Love" and "I Still Love You" peaked in the top 20 of the Hot 100 and were certified gold by the RIAA.[4][7][8] The two singles sold 900,000 and 700,000 copies, respectively.[6][9]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[11]
Robert Christgau	[12]

Rated Next received generally favorable reviews from music critics. Leo Stanley of Allmusic described the album as "an impressive collection of contemporary hip-hop-influenced urban soul". He felt that the group "may get a little too 'risqué' for some tastes", but stated that the lead singer R. L., was "so smooth and charismatic that he can seduce unwilling listeners".[11] Melanie Mcfarland of The Seattle Times noted that the group "swings between party anthems and tender ballads with a sexy flow" on the album.[13] The album received negative criticism due to the sexual innuendo in the lyrics of the songs. Tweety noted that one review wrote: "Even if Next never made it as singers, they could still make it as exotic dancers."[1] Robert Christgau called the album a collection of "cute pop songs about... their erections and her clitoris".[14]

As credits listed on AllMusic.[15]

• Allen, Harry (February 1998). "Next - It's like Butta Baby". Vibe. Vibe Media Group. 6 (1). ISSN 1070-4701.
• Reece, Doug (March 21, 1998). "Next Gets Boost from Singles". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. 110 (12). ISSN 0006-2510.