Bobby Brown

Robert Barisford Brown Sr., born on February 5, 1969, in Boston, Massachusetts, developed a passion for performing at a young age after witnessing a James Brown concert. He joined a church choir, which helped him hone his singing abilities. In 1980, at the age of 12, Brown co-founded the R&B/pop vocal group New Edition, originally named “The Bricks,” alongside Michael Bivins and Ricky Bell. The group gained international recognition with their debut album “Candy Girl” in 1983, featuring Brown’s co-lead vocals on the title track. His first full lead vocal performance was on the ballad “Jealous Girl” that same year. New Edition achieved further crossover success with their self-titled second album in 1984, which included hits like “Cool It Now” and “Mr. Telephone Man,” where Brown also contributed co-lead vocals. Brown’s journey with New Edition concluded in early 1986.

Following his departure from New Edition, Brown signed a solo deal with MCA Records, releasing his debut album “King of Stage” in 1986. While featuring the number-one R&B single “Girlfriend,” the album experienced moderate overall success. His breakthrough came with the 1988 album “Don’t Be Cruel,” which became a critical and commercial triumph. This album spawned five Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles, including the chart-topping “My Prerogative” and the Grammy Award-winning “Every Little Step.” At 19, Brown became the youngest male artist at the time to top the Billboard 200 with a studio album. In 1989, he contributed two songs, including the top-ten single “On Our Own,” to the “Ghostbusters II” soundtrack and made a cameo in the film. His 1992 album “Bobby” sold over 3 million copies and featured successful singles like “Humpin’ Around” and “Get Away.”

Brown’s career also includes acting roles in films such as “A Thin Line Between Love and Hate” (1996) and “Two Can Play That Game” (2001). He reunited with New Edition for their 1996 album “Home Again,” which reached number one on the Billboard 200, and has continued to perform with the group. In 2005, he starred with his then-wife Whitney Houston in the reality television series “Being Bobby Brown.” More recently, he has been involved in A&E Network projects, including the 2022 documentary “Biography: Bobby Brown” and the reality series “Bobby Brown: Every Little Step,” where he serves as an executive producer.