When the history books tell the story of Black music and name the greatest boy groups of all times, they will say the Temptations, The Jackson 5, and New Edition.
Ronnie Devoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ralph Tresvant and Johnnie Gill, the members of the iconic ’80s R&B group, are about to set out on a 30-city “The Culture Tour” with Charlie Wilson and Jodeci — the first in years.
During their promotion for the show, the guys appeared on the “Tamron Hall Show” and got emotional about their 44-year history as artists. After talking about the challenges of growing up in public housing, signing bad recording contracts that left them almost destitute and addiction, as documented also in their BET mini-series, they shared that the odds were all against them and they were “not supposed to make it.”
In one clip posted online, Ronnie shares, “We’re a reflection, when you look at our faces, of the projects and the places that we come from.”
“We were not supposed to make it out,” he emphatically states. “So, when you look at us and you see our faces, people out there that are in those situations know that you can make it out at the end of the day.”
As Ronnie’s voice cracks, the other members are visibly moved in different ways.
Michael Bivins, the man responsible for the multi-platinum selling group Boyz II Men (a group that took their names from a NE song), added, “As you can tell we are an emotional group and when we see each other there are subliminal conversations.”
He motions to Johnny Gill and then to Ralph Tresvant and communicates that both are going through personal trials in their lives.
“What makes it better is when you can sit down with anyone of your brothers and tell him how you feel and he gives you the greatest words of advice,” Biv states.
Fans and friends love New Edition and are excited to see them back together after a rocky few years.
“I SCREAMED 😃 and I 😭 watching my Brothers @NewEdition on @tamronhall #NewEdition 🔥🔥🔥🔥 #Love #Greatness #Truth for the #Culture #BlackHistory,” Sandi McCree says.
“A great show today w New Edition #TamronHallShow” another fan stated.
Some who missed parts of the broadcast because the president had a news conference, begged the networks to show a repeat of the episode.
“@wsbtv may you please re-air the @TamronHallShow with @NewEdition The show was interrupted because of a conference with @JoeBiden”
“The Culture Tour” starts on Feb. 16 in Columbus, Georgia, and ends in Miami on April 10. The tour will also stop in heavy-hitting markets like Los Angeles, New York and Boston, the group’s hometown. Tickets are sold on most platforms, but fans can check out the group’s website to find details on each show.
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