It’s laborious to imagine it’s been almost 20 years since R&B group Day26 was established on MTV’s groundbreaking actuality TV singing competitors Making The Band 4, underneath the tutelage of now-disgraced music mogul and Dangerous Boy founder Sean “Diddy” Combs.
“Acts come and go, so to nonetheless be right here, and nonetheless be related, that’s a blessing in itself,” shared Brian, 45, in an unique interview with MadameNoire. “God is sweet. God is sweet to us, positively.”
The 5 unique members of Day26 additionally embrace Robert, 41; Mike, 39; Que, 37; and Willie, 44, who mentioned they’re nonetheless collectively and a “well-functioning machine in the meanwhile.”
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The Dec. 2 launch of Netflix’s explosive documentary Sean Combs: The Reckoning, executive-produced by rapper 50 Cent, now locations all former Dangerous Boy Data artists and affiliated acts underneath scrutiny. Day26 seems in episode 3, “Official Woman.”
“He [Diddy] was positively a Black determine who was highly effective sufficient to make my desires come true. That’s why I used to be doing it,” mentioned Que within the doc.
Based in 1993, Dangerous Boy outlined ’90s R&B and hip-hop music.
Whether or not you had been formally signed to the label (The Infamous B.I.G, Craig Mack Religion Evans, Whole, Mase, and 112, to call just a few profitable artists), Puffy produced your albums like Mary J. Blige’s classics What’s The 411? and My Life, or a Dangerous Boy-produced single skyrocketed you to at least one hit marvel stardom like Gina Thompson, there was a time when any affiliation with the label was a surefire stamp of approval.
For folks like me, who “come from the shiny swimsuit period,” as Brian put it throughout our chat, it’s comprehensible why they nonetheless signed on the dotted line regardless of having reservations, given the label’s sketchy historical past.

“All of us knew we had been just about in an iron-clad contract,” admitted Brian. “We understood what we had been getting ourselves into. However, I believe at that second we’re simply type of, like, betting on God.”
The dangerous transfer paid off, and the Dangerous Boy magic labored like a appeal for Day26. Their self-titled debut album was launched on March 25, 2008, reaching No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 and Prime R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. Day26 was signed to Dangerous Boy from 2007 to 2012.
When requested to replicate on a few of their fondest recollections from that point, Que shared, “Simply that means of being part of an MTV present. First getting launched to the cameras, after which going into competitors mode, then truly profitable. That’s loopy. It was hundreds of individuals. That’s like profitable the lottery.”
However additionally they expressed that with time, age, extra expertise, and looking back, their interpretation of some recollections has modified. I requested them to the touch on the extra unfavorable experiences and what they’ve discovered from them transferring ahead.
“It was like a double-edged sword as a result of we’re going to come back out and we’re going to have the celebrity and all of the issues like that. However on the flip aspect of it, the contract was so, you already know, it’s one thing it is best to by no means give anyone,” mentioned Willie. “It was only a highway-usery kind of scenario the place it was non-negotiable, and I believe that’s what sort of kills a number of the momentum for what that actually is for you on the time, ’trigger, you’re younger and you actually simply need to be hungry and win.”
“However then, while you type of get to that realization second, it will be extra of a wrestle in some unspecified time in the future than it’s a reward,” he added.
By 2007, Dangerous Boy’s musical legacy was already solidified, however the label additionally had a fame for exploitative contracts, mismanagement, and mistreatment of its artists. The band was requested if they’d any reservations about signing with Dangerous Boy, given the label’s sketchy previous.
“It’s a messed-up contract,” mentioned Willie candidly. “However on the similar time, you didn’t set your self up for anyone to dam these issues, even after. So I believe that was like the largest disconnect, like, ‘Oh, so we are able to’t do that nomo with out you?”
Fortuitously, Day26 has been capable of proceed making music regardless of not being signed to Dangerous Boy. Their newest album, Day Ones, is their first full-length album since 2009’s Ceaselessly In A Day. The 16-track album is an unapologetic homage to conventional R&B music, particularly sluggish jams and love songs.
“We positively wished to offer the world the actual, genuine Day26…You recognize, we simply need to give them us, need to keep true to ourselves,” mentioned Brian. “We had an entire lot to say.”
All members of the group had been concerned “from high to backside” within the songwriting and manufacturing on Day Ones, so a number of the songs “hit very very near dwelling,” mentioned Brian.

Day26 pulled from their private experiences, from relationship rollercoasters to psychological well being struggles.
Throughout our chat, Que opened up about being recognized with schizophrenia and bipolar dysfunction in 2012, which he mentioned was triggered by one thing particular.
“Yeah, there was positively one thing accomplished to me … To make me go into schizophrenia and bipolar, in fact. ‘Trigger I used to be a school pupil. I used to be a excessive honor roll pupil in highschool. So, the individual that I’m now’s approach completely different than after I went into a distinct section in 2012 [with] the psychological well being.”

He mentioned he now will get a month-to-month shot of medicine to assist handle his psychological well being.
“I wasn’t taking my medication at first, man. It was sporting on my physique. It wasn’t working, and it was making me much more, I don’t know the phrase — it was making me extra psychological,” he recalled. “Yeah, however I’m higher now. I’m significantly better now. I’m therapeutic.”
As a band, Day26 has come collectively to assist their “brother” Que’s psychological well being journey. The truth is, Willie is engaged on a mission known as Write My Wrongs, which is “geared towards males’s psychological well being.”
“I’m actually large in the case of psychological well being and the entire 9 yards,” mentioned Willie. “Belief me, I’ve been by an entire lot of issues, and God is really superb for the issues I’ve been capable of overcome.”

Hearken to the interview on the high of the put up.
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ResourcesBook Suggestions:Black Ache: It Simply Seems to be Like We’re Not Hurting, by Terrie M. WilliamsDescription: The legendary superstar PR government delves into the emotional and psychological challenges confronted by Black people, providing insights into how theseSomething Occurred in Our City: A Little one’s Story About Racial Injustice, by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann HazzardDescription: Addresses themes of racial injustice and supplies steerage for folks on discussing troublesome subjects with youngsters, together with feelings and coping methods.Age Vary: Kids, really useful for ages 4-8.
Video Suggestion:“Teen Psychological Well being and Suicide in Black Households“Description: This PBS documentary explores the distinctive challenges and experiences surrounding teen psychological well being and suicide inside Black households, providing insights and assets for assist.Age Vary: Youngsters and adults, really useful for ages 13 and up.
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