Hangin' Tough [SEP] record label
Hangin' Tough
Hangin' Tough is the second studio album by American boy band New Kids on the Block, released on September 6, 1988, by Columbia Records. It is widely regarded as the breakthrough album of the group's career and has been praised by some music critics, gaining positive reviews for their musical transition from bubblegum pop to urban contemporary, blended with popular rock music. Originally the group's label had already planned to end their contract when their first album in 1986 garnered little commercial and critical attention which
nearly led to their failure. However, Maurice Starr, the group's producer, diligently persuaded the label to let them record for a second album.
"Hangin' Tough" led the group to success due to the emergence of their music to radio airplay and creation of music videos for each released single, showcasing the group's visual appeal. Their popularity was eventually built as they made TV appearances and embarked on promotional tours. By the end of 1989, the album topped on the US "Billboard" 200 charts