Ralph Tresvant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ralph Tresvant
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Tresvant in 2023
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| Birth name | Ralph Edward Tresvant |
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| Born | May 16, 1968 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1981–present |
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Ralph Edward Tresvant, born on May 16, 1968, is an American singer, songwriter, and music producer. He is most famous as the lead singer of the popular R&B group New Edition. As a solo artist, Ralph Tresvant released his first album, Ralph Tresvant, in 1990. This album sold over two million copies! In 2008, he started touring with fellow singers Bobby Brown and Johnny Gill in a group called Heads of State. Since February 2023, Ralph Tresvant has also been the host of a radio show called Love and R&B.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Ralph Tresvant grew up in Roxbury, Boston, Massachusetts. He was born on May 16, 1968, to Patricia Tresvant and Ralph Hall. Ralph loved music from a young age, sharing this passion with his younger sister LaTonya and brother Andre.
Forming New Edition
When Ralph was in junior high school, he and some friends decided to start a music group. These friends were Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, and Michael Bivins. They began performing at local talent shows in Roxbury. A local manager and choreographer named Brooke Payne noticed them.
After an audition, Brooke Payne named their group New Edition. He wanted to show they were a "new edition" of the famous group The Jackson 5. Maurice Starr then signed them to his record label, Streetwise Records. A fifth member, Ronnie DeVoe, who was Brooke Payne's nephew, joined the group.
First Album Success
New Edition released their first album, Candy Girl, in 1983. This album was a big success for the group. It featured popular songs like "Popcorn Love", "Is This the End", "Jealous Girl", and the title track "Candy Girl".
Music Career Highlights
After some disagreements, New Edition left Maurice Starr's label. They signed with a major record company called MCA Records. This label released their second album, also called New Edition. Ralph Tresvant's smooth singing style became a key part of the group's sound. They continued to have many hit songs, including the very popular "Cool It Now".
Solo Music Journey
Ralph Tresvant was naturally quiet and shy. At first, he wasn't sure about making music on his own. He felt that the other members of New Edition weren't giving him enough credit. However, he saw how successful Bobby Brown's solo albums were. He also saw the success of Ronnie DeVoe, Ricky Bell, and Michael Bivins' group, Bell Biv DeVoe. This encouraged Ralph to try a solo project.
His first solo album, Ralph Tresvant, came out in 1990. The first song from the album, "Sensitivity", was a huge hit. It stayed on the U.S. R&B Singles chart for 20 weeks and was number one for two weeks! The album also had other popular songs like "Do What I Gotta Do" and "Stone Cold Gentleman". The song "Stone Cold Gentleman" even featured his former bandmate, Bobby Brown. Ralph's first solo album sold two million copies, earning it a double-platinum award. In 1991, he won a Billboard Music Award for "Number 1 New Pop Male Artist".
Movies and Radio
Ralph Tresvant's singing was also featured in movie soundtracks. He sang songs for films like Mo' Money and The Preacher's Wife. He also made a special appearance in the comedy movie House Party 2. For this movie, he sang two of his own songs, "Rated-R" and "Yo Baby Yo".
In 2016, Ralph Tresvant started hosting a radio show called Inside the Ride with Ralph Tresvant on WZBR. In 2023, he took over hosting duties for the Love and R&B radio show.
Discography
Solo Albums
- Ralph Tresvant (1990)
- It's Goin' Down (1994)
- Rizz-Wa-Faire (2006)
New Edition Albums
- Candy Girl (1983)
- New Edition (1984)
- All for Love (1985)
- Under the Blue Moon (1986)
- Heart Break (1988)
- Home Again (1996)
- One Love (2004)
Filmography
- 1985: Knight Rider as New Edition
- 1985: Krush Groove 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
- 2017: Girls Trip as New Edition
