We can't wait to check out New Edition at this year's ESSENCE Music Festival (got tickets?). A few months ago, Bell Biv Devoe hit the stage on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" to perform "Poison," and all of that late-1980s/early-'90s goodness came flooding back to us. To get you all in the mood with us, here's a playlist from the fabulous group that introduced us to Ralph, Ronny, Bobby, Ricky, Mike and Johnny.
New Edition are the latest addition to the ESSENCE Music Festival (Got Tickets) line-up and we couldn’t be happier. A few months ago, Bell Biv Devoe hit the stage on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” to perform “Poison” and all of the late 1980s and 1990s came flooding back to us. To get you all in the mood with us, here’s a playlist from the fabulous group that introduced us to Ralph, Ronny, Bobby, Ricky, Mike and Johnny.
Candy Girl
Candy Girl: We’re sure New Edition’s five pre-teens had no idea how much their music and image would impact popular culture. The Boston kids, who called the Boston projects home, created the blue print for groups like NSync and the Backstreet Boys, beginning with the bubblegum hit “Candy Girl.”
Is This The End?
Is This The End?: If you really want to know about heartbreak, ask a teenager. On “Is This The End?” Ralph squeals about how love’s done him wrong and we cry along with him.
Cool It Now
Cool It Now: You know you wanted Ralph’s girlfriend’s pink bow headband “Cool It Now” stands out as one of New Edition’s biggest hits.
Telephone Man
Mr. Telephone Man: Who would ever hang up on New Edition? That girl on “Mr. Telephone Man” must’ve been crazy!
I’m Still In Love With You
I’m Still In Love With You: Just when people had finally succumbed to the K-Ci and JoJo barrage that was the mid-1990’s, New Edition bounced back with “I’m Still In Love With You.” Complete with Ricky and Ralph’s emotional tenors and shots of the group on a boat called the “S.S. Candy Girl” in the video, this cut was the jam from proms to grown and sexy clubs.
Hit Me Off
Hit Me Off: In the “Hit Me Off” video, the guys play reactivated CIA agents fighting off criminal-minded women in platforms and spandex. This clip is worth viewing if only for Ricky scene riding a BMX bike and Bobby trying to ditch a female attacker by windshield-wiping her to death.
You Are Not My Kind of Girl
You’re Not My Kind of Girl: It’s not you, it’s me. No, really this was the message behind the guys’ “You’re Not My Kind of Girl.” Talk about the nicest break-up song ever, Ralph’s such a kind man.
N.E. Heartbreak
N.E. Heartbreak: The “N.E. Heartbreak” video demonstrates what groups do when they’ve made it big, ie. nab a Malcolm Jamal-Warner cameo, shoot footage of you on motorcycles and organize your own welcome home party.
Hot 2nite
Hot 2nite: “Hot 2Nite” dropped in 2004 when the guys returned to the music biz as Bad Boy Records signees. Surprisingly, Ryan Leslie produced this jam and we still love it — especially the video’s dance breakdown. Don’t laugh when we recreate it in New Orleans.
Can You Stand the Rain
Can You Stand The Rain: “Can You Stand The Rain” is the ultimate slow jam. From the trench coats to Johnny Gill’s solo, which essentially sealed his transition into New Edition as an official member, “The Rain” is an R&B classic.
