- published: 29 Apr 2014
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Robert "Bobby" Brown (born February 5, 1969) is an American R&B singer, songwriter, dancer and actor. Brown started his career as one of the frontmen of the R&B and pop group New Edition, from its inception as The Bricks in 1982 until his forced exit from the group in 1986 following a period of misbehavior and rebellious behavior on his part. Starting a solo career, he became a hit success with his second album in 1988, Don't Be Cruel, which spawned a number of hit singles including the self-penned "My Prerogative", which became his signature hit. Brown had a string of top ten hits on various Billboard charts between 1986 and 1993. Brown is noted as a pioneer of new jack swing, a fusion of R&B.
From 1992 to 2007 Brown was married to the pop singer Whitney Houston, with whom he had a child, Bobbi Kristina Brown (1993–2015). The couple starred in the reality show Being Bobby Brown. Houston died in 2012.
Brown was born in Boston, Massachusetts, as one of six children to Carole Elizabeth (née Williams) and Herbert James Brown. Herbert was a construction worker and Carole was a substitute teacher. Brown grew up in Roxbury's Orchard Park Projects. Brown's first taste of being onstage occurred at age three when one of his childhood idols, James Brown, performed in Boston. This performance had sparked a dream of becoming a singer. Brown joined the church choir, where he recognized and developed his singing abilities.