

1996–1997: Home Again reunion and second breakup īy 1996, the members of New Edition had arguably achieved greater commercial success with their own side projects than the group had during its run. Prior to this, Brown also appeared in the music videos for Bell Biv DeVoe's 'BBD (I Thought It Was Me)' video, as well as Tresvant's 'Stone Cold Gentleman' and 'Sensitivity' remix videos. In 1991, all six members again reunited to record a remix of the Bell Biv DeVoe track 'Word to the Mutha!' Brown, Gill and Tresvant also appeared in the music video. Later that year, the group (including Bobby Brown) had a semi-reunion of sorts when they performed at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards.

The same year, lead singers Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill (who had already recorded as a solo act prior to joining New Edition) also released self-titled solo albums, which also achieved multi-platinum success. Their 1990 debut album, Poison Free download youtube music for mac. At the suggestion of producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ron DeVoe formed a trio, Bell Biv DeVoe. Inspired by the substantial success Bobby Brown was having with his multi-platinum 1988 breakthrough album Don’t Be Cruel, after the run of Heart Break, New Edition went on hiatus to pursue side projects away from the group.

Telephone Man', and went on to be certified double platinum in the United States. Eclipsing their debut album, New Edition spun off the top five hit 'Cool It Now' and the top twenty 'Mr. Through the production affiliate of AMI, Jump and Shoot, MCA released the group's self-titled second album the same year. The management company, AMI, proceeded to escalate the group's profile in both the urban and pop music worlds. In need of management, the group signed with Steven Machat and his two management partners Rick Smith and Bill Dern. The Machats won the legal game and then secured the group a bigger recording deal with major label MCA Records, which won the bidding war among various other major labels. (Starr responded by promptly creating the group New Kids on the Block, essentially formatted after New Edition, but with white teenagers.) Meanwhile, the group hired the law firm of Steven and Martin Machat and sued Streetwise for release from a contract that was unenforceable as well as materially breached by Streetwise.

Due to these financial reasons, New Edition parted company with Starr in 1984. Tour budget and expenses were given as the explanation as to why they were not paid more. Returning from their first major concert tour, the boys were dropped off back at their homes in the projects and were given a check in the amount of $1.87 apiece for their efforts.
