The group was formed in 1991 when they were introduced to each other by manager
Joe Jacket (of
New Kids on The Block), who was looking to create a mainstream Latino group. After auditioning to
Charles Koppelan, the CEO of EMI Records, they were then signed to
SBK Records, a pop sub-division of
EMI. They initially wanted to
crossover as mainstream American pop singers, similar to
Gloria Estefan,
Jon Secada, and
Selena. The following year, they released their debut album, ''
Crazy Coolin', which they toured in middle and high schools across New York City, and made motivational speeches. The duet, with Selena, peaked at number one on three Billboard
charts in 1994 as Selena and the Barrio Boyzz promoted the song during her Amor Prohibido Tour. The song helped the Barrio Boyzz crossover to Southern United States. Their next album, "Una Vez Mas" peaked at number three on the Latin Pop Albums
, while managing on the top twenty of the Billboard Top 50 Latin Albums
. Their crossover album, "How We Roll", an all-English language album, was released in 1995. At the 8th and 9th Lo Nuestro Awards they received a nomination for Pop Group of the Year. The group continued to chart on Billboard
until the release of Destiny in 2000. The group released their last studio album, "Destino" in 2001, before the band broke up. On 5 April 2005, during the benefit concert Selena ¡VIVE!'', the Barrio Boyzz reunited and sang "
Dreaming of You" along with Colombian-American singer
Soraya, who died of breast cancer within a year. == Members ==