Image via BET
Earlier this month, Twitter went on a serious R&B tear with the #90sRnB hashtag, and people got their debate on for who could (and should) be sitting atop the R&B mountain. The thing is, for groups like Jodeci and 112, there would be no #90sRnB without groups like New Edition. That quintet helped introduce the world to enigmas like Bobby Brown, "Poison" by BBD, and the soulful vocals of Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant. Truth be told, without New Edition, there's be no New Kids on the Block, N'Sync, or Backstreet Boys, so really, the worlds of R&B and pop were forever transformed by the work of these kids from Roxbury, Mass. If you're not up on any of that history, though, don't trip—BET's premiering the first part of their three-part miniseries The New Edition Story tonight.
Similar to Jacksons: An American Dream, The New Edition Story takes it back to the essence, showcasing the journey that New Edition took from the projects of Massachusetts to the Hollywood Hills. A group of young, broke, black boys turned into a squad that sold 30 million units in their career, netting four American Music Awards, 14 #1 hit records, and more as a group and as solo acts. It's a story that has hit the gossip mags and the streets, but in light of biopics like Straight Outta Compton and the upcoming All Eyez On Me, it makes sense that the story of New Edition gets properly told.
I don't know about you, but when I saw this trailer, I was instantly hype. A great story with actors I recognized from The Wire, Empire, Stranger Things, and more? Sold. Now, if you didn't catch all of the familiar faces, don't worry, we've got you covered. Here's a look at many of the New Edition Story actors you know you've seen but might not remember. It's time for you to get as amped for this as I am.
Bryshere Y. Gray
Which New Edition member is he playing?: Michael Bivins
Where you have seen him: On Empire, playing Hakeem Lyon
Turnt level: 7
In the first part of The New Edition Story, we don't even see Bryshere until midway through, as the New Edition members go from boys to men during a dope, brief "Is This The End?" montage. Sadly, this means that we get a much more subdued Michael. He does have his moments though, which mostly amount to his future business acumen coming in, as well as a confrontational streak that features more slick-talk-with-a-smile than the out-and-out fury that we've come to expect to Bryshere as Hakeem on Empire.
Wood Harris
Which New Edition member is he playing?: New Edition manager Brooke Payne
Where you have seen him: On The Wire, The Breaks, Creed, Remember the Titans, etc.
Turnt level: 3
That's right, Avon Barksdale is featured as New Edition's first manager, Brooke Payne. Payne's the man who's instrumental in not only getting the NE name buzzing, but he brought his nephew Ronnie DeVoe in as the fifth member. Avon's creepmode is nowhere to be found (although Payne isn't against strolling in an alleyway with a woman at night, and he's known to slide into his apartment around two in the morning), but he is a major figure in the hood, with his name ringing out on all corners.
La La Anthony
Which New Edition member is she playing?: Flo DeVoe, Ronnie's mother
Where you have seen her: On Power, Think Like a Man, Chi-Raq, holding down Carmelo Anthony
Turnt level: 2, unless tested; then it's a 5
La La's had a solid rise from her MTV hosting days to a legit actress, primarily known these days as Lakeisha from Power. She holds her own when it's time to get dramatic in The New Edition Story, especially when the group is trying to figure out what they should do with their manager, Brooke Payne (who also happens to be her son Ronnie's uncle). Then, and only then, is it time for Flo to get hype.
Caleb McLaughlin
Which New Edition member is he playing?: Ricky Bell
Where you have seen him: On Stranger Things as Lucas, Shades of Blue
Turnt level: 2
The first young New Edition member we see is Caleb as Ricky, walking through his house trying to find his mother to ask if he can roll with Michael Bivins to a talent show. It's similar to the beginning of Stranger Things, where we see Caleb's Lucas chilling with his crew, playing D&D. Caleb as Ricky is calmer than the more abrasive Lucas, but both are still here for their squad.
Also, young Lucas getting his song and dance on? It's wild to see.
Faizon Love
Which New Edition member is he playing?: Maurice Starr, New Edition's first producer
Where you have seen him: In Friday, The Parent 'Hood
Turnt level: 2
Faizon, who many of you probably remember as Big Worm in Friday, has a relatively low turnt level, but trust that he hit The New Edition Story with another hilarious wig. He plays Maurice Starr, a record producer who co-wrote and co-produced "Candy Girl," "Is This the End," and "Popcorn Love" for New Edition, as well as music for the likes of Con Funk Shun, New Kids on the Block, and Tiffany—basically, Starr had his hands on a number of late '80s/early '90s jams. Faizon does a great job of mixing a mentor-y flair with a more humorous look at an R&B group from the 'hood who might have harder swag than he's used to. He doesn't go crazy with it at all, but some of his movements are a little sheisty.
Sandi McCree
Which New Edition member is she playing?: Carole Brown, Bobby's mom
Where you have seen her: On The Wire
Turnt level: 7
If you peeped season 4 of The Wire, you'll remember Sandi as Namon's mother, a.k.a. Wee-Bay's woman. She took no sh*t, which is something Namon needed if he was trying to be a d-boy (although his heart truly wasn't in it). She was memorable for her foul mouth and her stern personality, and she brings that attitude front and center to The New Edition Story. Money not right? Don't worry, Sandi's there to set it off, and wants you to know that none of this makes any "damn" sense. Sometimes, you need that.
Now the question is, how will she end up being a mother for Bobby Brown when he's truly wylin' out?
Michael Rapaport
Which New Edition member is he playing?: None; he plays their manager Gary Evans
Where you have seen him: In True Romance, Higher Learning, Louie
Turnt level: 4
Rapaport makes his entrance into The New Edition Story relatively late in Part 1, but makes it hot in no time. Those who have seen Rapaport's work in the past know what to expect; here, he's the manager talking big in his first meeting with the young adult New Edition and their mothers, and while his game sounds nice, he hasn't won everyone over. He also suggests some wild shit that ends up biting him in the ass by Part 1's end.
Dante Hoagland
Which New Edition member is he playing?: Michael Bivins
Where you have seen him: In Danny Brown's "Grown Up" video
Turnt level: 3
This might be surprising. If you didn't see Yung Dante in that Danny Brown video, know that he was the illest little Danny Brown out there. Dante says he enjoys rapping in his spare time, and it showed. Now, he's like four years older and has much less hair on his head than when we saw him in "Grown Up." He's hustling kids on the basketball courts and trying to get his group popping while not wanting to leave the hood. Because of his age, though, he doesn't get that lit.
Bre-z
Which New Edition member is she playing?: Peanut Bell, Ricky's sister
Where you have seen her: On Empire
Turnt level: 0
While Bre-z's only other credit is playing Freda on Empire, she must've impressed someone because she's got a role in The New Edition Story; though if you blink, you might miss her in Part 1. She stays chilling on the couch at Ricky's house, but has some wise words that really spark the crew's musical journey. Hopefully we get to see more from the emcee-turnt-rapper before series' end.