Mayor Michelle Wu today announced a series of events honoring New Edition, the legendary Boston-based R&B group founded in Roxbury in 1978, on Saturday, August 30. In recognition of the group’s profound impact in Boston and the music industry, Mayor Wu and the City of Boston will host various events to celebrate the group’s contributions and legacy, including a street naming ceremony and a community block party in Roxbury. In addition to these events, Mayor Wu will also declare August 30 as “New Edition Day” in the City of Boston. These events will honor the critical contributions of New Edition and create opportunities for residents and families to build community across Boston neighborhoods.
“It is an honor to welcome home Roxbury natives New Edition to celebrate their global impact, from our communities here in Boston to the music industry worldwide,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Thank you to all of our City teams for their work in putting on this vibrant series of events that will bring community members together in recognition of our local, homegrown group. This is a unique opportunity to bring Boston’s neighborhoods together in a celebration of culture, pride and community and I encourage every community member to join us to celebrate New Edition’s tremendous impact.”
Founded in Roxbury, Massachusetts, “Orchard Park Projects” in 1978, New Edition has had a profound impact on both the Boston community and the music industry as a whole, paving the way for pop and R&B stars worldwide. For 40 plus years Members Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill have garnered immeasurable success touring the world both individually and as a collective group. In 2017 this Multi-Platinum selling supergroup was honored with a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star unveiling ceremony coincided with the premiere of NE’s three-part miniseries “The New Edition Story” which aired on BET setting a network record with more than 29 million unique viewers. In 2022, New Edition was inducted into the Black Music Hall of Fame and in 2023 the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. Throughout New Edition’s countless achievements, their most “coveted” accomplishment has been, and continues to be, the love and support they receive from their loyal and dedicated fans. Affectionately known as #NE4LIFERS, Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Michael, Ralph and Johnny are equally as dedicated to them, for without them New Edition would not and could not exist…