Ralph Tresvant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ralph Tresvant
|
|
|---|---|
Tresvant in 2023
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ralph Edward Tresvant |
| Also known as |
|
| Born | May 16, 1968 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Labels |
|
Ralph Edward Tresvant (born May 16, 1968) is an American singer, songwriter, and music producer. He is best known as the main singer for the R&B group New Edition. As a solo artist, Ralph Tresvant released his first album, Ralph Tresvant, in 1990, which sold millions of copies.
In 2008, he started touring with Bobby Brown and Johnny Gill in a new group called Heads of State. Since February 3, 2023, Tresvant has been the host of a radio show called Love and R&B, which is heard on many stations, including WOSF.
Contents
Early Life
Ralph Tresvant was born on May 16, 1968, in Roxbury, Boston, Massachusetts. He grew up loving music with his younger sister LaTonya and brother Andre.
When Ralph was in junior high school, he and three friends – Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, and Michael Bivins – decided to form a music group. They started performing at local talent shows. A local manager and choreographer named Brooke Payne saw them perform.
After an audition for Payne, he named them New Edition. This name meant they were a "new edition" of the famous group The Jackson 5. Maurice Starr, who wanted to create a new pop group like The Jackson 5, signed them to his record label. A fifth member, Ronnie DeVoe, who was Payne's nephew, joined the group. Their first album, Candy Girl, came out in 1983. It had popular songs like "Popcorn Love," "Is This the End," "Jealous Girl," and the song "Candy Girl."
Music Career
After some disagreements, New Edition left Maurice Starr's label. They signed with a major record company called MCA Records. This company released the group's second album, which was also called New Edition. Ralph Tresvant's smooth singing style became a special part of the group's sound. They continued to have many hit songs, including the very popular "Cool It Now."
Solo Success
Ralph Tresvant was quiet and shy. He wasn't sure about singing on his own at first. But then he saw how well his bandmate Bobby Brown did as a solo artist. He also saw the success of Ronnie DeVoe, Ricky Bell, and Michael Bivins' group, Bell Biv DeVoe. So, Ralph finally decided to release his own music.
His first solo album 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" featured his former band member Bobby Brown. Ralph Tresvant's first album sold two million copies. He won a Billboard Music Award in 1991 for being the "#1 New Pop Male Artist."
Acting and Radio
Ralph Tresvant's singing was also featured in movies. He sang on the soundtracks for the films Mo' Money and The Preacher's Wife. He also appeared in the comedy movie House Party 2. For this movie, he sang two of his own songs, "Rated-R" and "Yo Baby Yo."
Ralph Tresvant also became a radio DJ on WZBR. His show, Inside the Ride with Ralph Tresvant, started on September 5, 2016. In 2023, he began hosting the Love and R&B radio show. He took over from another singer, Al B. Sure!.
Albums and Movies
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)
Movies and TV Shows
- 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
