Editing Boyz II Men (section)

=== 1985–1990: Group formation and beginnings ===
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The group, originally named Unique Attraction, was formed in 1985 by Nathan Morris and Marc Nelson at the [[Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts]] (CAPA)<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Westover|first1=Jonas|title=Boyz II Men|journal=The Grove Dictionary of American Music|date=11 Feb 2013|volume=2nd Edition}}</ref> along with fellow schoolmates [[George Baldi]], Jon Shoats, and Marguerite Walker. In 1987, Wanyá Morris, who sang in the school's choir along with the members of Unique Attraction, joined the group and became a permanent member as a freshman. In 1988 Baldi, Shoats and Walker left the group due to graduation. They then recruited Shawn Stockman after seeing him perform a solo in the school's choir. After an encounter in a school bathroom, Michael McCary started singing along with the group and eventually became the group's new bass singer. With their permanent lineup of members, the group rehearsed in the high school's bathrooms, in the corners of their schools, and other local areas. At CAPA, they were mentored by [[LaDeva Davis]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/10/14/boyz-ii-men-return-to-philly-high-school-for-show/17283379/|title=Boyz II Men return to Philly high school for show|agency=Associated Press|work=USA Today|date=October 14, 2014|accessdate=September 9, 2022}}</ref>

Finding inspiration in [[New Edition]]'s harmonies and routines, they eventually renamed the group "Boyz II Men," after New Edition's "Boys to Men," from the 1988 album ''[[Heart Break]]''. After performing at a Valentine's Day party at school in 1989, they snuck into a concert put on by local radio station Power 99 at the [[Philadelphia Convention Hall and Civic Center|Philadelphia Civic Center]]. They planned to find [[Will Smith]] backstage and perform for him.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stockman|first=Shawn|date=July 9, 2020|title=Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men on Ernie Ball Striking A Chord Live|url=https://www.instagram.com/tv/CCb8-pjlsYo/|access-date=July 11, 2020|website=Ernie Ball on Instagram IGTV}}</ref> However, while looking for Smith, they happened to cross paths with New Edition member [[Michael Bivins]], who, along with bandmates [[Ricky Bell (singer)|Ricky Bell]] and [[Ronnie DeVoe]], had just announced they were forming a New Edition spin-off trio, [[Bell Biv DeVoe]]. After they sang New Edition's "[[Can You Stand the Rain]]" for him, Bivins and everyone in attendance, including other celebrities, were impressed. He then gave the group his number and told them to call him. Nate eventually called him, and he agreed to manage and help produce the group.

The delay before recording their own material and reported personality conflicts led founding member Marc Nelson to leave the group, making Boyz II Men into the quartet that found international fame: Michael McCary, Nathan Morris, Wanyá Morris, and Shawn Stockman.