New Edition “Stands In Brotherhood” During NAACP Image Awards Hall Of Fame Induction Speech
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New Edition reflected on their journey and legacy during the group’s induction into the NAACP Hall of Fame at the 55th Annual NAACP Image Awards.
On Saturday (March 16), the group was bestowed the honor by the organization in acknowledgement of their contributions to Black music and culture.
Presented by actor Donnie Wahlberg, who praised the group for being the prototype for the rise of boy bands in the mainstream, the group took the stage to voice their appreciation for the honor. “Ladies and gentlemen, can y’all hear us up in this place tonight!?” group member Ronnie DeVoe asked the audience inside the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
“This is such an honor. So many people poured into us over these 40-plus years that we’ve been in the music industry. God our creator. Our parents, who gave us the gifts and the talents that we turned into our purpose.”
The singer and dancer then paid tribute to Brooke Payne, the man who first discovered and managed the group as children, as well as christened them with their name. “Gifts and talents, it’s like coal,” DeVoe said in reference to Payne’s tutelage. “Without someone to refine it and put the pressure on it, it doesn’t turn into the diamonds that we are standing before you guys, so we thank you Mr. Payne.”
DeVoe also gave his respect to their predecessors, such as Sammy Davis Jr. and Harry Belafonte. “So many shoulders we stand on top of right now, we thank you for providing us a firm foundation that we stand on today,” he concluded, commanding the crowd to make some noise.
New Edition member Michael Bivins also spoke, acknowledging the group’s hometown and their sustained relationship. “We stand here from Boston, straight out of Orchard Park Projects. We stand here for Washington DC, and more importantly, we stand here in brotherhood.”
Bivens continued, adding, “Y’all seen our story, you know what we been through. We call each other day, we text each other everyday, we check on our families.” The singer and music executive then invited the audience and those viewing at home to take a trip to Vegas to see them live at their Las Vegas residency.
Formed in 1978, New Edition emerged during the early ’80s with hits like “Candy Girl”, “Cool It Now”, and “Mr. Telephone Man.” Comprised of original members Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe, the group released their debut album Candy Girl in 1983, which was followed by their self-titled sophomore effort in 1984, and their third LP All for Love the following year.
Bobby Brown’s departure in 1986 to pursue a solo career led to the inclusion of singer Johnny Gill as a member, who would appear on New Edition’s wildly successful Heart Break album in 1988. Following the release of Heart Break, the quintet would go on hiatus, with Tresvant and Johnny Gill going solo and Bell, Bivins and DeVoe forming Bell Biv DeVoe. New Edition would unite for reunion albums on two occasions, releasing Home Again in 1996 and One Love in 2004. The members continue to perform together, including on the group’s Legacy Tour in 2023.
See New Edition’s NAACP Image Award Hall of Fame induction speech below.
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