**So THIS Is What Happened to The Boys — Motown’s Boy Band**

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, The Boys—brothers Khiry, Hakeem, Tajh, and Bilal Abdulsamad—were Motown’s fresh-faced answer to the Jacksons. With hits like “Dial My Heart” and “Crazy,” their harmonies and charm made them teen sensations, their faces everywhere from magazine covers to television screens. But after three albums and a string of hits, The Boys disappeared from the mainstream. What happened?

The Boys’ journey began in 1985. Born in Compton and raised in Carson, California, the brothers started out singing on Venice Beach’s boardwalk to raise money for a Father’s Day gift.

Their street performances quickly became a regular weekend event, and their popularity grew. After two years, their talent earned them a spot on a junior version of the TV show “Star Search.” Realizing their passion for music, they recorded a demo and formed an entertainment company, performing at parties and events.

Their parents, Jabari and Angela, were deeply involved, even taking entertainment management courses to protect and guide their sons’ careers.

Their efforts paid off: after shopping their demo, The Boys received three record label offers, ultimately signing with Motown. Motown had high hopes, assembling top writers and producers like LA Reid and Babyface for their debut album. The brothers weren’t just singers—they wrote, produced, and choreographed their own material, showing maturity beyond their years.

Their debut album, “Messages from The Boys,” released in 1988, featured hits like “Dial My Heart,” “Lucky Charm,” and “A Little Romance.” The album went platinum, and the group won an NAACP Image Award.

Fame brought both fortune and chaos: the family bought a new home, but the boys also faced wild crowds and overzealous fans. Their parents traveled everywhere with them, ensuring they stayed grounded and safe.

The Boys remained ambitious. Khiry dreamed of film directing and started his own production company, while Hakeem worked as a sound engineer and songwriter. Tajh and Bilal pursued acting and other interests. Their second album in 1990 featured “Crazy,” a number one hit that was even used in a Pepsi commercial. Their father continued to protect their interests, securing merchandising rights and setting up profitable fan hotlines.

However, as the group matured, Motown wanted to replace their parents with professional managers—a move the family refused. The Boys kept working, even starring in their own TV show. Their third album, “The Saga Continues” (1992), had a more mature sound but failed to recapture their earlier success. The album peaked at just 191 on the Billboard 200, and the group blamed poor label promotion.

In 1993, with their Motown contract expired, the label offered them a new six-year deal and their own imprint, HK Records. But the brothers chose to walk away, seeking a deeper purpose.

The family transitioned to a vegan lifestyle and embraced their African roots, eventually moving to Gambia in West Africa. There, they performed as Sons of Light, launched Sunlight Music, and created a new musical style called Boomalax. Tajh wrote about African spirituality, and the brothers invested in real estate, including a retirement community in Florida.

Today, the brothers live across the globe but remain close, united by family and the memories of their time in the spotlight. They occasionally work on new music and cherish their legacy as Motown’s boy band. Their story is a reminder of an era when music was fun and heartfelt, and artists had real talent. The Boys may have left mainstream music, but their bond and creative spirit endure.