With the recent premiere of “The Bobby Brown Story,” the epic biopic on r&b icon Bobby Brown, nothing could be better than attending a concert in which the music legend is headlining with fellow New Edition group members as a part of a nationwide tour. Not to mention, last year’s premiere of the miniseries, “The New Edition Story,” which earned top cable biopic of all time honors. Considering the miniseries success, a concert in front of a sold out crowd at The Miller High Life Theater on Thursday, Sept. 13 proved to be an obvious follow-up.
I’d heard about the concert in a similar way as the biopics. With the same excitement and everything, I turned on the computer just as I did the television. I saw that Bobby Brown and Bell Biv DeVoe were doing a tour just as I had seen that Bobby Brown and New Edition were doing movies. After having just watched Brown’s two-night movie premiere, I couldn’t resist looking into what he and the groups were up to musically.
Both projects are monumental ventures. Just like their subjects, the projects are new and fresh. The movies started a true effort by taking on the story of New Edition, and then taking on often disbanded member and the group’s most successful solo act, Bobby Brown, back to back. The tour has come with that same effort by taking an old beloved thing and embarking on a new loved thing.
And so it goes: Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, and Mike. How it’s always been, but also how it’s never been done before. The four New Edition band mates now form the group RBRM, which is just an acronym made up of the four members’ initials, just like Bell Biv DeVoe. It didn’t take long for the new group to take the stage like old times as old friends, but with a flavorful performance fit for any New Edition, Bobby Brown, or Bell Biv DeVoe loving audience.
After a lively pre-show by legendary DJ Kid Capri full of oldies sounds – which included a tribute to Aretha Franklin – RBRM appeared onstage atop an elevated platform between a full sized band and a big screen showcasing exclusive graphics of the group. All four dressed in performance-ready red and white sweats and thriller-era jackets. Everyone in the crowd stood up and many rushed to the front. Everyone knew it would be a night of singing, dancing, and memories.
Brown, doing what he does best, stood out from the group and kicked things off with his No. 1 hit that kicked off his illustrious career, “My Prerogative.” “Don’t Be Cruel” followed shortly after, and from there, the night was filled with memorable hits surrounded by Brown’s provocative lead singles.
It was tricky to keep track of all of the music on top of the stage presence of the legendary group. One hit after another and one act after another, RBRM showed off the essence of their new formation. RBRM is made up of three important aspects – the original New Edition group, Bobby Brown, and last but not least, Bell Biv DeVoe. The show segued into each aspect, spotlighting each act.
Bell Biv DeVoe didn’t shy away from the stage with their ballads, “When Will I See You Smile Again,” “Something In Your Eyes,” “Do Me!” and their debut hit ( which concluded the show ), “Poison.” At which point, the group began to connect with the crowd with their familiar vocals and dance routines.
The crowd fell in love with every member all over again. Ronnie DeVoe and Mike Bivins took to the crowd and signed autographs. Meanwhile, Ricky Bell embarked on a solo vocal set where he lead the voices of absent members Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant behind the hit, “Can You Stand The Rain?”
Bell’s solo performance was a show on its own, and the crowd wanted more. The packed theater got their wishes when Brown returned to the stage for hit favorites, “Roni” and “Rock Wit’cha.” Bell and Brown’s solo performances introduced the crowd to what they’d been waiting for all night: a string of New Edition songs that started it all like “Candy Girl” and “Is This The End?”
The show ended just as it began with Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, and Mike – aka RBRM, fka New Edition – standing proper on a stage and bowing toward a New Edition, Bobby Brown, and Bell Biv DeVoe loving crowd. It felt just like the group of the 80s and 90s and the newly formed group of 2018 at the same time.
Bell told the crowd, “New Edition is the gift that keeps on giving.” This couldn’t be more true for a group like New Edition. And by the looks of things, literally with the New Edition biopic turning into an opportunity for a Bobby Brown biopic and New Edition turning into RBRM, New Edition can keep going and giving.
It would be a good surprise – no, great surprise – if after the RBRM tour, Brown took to the stage for a special tour and took us back to his beginnings of being the “king of stage” and original “bad boy of R&B.” I’ll get to hear some of my personal favorites like “Humpin’ Around” and pretty much every song on the Bobby album. Just saying.
Interview w/ Bobby Brown
I got an opportunity to ask Bobby Brown about his new biopic after the show ( where he also signed his autograph on my sign with his face on it ). Brown talked about how he liked the movie, his favorite scenes, and more. The short interview is below:
Q: What do you think about your new movie? Do you like it?
BB: I love it! I produced it. I better love it.
Q: Do you have any favorite scenes?
BB: I don’t have any favorites. I like them all.
Q: Is it all true?
BB: All of it is true. All of it.
Q: Even the Janet Jackson stuff?
BB: Yes, that is true.