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.