B2K singer Raz-B and his wife Mona Li are mourning the unexpected death of their three-month-old son Astro Monte Thornton earlier this week.
Sources close to the family told TMZ on Thursday that the infant passed away suddenly, though the exact cause of death remains unclear.
A spokesperson for the family released a statement requesting privacy as they navigate the loss. "The family asks for privacy as they navigate this difficult time. They truly appreciate your love and support," the spokesperson said.
The couple, who welcomed Astro in May, shared news of the pregnancy earlier that month. Raz-B posted a family photograph on social media at the time, writing: "Right now we’re at the hospital getting ready to welcome our newest addition, Astro 🚀👶 another baby boy to the Thornton family."
Raz-B and Mona Li are also parents to a 23-month-old son named Versai Carter Thornton. Mona Li has a daughter from a previous relationship as well.
The pair made their first public appearance on the red carpet together in April 2023 at Lemuel Plummer's birthday celebration in Los Angeles. In September 2024, the singer surprised fans by revealing that he had married Mona Li and that they were expecting their first child together.
B2K reunion and chart success
Raz-B rose to prominence as a member of the popular R&B boyband B2K. Formed in 1998, the group was also known as the Boys of the New Millennium and became one of the biggest R&B acts of the early 2000s.
Earlier this year, Raz-B reunited with original B2K bandmates Omarion, J-Boog and Lil' Fizz for the Boys 4 Life tour to celebrate the group's 25th anniversary. The band was active from 1998 to 2004, reunited briefly from 2018 to 2019, and re-formed in 2025.
In July, B2K released their first new music in more than two decades with the single Mileage. The track reached No. 1 on Apple Music shortly after release and debuted at No. 38 on Billboard's Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart in August.
Mileage is the lead single from B2K's upcoming album, which is expected later this year. The group's self-titled debut album reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart in 2002 and hit No. 1 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
