A new viral trend on TikTok features the 1991 song by a Twin Cities-based R&B band, Mint Condition. TikTokers have shared thousands of posts of “heartbreakers” using snippets of the song, “Breakin’ My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes),” as the soundtrack for photo montages of old-school and current images of their grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles.
Former lead singer of Mint Condition, Stokley, is both surprised and touched by the appreciation for his song, which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on Billboard's R&B chart.
“It’s music of the soul, so that doesn’t go anywhere. There’s no time stamp,” Stokley said. “It just resonates … as long as you’ve got a beating heart and living affection, yeah.”
A search of the TikTok hashtags, #breakingmyheartchallenge, shows thousands of posts with millions of views; one video tribute to a grandmother “Helen the Heartbreaker” attracted 1.3 million views.
A silver-haired gentleman received thousands of comments on his “Breakin’ My Heart” post, with many complimenting the way he looked back in the 1990s as well as the way he looks now. Comments included: “You was [sic] trouble I just know 😭😂” and “I love this trend….Used to? STILL!! This man slowly marinated thru [sic] the years ❤️❤️.”
Celebrities including singer Janet Jackson and Phylicia Rashad (of Claire Huxtable fame) also are featured in their own heartbreaker posts.
Stokley thinks that it’s fitting that his 1990s song is used as a musical backdrop for younger generations paying homage to their elders’ earlier heartbreaker status.
“I just get a kick out of younger folks not believing” that their mothers or fathers were once heartbreaker material, Stokley said. “Kids think they’re the first to do anything. They can’t believe there was a whole life that was lived before.”
The new “Breakin’ My Heart” trend reminded Stokley that whenever Mint Condition played, the audience always demanded that song.
“I’m proud to be part of that legacy with the fellas,” he said.
The renewed visibility created by the TikTok trend may be “the biggest thing” spotlighting Stokley at present, but he continues to draw audiences for his music and performances.
Earlier this year, Stokley got rave reviews for his lead role in the national tour of “Super Freak: The Rick James Story,” the musical based on James’ life and music.
Stokley released his second solo album several years ago; his 2019 single, “She,” went to No. 1 in 2020 on Billboard's adult R&B chart. He is a Grammy-nominated vocalist, songwriter, and producer, and has played on records by Janet Jackson and Usher.
Stokley credited his Minnesota roots with making him, as well as Mint Condition, “everything we are.”
“I take this place with me everywhere I go on my back, and I represent it,” Stokley said. “All my sensibilities, everything.”