Ricky Bell (singer)

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Ricky Bell
Ricky Bell on Sister Circle Live.jpg
Ricky Bell on Sister Circle Live in 2018
Background information
Birth nameRicardo Bell
Also known asSlick
Born (1967-09-18) September 18, 1967 (age 56)
Origin Roxbury, Massachusetts, US
Genres New jack swing
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • rapper
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1978–present
Labels CD Baby (solo)
(2000)
So So Def/Geffen (2008–present)

Ricardo Bell (born September 18, 1967) [1] [2] is an American singer best known as one of the founding members of R&B/pop group New Edition, and the lead singer of Bell Biv DeVoe. As a solo artist, Bell released the album Ricardo Campana in 2000.

Contents

Early life and career

The youngest of eleven children, Bell was born in Roxbury, Boston, Massachusetts and grew up in the Orchard Park Projects. [3] He began his career singing with close friend Ralph Tresvant in the group Ricky and Ralph. Later, Bell, along with Michael Bivins, Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant, and Ronnie DeVoe formed New Edition. The group began a career in 1978 that has spanned more than 30 years. [4] After the departure of Brown, Johnny Gill joined the group in the mid-1980s. Before Gill joined the group, Bell was originally the oldest member of New Edition. After the group recorded the album "Heartbreak", Bell was given the chance to go solo but opted instead to form Bell Biv DeVoe, with Bivins and DeVoe. [4] [5]

The "best kept secret" originally gained the respect of the industry when record producer Jimmy Jam had the idea for the spin-off group Bell Biv DeVoe with Bell as the lead singer. BBD, as the group is commonly known, was the first to integrate elements of Rap and R&B consistently, calling their style "Hip-hop smoothed out on an R&B tip with a pop feel appeal to it." BBD's 1990 debut established Bell as a lead singer capable of chart topping success. [6] Though Bell had primarily performed as a backup vocalist with New Edition, he emerged as one of the most utilized voices on singles released by the group in the 1990s. With the exception of the ensemble songs "Hot2Nite" and "Hit Me Off", and the Brown-led "You Don't Have to Worry," Bell performed lead or co-lead on the remainder of the group's charting singles.

With Bell Biv DeVoe and New Edition, Bell has over two dozen TV and film performances including Knight Rider , The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air , New York Undercover , Family Matters , the movie Krush Groove , and numerous music, variety and awards programs. [7]

Bell sang the BBD hit "Poison" along with Ne-Yo at the 2009 BET Awards. [8]

In 2008, Bell, as a member of New Edition, was the recipient of the Golden Note Award at ASCAP's 21st Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards. [9] In 2017, Bell Biv DeVoe released a new album called Three Stripes ; it was the trio's first album in 15 years. [10]

Personal life

In 2004, in a double wedding with Tresvant, Bell married actress Amy Correa. [11] [12] Bell is a fan of the Boston Celtics. [13]

In The New Edition Story miniseries released in 2017, it was revealed that Bell had struggled with substance abuse in the mid-1990s, using marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, alcohol, and oxycontin to the point of losing his house and selling his personal property to satisfy his addictions. Eventually, he overdosed on cocaine and nearly lost his life, prompting him to enter rehab. Bell has maintained sobriety since checking out of rehabilitation. In contrast to fellow New Edition member Bobby Brown, whose drug struggles were covered prominently in the media during this time period, Bell's struggles with addiction were not publicized until the release of the miniseries in 2017. [14]

Discography

New Edition
Bell Biv DeVoe
Solo

Track listing

  1. Spanish Fly - 5:06
  2. My Body - 4:47
  3. Can't Stay Away - 5:11
  4. It's All About You - 4:30
  5. Come Back - 4:51
  6. Struggle ft. Johnny Gill (Urban mix) - 3:44
  7. Have Ya Cake ft. Ronnie DeVoe - 4:52
  8. If I Had My Way - 4:41
  9. Still I See ft. Ronnie DeVoe & Greg Lawson - 8:04
  10. Down 4 Life - 4:16
  11. Sunday ft. Ronnie DeVoe - 4:35
  12. Struggle ft. Johnny Gill (Smooth edit) - 3:28

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bell Biv DeVoe</span> American R&B group

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Bivins</span> Musical artist

Michael Lamont Bivins is an American singer, rapper, manager, actor, and producer, and a founding member of New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Edition</span> American R&B group

New Edition is an American R&B/pop group from the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1978 by singer/rapper Bobby Brown with Ralph Tresvant serving as the group's lead singer for over 40 years. Their name is taken to mean a new edition of the Jackson 5. The group reached its height of popularity in the 1980s and is considered the blueprint for what would become the modern boy band. The lineup originally consisted of Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown, and Ralph Tresvant, the lead singer. Brown left the group in late 1985 to begin a successful solo career, and they continued as a quartet for one album, before adding Johnny Gill to the lineup in 1987. Early hits included "Candy Girl", "Cool It Now", and "Mr. Telephone Man". Tresvant was the lead singer on most of the songs. In 1990, both Gill and Tresvant released their own solo albums, while the remaining three members formed the trio Bell Biv DeVoe; the group ceased to work together for the first half of the 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ralph Tresvant</span> Musical artist

Ralph Edward Tresvant is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer, best known as the lead singer of R&B group New Edition. As a solo artist, Tresvant released his double platinum-selling debut album Ralph Tresvant (1990). In 2008, he began touring with Bobby Brown and Johnny Gill in a new group named Heads of State. October 13 is Ralph Tresvant Day in Boston, MA and Little Rock, AR. In 2019 and 2020, Gill and Tresvant released two new singles, Perfect and All Mine. On February 3, 2023, Urban One Inc's Reach Media and Radio One announced that Ralph Tresvant, lead singer of famed supergroup New Edition, is now the new host of the network's long-running syndicated show "Love and R&B," heard nightly on all affiliate stations, effective February 13.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronnie DeVoe</span> American singer and rapper

Ronald Boyd DeVoe Jr., is an American singer and rapper known as one of the members of the R&B/pop group New Edition, and the R&B/hip hop group Bell Biv DeVoe. He was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts.

<i>Candy Girl</i> (album) 1983 studio album by New Edition

Candy Girl is the debut album of New Edition, released by Streetwise Records on July 19, 1983. The album was produced by Maurice Starr and Arthur Baker.

<i>All for Love</i> (New Edition album) 1985 studio album by New Edition

All for Love is the third studio album by American R&B quintet New Edition, released by MCA Records on November 8, 1985. The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Also, this would be the final studio album to feature original group member Bobby Brown, who would shortly depart for a solo career until he would later return for their 1996 comeback album with the group, Home Again.

<i>Heart Break</i> 1988 studio album by New Edition

Heart Break is the fifth studio album by American R&B quintet New Edition, released June 20, 1988, by MCA Records. It is the first album to return the Boston-reared band as a quintet after the public exit of original member Bobby Brown, and the first album to feature Johnny Gill as a member of the group. The album was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<i>Home Again</i> (New Edition album) 1996 studio album by New Edition

Home Again is the sixth studio album by American R&B/pop group New Edition. Released on September 10, 1996, it is the only album to date to feature all six members of New Edition—Bobby Brown, who had left the group in 1985, rejoined the lineup—and was their final recording for MCA Records. Highly anticipated, and being their first album since, Heart Break (1988), the album debuted on the US Billboard 200 at number one, becoming the group's first album to open at number one, selling 227,000 in its first week sales. It also topped the Irish Albums Chart, and the US Billboard R&B Albums Chart as the group's first album in twelve years to do so since their self titled album in 1984. The album's success spawned four singles that collectively received moderate Billboard chart success. It was certified double platinum by the RIAA, for sales and shipments of over two million copies on February 4, 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cool It Now</span> 1984 single by New Edition

"Cool It Now" is a 1984 hit single by American group New Edition, is the first single from their eponymous second album, New Edition. In the US, the song entered the Hot Black Singles chart on September 1, 1984. The song peaked at number 4 in January 1985 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Lyrically, the song with lead vocals by Ralph Tresvant depicts a guy professing his love for a girl, despite growing concerns from his friends.

"Count Me Out" is a song released as a single by R&B/pop group New Edition from their All for Love album, released in September 1985 on the MCA label.

<i>WBBD-Bootcity!: The Remix Album</i> 1991 remix album by Bell Biv DeVoe

WBBD - Bootcity!: The Remix Album is a remix album released by R&B group Bell Biv DeVoe. It was released on August 27, 1991 via MCA Records, and was composed of remixes of songs from the group's debut album Poison. The album reached No. 18 on the Billboard 200. It was certified gold on October 23, 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crucial (song)</span> 1989 single by New Edition

"Crucial" is New Edition's fourth single from the Heart Break album. The single featured production from Jellybean Johnson, Spencer Bernard, and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. "Crucial" hit No. 4 on the Billboard R&B singles chart. It was featured on the License to Drive soundtrack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Still in Love with You (New Edition song)</span> 1996 single by New Edition

"I'm Still in Love with You" is the second single from American R&B/pop group New Edition as a sextet from their sixth studio album, Home Again (1996). The song was released on October 22, 1996 as the album's second single by MCA. Ralph Tresvant and Ricky Bell sing lead vocals; all six members sing background vocals throughout the song. The video for "I'm Still in Love with You" was shot at Villa Vizcaya in Miami, and once again featured all six members. The song was a big success on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number seven, and was the second single to be certified gold from the Home Again project.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One More Day (New Edition song)</span> 1997 single by New Edition

"One More Day" is the fifth and final single from the Home Again album. It was released in the US with a B-side featuring a Darkchild remix to "Something About You". Ricky Bell and Ralph Tresvant were the lead vocalists. All six members were featured as background vocalists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">N.E. Heart Break (song)</span> 1989 single by New Edition

"N.E. Heart Break" is a song performed by American R&B quintet New Edition. The song serves as the fifth and final single from their sixth studio album Heart Break (1988).

<i>Hootie Mack</i> 1993 studio album by Bell Biv DeVoe

Hootie Mack is the second studio album released by R&B group, Bell Biv DeVoe. It was released through MCA Records on June 1, 1993, and featured production from the group itself and some of R&B's top producers such as Chris Stokes, L.A. Reid and Babyface. As the follow-up to the group's quadruple platinum debut album, Poison, expectations were high. Although Hootie Mack was not as successful as Poison, the album peaked at 19 on the Billboard 200 and 6 on the Top R&B Albums. Two singles made it to the charts—"Something in Your Eyes" and "Above the Rim", the former making it to 38 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was certified gold on August 25, 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Word to the Mutha!</span> 1991 single by Bell Biv DeVoe featuring Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant

"Word to the Mutha!" is a song co-written and performed by American contemporary R&B group Bell Biv DeVoe and co-written and produced by Wolf & Epic. It originally appeared on their debut studio album Poison under the title "Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Mike, Ralph and Johnny !", but the title was shortened and a remixed version of the song was issued as the only official single from the group's remix album WBBD-Bootcity!: The Remix Album. The song features vocals from Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant. It was the first recorded song to feature all six members of New Edition. Brown, Tresvant and Gill are credited separately on the single, rather than collectively as New Edition.

<i>Three Stripes</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Bell Biv DeVoe

Three Stripes is the fourth studio album by American R&B trio Bell Biv DeVoe. It was released on January 27, 2017 through Entertainment One. Recording sessions took place at 916 Music Studios, at Divine Mill Studios in New Jersey, at Hot Beats Studios and Studio Crib Zeno in Atlanta, at The Lab in New York City, at Nu Shoez Studios, at Forge Recording in Oreland, at Studio At The Palms in Las Vegas. Production was handled by several record producers, including Carvin & Ivan, Cyrus Deshield, DJ Battlecat, Doug E. Fresh, Erick Sermon, KayGee, Lil' Ronnie, LRoc, Rance, and BBD member Michael Bivins, with associate co-producer Gee Spin. It features guest appearances from Boyz II Men, Doug E. Fresh and SWV. The album peaked at number 18 on the Billboard 200, number 10 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and topped the Independent Albums in the United States.

The New Edition Story is an American biographical three-part miniseries about the R&B group New Edition, from their rise to fame as a boy band from the Orchard Park Projects of Roxbury, Massachusetts, to becoming a successful adult act. It was originally broadcast on BET from January 24 through January 26, 2017, becoming the network's first scripted miniseries. All six members of New Edition served as co-producers.

References

  1. "Ricky Bell | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links". AllMusic . Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  2. "Aww! New Edition Members And Their Wives Came Together To Celebrate Ricky Bell's 50th Birthday". Essence.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  3. "'New Edition Story' is a faithful retelling of the group's highs and lowse". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  4. 1 2 "How R&B Group New Edition Pioneered New Jack Swing". LiveAbout.
  5. Robicheau, Paul (August 2, 1990). "Bell Biv DeVoe's successful 'Poison'". The Boston Globe . p. 26. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  6. "Traffic Entertainment Group | FEATURED ARTIST: Bell Biv DeVoe". Trafficent.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  7. "Ricky Bell". IMDb.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  8. "2010 BET Awards Performances and Highlights". BET.com.
  9. "ASCAP Golden Note Award". Ascap.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  10. Penrose, Nerisha. "Where are the Six Members of New Edition Now?". billboard.com. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
  11. Reid, Shaheem (November 8, 2004). "One Love But Two Sounds: Classic New Edition And '04 BBD Flow". MTV News. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  12. Penn, Charli (March 21, 2018). "Ricky Bell and Wife Amy Correa Bell Open Up About Their First Duet, Fighting For Their Marriage and Their Unbreakable Bond". Essence.com. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  13. 1 2 "New Edition's Ricky Bell Still Keeps Busy". Bustle.com.
  14. "Ricky Bell and Addiction". Iamsober.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  15. Dunn, Derrick (July 10, 2020). "Flashback Friday Album Review: Ricky Bell, Ricardo Campana: The Album". reviewanddunn.net. Reviews & Dunn. Retrieved August 12, 2022. Bell reunites with his former group mates on a few tracks... Ronnie DeVoe adds raps to the songs "Sunday", "Have Ya Cake" and "Still I See"