Bell Biv DeVoe

Bell Biv DeVoe
Also known as BBD
Origin Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Genres New jack swing, hip hop
Years active 1989–present
Labels MCA, Biv 10
Associated acts New Edition, Boyz II Men, Another Bad Creation, TLC
Members Ricky Bell
Michael Bivins
Ronnie DeVoe

Bell Biv DeVoe is an American music group that branched off from New Edition. It consists of three members of New Edition, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe.

History

After a temporary closing of doors for 1980's act New Edition, Bell, Bivins, and DeVoe went on to form Bell Biv Devoe, at the suggestion of producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. Upon accepting the idea, MCA records wrote down the name Bell Bivins Devoe, but Bivins suggested they remove the ins from his name and just call the group Bell Biv Devoe.[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, on MCA Records. The album was 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 who prefer a harder edge 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 One 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 three 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 went on to release 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. Despite the fact that their last album was released in 2001, 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 occasion. 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]

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 for [10]

Members

Present

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thereshold)
US
[11]
US R&B
[11]
AUS
[12][13]
NZ
[14]
UK
[15]
1990 Poison 5 1 83 13 35
1993 Hootie Mack
  • Release date: June 1993
  • Label: MCA Records
19 6 3 33
2001 BBD
  • Release date: December 18, 2001
  • Label: Biv10/Universal Records
62
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Remix album

Year Album details Peak chart
positions
Certifications
(sales threshold)
US
[11]
US R&B
[11]
1991 WBBD-Bootcity!: The Remix Album
  • Release date: August 27, 1991
  • Label: MCA Records
18 18

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales threshold)
Album
US
[17]
US R&B
[17]
US Dance
[17]
AUS
[13][18]
NZ
[19]
NED
[20]
UK
[15]
1990 "Poison" 3 1 7 64 3 25 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] 11 WBBD-Bootcity
1992 "The Best Things in Life Are Free" (Luther Vandross featuring Janet Jackson, BBD and Ralph Tresvant) 10 1 3 2 6 20 2 Mo' Money (soundtrack)
1993 "Gangsta" 21 22 17 11 Hootie Mack
"Something in Your Eyes" 38 6 73 60
"Above the Rim" 81 15
2001 "The Hot Shit" BBD
"—" 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;[22] however, it peaked at number 37 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart.[23]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 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]." The Sun 28 Dec. 1990, The Sun, Baltimore, ProQuest. Web. 1 Apr. 2010.
  3. Widran, Jonathan (April 14, 1991). "Producer Crosstalk". Music Connection.
  4. “Bell Biv DeVoe: Chart History.” Billboard.com. 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. Special. "Hammer gets rapped at Soul Train awards :[FIN Edition]. " Toronto Star 14 Mar. 1991, ProQuest Newsstand, ProQuest. Web. 10 Apr. 2010.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 "allmusic ((( Bell Biv DeVoe > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums )))". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-06-07.
  12. "australian-charts.com - Australian charts portal". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2010-06-07.
  13. 13.0 13.1 Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  14. "charts.org.nz - New Zealand charts portal". charts.org.nz. Retrieved 2010-06-07.
  15. 15.0 15.1 "Chart Stats - Bell Biv DeVoe". chartstats.com. Retrieved 2010-06-07.
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 "RIAA - Gold & Platinum - June 07, 2010: Bell Biv DeVoe certified albums". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2010-06-07.
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 "allmusic ((( Bell Biv DeVoe > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-06-07.
  18. "australian-charts.com - Australian chart portal". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2010-06-07.
  19. "charts.org.nz - New Zealand charts portal". charts.org.nz. Retrieved 2010-06-07.
  20. "Bell Biv DeVoe - Dutch Chart". http://dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2014-04-05.
  21. "RIAA - Gold & Platinum - June 07, 2010: Bell Biv DeVoe certified singles". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2010-06-07.
  22. Ellis, Michael (1991-09-07). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight" (PDF). Billboard (BPI Communications) 103 (36): 69. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 2015-04-28.
  23. "Bell Biv DeVoe - Chart history". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2015-04-28.

External links