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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsSpoiler alert: The Buffalos on the U.S. version of The Masked Singer were Boyz II Men—Nathan Morris, Wanyá Morris, and Shawn Stockman. They won Season 12 in the December 18, 2024 finale, becoming the first group to win the American edition of the series.
The costume initially appeared to represent one Buffalo, but the Season 12 premiere revealed three performers. That twist, the trio’s close harmonies, Motown references, and the group’s eventual performance of “Motownphilly” all pointed toward one of the most successful R&B vocal groups in music history.
Who were the Buffalos on The Masked Singer?
The Buffalos were Boyz II Men: Philadelphia vocalists Nathan Morris, Wanyá Morris, and Shawn Stockman.
The three costume identities were:
| Buffalo costume | Boyz II Men member |
|---|---|
| Maroon | Shawn Stockman |
| Olive | Nathan Morris |
| Goldie | Wanyá Morris |
Boyz II Men are best known for songs including “Motownphilly,” “End of the Road,” “I’ll Make Love to You,” “On Bended Knee,” and “A Song for Mama.” Their appearance on the show was notable not only because of their fame, but because they made The Masked Singer history: the Buffalos became the first group to win the U.S. series.
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How the Buffalos’ identity was revealed
The answer became clear in stages rather than through one decisive prop.
1. The costume was actually a trio
The premiere presented what looked like a single Buffalo. During the performance, however, the costume separated into three performers. That immediately narrowed the possibilities to an established vocal group, band, or another act built around three people.
The reveal was especially important because the Buffalos did not merely perform as three celebrities sharing a costume. Their entire presentation depended on group harmonies and coordinated movement. The costume’s design was therefore a structural clue: viewers were looking for a three-person act, not a solo singer with backup dancers.
2. The harmonies sounded like an established R&B group
The strongest early inference came from the singing. The Buffalos used layered harmonies and a polished vocal arrangement associated with a veteran male vocal group. That led viewers and panelists to consider acts such as 98 Degrees, Bell Biv DeVoe, B2K, Blackstreet, After 7, the Temptations, Color Me Badd, and Boyz II Men.
It is useful to distinguish between an inference and a confirmed clue here. The resemblance to Boyz II Men’s sound was something panelists and viewers recognized; it was not presented as a formal production explanation before the unmasking. After the reveal, though, the vocal-group theory made perfect sense.
3. Motown was the clearest music-history reference
Motown references were among the most helpful clues. Boyz II Men had a major professional connection to Motown, and the group’s breakthrough hit, “Motownphilly,” put the label’s name directly into one of its signature songs.
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The clue became unmistakable after the unmasking, when the three members performed “Motownphilly.” That performance transformed Motown from a suggestive hint into an explicit connection to Boyz II Men.
4. The poison bottle pointed indirectly toward Boyz II Men
One clue included poison-bottle imagery. The most plausible explanation connected the image to Boyz II Men’s early song “Sympin’,” which sampled Bell Biv DeVoe’s “Poison.”
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This was an indirect music-history trail, not a simple one-to-one clue. A viewer could reasonably see the poison reference and guess Bell Biv DeVoe, which is why that group appeared among the panel’s possibilities. The safer interpretation is that the image could be read as pointing to the Bell Biv DeVoe sample connection, rather than assuming the show explicitly spelled out every step.
5. Nick Lachey was the Masked Ambassador
Nick Lachey served as the Buffalos’ Masked Ambassador and supplied additional clues. Lachey is a member of 98 Degrees, another prominent male vocal group.
That connection worked on several levels. Boyz II Men and 98 Degrees were both associated with the Motown label, and the groups had toured together. Lachey therefore functioned as a bridge to the world of successful male vocal groups without making the answer immediately obvious.
The ambassador clue also explains why panelists considered 98 Degrees. It was a plausible answer in its own right, while still offering an indirect route to Boyz II Men.
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6. The cowboy imagery was mostly misdirection
The Buffalos wore cowboy-inspired costumes and were surrounded by Western-themed imagery. Those visuals pushed guesses in several directions, including country singers, hip-hop groups, and acts connected to cowboy themes.
One panel theory involved Bone Thugs-n-Harmony because of that group’s association with “Ghetto Cowboy.” The cowboy styling was effective because it characterized the performers without identifying their musical history directly. It should not be treated as a reliable Boyz II Men clue on its own.
Every song the Buffalos performed
The song list shows how carefully the group tried to avoid making its identity obvious during the early rounds:
- “(I Just) Died in Your Arms” by Cutting Crew
- “Waiting for a Girl Like You” by Foreigner
- “Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve
- “You’re Still the One” by Shania Twain
- “Africa” by Toto
- “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye, performed in the finale
- “Too Good at Goodbyes” by Sam Smith, performed in the finale
- “Motownphilly” by Boyz II Men, performed after the unmasking
They also sang “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac in a battle royale and “Counting Stars” by OneRepublic in a smack royale.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThese choices were useful camouflage. None of the early songs immediately announces Boyz II Men in the way that “Motownphilly” would have. In their post-reveal comments, the members said they deliberately altered their voices and selected less-obvious material to make recognition more difficult.
That strategy became harder to maintain as the competition progressed. The group could disguise its vocal identities to a degree, but later performances demonstrated the control, blend, and musical confidence associated with Boyz II Men. The members acknowledged that once they performed at their full level, concealing the answer became more difficult.
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The panel’s guesses before the reveal
The panel considered a long list of vocal groups and artists, including:
- Jonas Brothers
- 98 Degrees
- B2K
- Bell Biv DeVoe
- Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
- Big Time Rush
- Boyz II Men
- Blackstreet
- After 7
- Color Me Badd
- The Temptations
- Tony! Toni! Toné!
The competing guesses show why the clues were effective. The group format and vocal sound pointed toward several famous male acts, while the poison and cowboy imagery encouraged detours.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →By the finale, the panel had converged on Boyz II Men. Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg’s familiarity with the group was particularly significant. In a post-reveal interview, Wanyá Morris said he worried that she might recognize his mannerisms because of her past connection to Boyz II Men and to Donnie Wahlberg. The members also said Robin Thicke’s musical knowledge could have exposed them if they had not tried to alter their voices.
The Buffalos’ route to the Season 12 finale
The Buffalos survived the Group A rounds and won their battle royale against Ship. They continued through the later stages of the competition and reached the finale against Wasp.
In the final, the group performed:
- “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye
- “Too Good at Goodbyes” by Sam Smith
They won the Golden Mask trophy. Their victory was historic because no group had previously won the U.S. version of The Masked Singer.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What Boyz II Men said about performing in costume
After the reveal, the members explained that they initially hoped to leave the competition early. Their plan was to avoid singing in a way that would immediately identify them. Once they realized they had a real chance to advance, however, they decided they needed to perform at the standard audiences associate with Boyz II Men.
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They also described the production’s secrecy measures. Contestants were required to use face coverings, gloves, and hoodies, and they were instructed to remain in character while wearing the costume head. Those details came from the members’ interview and should be understood as their account of the production experience.
Wanyá Morris said his costume was particularly demanding because he moved energetically while performing and struggled with heat and airflow. That is a participant-reported experience, not an independent assessment of the costume.
Why the Buffalos were difficult to identify
The show combined several kinds of misdirection:
- They changed their voices: This weakened the most obvious Boyz II Men clue.
- They chose unfamiliar material: Early songs came from Cutting Crew, Foreigner, The Verve, Shania Twain, and Toto rather than from the group’s own catalog.
- The costume suggested the wrong genres: Cowboy imagery encouraged country and hip-hop theories.
- The clues had multiple plausible meanings: The poison image could suggest Bell Biv DeVoe, while Nick Lachey could suggest 98 Degrees.
- The trio was not immediately visible: The premiere’s initial presentation delayed the most important structural clue.
At the same time, the clues formed a coherent pattern once viewed together. A trio with elite R&B harmonies, a Motown connection, links to other major vocal groups, and a finale-era performance style was increasingly likely to be Boyz II Men.
What to listen to after the reveal
If the Buffalos made you want to revisit the group’s catalog, Legacy: The Greatest Hits Collection is a practical starting point. It brings together major Boyz II Men songs, including “Motownphilly” and other recordings that explain why the trio’s vocal identity was so recognizable to longtime listeners. Check the current edition and availability before purchasing, since CD listings, sellers, and stock can change.
For the complete television experience, viewers should also check current U.S. listings for The Masked Singer Season 12 before subscribing to a service. Streaming rights change over time and can vary by country, so availability should not be treated as permanent.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Buffalos win The Masked Singer?
The Buffalos won the U.S. Season 12 finale on December 18, 2024, defeating Wasp and taking the Golden Mask trophy.
Which Boyz II Men member was each Buffalo?
Maroon was Shawn Stockman, Olive was Nathan Morris, and Goldie was Wanyá Morris.
What song did the Buffalos sing after they were unmasked?
They performed Boyz II Men’s signature song “Motownphilly” after the reveal.
Were the Buffalos the first group to win the American Masked Singer?
Yes. Boyz II Men became the first group to win the U.S. version of The Masked Singer.
The Bottom Line
The Buffalos were Boyz II Men: Shawn Stockman as Maroon, Nathan Morris as Olive, and Wanyá Morris as Goldie. The trio’s harmonies, the Motown references, Nick Lachey’s vocal-group connection, and the post-reveal performance of “Motownphilly” ultimately confirmed the answer. Their Season 12 victory also made them the first group to win the U.S. edition of The Masked Singer.
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