The highly anticipated BET New Edition biopic, The New Edition Story, has just bumped the anticipation level up a notch with the announcement that legendary producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis as well as Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds have signed on as music producers for the series.

Of course, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Babyface played integral roles in the rise of NE.  Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis produced New Edition’s 1988 career expanding, double platinum album Heart Break—their highest selling album to date. The album ushered in a new sound for the band, hinging largely on the introduction of Johnny Gill's mature vocals. The album featured five singles, including the classics "Can You Stand the Rain" and "If It Isn't Love."  The legendary production duo also produced Ralph Tresvant’s solo breakout #1 single “Sensitivity” and Johnny Gill's #1 single “Rub You The Right Way.”

“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 Jimmy Jam, according to Shadow and Act.

“Their songs are like a time capsule, not only capturing the quintessential 80’s R&B sound but also document the New Edition journey particularly transitioning from a boy band to adult stars," Lewis continued.

As for Babyface, he'll serve as the music producer for the first half of The New Edition Story, having crafted Bobby Brown's classic breakout album, Don't Be Cruel and also written hits for Gill and platinum-selling N.E. spinoff trio Bell Biv DeVoe.

“I learned a lot about Bobby and the band dynamic during the making of ‘Don’t Be Cruel.’ But I also lived and breathed 80’s 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,” said Babyface.

The biopic will delve into the rise of one of R&B's most beloved groups of all-time, New Edition. Of course, the real interest in the story is as much about the individual group members as it is about the band itself, and thus will provide a glimpse into the lives of Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill, Ronnie DeVoe, Ralph Tresvant, Michael Bivins and Ricky Bell, respectively. From personal highs and lows to the the group's mega success and long lasting impact, the mini-series will explore it all, much to the delight of fans who've been waiting for NE's story to hit the screen.

The series will air as a six hour, three night event on January 24, 25, and 26, 2017 at 9 PM ET/PT on BET.

 

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