Bell Biv DeVoe | |
|---|---|
 Members withBobby Brown as “RBRM” during a 2018 interview. From left to right: Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, and Michael Bivins. | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | BBD |
| Origin | Boston,Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Labels | |
| Spinoff of | New Edition |
| Members | Ricky Bell Michael Bivins Ronnie DeVoe |
| Website | www |
Bell Biv DeVoe, also known asBBD, is an American music group from Boston, Massachusetts, formed from members ofNew Edition, consisting ofRicky Bell,Michael Bivins andRonnie DeVoe.
The band is best known for their debut album, the multi-platinum sellingPoison (1990), a key work in thenew jack swing movement of the 1990s that combined elements of traditionalsoul andR&B withhip hop. It was supported by two singles: "Poison" and "Do Me!", both of which peaked at number three on theBillboard 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.
The trio ofRicky Bell,Michael Bivins, andRonnie DeVoe has their origins as founders of theBoston-based quintetNew Edition, which had gained notice of famed producerMaurice 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 producersJimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, the three decided to form a new group, and were signed byMCA Records.[2] With help fromPublic Enemy producersEric Sadler,Hank andKeith Shocklee and several others, Bell Biv Devoe released its debut albumPoison 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 onBillboard's R&B/Hip-Hop chart, andits title track, along with its second single, "Do Me!", both reached number 3 onBillboard's Hot 100 chart. Shortly thereafter,Richard Wolf andEpic 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 titledWBBD-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 singersLuther Vandross andJanet Jackson, recorded for theJimmy Jam and Terry Lewisproduced soundtrack to the 1992 American filmMo' Money.
Bell Biv DeVoe releasedHootie Mack in 1993 on MCA Records, and the more hardcore rap/R&B influencedBBD in 2001 onBiv 10 Records. Neither album was as successful asPoison, thoughHootie 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" forBoston Strong, a benefit concert to raise money for victims of theBoston 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 albumThree Stripes, which was released January 27, 2017.
In 2023, they performed the national anthem with TheBoston Pops Orchestra at the2023 Winter Classic.
On October 5, 2023, BBD released a new single entitled, "Act Like You Know" featuringRev Run.
In 1991, the group received the award for Best R&B/Urban Contemporary Album of the Year, Group, Band or Duo forPoison at theSoul Train Music Awards.[11]
The group also received anAmerican Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group in 1992.
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications (sales thereshold) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [12] | US R&B [13] | AUS [14] | NZ [15] | UK [16] | |||
| 1990 | Poison
| 5 | 1 | 83 | 13 | 35 | |
| 1993 | Hootie Mack
| 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. | |||||||
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications (sales threshold) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [12] | US R&B [13] | AUS [18] | |||
| 1991 | WBBD-Bootcity!: The Remix Album
| 18 | 18 | 126 |
|
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 2000 | Bell Biv DeVoe Greatest Hits
|
Notes
| 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 |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
