The battle between Beantown’s biggest boy bands has officially come to pass!
Both New Edition andNew Kids on the Blocktook the stage at the2021 American Music Awardson Sunday for a “Battle of Boston,” which marked the first time the two iconic groups have performed together.
New Edition then took the stage to sing “Candy Girl,” with each band member wearing a long coat and hat in a different color as they, too, performed a choreographed routine.
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The two groups then took turns on the stage, with NKOTB singing hits including “Step By Step,” “Hangin' Tough” and “Please Don’t Go Girl,” and New Edition performing “Mr. Telephone Man,” “Is This the End” and “Can You Stand the Rain.”
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To wrap things up, New Edition gave it their all on “If This Isn’t Love,” and NKOTB joined them for a dance routine involving both bands. Afterwards, the singers all shared hugs and handshakes.
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The performance was part of a new AMAs segment titled “My Hometown,” which also featured sets fromKane Brown, andCarrie UnderwoodandJason Aldean.
Both groups hail from Boston; New Edition from the neighborhood of Roxbury, and New Kids on the Block from Dorchester.
New Edition last appeared at the AMAs in 1997, while NKOTB performed most recently in 2010.
The groups at rehearsal.Marcello Ambriz
While the groups have collaborated in the past — on a 2008 song called “Full Service” — they’d never before performed live together.
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NKOTB is comprised of Jonathan Knight, 52, Jordan Knight, 50, Joey McIntyre, 48, Donnie Wahlberg, 52, and Danny Wood, 52.
Their popularity came with hits like “You Got It (The Right Stuff),” and though they disbanded in 1994, have since reunited.
Shortly after their performance at the AMAs was announced, Wahlberg wrote on Twitter that NKOTB sharing the stage with New Edition was “beyond a childhood dream come true.”
Other performances during theCardi B-hosted show includeBTSandColdplay,Olivia Rodrigo,Bad Bunny with Tainy and Julieta Venegas,Carrie UnderwoodandJason Aldean,Kane Brown,Diplo,Måneskin,Mickey Guyton, Tyler, the Creator,Walker Hayes,Zoe Wees,Chlöeand Silk Sonic’sBruno MarsandAnderson.Paak.
The AMAs are airing live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT on ABC, and will stream the next day on Hulu.
source: people.com
