Robert Barisford Brown Sr. is a prominent American singer-songwriter, dancer, and rapper, and one of the first artists to explore the new jack swing genre. He was born on February 5, 1969 in Boston, Massachusetts. Brown rose to fame as a member of New Edition and emerged as a solo artist. In the 80s and 90s, he was a pioneer in merging hip-hop with R&B. He nurtured his passion for music while growing up in the Orchard Park Projects of Roxbury. The highlight of the budded interest Brown had in music was a concert in which he watched his idol, James Brown, live at the age of three. He would go on to sing in church choirs, eventually creating New Edition as a band with friends Matthew Bivins and Ricky Bell.
New Edition soared to new heights with their debut album, Candy Girl, released in 1983. The group had hits like “Mr. Telephone Man” and “Candy Girl” where Brown contributed as co-lead vocalist. Despite the attention, Brown became increasingly frustrated due to the lack of financial compensation and creative control he received. In 1986, amidst internal tensions and disputes with the management, Brown decided to take the leap and pursue a solo career.
His first solo project was King of Stage, released in 1986, which performed moderately well, featuring the R&B hit Girlfriend. However, his breakthrough came in 1988 with Don’t Be Cruel, which was produced by L.A. Reid, Babyface, and Teddy Riley. The album went on to become a commercial masterpiece, dominating the Billboard 200 while yielding five Top 10 hits including My Prerogative, Every Little Step, and Roni. The combination of R&B melodies and hip-hop beats preserved Brown’s status as a pioneer in new jack swing music. He won a Grammy for “Every Little Step” and became the best-selling male artist of 1989.
The success didn’t stop there as he released Bobby in 1992 which produced other hits like “Humpin’ Around” and “Get Away.” While it didn’t reach the colossal heights of his prior album, it continued to solidify his influence in R&B. Brown’s music and image, including his high-energy performances and signature “Gumby” haircut, became iconic.
Unfortunately, life struggles started to affect his career. The media has always been captivated by marriage between Houston and Brown. The couple struggled for years with drug abuse, volatile fights, and reality shows dubbed “Being Bobby Brown” in 2005. They received both acclaim and censure for the intertwining of their lives.
Brown’s career took a dip after separating from Houston. He lost access to his daughter, and struggled to find work in the struggling entertainment industry. Houston and Brown also divorced in 2007, leaving their daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown to face major life changes which left her mortally wounded. She tragically passed away at the age of 25.
Despite suffering through his life, Brown remained a key figure in the entertainment world. He collaborated with New Edition for the chart splitting album Home Again in 1996 and later joined splinter teams like Heads of State. He also made a name for himself with his 2012 released “The Masterpiece”, and continued to capture hearts through appearances on The Masked Singer and A&E’s “Every Little Step”.
The impact Brown left on R&B and Hip Hop are indisputable. His wonderful performances shaped the New Jack Swing Movement, and he was awarded New Edition numerous Hall of Fame Inductions alongside a BET Lifetime Achievement Award.
Contents
Top Songs
- My Prerogative
A defiant anthem and Brown’s signature hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988. - Every Little Step
Grammy-winning track known for its catchy chorus and iconic choreography. - Roni
A smooth ballad that became one of Brown’s top charting singles. - Don’t Be Cruel
Title track of his breakthrough album, peaking at No. 8 on the Hot 100. - Humpin’ Around
Lead single from Bobby, showcasing his shift to a funkier, dance-heavy sound. - Get Away
Another major hit from the Bobby album, peaking in the Top 20. - On Our Own
A hit from the Ghostbusters II soundtrack, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. - Something in Common (with Whitney Houston)
A heartfelt duet and fan favorite, particularly successful in the UK. - Two Can Play That Game
Remixed in 1994, it became his biggest UK hit, peaking at No. 3.
Discography
Studio Albums
- King of Stage (1986)
- Don’t Be Cruel (1988)
- Bobby (1992)
- Forever (1997)
- The Masterpiece (2012)
With New Edition
- Candy Girl (1983)
- New Edition (1984)
- All for Love (1985)
- Home Again (1996)
Top Albums
- Don’t Be Cruel (1988)
Brown’s magnum opus; 7× Platinum in the U.S., 12 million copies sold worldwide. - Bobby (1992)
A successful follow-up; certified 3× Platinum and included multiple hit singles. - Home Again (1996, with New Edition)
Reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200; featured two hit singles with Brown on lead. - King of Stage (1986)
Modest debut featuring the R&B No. 1 single “Girlfriend.” - The Masterpiece (2012)
Marked his comeback with a more mature sound and introspective lyrics.
Awards and Honors
- Grammy Award
- Best Male R&B Vocal Performance (1990) – “Every Little Step”
- American Music Awards
- Favorite Soul/R&B Album (Don’t Be Cruel) – 1989
- Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist – 1989, 1993
- Soul Train Music Award
- Best R&B/Urban Contemporary Album – Male (Don’t Be Cruel) – 1989
- People’s Choice Award
- Favorite Male Musical Performer – 1990
- BET Awards
- Lifetime Achievement Award (with New Edition) – 2017
- Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame
- Inducted (with New Edition) – 2022
- National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame
- Inducted (with New Edition) – 2023
- NAACP Hall of Fame
- Inducted (with New Edition) – 2024
Bobby Brown Singles List
| Year | Title | Album | Chart Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Girlfriend | King of Stage | US R&B #1 |
| 1987 | Seventeen | King of Stage | — |
| 1987 | Girl Next Door | King of Stage | — |
| 1988 | Don’t Be Cruel | Don’t Be Cruel | US Hot 100 #8, US R&B #1 |
| 1988 | My Prerogative | Don’t Be Cruel | US Hot 100 #1, US R&B #1 |
| 1989 | Roni | Don’t Be Cruel | US Hot 100 #3, US R&B #2 |
| 1989 | Every Little Step | Don’t Be Cruel | US Hot 100 #3, US R&B #1 |
| 1989 | Rock Wit’cha | Don’t Be Cruel | US Hot 100 #7 |
| 1989 | On Our Own | Ghostbusters II Soundtrack | US Hot 100 #2, US R&B #1 |
| 1989 | She Ain’t Worth It (with Glenn Medeiros) | Glenn Medeiros | US Hot 100 #1 |
| 1990 | That’s the Way Love Is | Dance!…Ya Know It! | US R&B #74 |
| 1991 | Stone Cold Gentleman (with Ralph Tresvant) | Ralph Tresvant | US R&B #5 |
| 1992 | Humpin’ Around | Bobby | US Hot 100 #3, US R&B #1 |
| 1992 | Good Enough | Bobby | US Hot 100 #7, US R&B #1 |
| 1993 | Get Away | Bobby | US Hot 100 #14 |
| 1993 | That’s the Way Love Is (re-release) | Bobby | — |
| 1993 | Something in Common (with Whitney Houston) | Bobby | UK #16 |
| 1995 | Two Can Play That Game (K-Klass Remix) | Bobby | UK #3 |
| 1997 | Feelin’ Inside | Forever | US R&B #92 |
| 2002 | Thug Lovin’ (with Ja Rule) | The Last Temptation | US R&B Top 40 |
| 2012 | Don’t Let Me Die | The Masterpiece | — |
| 2012 | Get Out the Way | The Masterpiece | — |