It's been a comely battle of the sexes - set to Diddy approved music, of course. No wonder MTV's "Making the Band 4" is compelling young, hipster viewers to tune in and see if its wanna be superstars will reveal real staying power in season 2.

Right from the get-go Diddy laid out a daunting challenge for season 2's boy contingent: complete an album in just five weeks. He threw down the same test for Danity Kane, the girl group also featured on MTV's Monday night hit (10 p.m. ET/PT).

"Competing with the girls was tough, but becoming a group and getting the album finished was the biggest challenge," says boy band member Qwanell, who passed on a college scholarship to appear in season 1.

"We've all worked really hard and the show's made everyone a better artist," he says. "I think Diddy is a genius for putting us all together."

Despite the fact that much of reality TV today is premeditated, the boy's popularity is a reality. One young North Carolina fan, in fact, made it his dying wish to have "MTB4's" Mike sing for him in the hospital a few days before the child died.

"We love our fans," says rising star Qwanell. "We've hit such a strong note with them because we give them something real in their lives."

He, along with "MTB4's" Mike and Brian spoke to CTV.ca to share their take on season 2.

The name game

Unlike Danity Kane, which includes hot superstar hopefuls Aubrey, Aundrea, D. Woods, Dawn and Shannon, the boys of "Making the Band 4" made it their mission to find the perfect name to propel them to stardom in season 2.

Day 26 was their winning pick.

"It was a tough task. We wanted it to mean something," says show star Brian. After concocting 120 possible names themselves and reviewing hundreds of fan submissions, these hungry up-and-comers chose A26 - as in August 26, the day the band was born.

The aspiring stars even hit the streets to pole fans for suggestions. "I felt like it was their duty to help us because they put us together," says Qwanell. "If we didn't ask their opinions it wouldn't be right."

The Diddy touch

From Billie Holiday to Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Babyface and Beyoncé, the musical influences that have sparked these boys' ambitions are both varied and venerated.

"Our sound is very reminiscent of what was going on in the '90s in R&B music," says Brian. "It's real singing. It's got real emotion behind everything right down to the last word." But like any apt pupils, the boys also credit much of their newfound sound to Diddy himself.

"Diddy's a cool cat, but he's also a perfectionist," says Qwanell. "He'll push you until you want to cry. Everybody needs someone like that in their lives. Even if you think you're great he'll push to make you better. That's why I admire him."

The "MTB4" boys also praise music mogul Diddy for clueing them into the real pitfalls of today's showbiz.

"All my life I've dreamed about doing this, working at this level and giving fans the real experience of big music. But it's a tough business," says Mike. "Diddy's often misunderstood because he is very demanding. But he's definitely one cat who isn't afraid to show you what to do and not do in the game."