It was the kind of reveal that makes you yell at your TV. Honestly, the moment the Buffaloes Masked Singer costumes came off during Season 12, a huge chunk of the audience felt that immediate "I knew it!" rush. But let’s be real for a second. Even if you guessed the voices early on, seeing three-fourths of one of the most iconic R&B groups of the 90s standing on that stage was still a massive moment for TV.
The Buffaloes were, in fact, Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman, and Nathan Morris of Boyz II Men.
They didn't win. That’s the part that still has people arguing in Reddit threads and YouTube comments. They were beat out by Goo, who was revealed to be the incredibly talented (and heavily rumored) Kirk Franklin. But the journey of the Buffaloes—those massive, furry, surprisingly mobile Western-themed outfits—wasn't just about winning a trophy. It was a masterclass in vocal harmony that reminded everyone why these guys have four Grammys and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Why the Buffaloes Masked Singer Performances Fooled (and Didn't Fool) Anyone
If you’ve spent any time listening to 90s radio, that specific blend of tenors and baritones is unmistakable. The "Motownphilly" vibe is hard to hide, even under layers of faux fur and massive buffalo heads. From their first performance of "I Melt" by Rascal Flatts, the judges were already leaning toward a group. Ken Jeong, in one of his rare moments of actual insight, started sniffing around the boy band trail almost immediately.
Rita Ora was convinced they were legendary. She wasn't wrong.
The choice of songs was actually pretty clever. They didn't stick to the R&B lane. They took on "Bitter Sweet Symphony" by The Verve, which is a weirdly difficult song to harmonize to because the original is so flat and drony. They made it lush. They made it soulful. That’s the Boyz II Men "secret sauce"—taking something structural and making it emotional.
People kept asking: "Where is the fourth one?" Since Mike McCary left the group years ago due to health issues, Boyz II Men has functioned as a trio. This made the three-person Buffaloes dynamic a dead giveaway for hardcore fans. If there had been four buffaloes, it might have actually been more confusing.
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The Clues That Basically Handed Us the Answer
The Masked Singer loves its cryptic packages, but the Buffaloes clues were almost too loud if you knew what to look for.
There was a heavy emphasis on the "Wild West," which many interpreted as a nod to their longevity and their ability to survive the "wild" music industry for over thirty years. But the real clincher was the mention of "the height of their fame" and the specific references to Philadelphia. You can’t talk about the Buffaloes without talking about the 215 area code.
- They mentioned being "international stars" who had traveled the world.
- A recurring theme of "harmony" was sprinkled throughout every single clue package.
- The "90s Night" connection was basically a neon sign pointing at their discography.
One specific clue involved a "bus," which many fans correctly identified as a reference to their early days traveling on a tour bus before they became the best-selling R&B group of all time. It’s those tiny, granular details that the producers use to reward the super-fans.
The Goo vs. Buffaloes Showdown
The finale of Season 12 was a bit of a heartbreaker for the Buffaloes fans. When they performed "Waiting for a Star to Fall" by Boy Meets Girl, it was pitch-perfect. But the show isn't always about technical perfection; it's about the "moment."
Goo (Kirk Franklin) had a narrative arc that felt slightly more explosive in the finale. There’s always a debate about whether a group has an unfair advantage over a solo singer on this show. On one hand, you have three voices creating a wall of sound. On the other, it’s much harder to coordinate choreography and stay in sync when you can’t see through a giant buffalo snout.
What This Reveal Means for Boyz II Men in 2026
Boyz II Men doesn't need The Masked Singer. They have a residency history in Las Vegas that most artists would kill for. They’ve sold over 60 million albums. So why do it?
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Honestly, it's about the "re-introduction." In an era of TikTok sounds and 15-second clips, a show like this allows a legacy act to prove they still have the "pipes" without the baggage of their old image. Under the mask, they aren't the guys who sang "End of the Road" at your high school prom. They are just the Buffaloes. It strips away the nostalgia and forces the audience to listen to the vocal technique.
And the technique is still there. Wanya’s runs are still some of the most acrobatic in the business. Shawn’s tone is still like silk.
Common Misconceptions About the Buffaloes
A lot of people online were convinced for a few weeks that the Buffaloes might be members of New Edition or even 98 Degrees. The 98 Degrees theory gained traction because Nick Lachey (the host) is obviously the most famous member of that group, and people thought it would be a funny "inside job."
But the "vibe" was wrong. 98 Degrees has a very different, more pop-centric harmonic structure. The Buffaloes had that distinct gospel-infused R&B foundation.
Another weird theory was that it was a mix of different singers from different groups—a sort of "supergroup" formed just for the show. While that happens occasionally on the international versions of the show, the US version usually sticks to established groups or soloists. The chemistry between the three Buffaloes was too tight to be a temporary arrangement. You can't fake thirty years of singing together.
How to Spot a "Group Mask" in Future Seasons
If you’re trying to get better at guessing these, look at the feet. No, seriously.
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In the case of the Buffaloes Masked Singer contestants, their staging was always triangular. They moved in a way that suggests they are used to sharing a stage but also used to staying in their own lanes to avoid tripping over one another. Groups also tend to have very "safe" choreography. They aren't going to do backflips. They focus on the hand gestures and the torso movements to convey emotion because the masks muffle the sound if they move their heads too much.
Watch the way they interact with the host. The Buffaloes were comfortable. They weren't nervous. That tells you they are industry veterans.
Actionable Takeaways for Masked Singer Fans
If you want to stay ahead of the reveals in upcoming seasons, stop listening to the lead vocals and start listening to the backing harmonies.
- Isolate the harmony: If the "group" sounds like one thick voice, it's often a professional group like Boyz II Men. If the harmonies are a bit messy, it's likely a cast of actors or athletes.
- Check the heights: The Buffaloes were relatively similar in height, which narrowed the field significantly when looking at famous trios.
- Ignore the "distractions": The Western theme of the Buffaloes had absolutely nothing to do with their career. It was a visual red herring. Focus on the objects in the background of the videos (like the bus or the Philadelphia references), not the costume itself.
The legacy of the Buffaloes on Season 12 isn't that they lost. It's that they managed to turn a silly costume into a legitimate concert experience every time they stepped on stage. It reminded us that while the "mask" is the gimmick, the talent is what keeps the lights on. If you haven't revisited their performance of "I Melt" yet, go find it. It’s probably the best cover of a country song by a non-country group in the history of the show.
Next time you see a group mask, look for the "Philly connection"—it's a favorite of the producers, and it usually leads right to the winner's circle, or at least the finale.