Producers Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds have been added to BET’s forthcoming “New Edition Story” as executive producers, joining Jesse Collins and director Chris Robinson, reports Billboard.com.
As previously reported, the biopic on the R&B group — comprised of Michael Bivins, Ricky Bell, Ronnie Devoe, Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill — will premiere as a six-hour, three-night event on Jan. 24 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
Jam and Lewis produced New Edition’s fifth studio effort, 1988’s “Heartbreak.” The album spawned the hits “If It Isn’t Love”, “You’re Not My Kind of Girl” and “Can You Stand the Rain.”
“Terry and I came in at a pivotal time when they were having internal issues and growing pains. Fans will get the true behind-the-scenes story of this key phase in their personal lives and careers,” said Harris in a statement to Billboard.
Babyface and his musical partner L.A. Reid produced the Grammy-Award winning song “Every Little Step” from Bobby Brown off his sophomore solo album “Don’t Be Cruel.”
“I learned a lot about Bobby and the band dynamic during the making of ‘Don’t Be Cruel.’ But I also lived and breathed ’80s R&B because I was performing with my band [The Deele] and producing with L.A. Reid, so I make sure the feeling was captured,” Babyface added.
Lewis also noted the evolution the group had over the years. “Their songs are like a time capsule, not only capturing the quintessential ’80s R&B sound but also document the New Edition journey particularly transitioning from a boy band to adult stars.”
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(Photo Source: PR Photos, BET)
