Ralph Edward Tresvant (born May 16, 1968) is an American singer, songwriter, actor and record producer, best known as the lead singer of R&B group

New Edition New Edition is an American R&B/Pop group from the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1978 by Bobby Brown. Their name is taken to mean a 'new edition' of the Jackson 5. The group reached its height of popularity in the 19 ...

. As a solo artist, Tresvant released the album '' Ralph Tresvant'' (1990). In 2008, he began touring with

Bobby Brown Robert Barisford Brown (born February 5, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter and dancer. Brown, alongside frequent collaborator Teddy Riley, is noted as one of the pioneers of new jack swing: a fusion of hip hop and R&B. Brown started h ...

and

Johnny Gill Johnny Gill Jr. (born May 22, 1966) is an American singer and actor. He is the sixth and final member of the R&B/pop group New Edition and was also a member of the supergroup called LSG, with Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat. Gill has released e ...

in a new group named

Heads of State A head of state (or chief of state) is the public persona who officially embodies a state Foakes, pp. 110–11 " he head of statebeing an embodiment of the State itself or representatitve of its international persona." in its unity and ...

Early life

Tresvant was born on May 16, 1968, in the

Roxbury Roxbury may refer to: Places ;Canada * Roxbury, Nova Scotia * Roxbury, Prince Edward Island ;United States * Roxbury, Connecticut * Roxbury, Kansas * Roxbury, Maine * Roxbury, Boston, a municipality that was later integrated into the city of Bosto ...

section of

Boston Boston (), officially the City of Boston, is the capital city, state capital and List of municipalities in Massachusetts, most populous city of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and financ ...

Massachusetts Massachusetts (Massachusett language, Massachusett: ''Muhsachuweesut assachusett writing systems, məhswatʃəwiːsət'' English: , ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is the most populous U.S. state, state in the New England ...

, the son of Patricia Tresvant and Ralph Hall. Tresvant grew up enjoying music with his younger siblings, sister LaTonya and brother Andre. When some junior high school friends got the idea to put a group together, Tresvant and three others –

, Ricky Bell and

Michael Bivins New Edition is an American R&B/Pop group from the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1978 by Bobby Brown. Their name is taken to mean a 'new edition' of the Jackson 5. The group reached its height of popularity in the 1980 ...

– started performing at local talent shows. They were spotted by a local up-and-coming producer and songwriter, Brooke Payne, a local manager and choreographer, who encountered the boys at a local talent show in Roxbury. After an audition for Payne, he gave them the name New Edition to signify they were a new edition of the Jackson 5.

Maurice Starr Larry Curtis Johnson (born July 14, 1953), better known by his stage name Maurice Starr, is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known for his work creating songs and albums with boy bands New Edition and New Kids on ...

, who wanted to create a "newer edition" of the pop act

The Jackson 5 The Jackson 5 (sometimes stylized as the Jackson 5ive, also known as the Jacksons) are an American pop band composed of members of the Jackson family. The group was founded in 1964 in Gary, Indiana, and for most ...

, signed them to his independent Streetwise Records label and a fifth member,

Ronnie DeVoe Ronald Boyd DeVoe Jr. (born November 17, 1967), is an American singer, rapper, and actor known as one of the members of the R&B/pop group New Edition, and the R&B/ hip hop group Bell Biv DeVoe. He was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Career DeV ...

(Payne's nephew), was added to the group. Releasing their debut album, '' Candy Girl'', in 1983. The album was a successful launching pad for the group, spawning the teen-oriented hit singles " Popcorn Love," " Is This the End," "

Jealous Girl "Popcorn Love" is a single by New Edition, released on August 6, 1983. It was released as the third and final single from their debut album, '' Candy Girl'' on the Streetwise label. The single read #25 on the R&B chart. Charts Another Bad Cr ...

" and the title track.

Career

After a dispute over money,

left Starr's management and record label and signed with major label

MCA Records MCA Records was an American record label owned by MCA Inc., which later became part of Universal Music Group. Pre-history MCA Inc., a powerful talent agency and a television production company, entered the recorded music business in 1962 wi ...

, which released the group's self-titled second album. Tresvant's smooth, approachable vocal style had become a signature for the group, and the hits continued, including the Top Five smash single " Cool It Now." Quiet and shy, Tresvant was initially apprehensive about the idea of recording a solo project. Tresvant felt as if the members of the group were not showing him the acknowledgment that he thought he deserved. However, after witnessing the huge success of

's solo albums and of

, Ricky Bell and

Bell Biv Devoe Bell Biv DeVoe, also known as BBD, is an American music group from Boston, Massachusetts, formed from members of New Edition, consisting of Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe. The band is best known for their debut album, the multi-pl ...

side project, Tresvant eventually relented. His self-titled debut was released in 1990. The lead single "

Sensitivity Sensitivity may refer to: Science and technology Natural sciences * Sensitivity (physiology), the ability of an organism or organ to respond to external stimuli ** Sensory processing sensitivity in humans * Sensitivity and specificity, statisti ...

" spent 20 weeks on the U.S. R&B Singles chart, including two weeks at Number One. The album also included the Top 5 hit singles " Do What I Gotta Do" and "

Stone Cold Gentleman "Stone Cold Gentleman" is a song performed by American contemporary R&B singer Ralph Tresvant, issued as the second single from his eponymous debut album. It originally appeared on the album under the title "Stone Cold Gentleman (Rizz's Interlude) ...

", the latter of which features guest vocals from former band member Bobby Brown. Tresvant's self-titled debut album sold two million copies, achieving double-platinum status. Tresvant's vocals were also featured on songs on the soundtracks for the films ''Mo' Money'' ("Money Can't Buy You Love") and ''The Preacher's Wife'' ("Somebody Bigger Than You and I"). He made a cameo appearance in the popular urban comedy '' House Party 2'' which featured his two singles for the film's soundtrack, "Rated-R" and " Yo Baby Yo " . Tresvant is a radio show DJ on The BASS of Boston WZBR 1410 AM. The show "Inside the Ride with Ralph Tresvant" premiered on Monday, September 5, 2016.

Discography

;Solo * '' Ralph Tresvant'' (1990) * '' It's Goin' Down'' (1994) * ''

Rizz-Wa-Faire ''Rizz-Wa-Faire'' is the third solo album by Ralph Tresvant of New Edition New Edition is an American R&B/Pop group from the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1978 by Bobby Brown. Their name is taken to mean a 'new e ...

'' (2006) ;New Edition * '' Candy Girl'' (1983) * ''

'' (1984) * '' All for Love'' (1985) * ''

Under the Blue Moon ''Under the Blue Moon'' is the fourth studio album by American R&B boy band New Edition by MCA on November 24, 1986. Their fourth album and third with MCA and first album after New Edition member Bobby Brown was voted out of the group, the grou ...

'' (1986) * '' Heart Break'' (1988) * '' Home Again'' (1996) * '' One Love'' (2004)

Filmography

*1985: ''

Knight Rider ''Knight Rider'' is an American entertainment franchise created by Glen A. Larson. The core of ''Knight Rider'' is its three television series: the original '' Knight Rider'' (1982–1986) and sequel series '' Team Knight Rider'' (1997–1998) ...

'' as New Edition *1985: ''

Krush Groove ''Krush Groove'' is a 1985 American musical comedy-drama film distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures that was written by Ralph Farquhar and directed by Michael Schultz (who also produced the movie, along with George Jackson and Doug McHenry). T ...

'' as New Edition *1991: '' House Party 2'' as himself *2004: ''Barbershop Blues'' as Jake *2006: ''Triple Cross'' as Sonny *2008: ''Behind RizzWaFaire'' *2014: '' Get on Up'' as Sam Cooke *2018: ''Girls Trip'' as New Edition

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Tresvant, Ralph 1968 births American contemporary R&B singers Countertenors Geffen Records artists Interscope Records artists Living people MCA Records artists Musicians from Boston New Edition members New jack swing musicians 20th-century African-American male singers 21st-century African-American male singers