Bell Biv DeVoe

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.Heyliger, Mike. "Popdose Flashback ’90: Bell Biv DeVoe, Poison" (Popdose.com. March 11, 2010. Web. March 25, 2010.) 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, R&B, funk, soul, and pop music.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. This fusion of styles helped to expose them to a fan base which preferred a harder edged sound. 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).{{cite news|last=Widran|first=Jonathan|title=Producer Crosstalk|newspaper=Music Connection|date=April 14, 1991}} Poison also spawned the singles "B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me)?", "When Will I See You Smile Again?" and "She's Dope!""Bell Biv DeVoe: Chart History". Billboard. n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. Poison sold over four million copies, and was followed up by a remix album titled WBBD-Bootcity.Huey, Steve. "Bell Biv DeVoe: Biography." AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. n.d. Web. March 25, 2010.Henderson, Alex. "WBBD-Bootcity! The Remix Album > Overview." AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. n.d. Web. April 12, 2010.

In 1992, Bell Biv DeVoe co-wrote and were featured on the US Top 10 single "The Best Things in Life Are Free", a duet between American singers Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson, recorded for the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis produced soundtrack to the 1992 American film Mo' Money.

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.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. 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.classichitsandoldies.com/v2/2013/05/31/aerosmith-james-taylor-boston-nkotb-and-others-perform-at-boston-strong-benefit-concert/ |title=Aerosmith, James Taylor, Boston, NKOTB and Others Perform at Boston Strong Benefit Concert |publisher=Classichitsandoldies.com |date=2013-05-28 |access-date=2013-06-01}}

In 2016, BBD released their first track in 15 years, "Run," along with an accompanying music video.{{Cite web|url=http://ambrosiaforheads.com/2016/09/bell-biv-devoe-run-video-hypnotize/|title=Bell Biv Devoe Make A Run With Their First New Song In 15 Years (Video)|date=2016-09-12|language=en-US|access-date=2016-09-12}} 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, 2023, BBD released a new single entitled, "Act Like You Know" featuring Rev Run.

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.Special. "Hammer gets rapped at Soul Train awards :[FIN Edition]. " Toronto Star 14 Mar. 1991, ProQuest Newsstand, ProQuest. Web. 10 Apr. 2010.

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

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| style="text-align:left;"| WBBD-Bootcity!: The Remix Album

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| 1992

| style="text-align:left;"| "The Best Things in Life Are Free" (Luther Vandross featuring Janet Jackson, BBD and Ralph Tresvant)

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| 2{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/27971/luther-vandross-and-janet-jackson/|title=LUTHER VANDROSS AND JANET JACKSON | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company|website=OfficialCharts.com}}

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• AUS: Platinum{{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia|edition=pdf|pages=28, 293}}
• BPI: Silver{{cite web|title=Janet Jackson & Luther Vandross - The Best Things in Life Are Free|url=https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/6771-1007-1|website=bpi.co.uk|access-date=20 August 2022}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Mo' Money (soundtrack)

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| rowspan="3"| 1993

| style="text-align:left;"| "Gangsta"

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• AUS: Gold

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| style="text-align:left;"| "Above the Rim"

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| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="2"| Hootie Mack

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| style="text-align:left;"| "Something in Your Eyes"

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| 1995

| style="text-align:left;"| "The Best Things in Life Are Free"{{Ref label|note_b1|b|}} (Luther Vandross featuring Janet Jackson, BBD and Ralph Tresvant)

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| 7{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/35516/luther-vandross-janet-jackson/|title = Luther Vandross/Janet Jackson | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company|website = OfficialCharts.com}}

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| style="text-align:left;"| Mo' Money (soundtrack)

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| 2001

| style="text-align:left;"| "The Hot Shit"

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| style="text-align:left;"| BBD

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|2016

| style="text-align:left;"| "Run"

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| 7{{Ref label|note_c1|c|}}

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| rowspan="2" style="text-align:left;" | Three Stripes

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|2017

| style="text-align:left;"|"Finally" (featuring SWV)

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|18{{Ref label|note_c1|c|}}

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| 2023

| style="text-align:left;"|"Act Like You Know" (featuring Rev Run)

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| style="text-align:left;"| Non-album single

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| colspan="11" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

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Notes

{{Refbegin|}}

• a{{Note|note_a1}} 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;{{cite magazine |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1991/BB-1991-09-07.pdf#page=65|title=Hot 100 Singles Spotlight|last=Ellis|first=Michael|magazine=Billboard|publisher=BPI Communications|date=1991-09-07|access-date=2015-04-28|page=69|issn=0006-2510|volume=103|number=36}} however, it peaked at number 37 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart.{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/281150/bell-biv-devoe/chart?f=350|title=Billboard > Artists / Bell Biv DeVoe > Chart History > Radio Songs|publisher=Billboard|access-date=2017-03-23|archive-date=2015-10-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003194315/http://www.billboard.com/artist/281150/bell-biv-devoe/chart?f=350|url-status=dead}}
• b{{Note|note_b1}} Re-issued and remixed in 1995, and therefore classed as a separate Top 10 hit{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/20111/luther-vandross/|title=Luther Vandross | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company|website=OfficialCharts.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/42628/janet-jackson/|title = Janet Jackson | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company|website = OfficialCharts.com}}
• c{{Note|note_c1}}Chart peak listed represent the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart.

{{Refend}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.artnomad.com/bbd/ BBD-Music.com (Old official website)]
• [http://www.bellbivdevoe.com/ BellBivDevoe.com (Future official website)]
• {{discogs artist|Bell Biv Devoe}}
• {{imdb name|1661988}}

{{Bell Biv DeVoe}}

{{New Edition}}

{{American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bell Biv Devoe}}

Category:African-American musical trios

Category:American contemporary R&B musical groups

Category:New jack swing music groups

*

Category:MCA Records artists

Category:Universal Records artists

Category:Musical groups from Boston

Category:Musical groups established in 1989

Category:1989 establishments in Massachusetts