R&B group Next consists of R.L (Robert Lavelle Huggar), T-Low (Terrance Brown) and Tweety (Raphael Brown and T-Low's brother). The Minneapolis group saw instant success after the release of their September LP Rated Next, with smooth jam hits like "Butta Love" and "Too Close." The 1997 LP easily topped the singles charts and began an R&B reign that has lasted into the most recent decade. The boys met thanks to the Brown's gospel choir uncle and before long were catching the attention of Naughty by Nature's Kay Gee. With the help of Kay Gee's production expertise, the trio combined soul classics with the new wave sex appeal that so many other musical artists were advertising during the ‘90s. Just two months after their LP was released, "Butta Love" was certified gold and by the end of the next year, Next was named as one of the top Singles Artists of the Year.

1998 began another strong year for the men of Next with their Top 40 hit "Too Close," another gold certified single that remained on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart for five weeks and another four on the Hot 100 Singles Sales chart. Less than a year later, in April 1998, Rated Next along with "Too Close" was certified platinum, and before long went double platinum.

During the year's American Music Awards the trio was nominated for Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group and followed with a collaboration with Deborah Cox for her hit "Why Can't We Be Friends." In 2000 they released Welcome II Nextacy and saw the Top 40 hit "Wifey," before it peaked the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. Later that year they were nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Album, Group, Band or Duo as well as a Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Group - R&B. in December 2002 they released The Next Episode.