Boyz II Men - Pass You By

What this video is

Released in August 2000 amid a transitional moment for Boyz II Men, 'Pass You By' came from their self-produced fifth album Nathan Michael Shawn Wanya — a deliberate creative pivot away from their Babyface-era mega-hits. Despite a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group, the single failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, signaling the waning commercial dominance of the Philadelphia quartet in…

Why it matters

Represents a late-era document of the smooth R&B ballad tradition that Boyz II Men helped define across the 1990s, now filtered through early-2000s production aesthetics. The video's rapid editing pace (1.88s avg shot) contrasts the group's traditionally slow-burn vocal style, reflecting industry…

The director

Seattle-born American film, television, and music video director. Educated at Cal State Northridge. Directed 130+ award-winning music videos in R&B, hip-hop, and pop. Won a VMA for Destiny's Child 'Survivor,' NAACP Image Award for Kirk Franklin's 'Stomp,'…