Rated Next is the debut studio album by American musical group Next. After forming, the trio recorded several songs with record producers Prof. T. and Lance Alexander before catching recording artist and producer Kay Gee of Naughty by Nature's attention. He signed Next to his record label, Divine Mill, and the album was recorded in Gee's in-home recording studio. The album was released on September 30, 1997, under Divine Mill and Arista Records.