The words legacy and legend get tossed around often in R&B. What defines a legend? How soon can someone be qualified as such? What does a legacy truly consist of? King of R&B debate asidea title Usher has rightfully claimedicons such as Bobby Brown, Teddy Riley, and Babyface all helped to lay the foundation for the Superstar crooner and his peers to thrive.
This year marks the 45th anniversary of New Editions formation and the 40th anniversary of their debut album, Candy Girl. All six members of the groupBrown, Ralph Tresvant, Michael Bivins, Ricky Bell, Johnny Gill, and Ronnie DeVoecommemorated these historic feats with the Legacy Tour, an elevated sequel of 2022s successful Culture Tour. Despite an obvious difference in the lineup with the newly-reunited Guy, Keith Sweat, and Tank, New Edition praised their supporting acts for their extreme talent, star power, and legendary catalogue of music.
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During the tours Los Angeles stop, the audience was filled with the originators of the term, grown folks business. But the younger cats they birthed and raised were also scattered throughout the arena, creating a welcomed balance of the old and new school. Collectively, it was audibly and visibly made known that they were ready to gyrate down memory lane to the soundtrack of the good ol daysand did.
Within the four-hour show (which also broke the stigma of starting perpetually late), the maturation of legacy was personified. Though each act ranged in age from their late 40s, to mid-late 50s, and early 60s, dont think that slowed down or stopped the show.
Tank shirtless onstage
Tank, 47, still wholly embraces his mold as a sex symbol. Yall some nasty mothaf**kers, he joked in-between the roars of screaming fans during F**ckin Wit Me and Slow. By the time he rounded out his set with Please Dont Go and I Cant Make You Love Me, he was shirtless in a pair of black slacks, pleading in falsetto.
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Guys set initially triggered PTSD from the early days of Verzuz when technical difficulties comically ran amok. Though not confirmed, it can be safely assumed that the theatrics of the trios set can be credited to Teddy Riley.
Aaron Hall, 58, was shirtless underneath his white leather jacket. His brother, Damion, who is four years his junior, didnt take off his shirt until later in the set. It felt as though the pioneers of New Jack Swing wanted to relive their glory days, but not in a corny way.
Aaron Hall, Teddy Riley, and Damion Hall of Guy onstage at Legacy Tour
Though Gen Z may scoff at these middle-aged men performing half-naked, those who grew up ahead of and alongside the trio basked in fond memories of all-nighters, house parties, and first loves. Coincidentally, Guy has TikTok to thank for its help in connecting them with the younger generation; there was a resurgence of their 1988 hit, I Like, on the social media platform.
On the more sensual side of that era, Keith Sweats hour-long set was an ode to the mystique of R&B. As the speakers blared, I step on stage/girls scream like Im Keith, from Craig Macks Flava In Ya Ear (Remix), he emerged in a floor-length leather trench coat. Ridding himself of the overbearing layer, Sweat, 61, revealed a fitted black oxford shirt and matching slacks. He was the epitome of a man who has aged like fine wine and isnt afraid to show he still got it.
The Harlem native took his moment to pay homage to his peers and address some misconceptions. I aint doing no lip syncing. I dont do that s**t, he said at one point. Later adding, I dont do that opening act s**t for nobody [] but if I was gonna open up for anybody, it would be New Edition. He, then, invited some special guests back to the stage.
Keith Sweat onstage during 2023 Legacy Tour
Tank returned for a special dedication to Sweats former band, LSG and the late Gerald Levert. After singing Round & Round, Door #1, and the trios hit single, My Body, Tank gave his predecessor some well-deserved flowers. Make some noise for my OG, my mentor, said the R&B Money podcast host. Sweat was later joined by Riley, who dubbed them the Kings of New Jack Swing and jumped into a medley of jams produced by the Blackstreet frontman including Remember The Time and Just Got Paid.
Sweats closing assortment consisted of some R&Bs sexiest tunes: Make It Last Forever, Nobody, and Get Up On It. This was arguably the highlight of his set, simply because of how he bridged the generational gap. Rileys goddaughter, Maya Milan, sang the parts reserved for Jacci McGhee, Athena Cage, and Kut Klose as Sweats sole female supporting vocalist.
Moments later, the unexpected happened. Arsenio Hall gave New Edition the greatest introduction of all time. They were on my show every motherf**king night, the comedian, 67, began. In the voice of Reverend Brown, one of his Coming To America characters, Hall joked, And if loving them is wrong, I dont wanna be right.
The former late night talk show host continued, When we first heard Can You Stand The Rain, what people didnt know was rain can be spelled another way: r-e-i-g-n, which is to reign over. These gentlemen have reigned over the music business for 40 years. This is their anniversary here with you [] They are simply the best. If I forget somebody, yall pull my coattailRonnie, Ricky, Mike, Bobby, Ralph, Johnny. Ladies and gentlemen, this is New Edition.
A video montage of their four-decade career appeared on the main jumbotron featuring performance highlights, award wins, and snippets from their critically-acclaimed biopic. Then it was time for the main event. Despite an indirect refusal to perform their 2005 hit, Hot 2 Nite, the men kept their promise to fans and injected some NE classics that [they] did not previously perform on The Culture Tour.
Brown did his best to maintain the momentum with his bandmates, but he was noticeably on and off the stage. Prior to the L.A. stop, he missed two shows in Houston and Dallas due to exhaustion. Yet, it was that foundation of brotherhood Gill previously spoke with us about that prevailed, as it seemed Browns breaks were intentionally woven into their set.
Case in point: he performed My Prerogative, but sat out on If It Isnt Love. The Dont Be Cruel star later returned for a solid run with Mr. Telephone Man, Cool It Now, Im Still In Love With You, Is This The End?, and Candy Girl. The way the rest of New Edition supported Brown stood out tremendously. The former Bad Boy of R&B didnt have to fall in line with every two-step. At one point, DeVoe and Bivins even helped him with an onstage costume adjustment in-between Every Little Step and Poison. Plus, Browns mic was on the entire night, as were the others, and he delivered vocally.
(L-R): Ralph Tresvant, Ricky Bell, Johnny Gill, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, and Bobby Brown of New Edition perform onstage during 2023 New Edition Legacy Tour
So what defines a legend or a legacy?
First things first, take retirement, individually and collectively, off the table. When they said for life, New Edition meant it. When it comes to longevity, they credit theirs to an unbreakable bond, saying it was born from a mutual love for music and each other. In spite of the good, bad, and otherwise over these past 40 years, the group explained, All of our personal and professional ups and downs have only served to make us stronger as men. Therefore, we are even stronger together.
As far as defining legacy and being legends at this stage in their career, New Edition simply praised their fans. [Its been] 40 years of blood, sweat, and sacrifice culminating in a love-affair with our fans, said the group. With every synchronized, sharp, and choreographed dance routine, we celebrate our faithful NE4Lifers. For we are nothing without you. The feeling is mutual.
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