Bell Biv DeVoe

Bell Biv DeVoe is an American R&B and New Jack Swing trio formed by Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe, three members of the iconic boy band New Edition. After New Edition's 1988 album «Heart Break», the trio branched out on their own in 1989, bringing a harder-edged, hip-hop-inflected sound to R&B that helped define the New Jack Swing era.

Their 1990 debut album «Poison» was a landmark release, driven by the title track and «Do Me!», both showcasing their signature blend of smooth vocal harmonies over aggressive, funk-driven beats. The record's street-savvy attitude and dance-floor energy made it a crossover hit and cemented Bell Biv DeVoe as pioneers of the genre alongside acts like Guy and Teddy Riley's productions.

The group continued with albums such as «Hootie Mack» and later «Three Stripes», while remaining active as members of New Edition and various offshoot configurations. Bell Biv DeVoe's legacy rests on fusing R&B songcraft with hip-hop grit, influencing a generation of R&B acts that followed in the 1990s.