An Insider’s View To The New Edition StoryBy Dominga Martin
January 24, 2017
From the streets of Roxbury to a Hollywood Star, BET holds no punches in this 3 part mini series about the boy band that changed the game.
1983. Orchard Park projects was buzzing—-this was my neighborhood and those of us who grew up there, call Orchard Park “OP” for short; a sentiment you will hear throughout the New Edition Story, airing in three nights beginning January 24th on BET. OP is a housing development with three story brick buildings, residing a hop skip and a jump from the Downtown, Boston skyline. We had one black radio station: W.I.L.D AM, where Stephen Hill, now President of Programming for BET, was the former Program Director. W.I.L.D went off the air at 4PM like a strict curfew. Static. It was also located atop a hill, just a few steps away from the project. I was just a little girl at this time and the radio station blared from many project windows throughout the day, especially as I was getting ready for school. So one morning, the song “Candy Girl” came on the radio, and as my mother helped me get dressed for school, she excitedly asked: “Do you know who that is on the radio?” I replied: “No.” She responded back with: “That’s Bobby!” I asked; “Bobby, who?”
Bobby Brown lived on the 3rd floor above my grandmother, in Orchard Park (and) even though I was “the little girl downstairs,” which Bobby still refers to me, to this day—my upstairs neighbor was becoming a star and the whole neighborhood could feel it. There was magic in the air. Our building, which I grew up in, was like a close knit family. What I remember about Bobby was, he was always bouncing his basketball, he taught me how to “give dap”, the “hood-swag” hand shake and he looked out for the community by getting us backstage passes and free tickets to concerts. I remembered the whole neighborhood would come out in droves to the talent shows to see New Edition perform. Vividly, I recall the night they had one of their very last shows before their record deal. They were singing Kool and The Gang’s “Get Down On It”, and Michael Biven’s part was: “So what you gonna do? Do you wanna get down?…” The crowd in the school auditorium was jumping! Everyone went berserk. They were too cool to be so young, but they were from OP, so swag comes with the association.
Algee Smith who portrays Ralph Tresvant as he comes of age in the film, reveals:
“They’re (New Edition) super proud of being from OP and they dedicated all their swag and all their charisma from OP, from the things they had to endure growing up, the things they’ve seen and learned (that) helped them grow. Ralph told me just the other day (that) the Orchard Park code is to stay fly and stay humble.”
At first glance, Algee immediately captivates with that “Rizz” sparkle and charm, however, I didn’t know what to expect as rumors began to circulate that a New Edition movie was in the making. I was a bit skeptical. Who would play them? Would the actors hail from Boston? How would the Director, Chris Robinson depict the projects which were torn down and developed into houses over a decade ago. Who on earth could play New Edition, because there’s only five originals.
I will admit, it took awhile for me to warm up to the cast choices, however, the moment I saw Night 1, at the red carpet premiere in New York City, the cast stole my heart. I felt like I was reliving my childhood as I watched the actors morph from “Candy Girl” to “Cool It Now” and beyond. BET cuts right to the chase—straight no chaser, and takes viewers inside the solarplexus of a beloved group that has been admired for their Boston swagger and their music for over 30 years.
I thought I knew everything about New Edition and although my cousin and I were dancers for Bobby Brown’s youngest sister Carole (AKA Coupe) on the Home Again Tour, I did not know the inner turmoil happening between the group (because) Bobby was extremely protective of family.
When The New Edition Story opens up with Bobby singing “My Prerogative,” and performing over time, bleeding into BBD’s set, I was just as surprised as the concert audience when a fight broke out between Bobby, BBD (Bell, Biv, DeVoe) and their entourages. It was so heartbreaking to see, however, their bond and professionalism overcame the drama (because) the show must go on and one of Orchard Park’s codes are: LOYALTY, above all else.
Algee, who spent time with Ralph and remaining members of the group, learned first hand that the group’s professionalism was the key to their success. “Even after everything that was going on, after Ralph losing his baby, going through it with his mom, all the pressure and fighting with the guys everyday (but) every night they were back on that stage with a smile, doing this for the fans, no matter what was going on back stage.”
It’s magical the way these young actors embodied and channeled the New Edition. As a fan, you find yourself remembering the moments you discovered which N.E. member was your favorite, for they captured the essence of each member.
For the actors who played New Edition in the early years, the group was way before their time—their knowledge of the group came through their parents:
“My mom was the biggest Michael Bivens fan,” says Dante Hoagland, a 13 year old, who portrays the young Michael Bivens. He continues with a big smile: “I didn’t even know that (she was a fan), she was more excited than I was.” He continues, “I didn’t know who New Edition was, but I did know who BBD was and I knew “Poison”—I did not know that the people who were in BBD were originally in New Edition.”
Both sets of actors had a chance to gel with the group when the original New Edition members rehearsed for their tour. New Edition first in line, followed by the teen actors, and then the child actors, moving in sync and learning the songs.
It’s the footwork, in the performance scenes that are New Edition’s trademark, thanks to choreographer Brooke Payne. The six guys cast as New Edition were put through a 4 week boot camp, 8 hours a day, to become the super group. Elijah Kelley, who plays Ricky Bell shared that after one rehearsal, Ricky walked up to him and said: “I like everything you’re doing, just not so corny.”
There is one moment where manager “Gary” (Michael Rapaport) tells them to leave their Roxbury attitude at home, in which Ronnie replies: “It’s our Roxbury attitude that got us here.”
The attitude New Edition draws from were from the humble beginnings of hip hop, influenced and threaded throughout the film. Boom Boxes, Adidas, Kangols and Members Only jackets added to their edge. They were on the cusp of the changing of the guard, and often ahead of their time. The first R&B group to include rapping and singing in their music. They blended both worlds of Hip Hop and R&B very early in their career (and) it’s that hip hop attitude that has sustained them through decades.
New Edition is all about attitude, bravado and talent. They are the first “boy band”. They are pop stars. Legendary. They’ve given birth to a movement of young men in this business from Usher to Chris Brown. They are the blue print for New Kids on the Block. They are trendsetters who have inspired many with their je ne sais quoi, authenticity and creativity. Their blend of street and soul put Boston on the map and the music industry took notice.
Watching the New Edition Story, Episode 1, immediately jarred my memory. I was one of the little kids chasing them around the project when they bought scooters. I can still hear the roar of the bikes as they circled the bricks. I recalled peeking through the crack of the double doors of our Rec Center, which we affectionately called “The Neighborhood House” to watch them practice their dance steps. I went back in time to the day “Popcorn Love” became a single and all the neighbors from our building had a block party outside, blasting the Candy Girl album and the newly released track. I immediately felt, once again, the pride the whole neighborhood experienced, from the beginning.
Young New Edition is exquisitely performed by Caleb McLaughlin (Ricky Bell) best known for his Netflix hit, “Stranger Things.” He revealed that he learned about New Edition on road trips.
“I didn’t actually know who New Edition was,” he says and continues. “I thought they were the Jackson 5. When I was in the car listening to “Candy Girl,” I was like ‘Oh! I never heard that song.’ I never really asked because I already knew it was the Jackson 5, but it really wasn’t, (but when) I really knew who New Edition was, was when I auditioned [and] I really knew the back drop and whole history of it, so I was just really excited to be in it.”
He added: “I learned that they were just kids who wanted to pursue their dreams with singing and dancing. They never had any doubt with singing, just hope”
The young cast is completed with: Jahi Winston (Ralph Tresvant), Myles Truitt (Ronnie DeVoe), Tyler Williams (Bobby Brown).
The whole cast revealed that they had a running joke and rivalry between the older actors who portrayed the adolescent New Edition, and the younger version:
“It was terrifying!” Says Algee, “They got so much life and energy. The little kids was out shining us. We we’re supposed to be the evolution after they set the tone, so we had to step our game up.”
The youngsters take command of the screen when performing New Edition’s first hit, Candy Girl. The moment the “young Ralph” belted out the first lyrics, the whole theater audience sang along. There was an extremely proud moment for me, as I watched, when “young” Ralph Tresvant declines dropping the four remaining members of the group for a solo deal, at the request of their soon to be music producer, Maurice Starr.
Ralph states: “If I cut out my boys, the whole OP will hate me. I don’t know where you’re from, but we don’t get down like that here.”
And that is the truth and the glue which holds these five friends together. Through the fist fights, the family feuds and the hard reality of growing up in a business without the proper professional guidance—aside from their mothers, who did the best they could to guide and protect their sons, fiercely and unapologetically.
Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Mike and Ralph were five young boys from the projects of Boston who wanted to “make it” out by pursuing their dreams in a cut throat business. However, even though they were from the hood, they were not “street.” They were impressionable, naive and malleable, and for those reasons, amongst others, they were burned (and) taken advantage of for lack of exposure and knowledge about the game. This is an inspirational film for young black boys to identify with and to be empowered.
The New Edition Story: Night One is the beginning of a journey that is healing, educational and lets fans go behind the curtain to see a side of the group we never knew.
Hold on to your seat, and don’t blink!
Additional Cast Includes: Woody McClain (Bobby Brown), Luke James (Johnny Gill), Keith Powers (Ronnie Defoe), Bryshere L. Gray (Michael Bivens), Monica Calhoun (Pat, Ralph’s Mom) and LaLa Anthony (Flo, Ronnie DeVoe’s mother). Wood Harris (The WIRE) portrays their long time choreographer Brooke Payne.
The New Edition Story airs for 3 nights on BET beginning January 24th. 9PM
Trailer
Urban world highlight
1st Clip
‘The New Edition Story’ ‘If It Isn’t Love’ Rehearsals Pt. 1
Here’s an exclusive performance of “You’re Not My Kind of Girl.”
Who Really Kicked Bobby Brown Out of New Edition?
New Trailer (Jan 1, 2017)
