Next, Wifey | Bangerz N Bopz 🔥

In the 61st edition of Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 (2024), we highlight “Wifey” performed by contemporary R&B collective, Next. 

Bring on the bold, fierce songs! Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 serves up background info and insight into songs of various styles, especially songs that raise eyebrows and stir the pot.  Featured records can be classic or brand new. In the 61^st edition of Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 (2024), we break down “Wifey” performed by Next.

“You never try me / Always stood right by me / Make living lively highly / Spoken of, my only love, the only one / You’re my wifey.” Ah, the dedication! Minneapolis contemporary R&B trio Next comprises Robert “R.L.” Huggar, Terry “T-Low” Brown, and Raphael “Tweety” Brown.  The collective is best known for two songs, both of which performed well on the pop charts.  First and foremost is their sole no. 1 hit, “Too Close”.  The second is the electrifying song at hand, “Wifey”. “Wifey” is the third track from their 2000 sophomore album,  Welcome II Nextasy.  It peaked at no. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached no. 1 on the R&B charts. Huggar penned “Wifey” alongside producers Eddie Berkeley and Kay Gee. It samples a pair of songs: “No Scrubs” by TLC (1999) and “You Know I Love You” by George Smallwood and Marshmellow Band (1980).

“Wifey” is groovy from the get-go.  The drum programming is lit, while the bass line is active and robust. Nearly 25 years later, the production still sounds sleek.  Beyond the instrumental, the vocals are smooth and nuanced.  Next does a fabulous job of bringing the rhythmic, tuneful melodies to life.  The chorus (excerpted above) is stellar.  So are the verses.  T-Low performs the first verse where he asserts his wifey “had my mind blown,” and informs us when she caught his eye. The pre-chorus follows, highlighting her beauty and leading into the irresistible, wife-driven chorus.  Remember, she’s a “Freak, but only when it comes to me.” R.L. performs the second verse, keeping the same energy as T-Low (“Either braids or weave / Skirt or jeans, you’re still my queen / Baby girl, go do your thing / I’m so glad you’re on my team.”). There is also the bridge which extends the narrative of the verses, highlighting how special wifey is (looks, emotionally, sexually, etc.). Notably, Lil Mo provides some additional vocals. All in all, “Wifey” by Next is the sugar honey iced tea.  A timeless aughts contemporary R&B song.

Next // Welcome II Nextasy // Arista // 2000

 Next, Wifey: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 No. 61 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Arista; cottonbro studio, Harry Shelton, Kool Shooters, Lucas Pazeta, Mavluda Tashbaeva, Teddy Yang, Wesley Souza from Pexels]