New Edition Reflects On Legacy Amid Street Renaming In Boston Hometown

August 30 will officially be known as “New Edition Day” in Boston.

The acclaimed, pioneering R&B sextet celebrated the honor along with a street naming ceremony in Roxbury, Massachusetts, where the the group was founded. “New Edition Way” will be housed at the corner of Ambrose and Albany Streets near Orchard Gardens (formerly Orchard Park Projects).

“It’s prestigious without a doubt,” Johnny Gill told VIBE of the feat. “To just know that 42 years of what we’ve done here as a group […] there’s a level of contribution that has been made from each and every one of us. When you look at this type of prestige, it’s written in stone. [Our impact] can’t be erased […] The hard work that’s been put in here has paid off in a great way.”

Michael Bivins, who was raised in those housing projects, reflected on a fonder, full circle memory. “The center where it’s going to happen at, that’s where we met,” he shared. “We used to eat in that center. We would get a free meal if you was in the gym […] and a lot of us was taking trays if food was left over.”

He continued, “To have the street [renaming] is one thing, but to have [it] right in front of the gym is another thing.”

Ronnie DeVoe praised his uncle, Brooke Payne, for being the true visionary behind New Edition and laying the foundation for their longevity. He noted, “It’s a testament to the gifts that God gave us and the talents that God gave us and Uncle B honing those skills to the point where the rough turned into the diamonds that we are today. To connect to our city and be recognized with something that’s going to be there forever is truly amazing.”

Not only did the men discuss the present commemoration like the community block party and giveaways, but also pondered how New Edition Day would be celebrated in the future. Considering it’s so close to their group anniversary (Sept. 9), they agreed that the celebration will be “ongoing” and most likely, combined— but not in a traditional sense.

Bivins spoke the different neighborhoods within the city of Boston that most people stay away from and confessed that his goal is unity across the board with New Edition at the forefront.

“There’s people in certain hoods that don’t go to certain places and it’s just what it is. It’s been that way for years. If we could find neutral zones to celebrate, that’s what I hope we do with years to go,” he explained.

For those unfamiliar with Boston territories, Bivins compared his neighborhood to New York City. “Roxbury is considered like Harlem. Queens is like Dorchester and Brooklyn is kind of considered like Dorchester [or] Mattapan.”

Despite Ricky Bell, Bobby Brown, and Ralph Tresvant not being present for the conversation, Gill, Bivins, and DeVoe confessed that New Edition still has new dreams that they want to see come true— like getting inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame among other things. They also just want to continue to remain in good health and spirits.

Bivins added, “I think that’s so important for us because of the taxing that it takes to be New Edition and the commitment that it takes. The fact that we’re living to talk to each other is just so important. Those are the things that I think are in front of us that keeps us being unique and trendsetters and just being special.”

Overall, similar to Jermaine Dupri’s recent praise of New Edition, they all agree, “It’s about time.”