"Word to the Mutha!" is a song co-written[1] and performed by American contemporary R&B group Bell Biv DeVoe and co-written and produced by Wolf & Epic (Richard Wolf and Bret "Epic" Mazur).[1] It originally appeared on their debut studio album Poison under the title "Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Mike, Ralph and Johnny (Word to the Mutha)!",[3] but the title was shortened and a remixed version of the song was issued as the only official single from the group's remix album WBBD-Bootcity!: The Remix Album. The song features vocals from Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill. It was the first recorded song to feature all six members of New Edition.[4] Brown, Tresvant and Gill are credited separately on the single, rather than collectively as New Edition.[5]
| "Word to the Mutha!" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Bell Biv DeVoe featuring Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill | ||||
| from the album WBBD-Bootcity!: The Remix Album | ||||
| Released | 1991 | |||
| Recorded | 1990 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 6:38 (WBBD-Bootcity! Version) 5:00 (Video Mix/Radio Edit) | |||
| Label | MCA | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
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| Bell Biv DeVoe singles chronology | ||||
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| Bobby Brown singles chronology | ||||
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| Johnny Gill singles chronology | ||||
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| Ralph Tresvant singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Word to the Mutha!" on YouTube | ||||
The song samples "A Star in the Ghetto" by Average White Band and "The Jam" by Graham Central Station.[6]
A music video was filmed in and around the Orchard Park Housing Projects, in the Roxbury section of Boston, where five of the six (excluding Johnny Gill) New Edition members grew up.
Chart positions
edit| Chart (1991-1992) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[7] | 151 |
| New Zealand (RIANZ)[8] | 11 |
| US Hot 100 Airplay (Billboard)[9] | 37 |
References
edit- ^ a b c "Word to the Mutha! - Bell Biv DeVoe | Listen, Appearances, Song Review | AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
- ^ "Bell Biv Devoe Featuring Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant, Johnny Gill - Word To The Mutha! (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs. Zink Media. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
- ^ "Poison - Bell Biv DeVoe | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards | AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
- ^ Goldstein, Sjarif (June 18, 2012). "Review: New Edition puts star power on display - Honolulu Pulse - Hawaii Entertainment, Food and NightlifeHonolulu Pulse – Hawaii Entertainment, Food and Nightlife". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Black Press. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
- ^ "Image". Discogs. Zink Media. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
- ^ "Word to the Mutha! (Remix) - Bell Biv DeVoe feat. Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant | WhoSampled". WhoSampled. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
- ^ "Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing February 10, 1992". Bubbling Down Under. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
- ^ "charts.nz - New Zealand charts portal". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
- ^ "Bell Biv DeVoe Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Radio Songs for Bell Biv Devoe.
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External links
edit- "Word to the Mutha!" at AllMusic
- "Word to the Mutha!" at Discogs (list of releases)
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