Rated Next
| Rated Next | ||||
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| Studio album by Next | ||||
| Released | September 30, 1997 | |||
| Recorded | 1996–1997 | |||
| Genre | R&B | |||
| Length | 72:28 | |||
| Label | Divine Mill, Arista | |||
| Producer | Clive Davis (exec.), Kay Gee (exec.), Lance Alexander & Prof. T., Eddie Berkeley, Deedee Gist, Sheldon Goode, Wesley Hodges, Cliff Lighty, Mr. Walt, Mufi, Frank Reynolds | |||
| Next chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Rated Next | ||||
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| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   |
| Robert Christgau |  |
Rated Next is the debut studio album by American musical group Next. After forming, the trio recorded several songs with record producers Prof. T. and Lance Alexander before catching recording artist and producer Kay Gee of Naughty by Nature's attention. He signed Next to his record label, Divine Mill, and the album was recorded in Gee's in-home recording studio. The album was released on September 30, 1997, under Divine Mill and Arista Records.
Upon its release, Rated Next received generally favorable reviews from music critics, though it received negative criticism for the sexual innuendo within the lyrics. The album peaked at number 37 on the Billboard 200 and was certified two times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album spawned three singles: "Butta Love", "Too Close" and "I Still Love You". "Too Close" topped the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified platinum by the RIAA. "Butta Love" and "I Still Love You" peaked within the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and were both certified gold by the RIAA. "Butta Love" was produced by Lance Alexander of the group Lo-Key.
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. 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. He called Next three days later and signed the group to his Divine Mill record label. Managed by the Flavor Unit,Rated Next was recorded in Gee's in-home recording studio. 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".
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