Once three-fifths of New Edition, Bell Biv DeVoe were pioneers of a style of music called new jack swing, which combined smooth rapping over sweet R&B beats. But the genre was more than just a type of music; it was part of the late ’80s/early ’90s zeitgeist. Largely ignoring the cultural turmoil of the time (Rodney King, AIDS), new jack swing was a feel-good movement, incorporating music, television (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, In Living Color) and fresh new street styles (ill-fitting parachute pants, flat-top fades). Yes, kids, that was the golden age. Relive this — and your past fashion missteps — on Sunday, as Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe perform hits like “Poison,” “Do Me!” and “She’s Dope!”
This article appears in Jan 15-21, 2009.