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Bell Biv DeVoe

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Bell Biv DeVoe
Also known asBBD
OriginBoston, Massachusetts, United States
Genres
Years active1989–present
Labels
MembersRicky Bell
Michael Bivins
Ronnie DeVoe
Websitewww.bellbivdevoe.com

Bell Biv DeVoe, also known as BBD, is an American music group 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 #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 in 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 1990, 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] Richard Wolf and Epic Mazur helped create BBD's premiere album, blending rhythm, blues, pop, and rock, and Poison achieve triple Platinum success.[7]

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 4 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.

On June 25, 2019, The New York Times Magazine listed Bell Biv DeVoe among hundreds of artists whose material was reportedly destroyed in the 2008 Universal fire.[11]

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.[12]

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
[13] 		US R&B
[14] 		AUS
[15] 		NZ
[16] 		UK
[17]
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 — — —

Remix album

Year Album details Peak chart
positions 		Certifications
(sales threshold)
US
[13] 		US R&B
[14]
1991 WBBD-Bootcity!: The Remix Album
  • Release date: August 27, 1991
  • Label: MCA Records
 18 18

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
[19] 		US R&B
[20] 		US Dance
[21] 		AUS
[15] 		NED
[22] 		NZ
[16] 		UK
[17]
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 — — — — —
"Word to the Mutha!" (featuring Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill) —[a] — — — — — — 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 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
2001 "The Hot Shit" — — — — — — — BBD
2016 "Run" — 7[b] — — — — — Three Stripes
2017 "Finally" (featuring SWV) — 18[b] — — — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

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;[24] however, it peaked at number 37 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart.[25]
  • b^ 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. ^ a b Heyliger, Mike. "Popdose Flashback ’90: Bell Biv DeVoe, Poison." Popdose.com. Popdose.com. 11 Mar. 2010. Web. 25 Mar. 2010.
  2. ^ J. D. Considine. "After a great 1990, Bell Biv DeVoe to ring in new year: [FINAL Edition]". 28 Dec. 1990, The 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. 25 Mar. 2010.
  6. ^ Henderson, Alex. "WBBD-Bootcity! The Remix Album > Overview." Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2010
  7. ^ Savona, Anthony (June 1991). "Hot Picks". EQ.
  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. 10 Apr. 2010.
  9. ^ "Aerosmith, James Taylor, Boston, NKOTB and Others Perform at Boston Strong Benefit Concert". Classichitsandoldies.com. 2013-05-28. 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. ^ Rosen, Jody (25 June 2019). "Here Are Hundreds More Artists Whose Tapes Were Destroyed in the UMG Fire". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  12. ^ Special. "Hammer gets rapped at Soul Train awards :[FIN Edition]. " Toronto Star 14 Mar. 1991, ProQuest Newsstand, ProQuest. Web. 10 Apr. 2010.
  13. ^ a b "Bell Biv DeVoe Chart History > Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-06-16.
  14. ^ a b "Bell Biv DeVoe Chart History > Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-06-16.
  15. ^ a b Australian (ARIA) chart peaks:
  16. ^ a b New Zealand chart peaks:
  17. ^ a b UK chart peaks:
  18. ^ a b c d "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.
  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:
  22. ^ Dutch chart peaks:
  23. ^ a b Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. pp. 28, 293.
  24. ^ Ellis, Michael (1991-09-07). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight" (PDF). Billboard. 103 (36). BPI Communications: 69. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 2015-04-28.
  25. ^ "Billboard > Artists / Bell Biv DeVoe > Chart History > Radio Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-03-23.


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