Bell Biv DeVoe
Landscapeyes
AliasBBD
OriginBoston, Massachusetts, U.S.
GenreR&B · hip hop · new jack swing
Years active1989–present
LabelMCA · Biv 10 · eOne Music
Spinoff ofNew Edition
Websitewww.bellbivdevoe.com
Current membersRicky Bell
Michael Bivins
Ronnie DeVoe

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 (1990), a key work in the new jack swing movement of the 1990s that combined elements of traditional soul and R&B with hip hop. It was supported by two singles: "Poison" and "Do Me!", both of which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The band released three more albums, though none matched the success of their debut. Their fourth album, Three Stripes (2017) is their most recent release.

Despite only producing four albums of original material in a 31-year span, the group has continuously toured and performed live,[1] 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.[2] 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.[3] This fusion of styles helped to expose them to a fan base which preferred a harder edged sound.[2] Poison reached number 1 on Billboards R&B/Hip-Hop chart, and its title track, along with its second single, "Do Me!", both reached number 3 on Billboards 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).[4] Poison also spawned the singles "B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me)?", "When Will I See You Smile Again?" and "She's Dope!"[5] Poison sold over four million copies, and was followed up by a remix album titled WBBD-Bootcity.[6][7]

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.[8] 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.[9]

In 2016, BBD released their first track in 15 years, "Run," along with an accompanying music video.[10] 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.

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.[11]

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

Discography

Studio albums

YearAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsCertifications
(sales thereshold)
US
[12]		US R&B
[13]		AUS
[14]		NZ
[15]		UK
[16]
1990

Poison

51831335
1993

Hootie Mack

  • Release date: June 1, 1993
  • Label: MCA Records
196333—
2001

BBD

—62———
2017

Three Stripes

1810———
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Remix album

YearAlbum detailsPeak chart
positions		Certifications
(sales threshold)
US
[12]		US R&B
[13]		AUS
[18]
1991

WBBD-Bootcity!: The Remix Album

  • Release date: August 27, 1991
  • Label: MCA Records
1818126

Compilation album

YearAlbum
2000

Bell Biv DeVoe Greatest Hits

  • Release date: September 26, 2000
  • Label: MCA

Singles

YearSinglePeak chart positionsCertifications
(sales threshold)		Album
US
[19]		US R&B
[20]		US Dance
[21]		AUS
[14][22][18]		NED
[23]		NZ
[15]		UK
[16]
1990"Poison"3176425319Poison
"Do Me!"34660—856
"B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me)?"26116100—3786
1991"When Will I See You Smile Again?"633—————
"She's Dope!"—9—151———
"Word to the Mutha!" (featuring Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill)———151—1176WBBD-Bootcity!: The Remix Album
1992"The Best Things in Life Are Free" (Luther Vandross featuring Janet Jackson, BBD and Ralph Tresvant)10—322062[24]Mo' Money (soundtrack)
1993"Gangsta"2122—17—11—
"Above the Rim"—81———15—Hootie Mack
"Something in Your Eyes"386—73——60
1995"The Best Things in Life Are Free" (Luther Vandross featuring Janet Jackson, BBD and Ralph Tresvant)——————7[27]Mo' Money (soundtrack)
2001"The Hot Shit"———————BBD
2016"Run"—7—————Three Stripes
2017"Finally" (featuring SWV)—18—————
2023"Act Like You Know" (featuring Rev Run)———————Non-album single
"—" 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;[28] however, it peaked at number 37 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart.[29]
  • b Re-issued and remixed in 1995, and therefore classed as a separate Top 10 hit[27][30][31]
  • cChart peak listed represent the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart.

Music videos

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

References

  1. ^ Triplett, Divine (2024-08-01). "Bell Biv Devoe Coming to Indy in August 2024". Indianapolis News | Indiana Weather | Indiana Traffic | WISH-TV |. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  2. ^ Heyliger, Mike. "Popdose Flashback ’90: Bell Biv DeVoe, Poison" (Popdose.com. March 11, 2010. Web. March 25, 2010.)
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Widran, Jonathan (April 14, 1991). "Producer Crosstalk". Music Connection
  5. ^ "Bell Biv DeVoe: Chart History". Billboard. n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2010.
  6. ^ Huey, Steve. "Bell Biv DeVoe: Biography." AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. n.d. Web. March 25, 2010.
  7. ^ Henderson, Alex. "WBBD-Bootcity! The Remix Album > Overview." AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. n.d. Web. April 12, 2010.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "Aerosmith, James Taylor, Boston, NKOTB and Others Perform at Boston Strong Benefit Concert". Classichitsandoldies.com. 2013-05-28. Archived from the original on December 25, 2013. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
  10. ^ "Bell Biv Devoe Make A Run With Their First New Song In 15 Years (Video)". 2016-09-12. Retrieved 2016-09-12.
  11. ^ Special. "Hammer gets rapped at Soul Train awards :[FIN Edition]. " Toronto Star 14 Mar. 1991, ProQuest Newsstand, ProQuest. Web. 10 Apr. 2010.
  12. ^ "Bell Biv DeVoe Chart History > Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-06-16.
  13. ^ "Bell Biv DeVoe Chart History > Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-06-16.
  14. ^ Australian (ARIA) chart peaks: *Top 50 peaks, other than "The Best Things in Life Are Free": "australian-charts.com > Bell Biv DeVoe in Australian Charts". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2019-06-16. *"The Best Things in Life Are Free": "australian-charts.com > Luther Vandross in Australian Charts". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2019-06-16. *Top 100 peaks to December 2010: Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. pdf ed. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 28.
  15. ^ New Zealand chart peaks: *All except "The Best Things in Life Are Free": "charts.nz > Bell Biv DeVoe in New Zealand Charts". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2019-06-16. *"The Best Things in Life Are Free": "charts.nz > Luther Vandross in New Zealand Charts". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2019-06-16.
  16. ^ UK chart peaks: *All except "The Best Things in Life Are Free": "Official Charts > Bell Biv DeVoe". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2019-06-16. *"The Best Things in Life Are Free": "Official Charts > Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2019-06-16.
  17. ^ "RIAA > Gold & Platinum > Search results for 'Bell Biv DeVoe' (from riaa.com)". Imgur.com (original source published by Recording Industry Association of America). Retrieved 2017-03-23.
  18. ^ "Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing February 10, 1992". Bubbling Down Under. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  19. ^ "Bell Biv DeVoe Chart History > Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-06-16.
  20. ^ "Bell Biv DeVoe Chart History > Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-06-16.
  21. ^ US Dance Club Songs chart peaks: *All except "The Best Things in Life Are Free": "Bell Biv DeVoe Chart History > Dance Club Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-06-16. *"The Best Things in Life Are Free": "Luther Vandross Chart History > Dance Club Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-06-16.
  22. ^ "Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing August 19, 1991". Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  23. ^ Dutch chart peaks: *"Poison": "dutchcharts.nl > Bell Biv DeVoe in Dutch Charts" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2019-06-16. *"The Best Things in Life Are Free": "dutchcharts.nl > Luther Vandross in Dutch Charts" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2019-06-16.
  24. ^ "LUTHER VANDROSS AND JANET JACKSON | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". OfficialCharts.com
  25. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. pdf ed. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. pp. 28, 293.
  26. ^ "Janet Jackson & Luther Vandross - The Best Things in Life Are Free". bpi.co.uk. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  27. ^ "Luther Vandross/Janet Jackson | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". OfficialCharts.com
  28. ^ Ellis, Michael (1991-09-07). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight". Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 36. BPI Communications. p. 69. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 2015-04-28.
  29. ^ "Billboard > Artists / Bell Biv DeVoe > Chart History > Radio Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2015-10-03. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
  30. ^ "Luther Vandross | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". OfficialCharts.com
  31. ^ "Janet Jackson | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". OfficialCharts.com