Bell Biv DeVoe – Poison
“Poison” by Bell Biv Devoe never grows old. Although, it did turn 25!
New Jack Swing
My love for uptempo New Jack Swing and R&B music began with Johnny Gill and Karyn White. They had an energetic beat that would grab you. It stood out, in the late 80s and 90s. Others toned down the beat’s volume (for example C&C Music Factory). But they turned it up.
Hip Hop Influence
In Hip Hop, artists did the same. It’s why the genre interested me – though the attached lifestyle and most of its lyrical content were foreign to me. However, artists who combined the sound with more recognizable stories caught my eye. And so did Bell Biv Devoe.
Bell Biv Devoe
I’ve just about missed the New Edition hype. It was slightly before my time. So, all members caught my eye individually.
Poison
Bell Biv Devoe (BBD in short) applied those smooth vocal harmonies to the new swing song with hip hop influences. “Poison” had all the ingredients for a classic hit and, according to Mike Bivins himself (see his tweet), it was released 25 years ago! It’s their biggest hit.
Back toworkandCali herewe comeBBD aka25th annvof Poison! For thosethatorders Sportyrich… http://t.co/Ku8rzGB2Ol
— Mike Bivins(@MikeBiv) February 5, 2015
