“Poison” is a groundbreaking 1990 track by Bell Biv Devoe that served as a foundational pillar for the New Jack Swing movement. Spawning from the split of the R&B group New Edition, the trio crafted a hard-hitting sound that aggressively fused smooth contemporary R&B vocal melodies with heavy, gritty hip-hop drum loops and sampling. The song’s iconic, stuttering drum beat and sharp, metallic synth stabs created an aggressive, danceable energy that completely transformed the urban contemporary music landscape.

The lyrics serve as a highly stylized, street-smart cautionary tale about infatuation with a deceitful, dangerous, and manipulative woman. Using the metaphor of “poison” to describe her toxic allure, the group delivers their warnings through a dynamic mix of rapid-fire hip-hop verses and smooth, melodic R&B choruses. The track’s sharp attitude, unforgettable catchphrases, and raw production energy turn a dark warning about heartbreak into an enduring, high-energy dance club classic.