After closing the doors for 1980’s R&B act, New Edition, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe went on to form Bell Biv Devoe at the suggestion of producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.
With help from Public Enemy producers Eric Sadler, Hank and Keith Shocklee, and several others, Bell Biv Devoe released their debut album Poison in 1990 on MCA Records.
The album has been credited as pioneering the “New Jack Swing” sound of the early 1990s, combining hip-hop, funk, soul, and pop music. This fusion of styles helped to expose them to a fan base who prefer a harder edge sound, while at the same time helped pave the way for future R&B acts. Poison reached number 1 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop chart and its title track along with its second single, “Do Me!” both reached number 3 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Poison also spawned other significant hits which include “B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me)?”, “When Will I See You Smile Again?”, and “She’s Dope!”. Poison sold over three million copies and was followed up by a remix album titled WBBD-Bootcity.
