Ricky Bell (singer)
| Ricky Bell | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Ricardo Bell |
| Also known as | Slick, Rick, Ricky |
| Born | September 18, 1967 |
| Origin | Roxbury, Massachusetts, US |
| Genres | New jack swing, R&B |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instruments | Vocal |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Labels |
CD Baby (solo) (2000) So So Def/Geffen (2008–present) |
| Associated acts | New Edition, Bell Biv DeVoe |
| Website | myspace |
Ricardo "Ricky" Bell (Born September 18, 1967), also known as Slick, is an American singer. He is best known as one of the founding members of R&B/pop group New Edition, and as the lead singer of Bell Biv DeVoe.
The 2nd youngest of thirteen children, Bell was born in Roxbury, Boston, Massachusetts and grew up in the Orchard Park Projects.
He began his career singing with close friend, Ralph Tresvant in a group called "Ricky and Ralph." Later, Bell, along with Michael Bivins, Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant, and Ronnie DeVoe became New Edition. The group began a career in 1983 that has spanned more than 30 years. After the departure of Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill joined the group in the mid-1980s. Before Gill joined the group, Bell was originally the oldest member of New Edition. After recording the Heartbreak album, Ricky was given the chance to be a solo artist but opted instead to form Bell Biv DeVoe.
Bell's role in the spotlight increased when record producer Jimmy Jam had an idea for a spin-off group called Bell Biv DeVoe with Bell as the lead singer. The group combined elements of rap and R&B consistently, calling their style "hip-hop smoothed out on an R&B tip with a pop feel appeal to it."
Although Bell had primarily performed as a backup vocalist with New Edition, he emerged as one of the most utilized voices on singles released by the group in the 1990s; with the exception of the ensemble songs, "Hot2Nite" and "Hit Me Off," and the Brown-led "You Don't Have to Worry," Bell performed lead or co-lead on the remainder of the group's charting singles. "I'm Still in Love With You," which also featured Ralph Tresvant, was so successful that a Spanish-language version was recorded, "Siempre Tu," and "One More Day" has the distinction of being the only New Edition song with a solo member appearing in the video.
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