| Also known as | BBD |
|---|---|
| Origin | Boston, Massachusetts, United States |
| Genres | R&B, new jack swing, hip hop |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Labels | MCA, Biv 10, eOne Music |
| Associated acts | New Edition, Boyz II Men, Another Bad Creation, TLC, Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill, Ralph Tresvant |
| Website | www.bellbivdevoe.com |
| Members | Ricky Bell Michael Bivins Ronnie DeVoe |
Poison is the debut studio album from American R&B/hip hop group Bell Biv DeVoe, released March 20, 1990 on MCA Records. The album peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 chart. By April 1995, it was certified quadruple-platinum in sales by the RIAA, after sales exceeding 4,000,000 copies in the United States. (I Thought It Was Me)?' Is a new jack swing song by Bell Biv Devoe. [1] Released as the third single from the album, Poison, it spent one week at number one on the US R&B chart and peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart.
Bell Biv DeVoe, also known as BBD, is an American music group formed from members of the 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, most recently Three Stripes which came out in 2017.
Despite only producing four albums of original material in a 27 year span, the group has continuously toured and performed live, both as an act on their own, and on several New Edition reunion tours.
- 3Discography
History[edit]
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 Poison 1990 Lyrics
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 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 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[edit]
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[edit]
Bell Biv Devoe Poison Cd
Studio albums[edit]
| 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
| 19 | 6 | 3 | 33 | — |
|
| 2001 | BBD
| — | 62 | — | — | — | |
| 2017 | Three Stripes
| 18 | 10 | — | — | — | |
Remix album[edit]
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications (sales threshold) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [13] | US R&B [14] | |||
| 1991 | WBBD-Bootcity!: The Remix Album
| 18 | 18 |
|
Compilation album[edit]
Bell Biv Devoe Poison Video
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 2000 | Bell Biv DeVoe Greatest Hits
|
Singles[edit]
| 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 | ||
| 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[edit]
Bell Biv Devoe Poison 1990 Full
| 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[edit]
- ^ abHeyliger, Mike. 'Popdose Flashback ’90: Bell Biv DeVoe, Poison.' Popdose.com. Popdose.com. 11 Mar. 2010. Web. 25 Mar. 2010.
- ^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.
- ^Widran, Jonathan (April 14, 1991). 'Producer Crosstalk'. Music Connection.
- ^'Bell Biv DeVoe: Chart History'. Billboard. n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2010.
- ^Huey, Steve. 'Bell Biv DeVoe: Biography.' Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2010.
- ^Henderson, Alex. 'WBBD-Bootcity! The Remix Album > Overview.' Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2010
- ^Savona, Anthony (June 1991). 'Hot Picks'. EQ.
- ^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.
- ^'Aerosmith, James Taylor, Boston, NKOTB and Others Perform at Boston Strong Benefit Concert'. Classichitsandoldies.com. 2013-05-28. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
- ^'Bell Biv Devoe Make A Run With Their First New Song In 15 Years (Video)'. 2016-09-12. Retrieved 2016-09-12.
- ^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.
- ^Special. 'Hammer gets rapped at Soul Train awards :[FIN Edition]. ' Toronto Star 14 Mar. 1991, ProQuest Newsstand, ProQuest. Web. 10 Apr. 2010.
- ^ ab'Bell Biv DeVoe Chart History > Billboard 200'. Billboard. Retrieved 2019-06-16.
- ^ ab'Bell Biv DeVoe Chart History > Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums'. Billboard. Retrieved 2019-06-16.
- ^ abAustralian (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.
- ^ abNew Zealand chart peaks:
- All except 'The Best Things in Life Are Free': 'charts.org.nz > Bell Biv DeVoe in New Zealand Charts'. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2019-06-16.
- 'The Best Things in Life Are Free': 'charts.org.nz > Luther Vandross in New Zealand Charts'. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2019-06-16.
- ^ abUK 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.
- ^ abcd'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.
- ^'Bell Biv DeVoe Chart History > Hot 100'. Billboard. Retrieved 2019-06-16.
- ^'Bell Biv DeVoe Chart History > Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs'. Billboard. Retrieved 2019-06-16.
- ^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.
- ^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.
- ^ abRyan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. pp. 28, 293.
- ^Ellis, Michael (1991-09-07). 'Hot 100 Singles Spotlight'(PDF). Billboard. BPI Communications. 103 (36): 69. ISSN0006-2510. Retrieved 2015-04-28.
- ^'Billboard > Artists / Bell Biv DeVoe > Chart History > Radio Songs'. Billboard. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
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