The UB Video Interview: Ralph Tresvant Returns
Ralph Tresvant is a shining star that has been captivating audiences for over 35 years as a solo artist, actor, entertainer, writer, producer and legendary front man of super group New Edition.
Ralph has released the first single from his upcoming album. Entitled “All Mine” the single features NE band-mate Johnny Gill.
Ralph says; “All Mine” to me is a statement record. Its grown folks record that says good R&B music executed properly always has a place in the music industry. It also show that addressing the subject of love never get old!”
In this new interview Aries from UB spoke with Ralph Tresvant about his new single “All Mine” featuring Johnny Gill, his new album, the latest on NE and he tells us about the song he wrote for his mother.
Ralph Tresvant also plays the Lyric Game with UrbanBridgez.
Born May 16, 1968, Ralph Tresvant grew up in the Roxbury section of Boston. He joined Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe in a group formed by producer/songwriter Maurice Starr.
Starr‘s concept was to form a group that was basically a “new edition” of the Jackson 5. Paradoxically, Motown founder Berry Gordy wanted to mold the Jackson 5 into a “New Edition” of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. Signed to StreetWise Records, the group scored with “Candy Girl.”
The hits continued with “Is This the End” (number eight R&B), “Lost in Love” (number six R&B), “Count Me Out” (number two R&B for two weeks), “Earth Angel” from the movie Karate Kid Part 2 (number three R&B), “Once in a Lifetime Groove” from the Gregory Hines/Billy Crystal movie Running Scared (number ten R&B), “Tears on My Pillow” with Little Anthony of Little Anthony and the Imperials, “If It Isn’t Love” (number two R&B, number seven pop), “You’re Not My Kind of Girl” (number three R&B), and “Crucial” (number four R&B).
Signing to MCA Records as a solo artist, Tresvant expressed his apprehension about becoming a solo artist and trying to match his previous successes in various interviews. Producers/songwriters Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis felt confident in Tresvant‘s abilities having work with him on the group’s double-platinum LP “Heartbreak.” They had him sing the lead and background vocals on the song they had written for him, “Sensitivity.”
“Sensitivity” sold over a million copies, going to #1 R&B and #4 pop on Billboard‘s charts in fall 1990. His solo debut, Ralph Tresvant, was released in November of 1990 and went platinum, reaching #1 R&B for two weeks. The album also yielded the charting hits “Stone Cold Gentleman” featuring Bobby Brown, “Do What I Gotta Do,” and “Rated R.” For Jam & Lewis’ Perspective Records, Ralph sang on the 1992 hit “The Best Things in Life Are Free” with the late great Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson on lead with with BBD. That was followed by his own hit single, “Money Can’t Buy You Love,” from the Damon and Marlon Wayans movie Mo’ Money.
Ralph has also appeared in the movie House Party 2. The New Edition reunion album, “Home Again” was released with much success, and there was a 1998 sophomore release, “It’s Goin’ Down.” In 2006 XMG Record’s released RizzWaFaire, that entered Billboard’s Top 200 Charts at #88.
In 2017 Ralph recorded his vocals for the Mitchell Coleman Jr. remake of Michael Jackson‘s “I Can’t Help It.”
Last year, Ralph received the Key to the City in Little Rock, Arkansas from Mayor Frank Scott, Jr, and performed at the Arkansas State Fair
