For Those Feenin’ For More R&B Biopics… The Story Of Jodeci Is Coming (Video)

In the last month, New Edition’s biopic set ratings records during its three-night television mini-series. The New Edition Story aired on BET, and told the story of Bobby Brown, Michael Bivens, Ricky Bell, Ronnie DeVoe, Ralph Tresvant, and later member Johnny Gill with the group functioning as producers. The event also was capped with Bell Biv DeVoe, a trio offshoot, releasing their first album in more than 15 years.

Music biopics on television are hardly new phenomena, especially in R&B. The Jackson 5, The Temptations, TLC, and Aaliyah’s biopics have all aired over the last 25 years. However, they may be as in vogue as ever. Mr. Dalvin, a founding member appeared alongside band-mate JoJo on Q102.1 FM in San Francisco, California.  “That’s in the works already,” confirmed the singer, when asked about a Jodeci film.

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“They signed the process last September,” says Dalvin. “They finished the script, and it’s going into production next month. So we’re looking at an end-of-the-year release.” He added, “VH1 bought the rights.”

Jodeci’s career stems back to Charlotte, North Carolina in the late 1980s, as two sets of brothers. In 1991, the quarter released Forever My Lady on Uptown Records, under development and tutelage from executives Puff Daddy, Heavy D, and Andre Harrell. That LP would be a chart-topper for R&B rankings, and a Top 20 overall. Through using a lot of the themes found in hardcore Hip-Hop records of the day as well as the fashion, the group transformed R&B, giving way to artists like R. Kelly, Drake, and Trey Songz.

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By the mid-1990s, reportedly unhappy after Diary of a Mad Band released (which featured early Timbaland and Missy Elliott involvement), the group, as individuals, began recording with Puffy’s rivals at Death Row Records. In addition to mentoring Danny Boy there, the artists appeared on several Tupac tracks before the rapper died. 1995’s The Show, The Afterparty, The Hotel persisted and landed the group a platinum LP, and #2 overall release. Shortly after, Jodeci broke up to focus on solo endeavors, while dealing with addiction and legal issues on several artists’ part.

K-Ci & JoJo formed a deeply successful R&B duo, releasing two Top 10 LPs for MCA. DeVante mentored Keyshia Cole and Flo Rida in later years. The quartet reunited in the 2010s through performance. Like BBD, an album followed in the form of 2015’s The Past, The Present, The Future. Boasting Timbaland production, the Epic/Sony Records-backed LP also includes an appearance by B.o.B.