Bell Biv DeVoe
Members with Bobby Brown as New Edition during a 2018 interview. From left to right: Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, and Michael Bivins.
Members with Bobby Brown as New Edition during a 2018 interview. From left to right: Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, and Michael Bivins.
Background information
Also known asBBD
OriginBoston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Genres
Years active1989–present
Labels
Spinoff ofNew Edition
MembersRicky Bell
Michael Bivins
Ronnie DeVoe
Websitewww.bellbivdevoe.com

Bell Biv DeVoe, also known as BBD, is an American music group from Boston, Massachusetts, formed from members of New Edition, consisting of Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe.

The band is best known for their debut album, the multi-platinum selling Poison, a key work in the new jack swing movement of the 1990s that combined elements of traditional soul and R&B with hip hop. Two singles from the album, "Poison" and "Do Me!", both reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1990. The band released three more albums, though none had the success of their debut. Their most recent album Three Stripes came out on January 27, 2017.

Despite only producing four albums of original material in a 31-year span, the group has continuously toured and performed live, both as an act on their own and on several New Edition reunion tours.

History

The trio of Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe has their origins as founders of the Boston-based quintet New Edition, which had gained notice of famed producer Maurice Starr at a talent show in 1981, and as children had several hits with songs like "Candy Girl" and "Cool It Now".

Throughout the 1980s, the line-up changed and the group matured and sought to branch out in new musical directions. During a hiatus in 1989, and at the suggestion of producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, the three decided to form a new group, and were signed by MCA Records.[1] With help from Public Enemy producers Eric Sadler, Hank and Keith Shocklee and several others, Bell Biv Devoe released its debut album Poison in 1990, an album credited as pioneering the "new jack swing" sound of the early 1990s, combining hip-hop, funk, soul, and pop music.[2] This fusion of styles helped to expose them to a fan base which preferred a harder edged sound.[1] Poison reached number 1 on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop chart, and its title track, along with its second single, "Do Me!", both reached number 3 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Shortly thereafter, Richard Wolf and Epic Mazur were responsible for the remix of "Do Me!" (which hit number six on the dance charts).[3] Poison also spawned the singles "B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me)?", "When Will I See You Smile Again?" and "She's Dope!"[4] Poison sold over four million copies, and was followed up by a remix album titled WBBD-Bootcity.[5][6]

Bell Biv DeVoe released Hootie Mack in 1993 on MCA Records, and the more hardcore rap/R&B influenced BBD in 2001 on Biv 10 Records. Neither album was as successful as Poison, though Hootie Mack did reach Gold success. Despite the fact that the group has only released four albums, the members of Bell Biv Devoe continue to perform together as a group.[7] They also participated in several New Edition reunions, and continue to perform with them on tour as part of the group. On May 30, 2013, Bell Biv DeVoe performed their hit song "Poison" for Boston Strong, a benefit concert to raise money for victims of the Boston Marathon bombing.[8]

In 2016, BBD released their first track in 15 years, "Run," along with an accompanying music video.[9] It was the first single off the album Three Stripes, which was released January 27, 2017.

In 2023, they performed the national anthem with The Boston Pops Orchestra at the 2023 Winter Classic.

On October 5, BBD released a new single entitled, "Act Like You Know" featuring Rev Run.

Awards and nominations

In 1991, the group received the award for Best R&B/Urban Contemporary Album of the Year, Group, Band or Duo for Poison at the Soul Train Music Awards.[10]

The group also received an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group in 1992.

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thereshold)
US
[11]		 US R&B
[12]		 AUS
[13]		 NZ
[14]		 UK
[15]
1990 Poison 5 1 83 13 35
1993 Hootie Mack
  • Release date: June 1, 1993
  • Label: MCA Records
 19 6 3 33 —
2001 BBD — 62 — — —
2017 Three Stripes 18 10 — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Remix album

Year Album details Peak chart
positions		 Certifications
(sales threshold)
US
[11]		 US R&B
[12]		 AUS
[17]
1991 WBBD-Bootcity!: The Remix Album
  • Release date: August 27, 1991
  • Label: MCA Records
 18 18 126

Compilation album

Year Album
2000 Bell Biv DeVoe Greatest Hits
  • Release date: September 26, 2000
  • Label: MCA Records

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales threshold)		 Album
US
[18]		 US R&B
[19]		 US Dance
[20]		 AUS
[13][21][17]		 NED
[22]		 NZ
[14]		 UK
[15]
1990 "Poison" 3 1 7 64 25 3 19 Poison
"Do Me!" 3 4 6 60 — 8 56
"B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me)?" 26 1 16 100 — 37 86
1991 "When Will I See You Smile Again?" 63 3 — — — — —
"She's Dope!" — 9 — 151 — — —
"Word to the Mutha!" (featuring Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill) —[a] — — 151 — 11 — WBBD-Bootcity!: The Remix Album
1992 "The Best Things in Life Are Free" (Luther Vandross featuring Janet Jackson, BBD and Ralph Tresvant) 10 — 3 2 20 6 2[23] Mo' Money (soundtrack)
1993 "Gangsta" 21 22 — 17 — 11 — Non-album single
"Above the Rim" — 81 — — — 15 — Hootie Mack
"Something in Your Eyes" 38 6 — 73 — — 60
1995 "The Best Things in Life Are Free"[b] (Luther Vandross featuring Janet Jackson, BBD and Ralph Tresvant) — — — — — — 7[26] Mo' Money (soundtrack)
2001 "The Hot Shit" — — — — — — — BBD
2016 "Run" — 7[c] — — — — — Three Stripes
2017 "Finally" (featuring SWV) — 18[c] — — — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Notes

  • a^ As it was not issued as a retail single in the United States, "Word to the Mutha!" was not eligible to enter the Billboard Hot 100;[27] however, it peaked at number 37 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart.[28]
  • b^ Re-issued and remixed in 1995, and therefore classed as a separate Top 10 hit[26][29][30]
  • c^ Chart peak listed represent the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart.

Music videos

Year Video Director
1990 "Poison" Lionel C. Martin
1991 "Do Me!"
"B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me)?" N/A
"When Will I See You Smile Again?" Lionel C. Martin
"She's Dope!"
"Word To The Mutha!" N/A
1993 "Gangsta" N/A
"Above the Rim" N/A
"Something in Your Eyes" Lionel C. Martin
2001 "Da Hot Sh** (Aight)" N/A
2016 "Run" Lionel C. Martin
2017 "I'm Betta" Kay Gee

References

  1. 1 2 Heyliger, Mike. "Popdose Flashback ’90: Bell Biv DeVoe, Poison" (Popdose.com. March 11, 2010. Web. March 25, 2010.)
  2. ↑ J. D. Considine. "After a great 1990, Bell Biv DeVoe to ring in new year: [FINAL Edition]". December 28, 1990, Baltimore Sun. Web. 1 Apr. 2010.
  3. ↑ Widran, Jonathan (April 14, 1991). "Producer Crosstalk". Music Connection.
  4. ↑ "Bell Biv DeVoe: Chart History". Billboard. n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2010.
  5. ↑ Huey, Steve. "Bell Biv DeVoe: Biography." AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. n.d. Web. March 25, 2010.
  6. ↑ Henderson, Alex. "WBBD-Bootcity! The Remix Album > Overview." AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. n.d. Web. April 12, 2010.
  7. ↑ Gerald M. Gay. "'80s group still has its devotees: Bell Biv DeVoe here for 'Slow Jams Live' gig." McClatchy – Tribune Business News 19 February 2009 ProQuest Newsstand, ProQuest. Web. April 10, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Aerosmith, James Taylor, Boston, NKOTB and Others Perform at Boston Strong Benefit Concert". Classichitsandoldies.com. May 28, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Bell Biv Devoe Make A Run With Their First New Song In 15 Years (Video)". September 12, 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  10. ↑ Special. "Hammer gets rapped at Soul Train awards :[FIN Edition]. " Toronto Star 14 Mar. 1991, ProQuest Newsstand, ProQuest. Web. 10 Apr. 2010.
  11. 1 2 "Bell Biv DeVoe Chart History > Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  12. 1 2 "Bell Biv DeVoe Chart History > Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  13. 1 2 Australian (ARIA) chart peaks:
  14. 1 2 New Zealand chart peaks:
  15. 1 2 UK chart peaks:
  16. 1 2 3 4 "RIAA > Gold & Platinum > Search results for 'Bell Biv DeVoe' (from riaa.com)". Imgur.com (original source published by Recording Industry Association of America). Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  17. 1 2 "Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing February 10, 1992". Bubbling Down Under. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Bell Biv DeVoe Chart History > Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Bell Biv DeVoe Chart History > Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  20. ↑ US Dance Club Songs chart peaks:
  21. ↑ "Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing August 19, 1991". Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  22. ↑ Dutch chart peaks:
  23. ↑ "LUTHER VANDROSS AND JANET JACKSON | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". OfficialCharts.com.
  24. 1 2 Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. pp. 28, 293.
  25. ↑ "Janet Jackson & Luther Vandross - The Best Things in Life Are Free". bpi.co.uk. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  26. 1 2 "LUTHER VANDROSS/JANET JACKSON | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". OfficialCharts.com.
  27. ↑ Ellis, Michael (September 7, 1991). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 36. BPI Communications. p. 69. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Billboard > Artists / Bell Biv DeVoe > Chart History > Radio Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 3, 2015. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  29. ↑ "Luther Vandross | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". OfficialCharts.com.
  30. ↑ "Janet Jackson | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". OfficialCharts.com.
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