Bell Biv and DeVoe’s “B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me)?” was the third single from Poison, their 1990 debut album. The New Edition members came together as a trio at the suggestion of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Eric Sadler, Keith and Hank Shocklee who were members of The Bomb Squad production team had become known for producing records for political rap group Public Enemy. They worked on Poison and crafted the New Jack Swing beats and curdled bass of “B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me)?.” The single hit number one on the R&B chart adding to the album’s success which also commanded platinum status within two months of its release. Poison became a landmark for the ’90s and New Jack Swing as one of the paths to Hip-hop soul. BBD released four studio albums and in 2023 they shared the single “Act Like You Know” featuring Rev Run. New Edition will return to the Encore Theater in Las Vegas this fall. 

Missy Elliott, DJ Kool Herc, The Spinners, Chaka Khan, George Michael, and Don Cornelius were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Elliott is the first female rapper to have the honor. Queen Latifah introduced Elliott before she performed a medley of her hits onstage at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn during the induction ceremony on Saturday, November 4th. Jazmine Sullivan introduced Khan, who performed “I Feel For You” with Common rapping Melle Mel’s part. H.E.R. and Sia joined her while she sang “Ain’t Nobody,” “Sweet Thing,” and  “I’m Every Woman.” Khan brought Tony Maiden from Rufus after she accepted her award. New Edition put on a well-choreographed show in tribute to The Spinners, while a Soul Train scenario played out in the background in honor of Don Cornelius. LL Cool J inducted Kool Herc, who accepted his award with his sister Cindy. Andrew Ridgeley, who was one-half of Wham with Michael, inducted his later former bandmate. Miguel, Adam Levine, and Carrie Underwood performed some of Michael’s classics, including “Careless Whisper” and “Faith.” 

[youtube id=”5cesxvEZK5U”] Ralph Tresvant’s first solo album had a successful launch with the lead single “Sensitivity.” It was his first time away from New Edition and his album followed Bobby Brown’s Don’t Be Cruel explosion and the emergence of band members Ricky Bell, Ronnie DeVoe and Michael Bivins’group BBD. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis wrote “Sensitivity” and it became Tresvant’s signature solo song and his only number one single. The lyrics about a man being vulnerable in romance went straight to the hearts of his fans and established his musical identity outside of New Edition. Tresvant’s debut album boasted two more hits with “Stone Cold Gentleman” and “Do What I Gotta Do.” Fans saw Tresvant’s album as long-awaited and the beginning of a big solo run. Tresvant’s sophomore release It’s Goin Down did not have the same impact as his first and by 1996 New Edition returned with Home Again. His last solo effort was Rizz-Wa-Faire released in 2006 and since then he has played the role of Sam Cooke in Get On Up and became famous again because of BET’s 2017 The New Edition Story. Ralph Tresvant has also been a DJ on The Bass of Boston WZBR 1410 AM since 2016. 

[youtube id=”P0FKzPfsxA4″]Bobby Brown’s “Every Little Step” was part of his Don’t Be Cruel explosion into the middle of pop culture in 1988-89 with New Jack Swing as its guide. Brown left New Edition and started his solo career in 1986 but it wasn’t until sophomore album Don’t Be Cruel that he became a star on his own. Brown’s dance performance in the video for the L.A. Reid and Babyface-penned “Every Little Step” enhanced its reception. The singer’s dance moves and Gumby haircut became signposts of the ’80s at its best. The hip-hop and R&B connection in New Jack Swing took off with Don’t Be Cruel two years after Janet Jackson’s Control which had Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis’s influence on the genre. Brown’s album became the most sold of 1989 and he earned first Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. He was an heir to Michael Jackson’s ability to own the stage with his charisma, movement and vocals. Bobby Brown’s inspiration from Jackson was passed on and artists like Usher and Chris Brown count Bobby as one of their influences. Bobby Brown’s history was presented twice in The New Edition Story in 2017 and The Bobby Brown Story miniseries in 2018.