At 57, Ronnie DeVoe finally confirmed what fans had suspected for decades: Bell Biv DeVoe was never meant to exist.

The group formed by default when New Edition’s lead singers—Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown, and Johnny Gill—chased solo careers, leaving Ronnie, Ricky Bell, and Michael Bivins behind. Most in the industry doubted the trio could survive without a frontman, but what followed was a story of rejection fueling revolution.

In the late 1980s, New Edition had transformed from teen idols into R&B powerhouses, with their Heartbreak album going double platinum and dominating radio. Yet, behind the scenes, fractures were growing. Ralph Tresvant’s star power and Johnny Gill’s vocal prowess made them obvious solo prospects, while Bobby Brown had already struck gold with his own album.

When the group’s tour ended, Ralph and Johnny announced their solo plans, leaving Ronnie, Ricky, and Michael at a crossroads. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the producers behind New Edition’s success, suggested the three left behind record together. It wasn’t creative vision—it was consolation.

MCA Records offered Bell Biv DeVoe a new artist budget, just $350,000, and little faith. Instead of trying to recreate New Edition’s wholesome image, the trio wanted to break free. Inspired by the raw energy of Public Enemy’s Bomb Squad and the aggressive sound of hip-hop, they sought producers willing to experiment. Dr. Freeze, working out of a basement studio, played them a demo called “Poison”—a track with harsh snares, synthetic drums, and a predatory bassline.

It was unlike anything in R&B, blending smooth melodies with hip-hop aggression. The label hated it, calling it too aggressive for R&B and too melodic for hip-hop. But Bell Biv DeVoe believed in the song’s potential and launched a grassroots campaign, organizing basketball tournaments and community events to get “Poison” heard. The video, shot in gritty industrial locations, went into heavy rotation on BET before radio touched the song. Kids learned the dance moves; “never trust a big butt and a smile” became a catchphrase.

When “Poison” finally hit radio, it exploded—#3 on the Hot 100, #1 on the R&B chart, and platinum sales within two months. By the end of 1990, the album had sold 4 million copies, outselling all but one New Edition album.

Bell Biv DeVoe had created a new sound, making New Jack Swing dangerous and street-level. They were no longer the backup plan; they were the main event.

But success didn’t erase old wounds. By 1996, solo careers were fading, and MCA pushed for a New Edition reunion. The Home Again album sold well, but the tour was a disaster. Egos clashed, rehearsals were missed, and the six members traveled as separate camps. On February 11, 1997, a brawl erupted on stage, with fists flying and a gun drawn in front of 10,000 fans. The tour ended with the group fractured once again.

Ronnie DeVoe later admitted Bell Biv DeVoe formed not out of friendship, but out of necessity. They were the ones left standing when the stars walked away. But through rejection, they built a legacy, pioneering a sound that influenced acts like Jodeci, Boyz II Men, and Usher. Michael Bivins went on to discover Boyz II Men, shaping R&B for a decade.

The 2017 BET miniseries finally brought all six members together to tell their story, revealing that Bell Biv DeVoe’s success came from refusing to accept their careers were over. The group’s journey was marked by conflict, but also by brotherhood and a relentless drive to prove they belonged. Bell Biv DeVoe showed that you didn’t need to be the lead singer to leave a lasting legacy.