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, 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.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 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). 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.
In 2016, BBD released their first track in 15 years, "Run," along with an accompanying music video. 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.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.
Discography
Studio albums
Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications(sales thereshold) US US R&B AUSAustralian (ARIA) chart peaks: Top 50 peaks, other than "The Best Things in Life Are Free": "The Best Things in Life Are Free": Top 100 peaks to December 2010: NZNew Zealand chart peaks: All except "The Best Things in Life Are Free": "The Best Things in Life Are Free": UKUK chart peaks: All except "The Best Things in Life Are Free": "The Best Things in Life Are Free": 1990 Poison Release date: March 20, 1990 Label: MCA Records 5 1 83 13 35 US: 4× Platinum 1993 Hootie Mack Release date: June 1, 1993 Label: MCA Records 19 6 3 33 — US: Gold 2001 BBD Release date: December 18, 2001 Label: Biv10/Universal Records — 62 — — —2017 Three Stripes Release date: January 27, 2017 Label: eOne/Entertainment One Music 18 10 — — — "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
Remix album
Year Album details Peak chartpositions Certifications(sales threshold) US US R&B AUS 1991 WBBD-Bootcity!: The Remix Album Release date: August 27, 1991 Label: MCA Records 18 18 126 US: Gold
Compilation album Year Album 2000 Bell Biv DeVoe Greatest Hits Release date: September 26, 2000 Label: MCA
Singles
Year Single Peak chart positions Certifications(sales threshold) Album US US R&B US DanceUS Dance Club Songs chart peaks: All except "The Best Things in Life Are Free": "The Best Things in Life Are Free": AUS NEDDutch chart peaks: "Poison": "The Best Things in Life Are Free": NZ UK 1990 "Poison" 3 1 7 64 25 3 19 US: Platinum 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 — 151 — — — "Word to the Mutha!" (featuring Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill) — — — 151 — 11 76 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 2AUS: Platinum BPI: Silver Mo' Money (soundtrack) 1993 "Gangsta" 21 22 — 17 — 11 —AUS: Gold "Above the Rim" — 81 — — — 15 — Hootie Mack "Something in Your Eyes" 38 6 — 73 — — 60 1995 "The Best Things in Life Are Free" (Luther Vandross featuring Janet Jackson, BBD and Ralph Tresvant) — — — — — — 7 Mo' Money (soundtrack) 2001 "The Hot Shit" — — — — — — — BBD2016 "Run" — 7 — — — — — Three Stripes2017"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; however, it peaked at number 37 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart. b Re-issued and remixed in 1995, and therefore classed as a separate Top 10 hit cChart 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)?" "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
External links BBD-Music.com (Old official website) BellBivDevoe.com (Future official website)