Bobby Brown: Difference between revisions
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In 2006 Brown appeared on "Beautiful", the third single from [[Damian Marley]]'s album ''[[Welcome to Jamrock]]''. |
In 2006 Brown appeared on "Beautiful", the third single from [[Damian Marley]]'s album ''[[Welcome to Jamrock]]''. |
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2010 Bobby Brown surprised his fans by dueting with American R&B and soul singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress [[Macy Gray]] on her new album titled [[The Sellout]]. Together they did a song "Real Love". [[Macy Gray]] divulged the pleasure of working with Bobby Brown to Essence Magazine <ref>[[Essence (magazine)]]</ref> on the project, saying that "actually he came to the studio, since he doesn't live far, and knocked out his recording in two hours. We're friends and his one-year-old son is my godson. His fiance is one of my best friends in the whole world. I met Bobby a long time ago, but we really got to know each other through her." <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.essence.com/entertainment/music/macy_gray_talks_new_album.php#ixzz0sGFCSUeH|title=Macy Gray on 'The Sellout' and Finding Bobby Brown|author=Hillary Crosley}}</ref> Bobby Brown is working on his 5th solo album The Masterpiece that is set to be released 2011 with production from producers such as [[Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis]], [[Teddy Riley (producer)|Teddy Riley]], [[Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds]], |
2010 Bobby Brown surprised his fans by dueting with American R&B and soul singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress [[Macy Gray]] on her new album titled [[The Sellout]]. Together they did a song "Real Love". [[Macy Gray]] divulged the pleasure of working with Bobby Brown to Essence Magazine <ref>[[Essence (magazine)]]</ref> on the project, saying that "actually he came to the studio, since he doesn't live far, and knocked out his recording in two hours. We're friends and his one-year-old son is my godson. His fiance is one of my best friends in the whole world. I met Bobby a long time ago, but we really got to know each other through her." <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.essence.com/entertainment/music/macy_gray_talks_new_album.php#ixzz0sGFCSUeH|title=Macy Gray on 'The Sellout' and Finding Bobby Brown|author=Hillary Crosley}}</ref> Bobby Brown is working on his 5th solo album The Masterpiece that is set to be released 2011 with production from producers such as [[Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis]], [[Teddy Riley (producer)|Teddy Riley]], [[Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds]], Derek "DOA" Allen, [[Benjamin Franklin]] and some of his nephews. |
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===Heads of State=== |
===Heads of State=== |
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Revision as of 05:19, 28 July 2011
 | This article's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. (April 2011) |
Bobby Brown | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Robert Barisford Brown |
| Origin | Roxbury, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B New jack swing Hip hop Dance-pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter Dancer |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Labels | MCA Interscope Records |
| Website | www.bobbybrownonline.com |
Robert Barisford "Bobby" Brown (born February 5, 1969) is an American R&B singer-songwriter, occasional rapper, and dancer. After success in pop group New Edition, Brown began his solo career in 1987 and had a string of Top 10 Billboard hits, culminating in a Grammy Award. He was a pioneer of New Jack Swing music, a fusion of hip hop and R&B. His second album, Don't Be Cruel, included popular songs such as "My Prerogative". Brown is the ex-husband of pop singer Whitney Houston and starred in the reality show Being Bobby Brown.
Music career
New Edition
Bobby Brown began his music career as a member of the R&B boy band New Edition which he founded along with childhood friend Michael Bivins. He is the youngest member of the group since the inception.[citation needed] The group's hits with Brown included "Candy Girl", "Cool It Now", and "Mr. Telephone Man". Brown was voted out of New Edition in 1986 when the other four members felt that their careers would be jeopardized by Bobby's lewd, line-crossing on-stage antics.[1] Throughout the All for Love tour, he feuded with Ralph Tresvant and cut in on Tresvant's lead vocals. In 1996, Brown rejoined the group for New Edition's comeback album, Home Again. In the middle of the tour, he engaged in further racy on-stage antics. He extended his solo set and cut into Bell Biv Devoe's time. Once again, he left New Edition. In the fall of 2005, New Edition performed at BET's 25th Anniversary Special. The group performed a medley of its greatest hits, and even brought Bobby Brown on stage for a rendition of "Mr. Telephone Man". It was later announced on BET and Inside Hollywood that Bobby had rejoined the group and would be on the next group album. In January 2006, New Edition announced that the group would launch a new album and tour in 2008. Bobby also appeared at a concert in Columbia, South Carolina that New Edition had filmed for a future DVD release.
Solo career
After leaving New Edition in 1985, Brown stayed with the group manager Steven Machat and Machat secured from MCA, the groups record label, a record deal guaranteed for Browns solo career if Brown agreed to leave the New Edition. MCA released his first solo album, King of Stage, in 1986. This album included "Girlfriend", a minor hit which went to #1 on the Billboard R&B charts and #57 on the Billboard Hot 100. Other than that, King of Stage did not garner much attention. However, Brown's next album, 1988's Don't Be Cruel with Machat overseeing the entire production and styling of Brown with Louil Silas, MCA's rep, rocketed him to super stardom. Working with the writing/producing team of L.A. Reid and Babyface, as well as Teddy Riley, Don't Be Cruel spawned five Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 singles: "Don't Be Cruel" (#8), "Every Little Step" (#3), "Rock Wit' Cha" (#7), "My Prerogative" (#1), and "Roni" (#3). The album would eventually be certified 8x platinum (8,000,000 units sold).[2]
In 1989, he contributed two songs (including "On Our Own", which reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100) to the Ghostbusters II soundtrack, in addition to making a cameo in the film. Brown has subsequently dabbled in acting.
In between the "On Our Own" single and the release of Brown's next album, a remix album, Dance! Ya Know It! was released to capitalise on Brown's huge success at the time. A non-album "megamix" single was released to promote the project. The European dance-oriented version (sampling beats by Snap!) was titled "The Freestyle Megamix" and was a hit in the UK, reaching #14 on the Gallup charts. A more R'n'B oriented version called "Every Little Hit Mix" (b/w "Roni) was released in Australia.
Brown's third album, Bobby, did not arrive until 1992. It reached #2 on the Billboard album charts and produced the hit singles "Humpin' Around" (#3 on the Billboard Hot 100) and "Good Enough" (#7) as well as a smaller hit in "Get Away" (#14). The album was eventually certified 1x platinum (1,000,000 units sold).[2] However, it did not come close to matching the album sales or singles chart success of its predecessor.
Brown waited until late 1997 to release his next (and to date, last) album of original material, Forever. The album was originally titled Bobby II and was supposed to be produced by such luminaries as R.Kelly, Teddy Riley, Sean Combs and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. However, Brown negotiated 100% creative control of the album[citation needed] and decided to write all the songs himself. It only managed to climb to #61 on the Billboard Hot 200 album charts and produced no charting singles.
In 2006 Brown appeared on "Beautiful", the third single from Damian Marley's album Welcome to Jamrock.
2010 Bobby Brown surprised his fans by dueting with American R&B and soul singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress Macy Gray on her new album titled The Sellout. Together they did a song "Real Love". Macy Gray divulged the pleasure of working with Bobby Brown to Essence Magazine [3] on the project, saying that "actually he came to the studio, since he doesn't live far, and knocked out his recording in two hours. We're friends and his one-year-old son is my godson. His fiance is one of my best friends in the whole world. I met Bobby a long time ago, but we really got to know each other through her." [4] Bobby Brown is working on his 5th solo album The Masterpiece that is set to be released 2011 with production from producers such as Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Teddy Riley, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Derek "DOA" Allen, Benjamin Franklin and some of his nephews.
Heads of State
As of September 27, 2008, Brown began touring with fellow New Edition members Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill in a new group named Heads of State. The group continues to tour worldwide. They are currently recording an album.
Movies
While always maintaining his focus on music, Brown has also been venturing into the movie side of showbiz. In 1996, Brown co-starred in the hit movie, "A Thin Line Between Love and Hate", along with Martin Lawrence and Lynn Whitfield. and in more recent years he has appeared in the films Two Can Play That Game, along with Vivica A. Fox and Morris Chestnut; "Go for Broke"; and Gang of Roses starring Lil' Kim, Lisa Raye, Stacey Dash, and Marie Matiko. After those he was in Nora's Hair Salon. Also conquering the small screen with the hit television show "Being Bobby Brown."
Bobby Brown had cameo guest appearances in many movies. Panther (1995) starring Courtney B. Vance and Chris Rock. Earlier, he played all three characters of Three Blind Mice in Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme (1990). In 1989 was Brown's first solo guest cameo appearance in Ghostbusters II playing the Mayor's Doorman.
1985 Krush Groove Character Name: Himself[5]
1989 Ghostbusters II Played The Mayor's Doorman[6]
1989 His Prerogative Interview and Videos[7]
1990 Mother Goose Rock 'N' Rhymes Character Name: Three Blind Mice[8]
1992 Bobby Brown: Humpin' Around Making of the Video
1993 Bobby Brown: Bobby Played Himself
1995 Panther Character Name: Rose[9]
1996 A Thin Line Between Love and Hate Character Name: Tee[10]
2001 Two Can Play That Game Character Name: Michael[11]
2002 Go For Broke Character Name: Jive[12]
2003 Gang of Roses Character Name: Left Eye Watkins[13]
2004 Nora's Hair Salon Character Name: Bennie[14]
2008 Nora's Hair Salon II Character Name: Old Man Butter[15]
Personal life
In June 2007, Brown took part in the ITV television series "24 hours with...", a chat show format as celebrity and interviewer spend an intense 24 hours locked in a room together. The show's host, Jamie Campbell, asked Brown questions about his career and private life, and infamously joked about making "sexual moves" towards the singer. Brown was furious and threatened to beat Campbell up live on air.[16]
He has been appearing on cable-televised reality T.V. shows such as Celebrity Fit Club, Gone Country, and his own show entitled Being Bobby Brown.
Family
Brown has a total of six siblings: two Brothers Tommy Brown (former longtime manager), Derrick Brown; four sisters; Leolah Brown, Tina Brown, Bethy Brown (died due to cancer), and Carolyn Brown.
He has a total of five biological children. In chronological order the oldest being his son Landon Brown, La'princia Brown, Robert (Bobby) Brown Jr., Bobbi Kristina Brown, and Cassius Brown. Brown married Whitney Houston in July 1992. Together they have one daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, born 1993. On September 13, 2006, Houston's publicist announced that after 14 years of marriage, Houston had filed for a legal separation from Brown. One month later, Houston officially filed for a divorce from Brown.[17] It was ruled by a judge on April 4, 2007 that their marriage would be definitively dissolved on April 24, 2007, and that Whitney would receive custody of their then 14-year-old daughter. Bobby has a son with his wife, Alicia Etheredge-Brown.[18]
Brown's eldest son, Landon Brown, appeared on the MTV show Rock the Cradle. On February 3, 2009, it was announced Brown was expecting his fifth child with his then girlfriend.[19] His fifth son, a boy named Cassius, was born May 30, 2009.[20]
On May 7, 2010, Brown proposed to his long time girlfriend[21] while performing at the Funk Fest in Jacksonville, Fla. He asked her to marry him while giving his performance on stage. He got down on one knee and when she joined him on stage along with their child she accepted his proposal. He is currently signed to Geffen Records/Interscope Records.
Substance abuse and legal problems
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Brown's legal and substance abuse troubles threatened to overshadow his music. In late 2003, Brown was arrested for misdemeanor battery, allegedly for striking Houston while shouting epithets.[22] In February 2004, Brown was arrested and jailed in Georgia on a parole violation related to a previous drunk driving conviction. Whitney Houston has also publicly stated that Brown's choice of drug was marijuana laced with cocaine.[23]
Bobby Brown made a guest appearance on The Monique Show with fellow group mates Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant to promote their ongoing tour across the globe to sold out shows. Bobby also discussed how he overcame his struggles. He told the world how happy he is to be in love with his new wife Alicia Etheredge-Brown. The trio Heads of State performed medleys of their classic legendary hits to an audience full of die hard New Edition fans.[24]
Discography
 | It has been suggested that this section be split out into another article titled Bobby Brown discography. (Discuss) (April 2011) |
Studio albums
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications[25] (sales threshold) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | UK | AUS | SWE | AUT | SWI | |||
| 1986 | King of Stage
|
88 | 12 | 40 | — | — | — | — | |
| 1988 | Don't Be Cruel
|
1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 20 | — | — | |
| 1992 | Bobby
|
2 | 1 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 26 | 18 |
|
| 1997 | Forever
|
61 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2011 | The Masterpiece
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Remix albums
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications[25] (sales threshold) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B |
UK | AUS | ||||||
| 1989 | Dance!...Ya Know It!
|
9 | 7 | 26 | 14 |
| |||
| 1993 | Remixes n the Key of B
|
— | 72 | — | — | ||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | |||||||||
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | RIAA[26] | Album | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | US Dance | US AC | UK | AUS | ||||
| 1986 | "Girlfriend" | 57 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | King of Stage |
| 1987 | "Girl Next Door" | — | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 1988 | "Don't Be Cruel" | 8 | 1 | — | — | 42 | — | Gold | Don't Be Cruel |
| "My Prerogative" | 1 | 1 | 71 | — | 6 | 40 | Gold | ||
| 1989 | "Don't Be Cruel" (UK re-release) | — | — | — | — | 13 | — | — | |
| "Roni" | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | 21 | — | Gold | ||
| "Every Little Step" | 3 | 1 | 17 | — | 6 | 8 | Gold | ||
| "On Our Own" | 2 | 1 | 15 | — | 4 | 22 | Platinum | Ghostbusters 2 (soundtrack) | |
| "Rock Wit'cha" | 7 | 3 | — | 28 | 33 | — | Gold | Don't Be Cruel | |
| 1990 | "The Freestyle Mega-Mix" | — | — | — | — | 14 | — | — | Non-album song |
| "The Every Little Hit Mix" | — | — | — | — | — | 21 | — | Non-album song | |
| 1992 | "Humpin' Around" | 3 | 1 | 15 | — | 19 | 1 | Gold | Bobby |
| "Good Enough" | 7 | 5 | — | — | 41 | 39 | Gold | ||
| 1993 | "Get Away" | 14 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | |
| "That's the Way Love Is" | 57 | 9 | 31 | — | 56 | — | — | ||
| "Something in Common" (with Whitney Houston) | — | — | — | — | 16 | — | — | ||
| 1994 | "Two Can Play That Game" | — | — | — | — | 38 | — | — | |
| 1995 | "Two Can Play That Game" (remix) | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | Remixes n the Key of B |
| "Humpin' Around" (remix) | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | ||
| "My Prerogative" (remix) | — | — | — | — | 17 | — | — | ||
| 1996 | "Every Little Step" (remix) | — | — | — | — | 25 | — | — | |
| 1997 | "Feelin' Inside" | — | 42 | — | — | 40 | — | — | Forever |
| 2006 | "Lying Eyes" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | The Masterpiece |
| 2009 | "Damaged" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2011 | "Get Out The Way" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
|
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or not certified | |||||||||
Featured singles
| Year | Single | Artist | Peak chart positions | Album | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | US Dance | UK | AUS | |||||
| 1990 | "She Ain't Worth It" | Glenn Medeiros | 1 | 43 | — | 12 | 8 | Glenn Medeiros | |
| 2002 | "Thug Lovin'" | Ja Rule | 42 | 16 | 10 | 15 | 7 | The Last Temptation | |
| 2006 | "Beautiful" | Damian Marley | — | — | — | 39 | — | Welcome to Jamrock | |
| 2010 | "Real Love" | Macy Gray | — | — | — | — | — | The Sellout | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | |||||||||
References
- ^ "How Cruel Can Fame Be, Bobby Brown?". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-11-25.
- ^ a b "Bobby Brown "Rock On The Net" profile". Retrieved 2007-12-06.
- ^ Essence (magazine)
- ^ Hillary Crosley. "Macy Gray on 'The Sellout' and Finding Bobby Brown".
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089444/
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097428/
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0305313/
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100192/
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114084/
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117891/
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0269341/
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0281889/
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0339091/
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0355836/
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0883410/
- ^ [1]
- ^ Silverman, Stephen M. (2006-11-18). "Whitney Houston Files for Divorce". People. Time, Inc. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ "Houston wins custody of daughter". BBC News. April 5, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
- ^ Bobby Brown's girlfriend is Preggers Sister 2 Sister Magazine, February 3, 2009
- ^ http://celebrity-babies.com/2009/06/04/bobby-brown-welcomes-son-cassius/
- ^ Bobby Brown Gets Engaged – On Stage!
- ^ Bobby Brown Turns Himself In - News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News
- ^ http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621531/20090915/houston_whitney.jhtml
- ^ [2] Mo'Nique
- ^ a b RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for albums by Bobby Brown
- ^ RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Bobby Brown
External links
- Articles to be split from April 2011
- 1969 births
- Living people
- African American singers
- American dance musicians
- American male singers
- American pop singers
- American rhythm and blues singers
- Grammy Award winners
- Musicians from Massachusetts
- New Edition members
- Participants in American reality television series
- People from Atlanta, Georgia
- People from Boston, Massachusetts
- Whitney Houston
- MCA Records artists
- Celebrity Fit Club participants
- People self-identifying as alcoholics