More than 10 years ago, the world watched as P. Diddy brought together a group of five young men to form the R&B group Day 26 on the reality television show “Making the Band 4.”
Each week, the show’s cast members competed for an opportunity to become a part of the new band, which would be signed to Atlantic Records.
On August 26, 2007, Robert Curry, Brian Andrews, Willie Taylor, Michael McCluney and Qwanell “Que” Mosley became Day 26, named after the date they were officially made members of the group.
Ten years later, Day 26 has returned without the reality TV cameras and the backing of Diddy and Atlantic Records. they’re now ready to make some waves of their own.
When the group’s 2017 “10-Year Anniversary Experience” show resulted in an encore performance and high ticket sales, Day 26 launched a reunion tour. Since then, the group has performed in nine cities, and have scheduled tour dates throughout the country.
On Saturday, Day 26 brought their tour to Center Stage in downtown Atlanta. Asked about fans’ reactions to the reunion tour, Mosley replied, “One word: pandemonium.”
He further stated that the group’s performances have often been well-received since the reunion tour began.
“When we come out and perform, our fans show a lot of love, “ he said. “They’re crying, sometimes. We went overseas, [and] a couple of people passed out.”
The group was met by an enthusiastic crowd on Saturday night, as four of the five original group members stepped onto the stage performing the hit “Co-Star.”
Brian Andrews, now known under the stage name Brian Angel, is not performing on the tour but is still a member of the group. Day 26 performed songs from their first two albums, a 2017 EP, as well as a reunion single the group released last fall.
An enthusiastic fan base filled the theater, and although over 10 years have passed, many members of the audience remembered their songs word-for-word.
“It’s a blessing…to still have a steady fanbase,” Curry said. “[We] have a platform to be on tour and present our music, and [fans] listen to it and pay attention, after ten years.”
Day 26’s road to stardom has not been without hardships. In December 2009, the group dropped Mosley after multiple disagreements with group members and management.
In July 2012, the group officially disbanded. Four years later, the group called out Diddy for not including them in the Bad Boy Reunion Tour.
Though much has changed and each member has embarked on solo careers, the group is collectively committed to the long-term success of Day 26.
“We’re definitely keeping the essence of Day 26, “ Taylor said. “We will never stray too far from that essence,” said Taylor.
The group is confident about the opportunity to be successful in future, in that they have a lane to themselves. The members felt that there was a void during their absence.
According to Taylor, the group has another EP on the way, and an album to follow shortly after. However, Curry emphasized that fulfilling the group’s goals will be more difficult this time out.
“Everybody’s workload is next level now,” he said. “It’s not the same thing as it used to be when we had the machines of Bad Boy and Atlantic Records. It’s 100 percent Day 26 now.”
Though the lack of male groups currently dominating the R&B music industry is a reality, it is also a reality that these groups have a reputation for going their separate ways: from New Kids on The Block to B2K to One Direction, to Day 26 itself.
However, judging from the crowd’s reception to Day’s 26’s Saturday night performance, the group seems to have a promising future.
