B2K was a popular American R&B boy band in the early 2000s. The group consisted of members Omarion, Lil Fizz, J-Boog, and Raz-B. The group was known for their hits such as “Bump, Bump, Bump” and “Uh Huh”. However, there was much more to the story than just the music. In 2007, Raz-B made allegations of sexual abuse against his former manager and cousin, Chris Stokes, and even accused two other TUG Entertainment artists, Marques Houston and Ketrina Askew, of abuse. This blog post will dive into the allegations of sexual abuse within B2K and the impact it had on the band and its members.
Raz-B’s Allegations of Sexual Abuse
In 2007, Raz-B made shocking allegations that he and his former bandmates were sexually abused by Chris Stokes, who was also his cousin and former manager. Raz-B claimed that Stokes sexually abused him, Lil Fizz, and J-Boog from a young age. According to Raz-B, the incidents occurred on several occasions while they were on tour.
Raz-B further stated that Chris Stokes brainwashed him and his bandmates into believing that the sexual abuse was normal and that they were the only ones experiencing it. Raz-B stated that there were times where Stokes would insist on sleeping in the same bed as the young boys, leading to more sexual abuse.
Chris Stokes denied these allegations and even went as far as to suggest that Raz-B was mentally unstable and in need of medical help. However, the allegations were taken seriously, and the police even investigated Stokes.
Additional Allegations
Raz-B’s allegations did not stop with Chris Stokes. In his memoir, Raz-B claimed that he and fellow TUG Entertainment artist, Marques Houston, engaged in sexual activities when they were teenagers. Raz-B also claimed that Ketrina Askew, a former back-up dancer for B2K, engaged in similar activities with them.
Marques Houston also denied Raz-B’s allegations, and Raz-B later issued an apology to the singer. However, Raz-B’s allegations shed light on the dark side of the music industry and how young artists can be taken advantage of by those in positions of power.
The Aftermath
The allegations made by Raz-B had a profound impact on B2K and its members. In 2004, B2K announced their split, citing creative differences. In the wake of Raz-B’s allegations, however, many fans began to speculate that the real reason for the band’s split was due to the sexual abuse allegations.
After the allegations were made public, Lil Fizz and J-Boog distanced themselves from Raz-B. Omarion, on the other hand, remained silent on the issue. However, in 2019, Omarion took to social media to announce a new tour featuring his former bandmates, without Raz-B.
Raz-B’s allegations also highlighted the issue of child sexual abuse in the entertainment industry. Many other celebrities, including Michael Jackson and R. Kelly, have also faced allegations of sexual abuse against minors. These allegations shed light on the predatory behavior of those in positions of power and the need for stricter laws to curb sexual abuse.
Conclusion
B2K was a popular boy band in the early 2000s, but behind the scenes, they faced unimaginable abuse. Raz-B’s allegations of sexual abuse against Chris Stokes, Marques Houston, and Ketrina Askew highlighted just how vulnerable young artists can be in the music industry. Although the allegations had a profound impact on the band and its members, they also exposed a much larger issue of child sexual abuse in the entertainment industry. It is crucial that measures are taken to protect young artists and prevent child sexual abuse from happening in the future.
