Photo by David Heasley for Schottenstein
I saw New Edition, Toni Braxton, and Boy2Men at the Schott. I didn’t quite think about everything that entailed. I just thought: New Edition – I know I’ve liked New Edition’s music my entire existence. I liked Jesus Love You. I found Sesame Street. Parents played Dylan and the Beatles. New Edition existed at some point.
I jumped off the 1, and realized New Edition are Ralph Tresvant, Johnny Gill, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, Michel Bivens, and Ronnie Devoe. I’m attending a New Edition concert with potential of Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant, Johnny Gill, and Bell Biv Devoe songs.
Toni Braxton sold 70 million records and married Birdman.
BOY2MEN I saw headline Dublin Fireworks.
I read Arthur Baker’s book Looking For the Perfect Beat. Hip Hop’s origins with pop stars were tangible. Arthur Baker produced Afrika Bambaataa’s Planet Rock and then New Edition’s first single. Later in the evening a dejay sequenced Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” with Too Short’s “Blow the Whistle.” I should clarify Bambaataa wasn’t involved with New Edition. New Edition weren’t in danger of molestation while Baker produced their music.
The Schott was stacked. New Edition’s show started with the Boston legends rising from a platform. New Edition’s entrance implied the 1980s predicted a future 2026. In the future, New Edition were uber-mensches.
We then landed in a continuum of R&B music. New Edition played “We Going Out Tonight” like the Four Tops were up-rocking with backing choreography. Boy2Men arrived with the smash “MotownPhilly.” Toni Braxton entered with “How Many Days.” The Schott felt like we were at an R+B Versus.
THERE ARE A LOT OF SUPERSTARS ON THIS STAGE TONIGHT.
Each group of superstars had dancers. Do I know any songs except “MotownPhilly,” “Poison” and “My Prerogative?” I found myself singing New Edition’s “If It Isn’t Love” with an entire arena. We were watching a flurry of set, costume, and dance changes.
Bobby Brown rocked “Don’t Be Cruel.” Bobby Brown had an endearing off-kilter Ozzy Osbourne quality unless he was singing. Bobby Brown OBD’s presence found support from the concert’s relentless precision. BBD rocked “Do Me.”
Boy2Men’s “I’ll Make Love To You” brought in a poignancy which was followed by Toni Braxton’s “Breathe Again” after an awareness that Braxton overcame lupus. We reached a stretch of songs which spanned from New Edition’s early hits in 1983 into singing Boy2Men “End of the Road” a cappella.
Saturday’s show culminated with “Every Little Step,” “My Prerogative,” and BBD’s “Poison” with an encore excitement after power ballads. The entire New Edition rocked “Poison” like we were doing the Apple Dance.
During the evening, Ralph Tresvant and Toni Braxton crooned with sentiment and earnest love.
I’d forgotten I’d decided BBD ’s warning “Never Trust A Big Butt and a Smile” as defeatist. I understand the warning that rookie interactions with floozies could make judgment errors.
With this said, I’ve known plenty of women with big butts, and congenial grins who are trustworthy, and kind. I don’t think a large backside decreases a person’s threshold for humanity and candor. If you like women with butts then you shouldn’t assume contrivance. I come from the school of ordaining a big booty sultana with interesting conversation and enthralling concurrence can elicit rewarding and gratifying interactions.
“Poison” didn’t seem misogynist at the New Edition show. Poison felt like a song of specific circumstances. New Edition, Boy2Men, and Toni Braxton’s sensitivity avoided “Poison” as the dominant sentiment.
For example, Bobby Brown’s “Roni” presented a counterpoint about pure intentions of attractive ladies. I’m sure New Edition, BBD, and Boy2Men know virtuous women of all shapes and sizes.
I say that to emphasize….I SAW NEW EDITION. In 2026, we literally can’t watch Micheal Jackson or Prince. Michael Jackson, Prince and New Edition were peers in the 1980’s.
I saw New Edition!
