Ralph Tresvant

Ralph Edward Tresvant Sr. (born May 16, 1968), also known as Rizz and Rizzo, is an American singer, songwriter, actor and record producer, best known as the lead singer of R&B and pop group New Edition. As a solo artist, Tresvant released the album Ralph Tresvant (1990). In 2008, he began touring with Bobby Brown and Johnny Gill in a new group named Heads of State.

Early life

Tresvant was born on May 16, 1968, in the Roxbury section of Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Patricia and Ralph Edward Tresvant, Sr. Tresvant grew up enjoying music with his younger siblings, sister LaTonya and brother Andre. When some junior high school friends got the idea to put a group together, Tresvant and three others- Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell and Michael Bivins—started performing at local talent shows. They were spotted by a local up-and-coming producer and songwriter, Brooke Payne, a local manager and choreographer, who encountered the boys at a local talent show in Roxbury. After an audition for Payne, he gave them the name New Edition to signify they were a new edition of the Jackson 5. Maurice Starr, who wanted to create a "newer edition" of the pop act The Jackson 5, signed them to his independent Streetwise Records label and a fifth member, Ronnie DeVoe (Payne's nephew), was added to the group. Releasing their debut album, Candy Girl, in 1983. The album was a successful launching pad for the group, spawning the teen-oriented hit singles "Popcorn Love," "Is This the End" and the title track.

Career

After a dispute over money, New Edition left Starr's management and record label and signed with major label MCA Records, which released the group's self-titled second album. Tresvant's smooth, approachable vocal style had become a signature for the group, and the hits continued, including the Top Five smash single "Cool It Now."

Quiet and shy, Tresvant was initially apprehensive about the idea of recording a solo project. However, after witnessing the huge success of Bobby Brown's solo albums and of Ronnie DeVoe, Ricky Bell and Michael Bivins' Bell Biv Devoe side project, Tresvant eventually relented. His self-title debut was released in 1990. The lead single "Sensitivity" spent 20 weeks including one week at No. 1 on the U.S. R&B Singles chart. The album also included the hit singles "Do What I Gotta Do" and "Stone Cold Gentleman", the latter of which features guest vocals from former band member Bobby Brown.

Tresvant's vocals were also featured on songs on the soundtracks for the films Mo' Money ("Money Can't Buy You Love") and The Preacher's Wife ("Somebody Bigger Than You and I"). He made a cameo appearance in the popular urban comedy House Party 2features two singles " ( Rated-R) and ( Yo Baby Yo ) .

Tresvant is a DJ on The BASS of Boston WZBR 1410 AM. The show “Inside the Ride with Ralph Tresvant” premiered on Monday, September 5, 2016.

Personal life

Tresvant married his childhood sweetheart, Shelly, in 1993; they have two daughters and a son. In 2004, he married his second wife, Amber with whom he has a son.

Discography

New Edition

• Candy Girl (1983)
• New Edition (1984)
• All for Love (1985)
• Under the Blue Moon (1986)
• Heart Break (1988)
• Home Again (1996)
• One Love (2004)

Solo

• Ralph Tresvant (1990)
• It's Goin' Down (1994)
• Rizz-Wa-Faire (2006)

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