Mindless Behavior stir up a frenzy wherever they go. Mingling R&B grooves, pop hooks, and hip hop swag, the teen quartet—Prodigy, Roc Royal, Ray Ray, and Princeton—has quickly become a modern musical phenomenon with an army of screaming fans following them everywhere. On their debut album for Streamline/Conjunction/Interscope Records, #1 Girl [available September 20, 2011], the group fuels that hysteria with numerous worldwide anthems. There's another dimension to this experience. Each member boasts an eye-catching, 21st century fashion sensibility as well as impressive and incendiary dance moves. In the tradition of The Jackson Five, New Edition, and B2K, they're the new vanguard for pop. They're Mindless Behavior…
In 2008, the group was born from a concept created by Conjunction Entertainment Inc. CEO Walter Millsap [Beyonce, Alicia Keys, J.Lo] and Streamline Records head Vincent Herbert [Lady Gaga]. An open audition was held by Conjunction's Millsap [Beyoncé, Timbaland], Keisha Gamble, songwriter Candice Nelson [Mary J. Blige, Britney Spears, Ciara], and choreographer David Scott in Los Angeles. Among over 600 kids, Prodigy, Princeton, Roc Royal, and Ray Ray shined the brightest, instantly charming the team and solidifying the lineup. For the next two years, they immersed themselves in music, developing their singular sound and style under the guidance of Herbert and Millsap. Soon afterwards, IGA chairman Jimmy Iovine signed Mindless Behavior to the label.
The chemistry between the boys proved kinetic from the moment they entered a rehearsal room together. Given his penchant for quickly learning new styles, Prodigy wields incredible dance and vocal skills. Ray Ray studied under legendary L.A. battle dancer Tommy the Clown, while Roc Royal started to rap at eight-years-old. Princeton kicked off his career at the age of four, starring in commercials for Skechers, McDonalds, and Nike as well as music videos.
"We clicked from the first day we met because we all love music and performing. On stage, we go all out," declares Princeton.
Audiences felt that passion as Mindless Behavior swiftly went from touring high schools to opening sold-out tours for Backstreet Boys [This Is Us] and Justin Bieber [Pop-Con]. A fervor for the music swept through crowds on the strength of their first single "My Girl" in 2010. A propulsive pop gem, the song is almost at 14 million views on YouTube, and it was nominated for a 2011 "Viewer's Choice" BET Award.
The follow-up, "Mrs. Right", continued to turn heads and melt hearts with its combination of infectious beats and sweetly soulful harmonies. It landed at #1 on BET's 106 and Park three weeks in a row and was the #1 most added song at Urban Radio. Directed by Brett Ratner [Red Dragon, Rush Hour], the track's cinematic music video even features cameos from Mike Epps, LL Cool J, and Diggy Simmons, quickly becoming the #1 most demanded video on Music Choice.
The third single, "Girls Talkin Bout," bounces from energetic electro production into an unforgettable chorus. Equally showcasing each member, it's ready for the clubs and the radio. As the song says, they've got "swagger on a hundred thousand million and beyond."
Princeton reveals, "The song shows how all of these girls talk about us because of our confidence, style, swag, and how mindless we are."
So how can you be "Mindless?" Ray Ray goes on, "Anybody can be mindless. It doesn't matter if you're two-years-old or eighty-two-years-old. Be yourself. Love who you are and love what you do, no matter what it is. That makes you mindless."
It's an inspiring message that transcends all boundaries. Mindless Behavior bring people together under the banner of this positive lifestyle choice. They've chosen to be "Mindless," and you can hear it in their universal, undeniable songs. That's also why the fan reaction has been so explosive.
Their meet-n-greets will draw thousands of girls lining up hours in advance just to meet them. One Washington DC in-store even had to be shut down because four-thousand fans swarmed the mall. "Our fan base is really growing and we couldn't be more excited," says Roc Royal with a smile. "We give them what they want. We can relate to them because we're all kids and we love having fun."
Online, the group constantly stays in touch with that wild following. As a result, they're the #2 UMG artist behind Lady Gaga in terms of online presence and they have the #1 artist page on MTV.com.
Prodigy concludes, "We really want to show our fans how much we love them with #1 Girl. We want them to know we're just like them. We're all mindless 24/7, and they can be too."
