Bobby Brown

Photo of Bobby Brown

Biography

A charismatic but polarizing singer, Bobby Brown scored as a member of the R&B boy band New Edition with hits including "Candy Girl," "Cool It Now" and "Mr. Telephone Man" as well as an appearance in the film "Krush Groove" (1985). Frustrated by his limited role and the band's pop-oriented direction, Brown was kicked out and began a solo career that flashed supernova with 1988's Don't Be Cruel, which helped shape the new jack swing movement …
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Job Title

Actor, Producer, Music

Born

Bobby Baresford Brown on February 5, 1969 in Roxbury, Massachusetts, USA

Career Milestones

Discovered by producer Maurice Starr who signed them to his label and co-authored their debut hit, "Candy Girl," which helped get New Edition a deal with MCA

1978

Began singing with Roxbury schoolmates Michael Bivins and Ricky Bell, which later developed into "New Edition"

1986

Left New Edition to become a solo artist

1987

Released debut solo album, King of Stage

1988

Released second album, Don't Be Cruel, which sold 7 million copies, producing the smash single "My Prerogative"

1990

Provide the theme song for "Ghostbusters II," the smash hit "On Our Own"; also had a cameo in the film

1990

Released an album of remixes Dance! ... Ya Know It!, which went platinum

1992

Third solo album Bobby was released to moderate success

1996

Briefly reunited with New Edition whose comeback album, Home Again entered the charts at number one

1996

Cast in "A Thin Line Between Love and Hate," a comedy written, directed and starring Martin Lawrence

1997

Released fourth solo album, Forever, a commercial disappointment which failed to break the Top 50

2000

Released his Greatest Hits album

2001

Had a small role in the comedy "Two Can Play That Game," starring Vivica A. Fox and Anthony Anderson

2002

Heard on Ja Rule's The Last Temptation, on the track "Thug Lovin'"

2003

Performed on VH1's "Divas Duets"

2005

Starred in the reality television show "Being Bobby Brown," (Bravo) which featured Brown, Whitney Houston, and their extended family over the course of six months