NEW EDITION: FOR THE UMPTEENTH TIME DON'T CALL THEM A BOY BAND BY SHELDON TAYLOR
New Edition’s appearance with fellow Bostonians NKOTB on last night’s American Music Awards was a full circle moment, continuing the string of victories continuing to tip the scales in their favor after decades of career ups-and-downs. During NE's early years, one-sided management deals devoured their royalties and performance earnings. As NKTOB became millionaires, NE languished in financial purgatory. Group implosions grounded lucrative career take-offs. As the years came and went, others passed them by and reaped rewards that were always just beyond their grasp. Fast forward to 2021. A pair of TV biopics, a partnership with a high-powered Hollywood agency and a looming Vegas residency have rebooted R&B’s greatest entertainment franchise embodying lyrics to their 90s celebratory anthem Oh Yeah It Feels So Good: Now the come has come/to return as one/ and its never been better.