Oct. 24 (UPI) — Three of the all-time biggest R&B acts will team up to participate in a 30-city tour starting early next year: New Edition, Toni Braxton and Boyz II Men.
Black Promoters Collective on Friday announced “The New Edition Way Tour” will first perform on Jan. 28 at the Oakland Arena in California.
The tour will end on April 4 at the Toyota Center in Houston. Between the dates, concerts are planned in big cities: New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta and Boston.
They also will appear at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Jan. 30. They have had separate residencies this year on the Las Vegas Strip: Braxton and Boyz II Men at the Cosmopolitan and New Edition at Wynn Las Vegas.
“This landmark event celebrates music, legacy and connection — offering fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience these legendary artists performing together in one dynamic 360° view, delivering an up-close and immersive concert experience like never before,” the press release reads.
Tickets will be available starting next Friday at 10 a.m. local time through Ticketmaster and participating venue box offices. Also, there are presales through American Express, New Edition, Spotify and BPC.
Ticket prices will be given when sales begin.
“The tour’s name, The New Edition Way, pays tribute to the group’s historic recognition by their beloved hometown, the city of Boston, where a street was recently renamed New Edition Way in honor of their profound cultural and musical impact,” the news release said. “This distinction cements their legacy as pioneers who transformed R&B, birthed superstars, and built a blueprint for generations to follow.”
In all, the groups have sold nearly 185 million albums with many iconic songs from the 1980s and 1990s.
“You’re seeing artists who’ve shaped the culture come together to celebrate music that continues to stand the test of time,” Gary Guidry, CEO of the Black Promoters Collective, in a statement.
“This tour represents the spirit of collaboration, excellence, and respect for pristine artistry,” Shelby Joyner, president of BPC, said.
New Edition inspired New Kids on the Block, Backstreet Boys and K pop.
The members of New Edition have amassed multiple No. 1 singles, American Music and Soul Train Awards, and more than 50 million albums sold.
Their hit songs are Candy Girl, Cool It Now, Mr. Telephone Man, If It Isn’t Love, Can You Stand the Rain and Hit Me Off.
Boyz II Men performers will include Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman and Wanya Norris.
They are the best-selling R&B group of all time, with more 64 million albums. The group amassed four four Grammy Awards and hits that include End of the Road, I’ll Make Love to You and One Sweet Day
Toni Braxton, a 58-year-old seven-time Grammy Award winner, has a sultry tone and hits such as Un-Break My Heart, Breathe Again and You’re Makin’ Me High. She sold more than 70 million records worldwide.
Braxton appeared in the second season of The Braxtons.
This will be the first time Edition and Boyz II men will appear together through Michael Bivins.
In a video announcement on Instagram, New Edition members Bobby Brown, Ronnie DeVoe, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill made a FaceTime call to Boyz II Men where they are seeking to “go to the next level” after their Las Vegas residency.
Braxton posted on Instagram: “Y’all already know I’m the honorary seventh member of @newedition. So it’s only right that we hit the road together.”
“Here’s the vision: All three of us on the same stage every night, not taking turns, actually performing together… an original music experience,” they all said in the video announcement.