B-13 Peer Review's Unsung: The Merc Boys

 B-13 Peer Review

                                    The Merc Boys (From left to right) A.L.* 5th Ave * Brick Top * Sosa

   PHOTO BY - B-13 Productions

We were sent this video by a close personal friend. The owner of the blog — once a respected talent manager in Hollywood — had walked away from the industry because, in his words, “everyone just wanted to be a rapper.” What he was searching for wasn’t fame or flash. He was looking for honest artistry — an artist who could speak truthfully about the struggle of being a Black man in America.

He wasn’t interested in misogyny, glorified violence, drug culture, or ego-driven megalomania. What he wanted was raw, unapologetic truth — unfiltered and real. And then he found a group that gave him just that: The MERC Boys.

They were different. Authentic. Powerful. Their lyrics didn’t just reflect struggle — they documented it. Their music became a mirror for the lives of so many who never see themselves reflected in mainstream narratives. This manager saw their potential, and we all did. We worked to groom them for the kind of success that could have changed not just their lives, but the cultural landscape.

And for a moment — it was happening.
They had a breakthrough performance at The Haven, a club in downtown Hollywood. It was standing room only, with a line wrapped around the building. The energy was electric. They were treated like stars. That night, they were stars. And that’s where the seeds of their downfall were planted.

An A&R rep from Capitol Records started whispering sweet nothings — promises, hype, and shortcuts. Despite warnings, the MERC Boys abandoned ship. Capitol Records shelved them. Just like that, it was over.

The group disbanded before they could truly reach their potential. The world never got to witness the power they possessed — five men whose stories, pain, and perseverance were immortalized in music that could have spoken for all men, not just Black men, but anyone navigating hardship and hope.

They were a great find.
They were truth in motion.
And now, they're a bittersweet memory of what art could be — if only we let it live.

In January of 2009, Capitol Records showed interest in The Merc Boys, promising them a lucrative deal. They went to see them perform at The Cellar in Long Beach, and I begged them not to sign. At the time, Capitol was in the process of moving its headquarters from Hollywood to New York, and I advised the guys to hold off until we had a solid fan base and better numbers on the table. Unfortunately, they weren’t listening. I warned them that if they signed with Capitol, they would likely be shelved—kept on the backburner to prevent them from competing with Capitol’s other acts. 

We had a heated verbal confrontation, and in the end, they didn’t take my advice seriously. I couldn’t blame them—after all, when Capitol Records is whispering in your ear, it’s hard to see beyond the allure of a major label. But exactly what I had warned them about happened. They got signed, and now... they’re no more. 


We tried hard to find an act that could follow in the Merc Boys' footsteps, but it was tough to find someone we could mold in the same way. As a result, the company shifted its focus to blogging. Over the years, we’ve offered valuable guidance to many artists—Estelle, Plies, Hopsin, just to name a few. Unfortunately, they were all eventually snatched up by major labels before we could sign them and fully develop their authentic, unadulterated, artistry.
 
The Merc Boys Live @ The Cellar January 18th

When The Merc Boys were signed to B-13 Productions, they were treated like RockStars the moment the show ended at the Haven in Hollywood. However, in the interview above with 5th Ave, you can see they were received as if they were just regular spectators leaving a concert—not the Rockstars that they were.

Y'all don't hear me thought! 

- This is Willy Bill of B-13 Peer Review


...And I'm out! 

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I know some of you are mainstream media zeitgeists and outlets coming here to get your talking points. It's ok I'm not upset I want this info out there no matter who it comes from. All I ask is that you give me credit for my hard work. 

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