Just six months after their debut album Rated Next was released in late 1997, Next topped the singles charts with the smooth soul of "Too Close." Composed of brothers T-Low and Tweety plus R.L., the R&B trio formed in Minneapolis/St. Paul after the brothers met R.L. through their uncle, the director of a gospel choir. With the help of Naughty by Nature's Kay Gee on production, the trio developed a slightly pornographic soul tied to Barry White and late-period Marvin Gaye. Their second single "Too Close" had no problem, hitting number one during April 1998. Next celebrated their success with a slot supporting Boyz II Men on their summer tour.