Former B2K member Raz B opens up about sexual abuse, being blackballed, and the rumors surrounding his sexuality.
The 35-year-old singer sat down with Jason Lee on his podcast for his media outlet Hollywood Unlocked and shared various details about his life, career, and the rumors surrounding his time with B2K.
Growing up, Raz B says he was a typical kid who loved video games and sports. But, he says things took a turn for the worse when his mother got with a man who was doing 25 years to life. At that point, he says his life of going in and out of foster homes began. “When you’re in foster care and group homes, this is before; this is under the age of 13. So, these are the years that I’m starting to develop. So, between, like 8 and 11, that’s when I seen my whole start to change because my mom got with this dude who was doing 25 years to life,” he said.
“Then I just see my life start to change. Now, I’m in foster homes, now I’m in group homes. Then before I come out of a group home, a year later, I’m going to live with my cousin. Ya know, I go through that whole stuff. So, you know I still feel the same innocent kid is in me, and that’s the part I protect the most.” He went on to say that the journey that he’s currently on has helped him reconnect with himself. Lee then asks who is Raz B protecting his inner child from, and he responds, “Probably from myself.”
While the traumatic events have harmed him greatly, he stays positive and says these very moments are what helped shape him. “All of these things have actually built me up into the person that I am. Why I would never try to harm a kid. Why I haven’t ever taken any respect from all women, all walks of life.
Raz B also shares that he believes sexual assault is more common amongst the male community and that men often struggle with speaking out due to fear.
“Agree the game is different, many want to hide it. Many surprised I didn’t kill myself. of course, I had all the power to do it, —— was like let me put 10K in your pocket and gangstas to reinforce it. —– was there too, they’re tried to clean it up….that’s how they discredited me.”
