By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — The longtime R&B group New Edition was honored recently by the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM).
The Black pop music superstars have reunited for a new tour that also features the group Guy and vocalist Keith Sweat.
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) also joined in the event, which recognized New Edition as one of the oldest and most commercially successful vocal groups in popular music history.
Though he has missed some dates on the current tour, Bobby Brown was among the members participating in the event. He praised the Museum for its ongoing advocacy for all Black musical idioms, and added the group was proud to join the list of recently honored ensembles and personalities.
The National Museum of African American Music, located on 5th Avenue directly across the street from the Ryman Auditorium, broke ground in 2017 and opened in 2021.
It combines displays and exhibits to convey the scope and artistry of Black artists in more than 50 genres with interactive components, photographs and memorabilia, both historic and contemporary.
New Edition began as a six-member group in Boston back in 1978. Despite two highly publicized breakups, all six members have reunited at times for the current tour.
The group has sold more than seven and a half million albums in their tenure. The most successful was “Home Again,” which sold over two million copies in 1996.