The Biography

Ronald Boyd DeVoe Jr. (born November 17, 1967) also known as Ronnie, RBDJr, RD, Ronnie D, and Big Ron, is one of the members of the R&B/pop group New Edition, and the R&B/hip hop group Bell Biv DeVoe. DeVoe was the second-to-last member to join New Edition (Johnny Gill being the last) after being brought in by his uncle and the group's choreographer, Brooke Payne. In 1981, the group took second place at a talent show which caught the eye of record producer, Maurice Starr, who signed them to his Streetwise record label. New Edition went on to become the biggest-selling boy band group from the mid to late 1980s. After New Edition's 1990 breakup, DeVoe and fellow New Edition members, Ricky Bell and Michael Bivins, formed the R&B/hip-hop group, Bell Biv DeVoe. Bell Biv DeVoe's 1990 debut album, Poison, sold more than 5 million copies and garnered five hit singles such as "Poison" and "B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me)?". Over the years, they have created 4 albums and DeVoe still performs and records with Bell Biv DeVoe as well as New Edition. In 2018, DeVoe began to appear as a guest-member of Bravo's series The Real Housewives of Atlanta, as he is often seen with his wife, Shamari, who became a regular cast member when Season 11 premiered on November 4, 2018. Shamari was a member of the 90's singing group Blaque. He is co-owner of DeVoe Broker Associates, a real estate agency in Atlanta, Georgia.