New Edition Honored: Boston Street Renamed
New Edition Honored with Street Renaming and City Holiday in Boston
Table of Contents
Boston celebrated it’s musical heritage on Saturday, August 30, by renaming a Roxbury street New Edition Way
and declaring a citywide holiday in honor of the iconic group. The tribute recognizes New Edition’s meaningful contributions to music and their deep roots in the city.
New Edition – consisting of Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, and Johnny Gill – rose to fame crafting hits like Candy Girl
, Cool it Now
, and Mr. Telephone Man
. The group’s influence extends beyond their collective work, with Bell Biv DeVoe achieving success as a spin-off group.
A Citywide Festivity: “for the culture Week”
The honor was bestowed during For the Culture Week
, a citywide initiative spearheaded by Mayor Michelle Wu to celebrate Black history and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) pride. Mayor Wu officially proclaimed the day New edition Day
in Boston, according to CBS News.
The week also featured the Essence HBCU Classic football game at Harvard Stadium, attracting approximately 12,000 attendees to witness a matchup between Morehouse College and Johnson C. Smith university. Segun Idowu, Boston’s Chief of Economic Prospect and Inclusion, emphasized the importance of hosting such events locally, stating, We don’t want to keep traveling to Atlanta or North Carolina or other places. We want to have it right here at home.
as reported by revolt.
Community Impact and Reflections
The ceremony drew a large crowd of fans and community leaders. One fan shared with CBS, New Edition was a big part of my history growing up. New Edition was like the soundtrack to my youth.
Bobby Brown expressed his gratitude, stating, New Edition Way is the way life is for us and has been for us for a long time.
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley highlighted the cultural significance of the honor, recognizing the group as six exceptionally talented Black men, five sons of Roxbury and one of the DMV
.
New Edition’s Legacy
The renaming of the street and the declaration of a holiday serve as a testament to New Edition’s enduring legacy and their profound impact on the city of Boston and the broader music landscape. the group’s story is one of talent, perseverance, and a deep connection to their community.
| Member | known For |
|---|---|
| Ralph Tresvant | Lead Vocals |
| Bobby Brown | vocals, Dance |
| Ricky Bell | Vocals, Dance |
| Michael Bivins | Vocals, Management |
| Ronnie DeVoe | vocals, Dance |
| Johnny Gill | Vocals |