A head of state is the highest-ranking position in a sovereign state and is vested with powers to act as the chief public representative of that state. In most countries, the head of state is a natural person, but the position is held by a body of persons in the Federal Council of Switzerland and the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and, in two other United Nations member states, the position is held by two persons jointly: the Co-Princes of Andorra and the Captains Regent of San Marino. The role and functions of the office of a head of state may range from being purely ceremonial figurehead to one that wields autocratic executive power; as the nature of the position of a head of state is for each state to decide; and although several models or patterns exist, there are many idiosyncrasies in different states which preclude tidy classifications.

Heads of State also known as BGT was formed at the end of 2008 by New Edition members Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant. During the Home Again tour in 1997, Jam & Lewis, who suggested that the other three members of New Edition Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe form Bell Biv DeVoe in 1990, also suggested that Bobby, Ralph and Johnny form a trio, but they were never able to accomplish their goal until 2008. They began touring in 2008 as a trio on the Summit Tour. On July 3, 2011, Heads Of State reunited with Bell Biv DeVoe as "New Edition" for the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana. As of 2011, Bobby, Ralph and Johnny were still touring as "Heads of State", as well as working on their solo projects.