In light of the #MeToo movement, more people are feeling safe enough to come forward and speak out about their experiences being taken advantage of and violated. Now more than ever, we give them a platform and support. However, I've noticed one accusation that isn’t getting much attention. So, why the hell isn't anybody investigating Raz B’s claims of being molested by former manager Chris Stokes?!? He’s only been telling us about it for years. How is it that this is flying under the radar?
Raz-B is a member of the hit 2000’s group B2K. B2K members include Omarion, Lil Fizz, J-Boog, and Raz- B. Chris Stokes was not only their manager, but he’s also family. He’s married to Omarion’s aunt and has been around them practically their whole lives, it’s been said by Omarion that he was very much a father figure to the boys. In 2007 Raz-B makes a video speaking out about being molested, he said that Stokes had molested him and other members of the group. His brother, Ricardo Thornton, admitted that Stokes made him take showers with other boys but was able to avoid most interactions, unlike Raz-B. Ricardo said, “I kinda knew what was going on over there, and yet I took my brother over to Chris. I didn’t protect him as I should have”. Raz-B also mentioned that he knows Stokes molested Marques Houston, (cousin of J-Boog). Raz-B goes into detail in many videos about what was done to him as well as what Stokes made him do. After this video surfaced Stokes announced that the allegations were false, that he’s not gay, he would sue for defamation and more statements that expressed how absurd he believed the allegation to be. Jumping to now B2K reunites and goes on the reunion Millenium tour, but less than a week into the tour Raz-B calls it's quits. Telling us that he knew Chris Stokes was near and he didn’t feel safe continuing with the tour. Raz-B has now confirmed that he is back on the tour but is ready to tell the world what Stokes did to him. He wants to create a Lifetime movie “Surviving Chris Stokes”.
Again, why the fuck aren’t people treating this like any other allegation? Where’s the press, media coverage, and in-depth interviews? Why doesn’t he have an advocate or lawyer putting out statements on his behalf? I’m aware that he's infamous for doing crazy things. In 2012 he released a video of him and an unknown woman having sex and doing drugs, but so what. And if what he's saying is true, it would explain his unstable and reckless behavior. So what gives?
Raz- B seemed very adamant about backing out of the tour because he didn’t feel safe. What worries me is the saturation of "me too" allegations. With the spotlight only being shined on people in the entertainment industry and victims coming out left and right, I’m concerned that we are starting to see this as a trend. Not victims revealing their truth, but just a chance for the public to bandwagon sides based on the persons' likability. Is no one worried that a respected man in the industry may be a pedophile? Or is Raz-B not likable enough to be taken seriously?
It may be past the statute of limitations, but something must be done. Will anyone have his back? Why didn't anyone look into this? Why do you think his claims haven’t been a bigger deal to the media or to his B2K (so-called) brothers? We’ll never know who’s speaking the truth and not just trying to get their 15 minutes, but I personally want to believe them first until proven a liar. I’m not saying that’s right, but when someone gives up their anonymity and speaks up about something so personal, they deserve reassurance.
Korin Holden, Icon City Entertainment Reporter
