Bobby Brown

  • Boston, MA
    hometown
  • R&B/Soul
    genre
  • 1983
    started
  • Bio
    full story
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About Bobby Brown


One of the brightest R&B stars of the late '80s and early '90s, Bobby Brown was the performer who popularized new jack swing, a blend of classic soul, synth-funk, and hip-hop rhythms that often featured rap breaks in between the conventionally melodic verses and choruses. Guy's Teddy Riley may have been new jack's greatest innovator, but Brown was its greatest hitmaker, crossing over to pop audiences with his blockbuster Don't Be Cruel album and thus making new jack swing the dominant trend in R&B through the early '90s (which, in turn, helped kick-start the solo careers of his former bandmates in New Edition). As R&B tastes changed, Brown became better known for his private life than his music; a sometimes rocky marriage to Whitney Houston and a series of run-ins with the law kept him in the tabloid headlines for most of the '90s and 2000s, even though he wasn't actually recording much music.

Brown was born February 5, 1969, in Boston, and began singing with Roxbury schoolmates Michael Bivins and Ricky Bell in 1978. The group developed into New Edition and, after a few talent show wins, was discovered by producer Maurice Starr. Starr signed the group to his label and co-authored its debut hit, "Candy Girl," which helped get New Edition a deal with MCA. After a few years of teen stardom, Brown longed to move on to an adult solo career, and left New Edition in 1986. He released his debut solo album, King of Stage, in 1987, and while it didn't make a name for Brown as a pop star, it did spawn a major R&B hit in the ballad "Girlfriend." Overall, though King of Stage gave little indication that Brown was about to become a breakout star on the cutting edge of modern R&B.

For his follow-up, Brown sought a more distinctive musical identity in the budding new jack swing movement. He enlisted the emerging production/songwriting team of L.A. Reid and Babyface to handle the majority of the record, with new jack pioneer Teddy Riley coming onboard in a limited capacity as well. The result, Don't Be Cruel, was a state-of-the-art, star-making affair. Released in the summer of 1988, the record produced Brown's first pop Top Ten hit in the title track, but really started to take off when the driving statement of purpose "My Prerogative" went all the way to number one toward the end of the year (and managed to work the word "prerogative" into a catchy hook). From there, Don't Be Cruel just kept spinning off hits: the ballad "Roni," the dance tune "Every Little Step" (which showed off Brown's rapping skills), and another ballad, "Rock Wit'cha," all hit the Top Ten in 1989, with the former two both making it all the way to number three. Don't Be Cruel topped the album charts and sold a whopping seven million copies, making Brown a superstar. In 1990, he was tapped to provide the theme song for Ghostbusters II and responded with the number two smash "On Our Own," another rap/R&B mixture; he also contributed a rap to friend Glenn Medeiros' number one pop hit "She Ain't Worth It." Brown was so popular at this point that even his 1990 remix album Dance!...Ya Know It! went platinum.

And then, somehow, the momentum began to slow. Countless other artists expanded on the new jack swing blueprint, with many of Brown's former New Edition colleagues at the forefront: Bell Biv Devoe, Johnny Gill, Ralph Tresvant. Moreover, Don't Be Cruel made L.A. Reid and Babyface into hot commodities, and their sound was all over the airwaves. Just before his new album, Bobby, was released in the summer of 1992, Brown married superstar diva Whitney Houston, who sang the duet "Something in Common" on the new record. Bobby's lead single, "Humpin' Around," was a smash on both the pop and R&B charts, reaching the Top Five on the former. However, Bobby didn't sustain the momentum of Don't Be Cruel; perhaps it didn't stand out from the pack the way Don't Be Cruel had in 1988. Whatever the reason, sales of Bobby topped out at around two million copies, despite several more R&B hits in "Good Enough," "Get Away," and "That's the Way Love Is." In 1993, Georgia police arrested Brown for an overly suggestive stage performance, an incident that would prove to be the first of many legal difficulties for Brown -- which were compounded by substance abuse issues -- over the next several years.

After a number of incidents that included a club brawl, a battery charge that led to probation, a drunk-driving accident, and a stint at the Betty Ford Clinic, Brown found time to record with the fully reunited New Edition, whose comeback album, Home Again, entered the charts at number one in September 1996. Brown toured with the group, but departed when the tour was over. The tabloids, meanwhile, had a field day over Brown and Houston's rumored marital problems. Brown released his fourth solo album, Forever, in 1997, but it was a commercial disappointment that failed to break the Top 50.

In 2005, he rejoined New Edition once more, broke off with fellow members Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant as the touring act Heads of State, and starred in the BET reality program Being Bobby Brown. Shortly after the show's brief run, he and Houston divorced. A few months after Houston's February 2012 death, Brown released his fifth solo album, The Masterpiece. ~ Steve Huey, Rovi

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Music

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  • That's The Way Love Is
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    That's The Way Love Is
  • Humpin' Around (Clean w/out Intro)
    bobby-brown
    Video
    Humpin' Around (Clean w/out Intro)
  • Humpin' Around
    bobby-brown
    Video
    Humpin' Around
  • Don't Be Cruel
    bobby-brown
    Video
    Don't Be Cruel
  • Every Little Step
    bobby-brown
    Video
    Every Little Step
  • Humpin' Around (With Intro)
    bobby-brown
    Video
    Humpin' Around (With Intro)
  • Feelin' Inside
    bobby-brown
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    Feelin' Inside
  • Something In Common
    bobby-brown
    Video
    Something In Common
  • 3624
    SoundStream
    SoundStream
    song name
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    All the music you want, just 10 bucks a month. Try it free.
    • Baby You Can Get Your Gun
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/6/2/5/2/4/141342526.mp3
    • Trick Bag
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g2/3/5/9/1/2/915621953.mp3
    • Let's Make A Better World
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g2/0/6/5/1/2/915621560.mp3
    • Those Lonely, Lonely Feelings
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/6/8/1/3/5/363753186.mp3
    • Mama And Papa
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/3/1/2/7/9/986797213.mp3
    • You Can Fly High
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/1/4/7/0/4/141340741.mp3

Interviews & Exclusives

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  • MTV News RAW: Bobby Brown
    bobby-brown
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    MTV News RAW: Bobby Brown
  • On The Diversity
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    On The Diversity
  • On 'Bobby'
    bobby-brown
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    On 'Bobby'
  • On'My Prerogative'
    bobby-brown
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    On'My Prerogative'

Photos

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  • Bobby Brown takes over the stage as he performs "Humpin' Around" at the 1992 Video Music Awards in Los Angeles.
    Bobby Brown
    Bobby Brown takes over the stage as he performs "Humpin' Around" at the 1992 Video Music Awards in Los Angeles.
    Getty Images
  • <I>Gone Country</I> cast members Diana DeGarmo (left), Maureen McCormick, John Rich, Bobby Brown and Sisqo introduce Kenny Chesney's performance during the 2008 CMT Music Awards on April 14, 2008.
    Bobby Brown
    Gone Country cast members Diana DeGarmo (left), Maureen McCormick, John Rich, Bobby Brown and Sisqo introduce Kenny Chesney's performance during the 2008 CMT Music Awards on April 14, 2008.
    Scott Gries/Getty Images
  • <I>Gone Country</I> cast members Diana DeGarmo (left), Maureen McCormick, John Rich, Bobby Brown and Sisqo at the 2008 CMT Music Awards on April 14, 2008
    Bobby Brown
    Gone Country cast members Diana DeGarmo (left), Maureen McCormick, John Rich, Bobby Brown and Sisqo at the 2008 CMT Music Awards on April 14, 2008
    Scott Gries/Getty Images
  • Singer Bobby Brown poses in the press room during the 2008 CMT Music Awards at the Curb Events Center at Belmont University on April 14, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee.
    Bobby Brown
    Singer Bobby Brown poses in the press room during the 2008 CMT Music Awards at the Curb Events Center at Belmont University on April 14, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee.
    Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
  • Whitney Houston and husband Bobby Brown arrive at the Vanity Fair post Oscar party March 25, 2001 at Morton's restaurant in West Hollywood.  Singer Bobby Brown was charged with battery December 10, 2003, three days after he allegedly hit his wife, singer
    Bobby Brown
    Whitney Houston and husband Bobby Brown arrive at the Vanity Fair post Oscar party March 25, 2001 at Morton's restaurant in West Hollywood. Singer Bobby Brown was charged with battery December 10, 2003, three days after he allegedly hit his wife, singer
    Jason Kirk/Getty Images
  • American R&B singer Bobby Brown holding a copy of his album 'Don't Be Cruel', at the HMV shop, circa 1988.
    Bobby Brown
    American R&B singer Bobby Brown holding a copy of his album 'Don't Be Cruel', at the HMV shop, circa 1988.
    Dave Hogan/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
  • Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown (file)
    Bobby Brown
    Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown (file)
    Frederick M. Brown and Stephen Shugerman/ Getty Im
  • Bobby Brown
    Courtesy of Bravo
  • Bobby Brown was back in trouble in 2003. Wife Whitney even held an impromptu prayer session in court.
    Bobby Brown
    Bobby Brown was back in trouble in 2003. Wife Whitney even held an impromptu prayer session in court.
  • Bobby Brown Arrested in 1989, 1993, & twice in '95.
    Bobby Brown
    Bobby Brown Arrested in 1989, 1993, & twice in '95.

News

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  • Bobby Brown
    Bobby Brown Announces New Edition Reunion on 'The View'
    www.rollingstone.com
    Bobby Brown revealed that he and the rest of New Edition have once again reunited on yesterday's episode of The View on ABC. "We will be doing an albu...
    Read More
  • Bobby Brown
    Bobby Brown Breaks Down Onstage Paying Tribute To Whitney Houston
    MTV News
    Just hours after Whitney Houston's death, her ex-husband, Bobby Brown, took to the stage and was visibly shaken in front of the crowd. Brown was perfo...
    Read More
  • Bobby Brown
    Whitney Houston’s Funeral: Where Were Bobby Brown And Aretha Franklin?
    idolator.com
    Many members of Whitney Houston's friends and family were able to pay their respects to the late singer during her "home going" service in Newark, New...
    Read More
  • Bobby Brown
    Bobby Brown 'Blesses' Whitney Houston At Show
    MTV News
    MONTVILLE, CONNECTICUT -- Hours after the world paid its final goodbye to Whitney Houston in New Jersey, ex-husband Bobby Brown paid his alongside ban...
    Read More
  • Bobby Brown
    Bobby Brown “Blesses” Whitney Houston In Concert
    idolator.com
    Despite Bobby Brown's sour feelings and early departure from Whitney Houston's funeral yesterday, he still managed to compose himself and muster up en...
    Read More
  • Bobby Brown
    Bobby Brown Returns to Rehab
    www.rollingstone.com
    Bobby Brown checked himself into a rehab center last week as part an agreement stemming from his March arrest for driving while drunk in Los Angeles, ...
    Read More
  • Bobby Brown
    Bobby Brown Arrested on New DUI Charge
    www.rollingstone.com
    Bobby Brown was arrested and charged with drunken driving this morning in Los Angeles, E! reports. It's the singer's second DUI arrest this year, and ...
    Read More
  • Bobby Brown
    Bobby Brown Sentenced to 55 Days in Jail on DUI Charge
    www.rollingstone.com
    Bobby Brown was sentenced to 55 days in jail yesterday after acknowledging in court that he was caught driving drunk last year near Los Angeles, Reute...
    Read More
  • Bobby Brown
    Bobby Brown released from jail for DUI conviction
    music.yahoo.com
    Related ContentView Photo FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2012 file photo, singer Bobby Brown, former husband of the ... LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Bobby Brown has b...
    Read More
  • Bobby Brown
    Bobby Brown Begins Jail Sentence for DUI
    www.billboard.com
    Bobby Brown has surrendered to authorities and will begin a 55-day jail sentence for a driving under the influence conviction. Brown's attorney and a ...
    Read More

Tour Dates

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  • Jun 8 Saturday
    Lafayette, LA, US Cajundome
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 29 Saturday
    Hampton, VA, US Hampton Coliseum
    Buy Ticket

Discography

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  • The Masterpiece (2012)
    Bobby Brown
    The Masterpiece (2012)
    Bronx Bridge Entertainment
  • Forever (1997)
    Bobby Brown
    Forever (1997)
    MCA Records
  • Bobby (1992)
    Bobby Brown
    Bobby (1992)
    MCA Records
  • Don't Be Cruel (1988)
    Bobby Brown
    Don't Be Cruel (1988)
    MCA Records
  • King of Stage (1987)
    Bobby Brown
    King of Stage (1987)
    Universal Special Products
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